Mohammed honors supporters of “Dubai Cares”

UAE Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum has attended a ceremony to honour aid agencies, foundations, government and non-government organizations and individuals who supported "Dubai Cares" since its inception five years ago, in presence of Dubai Crown Prince Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum and Dubai Deputy Ruler Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.

The ceremony which is organized by “Dubai Cares” and held at Madinat Jumeirah in Dubai was also attended by Chairman of Dubai Civil Aviation and Chief Executive of Emirates Group Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman of Dubai Culture and Arts Authority Sheikh Majid bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Cabinet Affairs Minister Mohammed Abdullah Al Gergawi, Director of Dubai Ruler's Court Mohammed Abdullah Al Shebani, Commander General of Dubai Police Lt. General Dahi Khalfan Tamim and a number of heads of departments and directors of institutions.

Following a rendition of the UAE national anthem and a short documentary film highlighting Dubai Cares humanitarian and voluntary initiatives since its launch in 2007, Minister of State and chairperson of “Dubai Cares” Reem Ibrahim Al Hashemi commenced the ceremony praising the founder of “Dubai Cares”, UAE Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, for exerting his efforts to provide millions of children around the world the opportunity to have access to quality education, which reflects His Highness belief in education as a tool to conquer poverty so as to live in dignity.

In her speech, Al Hashemi underscored the fact that in its commitment to His Highness vision and with the support of the government and non-government institutions in UAE, “Dubai Cares” could reach out to more than seven million children in 28 developing countries; build and renovate over 1,500 schools and classrooms in Bangladesh; provide nutritious food everyday to more than 320,000 children in schools in Ghana; provide water wells and health facilities in 2300 schools in Mali and Indonesia in addition to training teachers to improve education, particularly in Bangladesh.

Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid and Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid honoured more than 40 aid agencies, foundations, government and non-government organizations for their support to “Dubai Cares” and its campaigns, amongst the honoured were Dubai Police, Emirates Airlines, Dubai Airports and Duty Free, Dubai Media Incorporated, Emaar, Dubai Municipality, Road and Transport Authority, Dubai Corporation for Ambulance Services, Du (Emirates Integrated Telecommunications Company) and other institutions. Moreover, individuals honoured for their distinguished participation and support included but not limited to Lt. General Musabbah Rashid Al Fattan, Mr Sunny Varkey, Mr Al Sayyed Yousif Ali and other local and foreign individuals recognized for their philanthropic donations.

Sheikh Mohammed thanked the honoured supporters for the contributions directed at children who are deprived of education, a basic human right for a child’s development, stressing that those contributions also highlight the humanitarian values deeply rooted in UAE traditions and culture.

“What’s the use of money if it cannot make people happy, especially the children, regardless of their nationality, creed or religion” Sheikh Mohammed said.