Takatof launches large-scale mosque renovation plan

Abu Dhabi, July 16, 2013 (WAM) - More than 200 volunteers from the Emirates Foundation for Youth Development's Takatof Programme for Social Volunteering have begun a large-scale campaign to clean and renovate mosques across the UAE. The Mosque Renovation Campaign is a major part of the Takatof Ramadan Programme, implemented in cooperation with Awqaf, the General Authority for Islamic Affairs and Endowments, the Juvenile Care Centre, and Health Authority - Abu Dhabi and with support from Injazat Data Systems. As part of the campaign, now in its seventh year, male and female volunteers will dedicate 1,000 voluntary hours to cleaning and renovating mosques, furnishing them with carpets, painting walls, providing copies of the holy Qur’an and distributing waters to worshippers during Taraweeh prayer. Work has already begun at mosques in Abu Dhabi, Al Ain, Dubai, Sharjah, Ras Al Khaimah and Al Fujairah. Maytha Al Habsi, Chief Programmes Officer at the Emirates Foundation, said the campaign was triggered by the spiritual reflection and devotion to good deeds and charitable work experienced during the holy month of Ramadan. "Takatof volunteers use this goodwill to keep in touch with worshipers and offer them a comfortable environment seeking reward from Allah," she noted. The Takatof Ramadan campaign is divided into five phases. In the weeks leading up to Ramadan volunteers visited underprivileged families to identify ways to meet their needs during the holy month. Since Ramadan began volunteers have been attending worksites, providing hundreds of workers with Iftar meals and cold water; touring hospitals and health care centres to bring comfort and support to those less well-off; and organising a nation-wide blood donation campaign. – Emirates News Agency, WAM