Dubai Customs inks MoA with Al Maktoum Association to build mosque

According to the MoA, Dubai Customs finances the project as an Islamic Waqf whereas Al Maktoum Association will sponsor the building of the mosque.

HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai and the Minister of Finance and President of Al Maktoum Association, greeted Dubai Customs' initiative commending it as he said that it is a pioneer step on the level of government departments in Dubai. HH also thanked those who worked on the initiative as well.

The MoA was signed at Dubai Customs headquarters by H.E. Ahmed Butti Ahmed, Dubai Customs Director General and HH Mirza Hasan Sayegh, Board of Trustees Vice President of Al Maktoum Association in the presence of Sheikh Doctor Ahmed Al Kubaisi who gave a lecture to DC employees on "National Integrity and Individuals Reward in helping to build mosques".

H.E. Ahmed Butti Ahmed said, "Signing this memorandum will help us achieve our strategy in the field of Social Responsibility and support charitable and humanitarian action locally and internationally as part of our corporate values."

H.E. added, "Dubai Customs is pleased to sponsor charitable and humanitarian activities which are carried out by organizations and charitable local societies. Being an international corporate that excels in offering customs services to clients and strategic partners locally, regionally and internationally, we are keen on reinforcing this economic and commercial role with humanitarian contributions. Dubai Customs has been performing this role throughout the previous years and we would like to further these efforts by targeting external communities inline with the humanitarian and charitable initiatives of HH Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, UAE President and HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai whose generous contributions in humanitarian and charitable action stretch around the world. We would also like to confirm that we are all heading towards the same direction to achieve these strategic charity visions."

In his turn, H.E. Ahmed Butti Ahmed praised the humanitarian initiatives carried out by Al Maktoum Association. He added, "Our initiative of building the mosque is an example of the religious, humanitarian and charitable initiatives that is included in our Ramadan Campaign; "Al Khair Customs" Campaign that was launched at the beginning of the holy month of Ramadan. The Campaign comprises a variety of religious, cultural, social and humanitarian activities."

HH Mirza Al Sayegh praised Dubai Customs initiative of building a mosque and said, "The fact that Dubai Customs is initiating this project and lending a hand to charity is a big relief. This praiseworthy initiative is unique and it is the first of its kind among all government departments in Dubai. I have not witnessed a similar one throughout my whole experience working for charity action for 12 years and I really wish other departments would follow the lead."

HH Mirza Al Sayegh added that HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid, President of the Board of Trustees of Al Maktoum Association praised Dubai Customs' initiative of building a mosque. She also said that HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid offered facilitations that helped turn the initiative into success. She said, "In our turn, Al Maktoum Association is keen on coordinating efforts with Dubai Customs to implement this project and other charitable projects."

The location of the mosque is to be chosen in the near future and both parties; Dubai Customs and Al Maktoum Association will be notified with that since several locations are currently being surveyed. HH Mirza Al Sayegh said, "Al Maktoum Association has several projects and proposals for building mosques inside and outside the UAE, the location of the mosque will be decided and we will be notified."

Mr. Yousef Al Sahlawi, Executive Director of Legislations and Policies Division at Dubai Customs and Mrs. Feryal Tawakul, Executive Director of social Affairs and Government Partnership Division as well as a number of Dubai Customs cadres attended the MoA.