28 March 2023, UAE, Dubai – Khalaf Ahmad Al Habtoor, Founding Chairman of Al Habtoor Group (AHG), launched Ramadan Campaign to distribute around 80,000 meals to the needy in UAE and Lebanon during the Holy month of Ramadan.

The campaign started with the distributing more than 15,000 food rations to the needy and poor across Lebanon. In the UAE, 7,500 food rations will be distributed during the Holy month of Ramadan to a labour camp in Dubai. An iftar tent was set up in the Al Farooq Omar bin Al Khattab Mosque and Center (AFMC) where 60,000 meals will be distributed during the Holy month of Ramadan.

Khalaf Al Habtoor said: 'The Ramadan charity campaign is part of a series of corporate social responsibility initiatives carried out by Al Habtoor Group to help the needy families meet their basic needs and draw a smile on their faces in the holy month.'

In parallel, the Ramadan Ration (Mir Ramadan) campaign was launched, enabling beneficiaries to purchase foodstuff based on the family's needs. Khalaf Al Habtoor offered 1,000 Ramadan Rations to help families in need across the UAE, in cooperation with the Esaad team at the General Command of Dubai Police. In addition, 250 Ramadan rations will be provided to eligible families in Dubai based on pre-prepared lists approved by the Aid Committee, in line with a study on the households and their living conditions.

'I have an integrated team that manages charitable work under my direct supervision. The team receives requests, examines them and identifies the needs to meet all requirements and address them accordingly.'

On the other hand, Al Farooq Omar Bin Al Khattab Mosque and Center in Dubai – which was restored by Khalaf Al Habtoor and opened to the public in 2011 – is ready to receive worshippers and fasting people throughout the Holy month of Ramadan, with all facilities and services that ensure an adequate spiritual setting for the believers.

Sheikh Dr Fares Al Mustapha will deliver religious lectures daily after Asr prayers, which will be live streamed on AFMC pages on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube. The Friday prayers, Taraweeh, Laylet el-Qadr and Eid al-Fitr will be broadcasted live on AFMC social media pages.

AFMC also receives non-Muslim communities to introduce them to the core values of Islam and the UAE culture and traditions. These communities will have the opportunity to experience the essence of the Holy Month by participating in Iftar meals alongside Muslims.

Khalaf Bin Ahmad Al Habtoor is a pioneer of philanthropy in the Arab and international world. He made great contributions in various fields, most notably offering scholarships to one hundred Afghan girls to pursue their university studies; sponsoring a mass wedding for one hundred Emirati young men and women to build cohesive and stable families; and buying ten smart machines programmed to make bread to provide it free of charge to the needy and workers as part of As-sabil bread initiative. He allocated 300 hotel rooms to shelter families affected by rains and floods in the eastern regions of the country and established Harar Hospital in Akkar, North of Lebanon, the Medical Simulation Center at Mohammed Bin Rashid Academic Medical Center and the Leadership Center at Illinois College in the USA. He donated USD 2.8 million to the campaign 'They called and we responded' launched by the UAE Red Crescent to alleviate the suffering of the displaced Syrians in Jordan and Lebanon, in addition to many other initiatives and contributions, based on his belief in everyone's right to live a dignified life full of tranquillity without discrimination, through giving and sharing.