As the final stretch of Ramadan looms, thoughts of those practising will be turning to zakat, one of the five pillars of Islam and an obligation upon all Muslims to donate 2.5 per cent of their earnings to charity. But acts of kindness and self-sacrifice need not be limited to those who are practising Muslims, as Dubai resident Olga Zolotova demonstrates. She has chosen to fast in solidarity during the holy month and to give back to those who are less fortunate by teaming up with the Emirates Red Crescent and Times Square shopping centre to collect and donate personal care items to workers. "It is not just about changing your eating habits, having iftars and working fewer hours. It is a time to clear your thoughts and to reflect. By detaching from common pleasures and comforts we should experience the gratitude for things we take for granted," says the young woman, setting an example for us all.
We can all participate in random acts of kindness, whether it is giving money to charity, donating food to the Ramadan Sharing Fridges initiative, which enables meals to be shared with those who need them most and cut down on food waste, or helping a neighbour or community project. No matter how small or insignificant these gestures might seem, they can make a difference to people's lives. Ramadan might be the inspiration to motivate people to do more charitable work but good deeds should not be limited to one month per year. Instead, the spirit of giving, prevalent during the holy month, should teach us to be more compassionate year-round.
Whatever the motivation – whether it is zakat or spotting someone who needs a helping hand – these last days of Ramadan should be a reminder that we can all do our bit to give something back.
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Lamsa
Founder: Badr Ward
Launched: 2014
Employees: 60
Based: Abu Dhabi
Sector: EdTech
Funding to date: $15 million
The Sand Castle
Director: Matty Brown
Stars: Nadine Labaki, Ziad Bakri, Zain Al Rafeea, Riman Al Rafeea
Rating: 2.5/5
Karwaan
Producer: Ronnie Screwvala
Director: Akarsh Khurana
Starring: Irrfan Khan, Dulquer Salmaan, Mithila Palkar
Rating: 4/5
The National's picks
4.35pm: Tilal Al Khalediah
5.10pm: Continous
5.45pm: Raging Torrent
6.20pm: West Acre
7pm: Flood Zone
7.40pm: Straight No Chaser
8.15pm: Romantic Warrior
8.50pm: Calandogan
9.30pm: Forever Young
The specs
Engine: Four electric motors, one at each wheel
Power: 579hp
Torque: 859Nm
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Price: From Dh825,900
On sale: Now
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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Company profile
Date started: January, 2014
Founders: Mike Dawson, Varuna Singh, and Benita Rowe
Based: Dubai
Sector: Education technology
Size: Five employees
Investment: $100,000 from the ExpoLive Innovation Grant programme in 2018 and an initial $30,000 pre-seed investment from the Turn8 Accelerator in 2014. Most of the projects are government funded.
Partners/incubators: Turn8 Accelerator; In5 Innovation Centre; Expo Live Innovation Impact Grant Programme; Dubai Future Accelerators; FHI 360; VSO and Consult and Coach for a Cause (C3)
The White Lotus: Season three
Creator: Mike White
Starring: Walton Goggins, Jason Isaacs, Natasha Rothwell
Rating: 4.5/5
THE POPE'S ITINERARY
Sunday, February 3, 2019 - Rome to Abu Dhabi
1pm: departure by plane from Rome / Fiumicino to Abu Dhabi
10pm: arrival at Abu Dhabi Presidential Airport
Monday, February 4
12pm: welcome ceremony at the main entrance of the Presidential Palace
12.20pm: visit Abu Dhabi Crown Prince at Presidential Palace
5pm: private meeting with Muslim Council of Elders at Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque
6.10pm: Inter-religious in the Founder's Memorial
Tuesday, February 5 - Abu Dhabi to Rome
9.15am: private visit to undisclosed cathedral
10.30am: public mass at Zayed Sports City – with a homily by Pope Francis
12.40pm: farewell at Abu Dhabi Presidential Airport
1pm: departure by plane to Rome
5pm: arrival at the Rome / Ciampino International Airport
