We are proud to participate in preparing 10 million meals to alleviate the suffering of our siblings

Thousands of volunteers of different nationalities and age groups, in a vibrant humanitarian scene, flocked to the Dubai Exhibition Center – Expo, yesterday morning, to participate in preparing the “Mohammed bin Rashid Humanitarian Ark”, which includes food baskets containing more than 10 million meals, as part of an initiative launched by the “Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives” Foundation, in cooperation with Operation “The Gallant Knight 3”, which was launched by the UAE to support the brotherly Palestinian people and meet the urgent needs of the people of the Gaza Strip. Gaza.

The field work to prepare the food baskets allocated to the people of Gaza began at nine in the morning, and the volunteers were divided into four daily shifts and multiple groups, to facilitate the work process and provide the opportunity for the largest possible number to participate, amid careful organization and an atmosphere of cooperation and enthusiasm.

With the start of the preparation process, the halls were filled with the sounds of movement and activity, as the ages of the participants ranged between five and 70 years, including children, youth, and senior citizens. The initiative witnessed active participation from people of determination, transforming the hall into a vibrant humanitarian workshop, in which hands and hearts unite to provide aid to the people of Gaza, and reflects the spirit of giving and solidarity embodied by the Emirati society, its leadership and its people.

Participating officials and volunteers of various ages and nationalities expressed their pride in participating in the “Mohammed bin Rashid Humanitarian Ark” initiative, stressing that the humanitarian cohesion witnessed in the preparation halls embodies the spirit of the Emirates, which always advances to where there is good. They pointed out that this initiative was not just a process of preparing food baskets, but rather a real platform in which noble values ​​come together, and in which hands meet for one goal, which is “to support Gaza in its ordeal and to send a message of hope to its people that the world is still fine.”

They told Emirates Today that the UAE embodies a global model in humanitarian work, and that its ongoing initiatives towards the Palestinian people reflect the values ​​of giving and compassion established in society and its wise leadership, expressing their thanks to His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, may God protect him, for giving them the opportunity to contribute to this noble effort.

They emphasized that this initiative is not just a volunteer activity, but rather a humanitarian message that expresses the UAE’s leadership and people’s support for Gaza, and confirms that charitable work is an essential part of the state’s identity, and that participating in it represents a moral and humanitarian duty towards the Palestinian people.

Quality initiatives

The official spokesman for Operation “The Gallant Knight 3”, Mohammed Al-Sharif, said: “We extend our sincere thanks to His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, may God protect him, for this humanitarian initiative, which is not strange to His Highness, as he has white hands in various situations and is a constant supporter of those in need, and today, preparing 10 million meals in light of the humanitarian conditions that the Gaza Strip is going through constitutes real support and alleviation of suffering. Our Palestinian brothers, and we hope that the Mohammed bin Rashid Humanitarian Ship will contribute to providing the necessary assistance and alleviating the pain of our people in Gaza.” He added to “Emirates Today”: “After completing the preparation of the meals, they will be loaded on board the ship that will sail in the coming days to provide field support to the brothers there,” stressing that for more than two years, the UAE continues to implement many diverse initiatives that adapt to the needs of the Palestinian people, as we have the necessary flexibility to meet priorities according to developments in the situation.

He continued: “During the coming period, we expect to implement a group of vital projects, including solar energy plants and water desalination plants within the Strip, in addition to supporting existing plants in Rafah, Egypt, as well as establishing a temporary residential complex to provide more sustainable humanitarian solutions.”

Humanity of leadership

The Chief Mufti, Director of the Fatwa Department at the Department of Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities in Dubai, Dr. Ahmed bin Abdulaziz Al-Haddad, said: “We extend our sincere thanks to His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, for his generous call for this great humanitarian initiative, aimed at providing relief to our brothers in Gaza who are experiencing an unprecedented catastrophe in modern history, and His Highness’s directive to prepare this huge number of meals to deliver to those in need there is a great work that reflects the humanity of the leadership.” And her mercy.”

He added: “This great initiative makes us feel two important things. The first is that our wise leadership fully feels that the people of Gaza are an inseparable part of us, and therefore it did not fail to provide food, water, and health care, in addition to the noble political positions in support of the two-state solution and the establishment of a stable Palestinian state.”

He continued: “As for the second matter, it is that the UAE was built, since its founding by the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, may God have mercy on him, on the love of goodness and doing good, which is the approach that our wise leadership has continued. The state has never hesitated to support everyone in need wherever they are, and the Gallant Knight initiative embodies this authentic Emirati approach in extending a helping hand to the Palestinian people, and also gives the opportunity to citizens and residents of the good land of the Emirates to participate in the work.” humanity, and enhancing the spirit of goodness and giving in their souls.”

Community solidarity

The director of the Farjan Dubai Foundation, Alia Al-Shamlan, confirmed that the great demand to participate in the “Mohammed bin Rashid Humanitarian Ark” initiative to prepare food baskets intended for the people of Gaza reflects the spirit of giving that is deeply rooted in Emirati society in all its categories, explaining that the organization of the work relied on dividing the volunteers into four daily shifts and multiple groups, which provided the opportunity for the largest possible number of community members to participate in this humanitarian effort.

She indicated that the ages of the participating volunteers ranged between five and 70 years, in a humanitarian scene that embodies the unity of purpose and the sublimity of the message. The initiative also witnessed an influential presence of people of determination who were keen to have an effective role in the process of preparing the baskets.

She added that the scenes of families bringing their children, the enthusiasm of young people, and the insistence of senior citizens to participate despite the challenges of age, reflect the values ​​​​of Emirati society based on giving and compassion, and confirm that humanity is the link that unites all those who live on the land of the Emirates.

She stressed that Furjan Dubai will continue its support for humanitarian and community initiatives, considering that participating in these efforts is a national and moral duty that embodies the UAE’s established values ​​and the keenness of its wise leadership to support the affected peoples and spread hope in the souls of those in need.

A message of hope

A number of volunteers participating in preparing the “Mohammed bin Rashid Humanitarian Ark” expressed their pride in joining the largest initiative of its kind.

Sultan Abdullah Al Mazmi said that he feels that his participation in preparing food baskets is his first step on the path to humanitarian work, adding: “I felt proud as I helped the people of Gaza, and we learned that charitable work is not only for adults, but for us children as well. I thank His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, may God protect him, because he allowed us to be part of this great good, and today I feel that I have provided something important, even if only “Simple.”

Issa Abdullah expressed his happiness and pride, saying: “This is the first volunteer work I have participated in, and it was a nice feeling to help prepare meals. I would like to thank His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum because he gave us the opportunity to help our brothers in Gaza, and the least we can offer them is this simple effort that makes our hearts happy before theirs.”

Matar bin Ghadeer Al Ketbi, one of the People of Determination, confirmed that his presence carries a strong message: “My participation today proves that the People of Determination are capable of giving in all circumstances, and the UAE gives opportunities to everyone, and I felt proud that I stand with our brothers in Gaza in their time of need. This is our humanitarian duty that we were raised with.”

Meanwhile, Mulham Darwish, a People of Determination, said that this day was different for him: “The large attendance prompted me to work with greater energy. We People of Determination are always looking for opportunities to give back to society and the Emirates, and this initiative gave us that, and simple participation, but it carries love and support for the people of Gaza.”

Maysoon Azzam, from Palestine, spoke with a deep sense of gratitude while participating in preparing the meals: “I grew up in the Emirates and was raised on the principles of the late Sheikh Zayed, who instilled in us the love of goodness, and the people of the Emirates loved Palestine because of Sheikh Zayed’s love for it, and the state’s support never stopped, and when Gaza was bombed, the Emirates was the first to support it.

She added: “What we see today is a continuation of the never-ending process of humanity that the UAE offers to the world in providing aid and extending a helping hand to everyone in need. Thank you, the leadership and people of the UAE, for everything they provide to support the Palestinian people in all times and crises.”

Rama Moubayed, from Syria, said that her participation was purely sentimental, and she added: “I felt this initiative from the heart, and I wanted to stand with our people in Gaza, even in a very small part. My message to them is to be patient, as the difficult days pass, and my participation today is a simple attempt to alleviate their suffering, even if it is a small amount.”

Taljat Kokneva, from Kazakhstan, added that his participation in the initiative was motivated by the spirit of giving that he saw in the Emirates, saying: “I was happy to be part of this humanitarian effort, and the Emirates brings together people from all over the world with one goal, which is to help those in need, and to share with me a message of love from the people of Kazakhstan to the Palestinian people.”

Randa Muhanna, from Syria, narrated her long experience in humanitarian work, saying: “I began my volunteer journey during the earthquake in Syria and Turkey, and since that time humanitarian initiatives have become a part of my life, and today I felt very happy, especially with working alongside people of determination, and the UAE is my country, and the least I can offer it is this work, and to the people of Gaza who deserve all support.”

Ashraf Salah, from Egypt, added that he did not hesitate even for a moment to register and take the initiative to participate with volunteers to support the Palestinian people, stressing that the UAE was and continues to be a pioneer in good and noble humanitarian work, expressing his gratitude for the opportunity to participate in this initiative and contribute to supporting Gaza.

Abdullah Safar, from Algeria, confirmed that volunteer work has become a part of his life, saying: “I participated in many initiatives, including the former Gallant Knight, and every time I feel that our duty towards Gaza is greater than any effort, and if we could offer more we would do so, for they are our people and our lives are sacrificed for them, and my presence here today is a great pride for me.”