Latest news with #Suhoor
Khaleej Times
02-04-2025
- Business
- Khaleej Times
The Child Fund by Al Jalila Foundation raises Dh50 million at a Charity Suhoor
Al Jalila Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Dubai Health, raised Dh50 million in donations for The Child Fund during a charity Suhoor event themed 'An Evening of Hope'. The gathering, attended by Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman of the Dubai Health Board of Directors and Founding Chairman of Al Jalila Foundation Board of Trustees, brought together business leaders and philanthropists in support of humanitarian initiatives. The event, hosted by UAE businessman Majid Jafar, CEO of Crescent Petroleum and Vice Chairman of Crescent Group, along with his wife Lynn Barghout Jafar, marked the largest donor-led fundraiser since the Foundation's inception in 2013, further strengthening The Child Fund's impact in transforming children's lives. The Suhoor was attended by Dr. Raja Easa Al Gurg, member of the Dubai Health Board of Directors and Chair of Al Jalila Foundation Board of Directors, Dr. Amer Sharif, CEO of Dubai Health, Dr. Amer Al Zarooni, CEO of Al Jalila Foundation, Dr. Abdulla Al Khayat, CEO of Al Jalila Children's Hospital, and leading philanthropists and business leaders. Inspired by the UAE's 'Year of Community', the evening reinforced the power of collective giving to ensure every child receives the medical care they need. The generous support from donors will enable The Child Fund to expand its impact, providing life-saving treatments, medical research, and specialised patient care programmes for children in need. The highlight of the evening was the Hope Paddle Raise, led by renowned presenter Tom Urquhart. Guests had the opportunity to fund patient care programmes and transformational projects aimed at advancing children's health. To commence the Hope Paddle Raise, the hosts, together with Innovo Group and Apparel Group, pledged to match the first AED20 million raised, setting the tone for an extraordinary evening of hope and generosity. Sheikh Ahmed said: 'The UAE has always led with compassion, and tonight's remarkable generosity exemplifies our nation's unwavering commitment to ensuring every child receives the care they need. We are proud to witness this extraordinary act of philanthropy, especially in a year dedicated to fostering community spirit for the greater good.' Majid and Lynn Jafar expressed their gratitude to Sheikh Ahmed for attending and supporting the event and to the guests who came together to support a cause very close to their hearts, saying: 'It has been deeply moving to see our friends and community come together to make a lasting difference in the lives of children. The success of this evening is a testament to the power of collective giving in the Year of Community, and we are honored to support The Child Fund's mission to bring hope to even more children and their families, and creating a future filled with possibilities.' Dr. Raja Easa Al Gurg emphasised the life-transforming impact of Al Jalila Foundation's patient care programmes and the significance of philanthropic support in advancing healthcare for young patients, noting: 'We are grateful for Majid and Lynn's incredible generosity. This record-breaking achievement reflects the generosity of our community and the shared belief that every child deserves access to life-saving medical care. The Child Fund has already helped thousands of children, and with the funds raised tonight, it will impact thousands more, offering them hope for a brighter future – perfectly embodying the spirit of Ramadan in this Year of Community.' Among the notable donors were Innovo Group, Apparel Group, Omniyat, UPL, and Downtown Ventures, apart from several anonymous contributors. With the record-breaking success of the fund-raiser, The Child Fund by Al Jalila Foundation continues to pave the way for a future where every child, regardless of their circumstances, has access to world-class medical care at Al Jalila Children's, the only children's hospital in the UAE.
Arabian Business
31-03-2025
- Business
- Arabian Business
Careem shares Ramadan 2025 trends: Massive remittances to India and Pakistan, most popular iftar orders, top bookings
Careem reports key customer trends during Ramadan, highlighting shifts in grocery delivery, food ordering, donations, rides, cross-border payments, and dining out. Careem Food saw a surge in demand, with order volumes rising by 36 per cent during Suhoor hours in March compared to February. The most frequently ordered Suhoor items were The Big Feast from McDonald's and Plain Paratha from Punjab Flower Restaurant. Careem Ramadan trends For Iftar, top choices included the eight-piece Wings Meal from Wingstop in Dubai and Special Haleem from Ritaj Restaurant in Abu Dhabi. The largest single Careem Food order in Dubai was valued at over AED2,460 ($670) for 10 items from Café Bateel, while the most expensive order in Abu Dhabi reached AED1,410 ($384) for 12 items from Behrouz Biryani. Careem's in-app donations service, Right Click, saw a 240 per cent spike in total donations to local NGOs and charities across the UAE, KSA, and Jordan throughout Ramadan compared to February. Careem Pay, the digital payments and remittance service within Careem, recorded a 6 per cent increase in international transfers during Ramadan, led by a 10 per cent growth in transfers to India. Several customers reached the monthly transfer cap of AED450,000 ($122,600) via the India corridor, likely due to increased gifting and donations during the month. One customer sent 46 separate transfers to Pakistan during Ramadan, and Pakistan saw the largest month-on-month increase in transfer volumes. Careem DineOut, the in-app dining discovery and booking service, was a popular choice for Iftar and Suhoor bookings this year. The most booked venues in Dubai included QD's lounge and restaurant at Dubai Creek Resort, Lulu & The Beanstalk in DIFC, and Wagamama at Dubai Hills Mall, while diners in Abu Dhabi favoured Tuk Tuk Restaurant in Khalifa City, Pho 7, and The Irish Vickers. The highest single saving recorded on Careem DineOut during Ramadan was AED6,760 ($1,841) on a booking valued at over AED27,000 ($7,350) at the Terrace Iftar at JW Marriott Marquis. One customer booked through Careem DineOut 31 times during the month, making them the most active foodie of Ramadan. Careem Groceries also saw increased activity during the Holy Month, with orders placed around Iftar rising by 25 per cent, and Suhoor orders surging by 70 per cent. Overall grocery order volumes rose 8 per cent in March compared to February, with the evening peak shifting from 7–8 pm pre-Ramadan to 4–5 pm during. The largest single grocery order in Dubai was valued at more than AED2,800 ($762) for 60 items, while the biggest order in Abu Dhabi exceeded AED 1,400 ($381) for 42 items. Bananas, bottled water, cucumbers, and blueberries were among the most frequently ordered items during Ramadan. The fastest grocery delivery in Dubai was completed in just 1.5 minutes to Al Safa Park Complex, with Abu Dhabi close behind at 2 minutes to Najmat Tower on Al Reem Island. Careem Rides saw that the busiest time in the UAE during Ramadan was around 3pm, likely due to shorter office hours and customers booking their preferred car types for their daily commutes.
Observer
28-03-2025
- General
- Observer
A traditional Ramadhan treat gets a modern remake
As the minutes ticked closer to sundown, the crowd grew more impatient, pressing against the glass display case, shouting and shoving bills towards the young men filling order after order of the Ramadhan sweet bread. 'If you please." What is this stuffed with?' 'Sir, take my money!' 'Just be patient!' The high-pressure volley of queries, entreaties and pleas for patience plays out each evening of Ramadhan as Syrians jostle for marook, a sweet bread eaten here during the fasting month. As the time of Iftar, the breaking of the fast, nears, a day's worth of hunger pangs combine with jockeying among patrons desperate to get their marook loaves and rush home before the call to prayer sounds from mosque minarets. There is a hint of tension in the air, but much more pronounced is the smell of baked bread, sugar and chocolate. Marook, a simple sweetened bread sprinkled with sesame seeds, has been a part of Syrian Ramadhan traditions for generations. Each year, as bakeries — and the occasional pizza parlour — devote their entire production to it during Ramadhan, new variations emerge to satiate evolving tastes. Syrians are proud of their rich culinary traditions, but not precious about allowing them to evolve. There are now olives in the fattoush salad. Onions in the shawarma. Parsley in the hummus. And then there is marook, which comes in so many different iterations that bakeries post long lists of all their offerings, some unrecognisable from the original. Perhaps unavoidably given the viral food trend, a Dubai chocolate marook appeared in some shops this year. Bakers prepare marook, the sweet bread beloved during Ramadan in Syria, at the Al Jouzeh bakery in Damascus.— NYT Prices differ from bakery to bakery. Individual loaves often cost around 4,000 Syrian pounds, less than 50 cents, while large ones — depending on how fancy they are — can go up to 45,000 pounds. 'The older people like the classic for sure,' said Tareq al Abyad, owner of one bakery, Al Jouzeh, standing between racks stacked with trays of marook. 'I even get surprised by the new ones. For me, I only like the plain one. But I don't sell only what I like; I have to sell what the customers want.' On the other side of the glass counter his customers stood on the sidewalk calling out their orders above the honking in the street behind them. Occasionally they had to dodge a bicycle or motorcycle racing onto the sidewalk to avoid the bumper-to-bumper traffic on the road as everyone rushed to make it home in time for Iftar. At Al Jouzeh, baking begins at 6 am. The bakers eat Suhoor, the predawn meal before the fast, at home, then arrive for an exhausting day of kneading, stuffing, glazing and sprinkling. They work like a well-oiled assembly line. Mohammad Hilwan, 20, from the Old City in Damascus, has been working at the bakery for more than a year. 'My dear, just one with dates,' said Salih Muhammad, 41, as he stuck his head behind the counter trying to manoeuvrer past the crowd. 'There are no more date ones, uncle,' 17-year-old Muhammad Khawla told him — and then reiterated this for his co-workers. 'Guys,' he said, 'there are no more date ones.' 'We don't know exactly what's still left,' said Khawla, wearing an orange sweatshirt with a Syrian map and the date and time marking the fall of the Assad regime in December. By that point the sweatshirt was smeared with their many flavours on offer: chocolate, pistachio and Biscoff. Amid the flurry of business, the young men behind the counter didn't always have time to count all the Syrian bills they were being handed by customers. Currency depreciation over the course of the war has meant that even small everyday purchases can require a thick stack of bills. With only minutes remaining before Iftar, seconds can matter, and some customers did not bother waiting for their change. Khawla handed over an order of five coconut marooks, five Biscoff-flavoured ones and a bubbly to a regular customer, an older man, and stepped away to get his change. When he turned back, holding out a stack of 1,000 Syrian notes, he scanned the thinning crowd for him in vain. 'Where's the hajji?' asked Khawla, using an honorific for older people. Then he laughed. 'The hajji has rushed home,' he said. — The New York Times
Sky News
28-03-2025
- Politics
- Sky News
Gaza's orphans have lost everything - even the dream of growing up
Why you can trust Sky News The number of children killed in Gaza, according to the local health ministry, recently rose above 15,000. Fatality figures in Gaza are disputed by Israel, but even allowing for miscalculation or exaggeration, it is a staggering loss of life. Many children have been orphaned, losing not just both parents but also siblings, grandparents and other close relatives too. Against this tragedy, the children of Gaza can't dream of growing up. War has robbed them of that. 'I just want to forget' "I'm here hanging out with my friends because I just want to forget the war," Osama says, surrounded by other young boys, probably no older than 10. "I look at my destroyed home there and think about the memories I had there with my mum and dad, in their room. And now it's gone. "We used to have fun every day, sit in the kitchen, play together at home, and now it's all gone. "I want to forget everything. I want to have fun." Israel continues to bombard Gaza On Thursday, Egypt sent a delegation to Qatar in an attempt to push for a renewed ceasefire. Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met with senior security officials on Thursday night to discuss developments. For now, Israel is continuing to attack Gaza daily and is refusing to lift a blockade on aid entering the Strip. The United Nations has reported that cases of malnutrition among children in northern Gaza have almost doubled as a result. Hundreds of children have also been killed since the resumption of attacks almost two weeks ago. She danced until the war came home Five-year-old Jenin liked to dance, like so many five-year-old girls around the world liked to dance. She danced in the tent where her family was sheltering from the war nearby and she danced until the day that the war came home. It was early in the morning when the missile struck - the family was getting ready for Suhoor, the Ramadan breakfast. Twenty-five of Jenin's relatives were killed, including her father and all of her brothers and sisters. Her mother was already dead, killed in a previous strike. Jenin now lies in a hospital bed, still unaware she has lost her family. She is mostly unconscious - her skull fractured, she has bleeding on her brain and is in desperate need of surgery she cannot get in Gaza. "She's truly lost all sense of safety. She's terrified by anyone who comes near her," Jenin's aunt told Sky News. "Jenin has lost the ability to speak. The shock was so severe that she can no longer communicate verbally." She went on: "Instead, she points and gestures, but words elude her. Most of the time, she is angry and throws things around; her emotional state is drained. "Sometimes she responds, but other times she doesn't. When she looks at us, there's a visible frustration in her eyes -frustration from not being able to see her mum." Another family that didn't survive the night In Gaza City, our team filmed another family that didn't survive the night. Rescuers searched for survivors but pulled out the bodies of four people. Twelve-year-old Sameer was the only one to escape the strike. He sobbed in silent prayer next to the wrapped corpses of his parents and siblings. Another orphan in Gaza. "One of my favourite memories with my family was a day at the beach," he told us. "We swam and played and had such a good time. I remember my brother walking back and spilling juice on himself. We laughed and told him off!" His family was buried together, side-by-side in a shallow grave. Sameer, the one who lived, watched on, silent and lost. "I wasn't scared before, because I had my family around me. Right now, I am scared to lose more people. My mum and dad and everyone were martyred. I'm worried about losing more people. So now whenever I hear the planes above, I think they're going to bomb me in my home." There is no word for someone who has lost so much. But in Gaza, there are so many children who have lost everything. Their childhood, their families, their future.
Identity
27-03-2025
- Business
- Identity
Americana Restaurants Egypt and The Egyptian Food Bank Join Forces to Support Underprivileged Families During Ramadan
Cairo, Egypt – 24 March 2025: Americana Restaurants Egypt has announced its strategic partnership with the Egyptian Food Bank to launch a Ramadan initiative aimed at providing thousands of meals and food support to underprivileged families. As part of this initiative, a Ramadan tent has been set up in Al Warraq area, offering daily Iftar and Suhoor meals to thousands of beneficiaries throughout the holy month. This collaboration is a testament to the company's dedication to impactful contributions aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly those related to eradicating hunger and fostering culture of generosity and social cohesion—values that have been at the core of Americana's legacy for over 55 years.
