
SSEF promotes waqf project ‘Neighbours of the Prophet'
SHARJAH (WAM) The Sharjah Social Empowerment Foundation (SSEF) recently conducted awareness visits to several government entities across Sharjah to promote the waqf project 'Neighbours of the Prophet' and strengthen community partnerships.These visits aimed to highlight the waqf initiative, which focuses on supporting and empowering orphans while ensuring sustainable charitable impact.The tours included fruitful meetings with officials and staff, where the project's goals were presented, its role in reviving the waqf tradition was emphasised, and its contribution to the foundation's broader empowerment and care programmes for beneficiaries was outlined.Director-General of the SSEF, Mona bin Hadda Al Suwaidi, said, 'We are pleased with the positive response from the entities that welcomed the project 'Neighbours of the Prophet'. We believe such engagement reflects the collective commitment needed to build strategic partnerships supporting our social mission. This project is more than just a charitable endowment; it is an extension of prophetic values in caring for fatherless children.''Through it, we seek to provide sustainable support sources that guarantee a dignified life and equal opportunities for our beneficiaries. The tour is part of a wider promotional and awareness campaign to introduce the community to the waqf project and invite individuals and organisations to contribute, recognising its profound impact on empowering young people and shaping their future.'Chairman of the Department of Municipal Affairs, Eng. Omar Khalfan Al Shamsi, underlined the importance of supporting community initiatives and praised the waqf project launched by the foundation. Al Shamsi explained that the project reflects a comprehensive developmental waqf vision consistent with Sharjah's aspirations for sustainable charity. It reinforces the role of waqf as an effective tool to support vulnerable groups.Director of the Department of Municipal Affairs, Sheikh Engineer Mohammed bin Abdullah Al Qasimi, expressed his appreciation for the project and reaffirmed the department's full and ongoing support for the foundation's noble mission towards orphans, contributing to building a more stable and empowered future for them.Assistant Secretary-General of the Sharjah Media Council, Hessa Abdullah Al Hammadi, affirmed that hosting the project reflects the council's ongoing commitment to supporting community initiatives with sustainable impact. She highlighted that the project embodies solidarity values and represents a high humanitarian vision in caring for and empowering orphans.Director of Government Communication at the Sharjah Department of Town Planning and Survey, Hamad Sultan Al Owais, said that hosting the waqf initiative stems from the department's dedication to supporting community and charitable initiatives that promote solidarity and compassion among society members.The 'Neighbours of the Prophet' project is one of the Sharjah Social Empowerment Foundation's waqf projects.It aims to provide sustainable support sources for caring for and empowering the foundation's beneficiaries in the emirate.
The project's name draws inspiration from the Prophet Muhammad's (peace be upon him) saying, 'I and the one who sponsors an orphan will be in Paradise like this,' illustrating closeness to the Prophet through sponsoring orphans and meeting their needs.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


The National
8 hours ago
- The National
Palestinians queue up for aid parcels sent by UAE to Gaza
Palestinians have been queuing up to receive aid packages delivered to Gaza from the UAE. Images of the queues came a day after teams from the UAE's Operation Chivalrous Knight 3, including Emirates Red Crescent staff, gave out food parcels to Palestinians in northern Gaza, state news agency Wam reported. "The aid was delivered through an authorised distribution centre in Gaza city, following text message notifications sent to beneficiaries specifying the time and location for collection," Wam said. Distribution was "organised and secure", with the aid parcels delivered "efficiently and safely". "Emirati aid convoys had entered northern Gaza at the end of last week, carrying food supplies for community kitchens, bread production materials and food parcels – reaffirming the UAE's ongoing and clear commitment to providing support and assistance to the people of Gaza," the statement said. Thirteen UAE aid lorries carrying essential food and relief kits for children had arrived in Gaza on Wednesday night. The latest assistance is part of the UAE's humanitarian operation in support of Palestinians in the besieged enclave, which was launched in response to the outbreak of war with Israel on October 7, 2023. More than 55,000 tonnes of aid has been delivered on more than 500 flights, six transport ships and 2,500 lorries under the initiative.


Al Etihad
a day ago
- Al Etihad
Faya's UNESCO listing affirms UAE's civilisational stature: Bodour Al Qasimi
13 July 2025 15:05 SHARJAH (WAM)Under the patronage of Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, Sharjah hosted a gala dinner at The Peninsula Paris Hotel to honour and celebrate the successful inscription of the Faya Palaeolandscape on the UNESCO World Heritage Palaeolandscape was the only Arab nomination considered by the World Heritage Committee for its 47th session, making this achievement even more historic and meaningful for Sharjah, UAE, and the wider now stands as the second site in the UAE to receive this recognition, after The Cultural Sites in Al Ain that was inscribed in 2011. The event gathered key figures from the World Heritage Committee, diplomatic representatives, and experts to reflect on this historic achievement. Sheikha Bodour expressed pride in Sharjah's continuous efforts to inscribe Faya, and bring the site's instrumental role in shaping early human history to dedication to preserving Faya's legacy takes centre stage with UNESCO World Heritage inscription, marking a historic milestone for the UAE and the Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, who is the official ambassador for Faya's nomination file, spoke about the significance of this historic achievement and Sharjah's commitment to preserving Faya's legacy for future generations.'The inscription of the Faya Palaeolandscape on the World Heritage List is a collective achievement. Congratulations to Sharjah and to everyone who has supported us throughout this long and meaningful journey,' said Sheikha Bodour in her opening remarks.'This year, Faya was the only Arab nomination considered by the World Heritage Committee. It is now the second site in the UAE to receive this prestigious recognition, following The Cultural Sites of Al Ain in 2011. This is a monumental win for Sharjah. A win for the UAE. And a win for our region,' Sheikha Bodour also emphasised that Sharjah will remain steadfast in its commitment to preserving and protecting Faya, continue to invest in its conservation, and expand research efforts to ensure that its story reaches and resonates with the Alhaj Al Ali, Permanent Delegate of the United Arab Emirates to UNESCO, emphasised the country's steadfast commitment to heritage and the broader significance of this milestone, stating: 'The United Arab Emirates remains deeply committed to UNESCO's mission and is proud to stand as an active, engaged partner in preserving our shared global heritage. The World Heritage List is more than a register of sites — it reflects humanity's diverse stories, values, and identities."It reminds us that heritage knows no borders, and that every culture has something essential to contribute to the global narrative. In this spirit, the inscription of Faya is a step forward in broadening the representation of voices and landscapes from the Arab world and other regions that have long remained on the margins.'Guests reflected on the collective work that made Faya's inscription possible. The evening enabled attendees to celebrate not only this achievement but the shared commitment and momentum driving the preservation of human heritage. A visual display illuminated the milestones reached, showcasing the dedication of researchers, experts, and partners who played an integral role in the nomination Yousif, Director-General, Sharjah Archaeology Authority (SAA), personally acknowledged the contributions of those who made this achievement emphasised the importance of continued collaboration to safeguard Faya's legacy and its contributions to the understanding of early human history.'This inscription is far more than a global recognition of an archaeological site — it is a tribute to decades of unwavering vision and leadership by His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, who laid the foundations for protecting our cultural heritage in service of humanity. We also extend profound appreciation to Her Highness Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi for her exceptional stewardship of this nomination, driven by rigorous science and powerful partnerships."'Faya stands today as a living testament to early human ingenuity and resilience, and it has redrawn our understanding of the Arabian Peninsula — not merely as a passage for migration, but as a true homeland for settlement and creativity. For us at the Sharjah Archaeology Authority, this is a historic milestone that deepens our commitment to preserving and sharing our story with the world," Yousif said."Together, with our partners and communities, we will continue investing in research and education to ensure Faya remains a beacon of knowledge for generations to come," he concluded. Faya Palaeolandscape The Faya Palaeolandscape is not just a site of historical discovery; it is a window into the adaptive capacities of early humans who lived in one of the harshest environments on Earth over 200,000 years layers of human activity uncovered at Faya offer profound insights into the resilience and ingenuity required to thrive in the Arabian Peninsula's most challenging landscapes, the desert. They reveal that the Arabia was not merely a transit point but a destination; a home where innovation, habitation, and cultural exchange 30 years of archaeological work have revealed 18 distinct layers of human settlement, each telling a different chapter in the story of human survival and innovation. Faya continues to reshape our understanding of the past and its relevance to the present, illustrating the importance of preserving such knowledge for future 11 years, Faya Palaeolandscape has been a cornerstone site within UNESCO's Human Evolution, Adaptations, Dispersals and Social Developments (HEADS) Programme, alongside iconic sites like Klasies River Caves and Wonderwerk Cave in longstanding partnership between UNESCO and Faya Palaeolandscape underscores the site's role in advancing global palaeoanthropological research, environmental studies, and international heritage cooperation.


Al Etihad
2 days ago
- Al Etihad
UNESCO commends UAE leadership's commitment to safeguarding cultural heritage
13 July 2025 09:53 PARIS (WAM)President of the General Conference of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO), Simona-Mirela Miculescu, commended the pioneering role played by the United Arab Emirates in protecting and preserving cultural and natural heritage both nationally and globally. She affirmed that the UAE is a key partner of the Paris-based organisation and a model to be emulated in this an interview with WAM, Miculescu expressed her appreciation for the UAE's recent success in inscribing the Faya Palaeolandscape in Sharjah on the UNESCO World Heritage described this achievement as a powerful message reflecting the UAE's deep commitment to preserving shared human memory and recognising the value of heritage sites as bridges for dialogue and understanding between emphasised that the UAE's role extends beyond its national borders, stating, 'The UAE not only protects its own national heritage but also takes the initiative to help safeguard global heritage. This reflects its civilisational vision and ethical responsibility toward all humanity.'She noted that the UAE is among UNESCO's principal partners, having provided clear support for major international initiatives, including the rehabilitation of heritage sites damaged by conflict, particularly in the Arab the exceptional value of the Faya archaeological site, Miculescu explained, 'Faya is not merely an archaeological site. It stands as evidence of early stages in human development and illustrates human interaction with the natural environment in an area of exceptional geological and cultural significance.'She highlighted that what makes the site distinctive is its direct connection to the first human migrations from Africa to Asia—a critical phase in human history that continues to be the subject of intense academic documented discoveries at the site, she added, offer rich material for researchers and UNESCO official praised the efforts that led to this international recognition, saying, 'Its inscription on the World Heritage List is a highly significant step, made possible by meticulous scientific work and long-term efforts by the UAE in collaboration with international experts, all in accordance with UNESCO's rigorous standards. The UAE's nomination file was comprehensive and compelling, and we highly value this level of professionalism.'She also applauded the UAE's approach to integrating heritage preservation with sustainable development plans, emphasising that the country sets an example of how heritage sites can serve as a foundation for both cultural and economic development. This is achieved through investment in sustainable tourism and by involving local communities in the management and protection of these sites, Miculescu said. She described the UAE's experience as a model for other countries in the region and around the bilateral relations, the President of the UNESCO General Conference expressed the organisation's pride in its partnership with the UAE, stating, 'We appreciate its tangible contributions, whether through funding initiatives or actively participating in the shaping of global cultural policies. The UAE consistently affirms that culture is not a luxury, but a necessity for achieving global peace and prosperity.'In conclusion, Miculescu conveyed her appreciation to the UAE leadership, saying, 'We view the UAE as a progressive model that combines modernity with respect for cultural roots. Its commitment to heritage protection sends a message of hope—that progress can go hand in hand with preserving identity.' She expressed her anticipation for strengthening future cooperation and seeing more UAE historical sites added to the World Heritage List, given their profound human and scientific value to the people of the world.