UAE: 8 projects to be launched to support charitable asset investments
The UAE's General Authority of Islamic Affairs, Endowments, and Zakat has adopted Emirates Endowment as the unified identity for endowment initiatives, the authority announced on Wednesday.
Under the Emirates Endowment, eight projects are set to be launched across the country in order to support investment and community contributions in Waqf assets, as the authority concludes its study and design phases.
Waqf refers to properties that are donated by Muslims for religious or charitable purposes. These may include mosques, schools, graveyards, orphanages, hospitals and even vacant plots. The Awqaf has launched a campaign to promote projects under the Emirates Endowment.
The newly-launched campaign intends to spread 80 per cent community awareness of the Sunnah of Waqf, increase Waqf revenues by 10 per cent compared to last year, and achieve a return of Dh150 million from existing endowment projects, and Dh233 million for the construction of new projects.
This campaign aligns with the aspirations of the UAE's Year of Community in presenting Emirates Endowment projects as a preferred and trusted avenue for charitable contributions in the country.
Earlier this year, Abu Dhabi issued a new resolution on the establishment and licensing of endowment institutions in the emirate. The resolution provides a framework for the creation and administration of endowment companies, covering aspects such as legal status, permitted activities, and licensing requirements.
The resolution also introduces robust monitoring and supervisory mechanisms to enhance governance and accountability within the sector.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Sharjah 24
03-06-2025
- Sharjah 24
SEC approves unified guide for commercial signage in Sharjah
At the outset, the Council extended heartfelt congratulations to President, His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, and to all the Rulers, citizens, residents, and Muslims on the occasion of the approaching Eid Al-Adha. New jobs and training support for citizens The Council praised the Ruler of Sharjah's recent approval of 400 new jobs for Emirati men and women in government departments across the emirate. It also commended the allocation of AED 55.8 million to the Sharjah Programme for Training and Qualifying Jobseekers — a move that underscores the Ruler's commitment to supporting citizens, boosting employment, and enhancing quality of life and professional development. Al Hamriyah Port fire response applauded The Council expressed its deep appreciation for the swift and professional response by national teams to the recent fire at Hamriyah Port. It noted the high level of readiness, coordination, and effective crisis management, particularly by Sharjah Police, the Ministry of Defence, Ministry of Interior, National Guard, Civil Defence, emergency and crisis management bodies, and other local and federal authorities. Their efforts successfully prevented any loss of life. Unified signage guide approved A new unified guide for advertising and commercial signage was approved to harmonise business branding with the emirate's visual identity and aesthetic appeal. The guide provides design principles, permit processes, and regulatory standards for signage, aiming to create an attractive and well-organised urban environment. It covers categories such as shop signs, directional signage, and promotional boards, along with placement criteria and supervision protocols. Sharjah reinforces family and social values The Council reviewed several ongoing social initiatives aimed at strengthening Emirati families, nurturing intergenerational bonds, and upholding national, cultural, and religious identity. These efforts are part of Sharjah's broader social vision to preserve community values while supporting growth and cohesion within local households.
Al Etihad
02-06-2025
- Al Etihad
Abu Dhabi to get Dh40bn wellness island as Aldar bets big on lifestyle-led urban growth
3 June 2025 01:00 ISIDORA CIRIC (ABU DHABI)Abu Dhabi's real estate ambitions just got a Dh40 billion wellness upgrade, with Fahid Island — Aldar's newest development — indicating that intent, rather than scale alone, has become a defining feature of the emirate's urban planning between Yas Island and Saadiyat, the 2.7 million square metre masterplan blends residential, recreational, and natural spaces, creating a mixed-use community where every resident lives within a five-minute walk of the sea and no more than 250 metres from green island, marketed as Abu Dhabi's first wellness-focused destination, includes more than 6,000 homes, a top-tier international school, retail and hospitality offerings, and 30% of the land reserved for green areas. 'Wellness is a mega trend, and for Aldar, that's not a new thing. Whether it's spa and hospitality, food and nutrition, sleep and breathing - it's everywhere,' Jonathan Emery, CEO of Aldar Development, said in an interview with Aletihad on Monday. 'The challenge for Aldar is, how do we bring that into a physical real estate solution? How do you actually make it real? Rather than just an experience, we have to build the stage for it, and that's what we're trying to do.' Designing for Wellbeing, Rooted in Community Fahid Island's masterplan builds on what Aldar has learned from years of work on Yas and Saadiyat. But Emery is quick to point out that this isn't a cut-and-paste version of previous he said, the project aims to respond to the new expectations of both local and international buyers, many of whom are looking for something different post-pandemic - more nature, less distance, and a quieter, more intentional way of a result, Fahid Island is being designed as a fully walkable and connected environment, with 15km of shaded pedestrian routes and bridges connecting both sides of the island to limit car use. It will also feature a 10km landscaped Berm Park, complete with cycling routes and running trails, and a 2km promenade.'We've learned how to optimise the natural benefits of the island,' Emery said. 'How to work with the mangroves, even with the wind, the sea, and the sun. Just understanding what those things mean to people.'The emphasis on proximity, ecology and liveability also ties into the UAE's current national theme, the Year of Community. In the case of Fahid Island, that has meant prioritising walkability, shared public areas and amenities that bring residents into contact with one another. Emery described this approach as rooted in the UAE's sense of 'generosity', not in scale, but in how space is shared.'It's about how we allocate space and how we create opportunities for people to meet. That's very much in line with the values of the UAE, and the kind of community we're trying to build.' Backed by Strong Funding and Market Momentum The first phase of Fahid Island, which includes the school and residential buildings, is expected to be completed by 2029. Later phases will be delivered over the following three developer acquired the land in early 2023 for Dh2.5 billion, initially estimating the site's gross development value at Dh26 billion, which has since grown to surpass Dh40 to Aldar, the project is already fully funded through a mix of corporate financing, bonds, sukuk, and projected sales. Sales are expected to begin shortly after the Eid Al-Adha, with one-bedroom units starting at Dh3.5 company is forecasting total development sales of between Dh36 billion and Dh39 billion in 2025, up from Dh33.6 billion last year, and Fahid Island is likely to play a substantial role in meeting those targets. Its launch comes amid a broader upswing in Abu Dhabi's real estate market, where demand for high-end, waterfront communities surged by 15% in 2024, according to a recent report by MPM Properties. Investor confidence received an added boost last month with the announcement of a Disney theme park on nearby Yas revealed that interest in Fahid Island has come from both international and local buyers, though the domestic market has shown particular strength. He attributes this resilience to a mix of ambition, talent, and the UAE's solutions-oriented approach.'The talent that now exists in the UAE is sort of unprecedented - it's an incredible place to be,' he said. 'It's an amazing talent pool that can help it achieve its ambition.' 'That, combined with a focus on quality and problem-solving, is what's driving the next phase of development.'
Al Etihad
02-06-2025
- Al Etihad
Ma'an launches Athar+ to empower social enterprises, non-profits in Abu Dhabi
2 June 2025 21:48 ABU DHABI (WAM)In a significant step to advance community-driven change, the Authority of Social Contribution – Ma'an, the Abu Dhabi Government's official channel to receive social contributions, operating under the Department of Community Development, announces the launch of Athar+ (Athar Plus), Abu Dhabi's first purpose-driven hub dedicated to accelerating social launch comes as part of the 'From the Community to the Community' label, an initiative launched during the 'Year of Community' by the Authority, aimed at promoting community brings together social enterprises, non-profits, and impact makers into one collaborative ecosystem for social by community contributions, Athar+ is an initiative by the Authority of Social Contribution – Ma'an, designed to enable impact-driven organisations to hub provides designated workspaces, expert mentorship, professional services, and tailored growth programmes—all aimed at helping social enterprises and non-profits scale their missions and deepen their impact across Abu at Madar_39, Athar+ serves as a catalyst for collaboration, entrepreneurship, and inclusion; offering a dedicated workspace for impact-driven organisations to develop solutions, share knowledge, and access the resources they need to build a more inclusive and resilient this occasion, Dr. Mugheer Khamis Al Khaili, Chairman of the Department of Community Development, affirmed that the Authority of Social Contribution – Ma'an continues, throughout the 'Year of the Community,' to launch impactful initiatives and creating an enabling environment that supports the achievement of sustainable positive impact for Abu Dhabi's Al Khaili stated, 'The launch of Athar+ platform reflects the social sector's commitment to building an ecosystem that empowers third sector entities, including public benefit organisations and social enterprises—entities that have emerged from the community to serve the community. More than 150 third sector organisations are expected to benefit from this platform, offering unique services, programs, and initiatives to members of our society.'He added, 'We will spare no effort in strengthening Abu Dhabi's position as an enabling city for all institutions dedicated to serving the community and addressing social challenges with innovative and effective solutions.'Abdullah Humaid Al Ameri, Director-General, the Authority of Social Contribution – Ma'an, said, 'Athar+ comes as part of the Authority of Social Contribution – Ma'an's efforts to empower the third sector, promotes social entrepreneurship, and build a thriving ecosystem that enables this sector. The hub aims to accelerate the growth of non-profits, social enterprises and social initiatives through capacity-building, mentorship and fostering collaboration and networking opportunities. These efforts contribute to addressing social priorities in Abu Dhabi while building a more cohesive and inclusive community.'He also expressed his appreciation to the Abu Dhabi community members for their contributions to support this pioneering initiative, particularly commending Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank for its contribution, representing a model of effective collaboration between the public and private sectors in driving community-focused initiatives. He emphasised that such steadfast commitment serves as a cornerstone for achieving inclusive and sustainable offerings such as capacity-building workshops, networking events, one-on-one advisory support, and flexible membership options, Athar+ reinforces the Authority's long-standing commitment to connecting the community and nurturing an active, empowered social sector. Through the launch of Athar+, the Authority of Social Contribution – Ma'an strengthens Abu Dhabi's position as a regional leader in social entrepreneurship, as well as reflecting the Authority's broader vision of enabling a culture of giving, participation, and measurable social progress.
