Every Dh1 donated to the 100 Million Meals campaign helps to provide one meal in countries across the Middle East, Africa, Asia, Europe and South America. Courtesy, Abu Dhabi Media Office
Every Dh1 donated to the 100 Million Meals campaign helps to provide one meal in countries across the Middle East, Africa, Asia, Europe and South America. Courtesy, Abu Dhabi Media Office
Every Dh1 donated to the 100 Million Meals campaign helps to provide one meal in countries across the Middle East, Africa, Asia, Europe and South America. Courtesy, Abu Dhabi Media Office
At the beginning of this year's holy month, the UAE embarked on a mission to feed disadvantaged people across the region: 100 million meals across 20 countries was the target to ensure the most vulnerable did not go hungry during Ramadan. That the goal would be met was only to be expected but remarkably, it more than doubled and the UAE provided 216 million meals to impoverished households with the support of 385,000 donors from 51 countries
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, said: “The objectives of 100 Million Meals were ambitious to match the magnitude of hardship that Covid-19 has brought to vulnerable populations across the world.”
Among the recipients of the 100 million meal packages were refugees, low-income families, orphans and widows in beneficiary countries such as Jordan, Egypt and Pakistan.
The nature and scope of the campaign also underpinned a long-term humanitarian goal. Zero hunger by 2030 is the second UN Sustainable Development Goal (no poverty is the first). For the international community, it's a steep climb to meet that deadline, given that globally 820 million people are undernourished, of which 52 million live in the Mena region.
Since launching the campaign on April 11, the UAE has given generously. Donations poured in with such magnanimity that more than half of the required target – 78 per cent of the total amount – was achieved in the first week. Since then, 10 more countries were added to the roster, as a result of which, thousands more people were able to eat a meal.
What the UAE achieved in this campaign goes beyond charity. Giving is integral to the ethos of this country. To widen that foundational vision and include the people who live in the UAE is an inclusive strategy with a heartening ripple effect: it benefits underprivileged persons in the most stricken nations of our wider neighbourhood.
To shine a light on the importance of giving is immeasurably worthy in an unequal world
To address the ravages of hunger, in the UAE, humanitarian associations, companies, businessmen and philanthropists all came together. People donated varying sums of money via text messages and the 100 million meals website. Fund-raisers and art auctions were held. A single-digit car plate, AA9, raised Dh38 million ($10.4m). Media coverage of the campaign reached 136.1 million views. The campaign's videos got 350 million views.
To gain such unanimous support for a cause as enormous and urgent as fighting hunger on a global scale is already a huge task. But to harness the good in people and their will to give is tougher still when viewed in the much graver context of a pandemic, during which – it bears repetition – countless people lost lives, jobs, faced personal losses, took salary cuts and continue to be affected in numerous ways.
Under these circumstances, that thousands of people in the UAE did their bit for the benefit of millions of others living elsewhere bears acknowledgement. This culture of charity and inclusion matters because it asserts our common humanity and our willingness to step up for the neediest.
The devastation caused by Covid-19 has set people back by generations, in some cases. In too many thousands of families across the world, the assurance of jobs and three square meals no longer exists. It becomes imperative then for the fortunate to give. The UAE, with its ethos of giving, did just that.
Thanking the 385,000 participants, Sheikh Mohammed said at the conclusion of the 28-days-long campaign: "This is the UAE."
As families come together at the end of Ramadan, humanitarian drives such as these remind us of the values we must adhere to round the year. To shine a light on the importance of giving is immeasurably worthy in an unequal world. It is a light the world can do with as the most privileged of us count our blessings this Eid.
The 100 Million Meals campaign raised enough funds to provide 216 million meals around the world.
As part of the campaign, 12 food banks and nine humanitarian organisations are distributing the food parcels in 30 countries
Twenty per cent of the parcels have been allocated to people in need in Palestine and refugees in Jordan and Bangladesh.
Charity auctions played an important role in helping raise money for the campaign.
The 100 Million Meals campaign will benefit people in 30 countries.
Mohammed bin Rashid Global Initiatives partnered with several humanitarian organisations to deliver food parcels to people’s doorsteps. UAE Government Media Office
Groups involved include the World Food Programme, the Food Banking Regional Network and Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Humanitarian and Charity Establishment.
Food aid will reach beneficiaries in countries across the Middle East, Africa, Asia, Europe and South America.
MBRGI partnered with several humanitarian organisations to deliver food parcels.
Charity auctions also played an important role in helping raise funds for the campaign.
The ‘Most Noble Numbers’ charity auction auctioned off a prestigious single-digit car plate, AA9, for Dh38 million.
An international charity art auction was organised for the campaign.
A total of 385,000 donors from 51 countries supported the humanitarian drive. Money for 20 million meals was secured through text message and website donations, while cash for 70 million meals was raised from private-sector contributions.
GAC GS8 Specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 248hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 400Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 9.1L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh149,900
Volvo ES90 Specs
Engine: Electric single motor (96kW), twin motor (106kW) and twin motor performance (106kW)
Power: 333hp, 449hp, 680hp
Torque: 480Nm, 670Nm, 870Nm
On sale: Later in 2025 or early 2026, depending on region
Number of employees: 40
Sector: Online food delivery
Funding: Raised $3.2m since inception
The specs
Engine: 5.0-litre supercharged V8
Transmission: Eight-speed auto
Power: 575bhp
Torque: 700Nm
Price: Dh554,000
On sale: now
Why are asylum seekers being housed in hotels?
The number of asylum applications in the UK has reached a new record high, driven by those illegally entering the country in small boats crossing the English Channel.
A total of 111,084 people applied for asylum in the UK in the year to June 2025, the highest number for any 12-month period since current records began in 2001.
Asylum seekers and their families can be housed in temporary accommodation while their claim is assessed.
The Home Office provides the accommodation, meaning asylum seekers cannot choose where they live.
When there is not enough housing, the Home Office can move people to hotels or large sites like former military bases.
What sanctions would be reimposed?
Under ‘snapback’, measures imposed on Iran by the UN Security Council in six resolutions would be restored, including:
An arms embargo
A ban on uranium enrichment and reprocessing
A ban on launches and other activities with ballistic missiles capable of delivering nuclear weapons, as well as ballistic missile technology transfer and technical assistance
A targeted global asset freeze and travel ban on Iranian individuals and entities
Authorisation for countries to inspect Iran Air Cargo and Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines cargoes for banned goods
The smuggler
Eldarir had arrived at JFK in January 2020 with three suitcases, containing goods he valued at $300, when he was directed to a search area. Officers found 41 gold artefacts among the bags, including amulets from a funerary set which prepared the deceased for the afterlife. Also found was a cartouche of a Ptolemaic king on a relief that was originally part of a royal building or temple. The largest single group of items found in Eldarir’s cases were 400 shabtis, or figurines.
Khouli conviction
Khouli smuggled items into the US by making false declarations to customs about the country of origin and value of the items. According to Immigration and Customs Enforcement, he provided “false provenances which stated that [two] Egyptian antiquities were part of a collection assembled by Khouli's father in Israel in the 1960s” when in fact “Khouli acquired the Egyptian antiquities from other dealers”. He was sentenced to one year of probation, six months of home confinement and 200 hours of community service in 2012 after admitting buying and smuggling Egyptian antiquities, including coffins, funerary boats and limestone figures.
For sale
A number of other items said to come from the collection of Ezeldeen Taha Eldarir are currently or recently for sale. Their provenance is described in near identical terms as the British Museum shabti: bought from Salahaddin Sirmali, "authenticated and appraised" by Hossen Rashed, then imported to the US in 1948.
- An Egyptian Mummy mask dating from 700BC-30BC, is on offer for £11,807 ($15,275) online by a seller in Mexico
- A coffin lid dating back to 664BC-332BC was offered for sale by a Colorado-based art dealer, with a starting price of $65,000
- A shabti that was on sale through a Chicago-based coin dealer, dating from 1567BC-1085BC, is up for $1,950
Key facilities
Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
Premier League-standard football pitch
400m Olympic running track
NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
600-seat auditorium
Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
Specialist robotics and science laboratories
AR and VR-enabled learning centres
Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
Dates for the diary
To mark Bodytree’s 10th anniversary, the coming season will be filled with celebratory activities:
September 21 Anyone interested in becoming a certified yoga instructor can sign up for a 250-hour course in Yoga Teacher Training with Jacquelene Sadek. It begins on September 21 and will take place over the course of six weekends.
October 18 to 21 International yoga instructor, Yogi Nora, will be visiting Bodytree and offering classes.
October 26 to November 4 International pilates instructor Courtney Miller will be on hand at the studio, offering classes.
November 9 Bodytree is hosting a party to celebrate turning 10, and everyone is invited. Expect a day full of free classes on the grounds of the studio.
December 11 Yogeswari, an advanced certified Jivamukti teacher, will be visiting the studio.
February 2, 2018 Bodytree will host its 4th annual yoga market.
Founder of the Muslim Brotherhood, Hassan al Banna, "accepted the political utility of violence"
Views of key Muslim Brotherhood ideologue, Sayyid Qutb, have “consistently been understood” as permitting “the use of extreme violence in the pursuit of the perfect Islamic society” and “never been institutionally disowned” by the movement.
Muslim Brotherhood at all levels has repeatedly defended Hamas attacks against Israel, including the use of suicide bombers and the killing of civilians.
Laying out the report in the House of Commons, David Cameron told MPs: "The main findings of the review support the conclusion that membership of, association with, or influence by the Muslim Brotherhood should be considered as a possible indicator of extremism."
