Mohammed to give $10bn to charity

Sheikh Mohammed at the World Economic Forum in Jordan.

The ruler of Dubai has pledged $10bn to establish an education foundation in what is thought to be one of the largest charitable donations in history.

The new foundation will tackle poor standards of education and literacy in the Arab world, according to a keynote address made on Saturday by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum at the World Economic Forum for the Middle East in Jordan.

Sheikh Mohammed said "the illiteracy that is still rampant in the region’s communities limits the region’s growth and advancement", adding that - alarmingly - more than two in five females in the region cannot read or write.

The entire Arab world accounts for just 0.08% of the world's output of "literary and intellectual books", less than those published in Turkey alone. Spending on scientific research accounts for just 0.02% of GDP, compared with between 2.5% and 5% in developed countries.

The creation of the Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation will focus on “research, education and promoting equal opportunities” for the youth, and also be “aimed at enhancing the standing of scholars and intellectuals in the Arab world."

The initiative, the largest of its kind in the region, will establish university research programmes, give scholarships to students, and launch youth leadership programmes.

It will be based in the United Arab Emirates and be supported by “well-known role models”, according to a press statement by a UAE government-linked press agency. The foundation will commence work later this year.

The news follows a recent World Economic Forum report that singled out education in the Arab world as a particular topic of concern, especially in the UAE, Kuwait and Oman.

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READERS' COMMENTS

10BILLION CHARITY fUND
Posted by SYLVIA LUPEMBE, DAR ES SALAAM, TANZANIA on Wednesday 30 May 2007 at 10:31 UAE time

Mine is a question rather than a comment. I have seen the advert in daily papers here in Tanzania. I am working in an institution responsible for soliciting contributions to support improvement of quality of education, increase access and equity to it. We mobilise resources from various contributors and use the resources to finance education projects. Having seen the advert in Tanzania is it ok for us here to apply for support as well? if so is there a standard application format. Where can we get it? Other wise congratulations for this philanthropic initiative.

One step forward
Posted by ahmadmkhatib, jerusalem, Palestine on Monday 21 May 2007 at 12:46 UAE time

Education is biggest base where the community stand on .. How do we expect to progress and to lead the world without an essential and basic requirement that is missing in most of the Arab world. Great job Mr.Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum towards the better - may Allah bless you. I hope others do the same. This is our time

One step forward
Posted by ahmadmkhatib, jerusalem, Palestine on Monday 21 May 2007 at 11:50 UAE time

Education is biggest base for the community to stand on. How can we expect to progress and to lead the world without an essential and basic requirement that is missing in most of the Arab world? Great job Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, toward the better. May Allah bless you. I hope others do the same (I will say investment not a charity). It better than making easy money by retarding the people.

Trend Setters
Posted by Bilal Abbasi, Dubai, United Arab Emirates on Sunday 20 May 2007 at 22:40 UAE time

Well U.A.E. has again proved to be one of the commendable states in the Arab World. With Such Great Leaders to fuel the people and the country itself - I say in the next ten years U.A.E. will be a role model for people around the world to look at. UAE Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Sheikh Maktoum has taken a giant step to abolish poor standards of education and literacy from the Arab World with a concrete step from the upcoming of Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation. I am so proud and always will look upon to the Rulers of U.A.E as how they developed their country from scratch within a short lapse of time - LONG LIVE THE U.A.E. and the Rulers ...... AS TRUE LEADERS ALWAYS WORK FOR THE PROSPERITY OF A NATION.

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