The MoU was singed at the Dubai Customs’ headquarters by H.E. Ahmed Butti Ahmed, Dubai Customs Director General and H.E. Abdullah bin Aqeeda Al Muhairy, UAE’s Zakat Fund Secretary General on Sunday, August 30^th, 2009.

The MoU entails a mutual and joint cooperation between both organizations in the field of humanitarian and social action in the UAE and raising awareness of the significance of Zakat among all individuals especially on different religious occasions and events. The MoU also mandates holding lectures and seminars in all Dubai Customs’ centers to empower community through solidarity.

The MoU will facilitate fixing counters for Zakat Fund which will be placed at Dubai Customs’ headquarters and at different 14 customs centers in Dubai. These counters will have coupons with different money categories that can be purchased by employees and clients as Zakat or donations. Moreover, there will be orientation brochures that introduce Zakat concept and its importance.

H.E. Ahmed Butti Ahmed said:’ We are honoured to work with Zakat Fund which is a federal organisation that excels in the field of collecting and giving Zakat in an excellent and legitimate manner. This MoU will help us implement our strategy of reinforcing social development and supporting charitable and humanitarian action since Zakat noticeably help accomplish social security in all communities.’

He added:’ This holy month of Ramadan constitutes a great opportunity to disseminate awareness of Zakat as a gracious Islamic pillar. We have to seize this opportunity to urge people to do good and further solidarity. We realize the major role Zakat Fund plays in providing services to the Emirati community as a whole. It is our duty to support this role as part of our corporate values and commitment to the society.’

He said that this MoU reinforces relations and cooperation among government departments and charitable organisations that aspire to spread humanitarian and charitable action and anchor efforts to provide social services for the welfare of nationals and expatriates in the UAE.

On his behalf, H.E. Abdullah bin Aqeeda Al Muhairy stressed the necessity of joint institutional cooperation for the individual and the community as a whole, citing Dubai Customs’ remarkable efforts in the field of charitable and social action.