• Donation made on behalf of Emirati Plan customers to ‘Feekom Al Khair w Barakah’ Emirati home renovation fundraising campaign

Dubai, UAE: du has announced the donation of AED700,000 to its home renovation fundraising campaign, ‘Feekom Al Khair w Al Barakah’ (‘with your generosity and blessings’). The announcement was made during an event at which renowned Islamic Sheikh, Professor Mohammed Al Arefe, presented a discourse entitled ‘Be the Social Media Ambassador of Tomorrow’.

Present for the announcement and lecture were Ahmad Bin Byat, Chairman du; Osman Sultan, CEO, du; Farid Faraidooni, Chief Commercial Officer, du, and members of the telecom’s executive management. Invited guests included select Emirati customers, as well as the UAE’s social media thought leaders.

Sheikh Al Arefe lent his support to the campaign, by citing how social media can be used to positively support worthwhile initiatives. During his address, he highlighted the growing impact of popular social networking sites such as Facebook and Twitter, and provided Islamic insights on how everyone can use them to contribute to a better future while maintaining a common code of ethics. Ahmad Bin Byat, Chairman, du, and Osman Sultan, CEO, du, presented Sheikh Mohamed AlArefe with a citation in recognition of his efforts.

du’s campaign, ‘Feekom Al Khair w Al Barakah’, is raising funds to help in the renovation of Emirati homes across the UAE in collaboration with the Ministry of Public Works. It comes as part of the telecom’s Ramadan initiatives, under the theme of ‘Khair w Barakah’ (‘goodness and blessings’), through which du is encouraging community participation and volunteerism to the benefit of the UAE’s society. The donation towards the campaign was contributed by du’s Emirati Plan customers. It is worth mentioning that du has set aside 5percentage of monthly fees of every Emirati Plan customer towards select charitable causes. Through this, du is facilitating Emiratis assisting and improving the lives their fellow UAE Nationals. 

“We would like to thank our Emirati Plan customers for choosing a plan that allows them to contribute to their community. It gives us great pride to be able to donate AED700,000 on their behalf – this is the perfect example of Emiratis helping Emiratis, to improve lives and life within the UAE, and we are pleased to have collaborated with the Ministry of Public Works for this very important initiative,” said Hala Badri, Executive Vice President, Brand and Communications, du.

Contributions to ‘Feekom Al Khair w Al Barakah’ are open and can be made via two convenient channels: through Emirates Islamic Bank Account number 0071-711687-002 (IBAN: AE09 0340 0000 7171 1687 002), or by SMS donation, through which du customers can SMS ‘Home’ to 8000 to receive the donations instructions.

“Social media provides a platform that empowers us with the ability to make a positive impact on people’s lives. It is a powerful tool, which is why we embrace it as a dynamic medium and encourage its ethical use for inciting community spirit,” added Badri.

du has partnered with the renowned Sheikh for the second consecutive year, to give its customers direct access to his Islamic insight and wisdom throughout the Holy Month of Ramadan. This year, customers can interact with him through a show, streamed through live du’s Facebook page (www.facebook.com/du. Viewers are able to call Sheikh Al Arefe on dedicated mobile line 055 567 8157, to seek answers to religious issues and Ramadan. The episodes will also be available as part of du’s page on Facebook.

Two lucky Emirati customers present at the event won the opportunity of a lifetime: an Omrah trip in the company of Sheikh Al Arefe on 28 Ramadan, for themselves and a companion of their choice. 

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du in Ramadan
This Ramadan du has designed a comprehensive set of initiatives and offers that reflect the spirit and values of the Holy Month, enabling its customers to spread joy to their friends and loved ones wherever they might be.

Offers:

• Umrah Roaming offer:  When travelling in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia this Ramadan, all du customers are able to receive free calls and access data on their du mobile free of charge while roaming on any network in KSA
• International calling offer: This Ramadan, customers are able to call their families, friends wherever they are at just 1fils per second with du’s International calling offer. All international calls made between 9pm – 9am on weekdays, and throughout day on Friday to 190 destinations worldwide are being charged at an effective rate of 1fils per second
• Ramadan SMS Offer: Customers can share 1000 special moments with friends and loved ones, with du’s Ramadan SMS Offer. For just AED10, all customers with a du mobile line are able to get 1000 SMS to send within UAE and anywhere in the world – that’s just 1fils per SMS!
• Ramadan Mobile Content: Fasting customers are able to enjoy a selection of content to help them stay healthy while observing the Holy Month

Initiatives:

• Feekom Al Khair w Al Barakah: In partnership with the Ministry of Public Works, du has launched a fundraising campaign, ‘Feekom Al Khair w Al Barakah’ (‘with your generosity and blessings’), to support the Ministry’s home renovation project.
• Mawaed Al Rahman: du is distributing 150,000 meals to those in need through five iftar table locations, in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Ras Al Khaimah and Al Ain. In the latter, du has partnered with the Khalifa Bin Zayed Humanitarian Foundation, to allow disadvantaged Emirati women to cook meals for those less fortunate.
• Sheikh Al Arefe:  du has once more enlisted the wisdom of Sheikh Mohamad Al Arefe to share his Islamic insights with the telecom’s customers through a series of engaging activities.

For more details on du’s Ramadan offers, please visit www.du.ae/Ramadan.