In its continuous pursuit to strengthen family bonds and fostering social solidarity, the United Arab Emirates has declared 2025 as the Year of the Community.
This initiative reflects the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister of the UAE, and Ruler of Dubai, who firmly believes in the family as the foundation of society.
In alignment with this vision, he has launched the Father’s Endowment initiative—a pioneering charitable endeavour that promotes compassion, generosity, and community support by allowing individuals to donate in their fathers’ names as a form of lasting charity.
The Father’s Endowment is a sustainable humanitarian initiative designed to assist millions of fathers in securing essential needs, including healthcare and a dignified standard of living. More than just an act of charity, it embodies the spirit of benevolence, volunteerism, and social responsibility, encouraging individuals to actively contribute to their communities. By nurturing a culture of giving, the initiative ensures that acts of kindness continue across generations, fostering unity, prosperity, and social cohesion within the UAE.
This initiative stands as a creative and humanitarian model of charitable endowment, merging social solidarity with financial sustainability. The UAE has long been a pioneer in innovation, not only in technology and industry but also in humanitarian efforts. The Father’s Endowment is a testament to this, as it marks the first time a national endowment has been established in honour of fathers. This groundbreaking concept allows individuals to pay tribute to their parents in a way that leaves a lasting impact on society, reinforcing the UAE’s legacy of innovative philanthropy.
The launch of this initiative coincides with the holy month of Ramadan, a time deeply rooted in the values of generosity, gratitude, and familial devotion. The significance of this timing amplifies the initiative’s reach, inspiring widespread participation. Each of us has a role to play in ensuring its success—whether by spreading awareness, encouraging family and friends to contribute, or instilling the spirit of giving within our own households. By doing so, we not only uphold the virtues of charity and solidarity but also bring hope and joy to those in need.
Charitable and humanitarian work has been a defining principle of the UAE since its inception, rooted in the legacy of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan. His unwavering commitment to social welfare established the UAE as one of the world’s foremost donors in humanitarian aid. Today, the UAE’s status as a global leader in philanthropy is recognised far and wide, a testament to the enduring values of generosity and compassion instilled by its founding father.
