Embracing the spirit of giving: AUS' Ramadan charitable initiatives

From charity iftars, iftar meals and Ramadan food basket distributions to Eid clothing fundraising, American University of Sharjah (AUS) is witnessing a flurry of charitable activities celebrating the spirit of giving and generosity this Ramadan, all organized by Community Service and Outreach (CSO) under the Office of Student Affairs.

"Celebrating Ramadan through charitable activities enriches the lives of those in need and profoundly impacts student volunteers by instilling in them a sense of empathy, compassion and social responsibility. It's a transformative experience that fosters personal growth and cultivates a deeper understanding of the importance of giving back to the community. We have an array of activities this year in collaboration with notable charities to spread our work beyond campus and help those in need as much as we can," said Aisha Ali, CSO Manager at AUS.

In collaboration with the AUS Student Council and several student clubs at AUS, students designed and printed t-shirts that were sold for a Ramadan Charity campaign that raised more than 2,000 AED. All proceeds went to the Sharjah Social Empowerment Foundation.

In collaboration with University City of Sharjah, the Indian Cultural Club hosted a charity iftar for 80 gardeners working in University City. The event was held at the AUS Student Center and saw the participation of 20 student volunteers. Members of the student club were responsible for the event’s planning and logistics, welcoming the gardeners to the iftar and engaging them in a variety of activities. Business marketing student Razan Shewil and accounting student Bhavika Vohra, spoke about their volunteer experience in the event. 

“I volunteered to give back to the community and to show respect and appreciation for all the gardeners do for us. We understand and acknowledge the huge part they play in our lives. Their dedication and hard work often go unnoticed, but as students, we have the opportunity to shine a spotlight on their contributions and make them feel appreciated. Volunteering helps foster a deeper sense of empathy and connection within our society,” said Vohra.

In her first volunteer experience, Shewil helped organize gift bags on tables, ushering gardeners to their seats and in gift distribution. 

“This has such a huge impact on me seeing how little it took of me to make others happy. We wanted to show the gardeners that we appreciate the work they do and we are thankful for them. Part of my volunteer work is related to a course I am currently taking, but I will definitely reach out for more volunteer opportunities in the future,” she said.  

Students from the Saudi Cultural Club prepared food baskets for distribution to 250 families through the Big Heart Foundation Beneficiaries Center, while the Emirati Cultural Club worked with CSO and Human Appeal International Ajman as part of a Kiswat Al-Eid Campaign to provide Eid clothes for close to 50 orphans. 

Nour Saleh Al Bloushi, an international studies major, is the volunteer representative in the Emirati Cultural Club and helped coordinate the Kiswat Al-Eid campaign.

“Each one of the students who volunteered in this initiative adopted an orphan to buy eid clothes for. Then we all agreed on a day and time to gather and go together to buy the clothes. We later delivered the clothes to CSO,” she said.

AlBloushi added: “I find such initiatives to be important. Personally, I come from a family that puts a lot of emphasis on giving. As a human and a muslim, I believe helping those who are in need is essential. Ramadan is a month of giving and tolerance so it is a great opportunity to help and supporting orphans in particular is essential in Islam. As a society we grow when we help one another. It also makes you appreciate what you have.” 

AUS also distributed iftar meals in Musalla, Sharjah, in collaboration with  Sharjah Charity International. Volunteer opportunities were open for staff, faculty, students and all members of the AUS community to take part.

"Unity within the AUS community is not just a concept; it's a powerful force for positive change. As we collaborate to serve others during Ramadan, we demonstrate the strength of our collective compassion and generosity. We embraced this opportunity to come together, support one another, and make a meaningful difference in the lives of those around us," said Ali.

Programs offered by AUS Community Service and Outreach support the university's commitment to social responsibility and active citizenship. Through charity events, volunteering in local communities and partnering with organizations for meaningful projects, AUS students, faculty and staff are dedicated to making a difference and leaving a positive imprint on the world.

To learn more about AUS community service activities, visit www.aus.edu/life-at-aus/student-life/community-involvement.