Contribution articulates request in late Ahmed Baghlaf’s will

Dubai, UAE, November 29, 2016:  Awqaf and Minors Affairs Foundation (AMAF) has lately donated AED1 million to the National Awqaf Foundation of Canada (Awqaf Canada). Honoring the will of late philanthropist and AMAF endower Ahmed Baghlaf, the funds will aim to spread the teachings of Islam in Canada. 

The contribution has been divided into three parts. A sum of AED500,000 is earmarked for building schools that teach moderate Islamic values and principles, a further AED250,000 is allocated to promoting Islamic Da’wah, and a final amount of AED250,000 is dedicated to supporting preachers. 

The donation is an outcome of an agreement signed between AMAF and Awqaf Canada (located in Ontario) in 2015 to enhance collaboration in waqf and charity work and help achieve social, cultural and economic development in societies. 

His Excellency Tayeb Al-Rais, Secretary General of AMAF, handed over the cheque to His Excellency Imad Issam Kaddoura, Secretary General of Awqaf Canada during a visit to its headquarters in Ontario.  

His Excellency Tayeb Al-Rais said: “We are pleased to present Awqaf Canada with this donation as part of our sustained efforts to improve our relations with various international waqf institutions. These efforts are in line with Dubai’s strategy to become a global capital of Islamic economy. We also aim to raise awareness of our vision for waqf among expat Muslims in order to accelerate their endowments and contributions and better support global humanitarian agendas.” 
 
For his part, His Excellency Imad Issam Kaddoura commended the ongoing support of Dubai and the wider UAE to global awqaf initiatives and the country’s commitment to an economic system inspired by Islamic values. He said: “This fund will enable Awqaf Canada to implement several educational and Da’wah programs to promote the Islamic spirit of moderation and tolerance throughout Canada and North America.”  

The late Ahmed Baghlaf’s endowment has so far provided much-needed support to local and international humanitarian initiatives and projects seeking to benefit the underprivileged through extending education, healthcare and financial assistance where needed. Aimed at serving Islamic Da’wah, the endowment also focuses on helping orphans, widows, the elderly and other minority social segments. To date, the contributions of this benefactor have been distributed in several countries globally, including Jordan, Syria, South Africa, and Australia.