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Dar Al Ber sets aside Dh80m for charitable makeover

A Dubai-based charity is digging deep and has set aside Dh80 million to carry out over 15,000 projects around the city — including the construction of more than 700 mosques taking a 50 per cent chunk out of the budget.

The Dubai government-run Dar Al Ber Society concluded the agreements recently and member of the society, Abdullah Al Falasi outlined some of the charity’s plans:

“The new schemes agreed upon spans the construction of 734 mosques worth Dh40 million, as well as 5,295 water wells and coolers worth Dh11 million, 446 endowments worth Dh7.1 million, and 1,674 emergency relief aid programmes worth Dh7.7 million.”

Al Falasi added that there were also 354 food support projects worth Dh260,000, copying the Holy Quran abroad against Dh520,000, 228 medical projects worth Dh315,000, 249 drinking water projects worth Dh175,000, and 300 food grocery packets worth Dh135,000.

Perfumes worth Dh330 would also be given to 50 mosques on a monthly basis, apart from 180 air-conditioners and refrigerators costing Dh1,200 for every AC unit and Dh1,500 for every fridge.

The society had donated Dh1 million for maintaining the mosques in the emirate. The amount was paid in a cheque to the Department of Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities in Dubai.

Head of Local Affairs Sector at the society Mohammed Suhail Al Muhairi, said the mosques of the emirate, particularly the air-conditioners, would be maintained. “Air-conditioners need to be serviced on a regular basis, especially in the summer months for a better convenience of the faithful and worshippers.”

Al Falasi said they were also asking philanthropists to donate for poor Muslims who wish to perform Haj. “Haj costs Dh6,500 for a pilgrim from Lebanon, Dh11,150 for Sudan pilgrims, Dh23,600 for those in Palestine, and other countries.”

Donors were also urged to help the poor, orphans, and needy with carcass meat. “We are requesting Dh500 against a carcass in the country and Dh600 in Somalia,” he said, calling for support the Adahi (sacrificing of animals) in the coming Haj season. -ahmedshaaban@khaleejtimes.com