Majid Al Futtaim’s malls in Dubai host Iftar gathering with the Red Crescent orphanage at Kempinski Hotel Mall of the Emirates

Dubai, UAE: Majid Al Futtaim’s malls in Dubai: Mall of the Emirates, City Centres Deira, Mirdif, Me’aisem and Al Shindagha are marking the Holy Month with a schedule of cultural events and charitable activities that embrace the spirit of Ramadan.

On June 12, 2016 Majid Al Futtaim’s malls in Dubai hosted orphans from the Red Crescent for a special Iftar gathering at the Mall of the Emirates Kempinski hotel. The special event saw over 25 children, aged between 4 – 12 years old, enjoy a delicious meal and have a fun evening together. Additionally, at the event the Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation generously gifted the children with a collection of educational books. Aptly, throughout 2016 the UAE is celebrating the Year of Reading and books are one of the key donation items for the 10^th Make a Difference campaign.

“It has been a pleasure to host such a memorable evening with the children from the Red Crescent orphanage and marking the Holy Month in the spirit in which it encompasses; compassion and sharing with others,” said Fuad Mansoor Sharaf, Senior Director – Property Management, Shopping Malls for Majid Al Futtaim properties, “At Majid Al Futtaim we believe in creating great moments for everyone and it is with this vision that we look forward to delivering wonderful experiences for the whole family during Ramadan.”

Kempinski Hotel Mall of the Emirates Director of Sales and Marketing Alexander Suski said, “At Kempinski Hotel Mall of the Emirates, we are pleased to host in partnership with
Majid Al Futtaim’s Ramadan activities, children from the Red Crescent Orphanage for a traditional Iftar experience at Olea, our authentic Levantine restaurant. We look forward to extending our hospitality and to create memorable moments during this Holy Month. Our traditional Levant ice cream, or Dondurma, which is made in front of our guests during Iftar, proved to be the perfect treat for the kids.”

Now in its tenth year of partnership with the UAE’s Red Crescent Society, Majid Al Futtaim’s ‘Make a Difference’ programme encourages visitors to donate toys, clothes and books for families. This year sees the campaign extending its platform of charitable giving through collection points at 19 malls throughout the region.

“We have been a proud partner of Majid Al Futtaim’s ‘Make A Difference’ campaign for the past ten consecutive years. It is a truly inspiring initiative that captures the Ramadan spirit of giving and compassion each year and we hope that this year will see the highest number of donations to date,” said Mohammed Abdullah Alhaj Al Zaroni, Manager, Red Crescent UAE.

Starting the first day of Ramadan and running into Eid, the ‘Make a Difference’ campaign includes easily accessible donation points in Majid Al Futtaim’s 19 shopping malls across the region in five markets including shopping malls in the UAE:  City Centre Ajman, City Centre Deira, City Centre Fujairah, Mall of the Emirates, City Centre Mirdif, City Centre Me’aisem, City Centre Al Shindagha, City Centre Sharjah, My City Centre Nasseriya, and all four Matajer malls in Sharjah, plus malls in Bahrain, Egypt, Lebanon and Oman.

As well as hosting the largest collective charitable effort, each of Majid Al Futtaim’s malls in the Dubai will host events and special gatherings throughout the Holy Month. The malls will be transformed to mark the spirit of Ramadan, with beautiful installations celebrating traditional Arabic hospitality and creating an atmosphere of togetherness.

During Ramadan, the malls will follow extended closing timings, opening at 10AM and closing at 1AM for all retailers and 2AM for all Food and Beverage outlets.