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Make use of popularity to promote philanthropy

Abu Dhabi - The youngest FNC member from Abu Dhabi, shared a story of collecting Dh4 million in three weeks druing Ramadan

Social media influencers can use their popularity to become active participants in society to promote charity work, a Federal National Council (FNC) member noted.
During a session at the Arab Social Media Influencer Summit (ASMIS), which concluded on Wednesday, Saeed Al Rumaithi, the youngest FNC member from Abu Dhabi, shared a story of collecting Dh4 million in three weeks druing Ramadan, to help build a hospital in Iraq's Erbil area, in cooperation with the Emirates Red Crescent.
"The challenges were to continue to support the hospital through social media, but the platform has proven that it can largely contribute to good causes," said Al Rumaithi at a session attended by Noura Al Kaabi, Minister of State for Federal National Council Affairs.
He added the initiative, under the name Eyal Zayed, helped prove that social media could remove borders and help people unite.
His colleague on stage, TV presenter Munther Al Muzaki, referred to an incident where he decided to attend his chef's daughter's wedding, so he posted on Snapchat inviting others to participate. "Within one hour, I got a call from an estate company offering 15 flight tickets," he said. It took him two hours to gather 15 Emiratis ready for the initiative.
He said around 50,000 people from the town in India, where about three million people reside, gathered to welcome the Emirati young men.
As the wedding videos spread across the Indian community in the UAE, Al Muzaki said some residents recognised him.
"I was at the barbershop and the owner recognised me and thanked me for this initiative. If anything, we should use social media to promote tolerance," said Al Muzaki.
sherouk@khaleejtimes.com