Media Center

Report: Saqr Foundation for Charity; A Year of Humanitarian Achievements December 13,2017

Sheikh Saqr bin Mohammed Al Qasimi Foundation for Charity has received the attention of His Highness Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah, with constant guidance to help the needy, poor and other groups in need of assistance and support.

Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Foundation, is keen to follow up on its programs and activities and encourage to carry out charitable work and humanitarian activities to achieve their objectives.

The Foundation was established in 2005 by an Amiri Decree issued by the late Sheikh Saqr bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, and chaired by Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saqr Al Qassimi with the membership of HE Mohammed Ahmed Ruqait Al Ali, HE Yousef Obaid Al Nuaimi, Dr Abdullah Ahmed Al Nuaimi and Sumaya Abdullah Hareb. This high-level committee works to develop the Foundation’s capabilities and means to continue providing excellent charity services, and promoting the human, social and economic role of charity work.

“Under the guidance of Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Chairman of the Board of Directors, the foundation has organized several charitable and humanitarian initiatives throughout the year, in conjunction with the 2017 Year of Giving initiative launched by His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE. The Year of Giving included the Giving Hand program for distributing meals and gifts to workers. The initiative was organized in cooperation with the Department of Public Works and Services and the participation of school students from Al Ghob School and the community police,” Said Wafaa Saeed Al Khanboli, Head of Social Research and Services at the Saqr Foundation for Charity.

She then pointed out that the Foundation participated in Zayed Humanitarian Work Day by distributing 2000 Iftar meals during Ramadan in the Corniche Wedding Hall. This initiative was held in cooperation with government agencies and in the presence of Sheikh Ahmed bin Saqr Al Qasimi and a number of dignitaries and officials of government agencies and workers at one banquet, which is a first ever in Ras Al Khaimah.

“The Foundation launched charitable initiatives during the holy month of Ramadan to distribute 2,500 Iftar meals per day throughout Ras Al Khaimah. In addition, the Foundation distributed vouchers worth AED 250 to all the Foundation’s Arab and foreign beneficiaries to help the needy families in the holy month of Ramadan,” added Al Khanboli.

The Foundation also supported the Women's Renaissance Society in Ras Al Khaimah in the annual Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak International Holy Quran Competition. This reflects the interest of the Foundation to spread the concept of charity work in various areas throughout the year.

“The Foundation annually supports the Ras Al Khaimah Holy Quran Award, which is hosted by the Ras Al Khaimah Foundation for the Holy Quran and Sciences, as it’s the main sponsor for the Award and other activities and events throughout the year,”

She also stressed that charitable work represents a great humanitarian value, and the highest form of giving and generosity. It is a civil behaviour that can only grow in societies that enjoy advanced levels of culture, awareness and responsibility. She then pointed out that thanks the UAE’s wise leadership, the nation has become one of the most prominent countries in charity. Thus, doing good is always positively reflects entirely on society.

Al Khanbouli then explained that one of the good causes that the Foundation is keen to serve is the Water Supply Project for a number of Ras Al Khaimah mosques. The Foundation provides water refrigerators to mosques, as well as 2,000 packages of water per month.

During its ten years of work, the Foundation has achieved and established basic principles towards pioneering charity work in line with the nation’s humanitarian mission and its genuine Arab and Islamic values. The Foundation continues to contribute to improve the conditions of the needy within a comprehensive sustainable development and a healthy environment.

She then noted that the Foundation aims to bring joy and pleasure in the hearts of those in need on Eid Al Adha by distributing meat to Ras Al Khaimah families enrolled in the Foundation.

She confirmed that the support of the students follows the steps of the vision of late Sheikh Saqr Al Qasimi, who founded this charitable and humanitarian foundation. He was keen to oblige parents to send their children to school as well as appointing supervisors to monitor the absence of students. Today, the fruits of these efforts are witnessed throughout Ras Al Khaimah that is now home to a great number of higher degree holders.

“In support to the educational field and coinciding with the new academic year, the Foundation distributed AED 200 vouchers to students of eligible families to be spent on school stationery. The foundation also covered tuition fees for a number of eligible school and university students. Members of the Foundation organized a field visit to the Rak Autism Center and distributed gifts to the students. The Foundation also supported Ras Al Khaimah Center for People of Determination through a number of educational projects focused on developing their skills.

In addition, the Foundation contributed to the support of Ras Al Khaimah government hospitals with a number of modern medical devices in addition to covering the costs of a number of surgical operations for patients in need of all nationalities. In addition, the Foundation Participates in international events such as the International Day for Older Persons.

Al Khanbouli also noted that the foundation took part with the Emirates Association for Social Development in Ras Al Khaimah, in cooperation with businessman Fahad Al Shirawi and a number of sponsors in organizing a Collective Wedding. This event mainly targeted Low-Income, Arab expats, people of determination, and Comoros Islands nationals. The Charity donated AED 5,000 to all 100 members of the wedding.

In addition, the Foundation also contributed in sponsoring Umrah Campaign for registered citizens who did not have the opportunity to previously perform Umrah. Additionally, the Foundation took part in the Mercy initiative, which distributed meals to workers and drivers at Qawasmi Corniche in cooperation with the Department of Public Works and Services and the participation of students from public schools and in cooperation with the police patrols of Ras Al Khaimah.

Al Khanbouli concluded by pointing out that Sheikh Saqr bin Mohammed Al Qasimi Foundation for Charity participated in every national occasion in 2017, including the Flag Day, Martyr Day and the 46^th National Day. The next phase will see a quantum leap in the Charity’s activities and programs on the local level, beginning from Year of Zayed launched by His Highness Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE.

It is worth mentioning the Foundation relies on endowments ‘Waqf projects’ dedicated to support the UAE efforts in charitable and humanitarian work and to achieve the overall objectives of giving.