Giving Journal

Author: admin

  • Sheikha Mahra of Dubai: Who She Is and What Is Documented About Her Public Role

    Sheikha Mahra of Dubai: Who She Is and What Is Documented About Her Public Role

    Sheikha Mahra bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum is one of the most searched-for members of Dubai’s ruling family. She is frequently described online as the “Queen” or “Princess of Dubai”, and a large amount of what is shared about her on social media is inaccurate. This profile sets out what is reliably documented.

    Who is Sheikha Mahra?

    Sheikha Mahra was born on 26 February 1994 in Dubai. She is a daughter of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai. She is not a queen: the UAE is a federation of seven emirates ruled by Sheikhs, and there is no title of “Queen of Dubai”. Headlines using that phrase are a sign that the source is not reliable.

    According to reports in Harper’s Bazaar Arabia, she graduated from university in 2023 with a degree in international relations.

    Documented public and community appearances

    Compared with some of her siblings, Sheikha Mahra holds no official government post and leads no foundation of her own. The community activities that are documented by regional media are modest:

    • In 2023 she visited the Rashid Centre for People of Determination in Dubai, a centre that supports children with disabilities, and donated toys to its students.
    • She has represented the family at events connected to Dubai’s Community Development Authority, the government body responsible for social welfare in the emirate.
    • She is known for her interest in equestrianism, a sport closely associated with her father.

    Most of the large-scale charitable work associated with her family is carried out through institutions founded by her father, especially the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives (MBRGI), rather than by individual family members.

    Personal life in brief

    Sheikha Mahra married Sheikh Mana bin Mohammed bin Rashid bin Mana Al Maktoum in 2023, and the couple had a daughter in May 2024. In July 2024 she announced their divorce in a post on Instagram, which was widely reported by international outlets including the BBC and CNN. In September 2024 she launched a perfume brand, Mahra M1. In 2025 her engagement to the rapper French Montana was announced.

    A warning about fake posts using her name

    Because she is so well known, Sheikha Mahra’s name and edited photos are often used in scam posts that promise free money, marriage support or “royal grants” to poor families. No member of Dubai’s ruling family distributes money through Facebook pages, WhatsApp groups or registration websites. Read our guide on how to spot fake “Arab Sheikh” aid scams before you share any such post.

    Sources

    Harper’s Bazaar Arabia; Arabian Business; BBC News and CNN (July 2024); Vogue Arabia (September 2024).

    Featured image: representational stock photo from Pexels. It does not show any person named in this article.

  • Princess Leonor Turns 21: From Three Years of Military Training to University in Madrid

    Princess Leonor Turns 21: From Three Years of Military Training to University in Madrid

    Leonor, Princess of Asturias, heir to the Spanish throne, turns 21 today, 31 October 2026. Born in Madrid on 31 October 2005, she is the elder daughter of King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia. Her last three years have been among the busiest of any young royal in Europe.

    A three-year military education

    Following a royal decree in March 2023, Leonor began a three-year programme of military training, as her father did before her:

    • 2023–24, Army: General Military Academy in Zaragoza. She swore allegiance to the Spanish flag there on 7 October 2023.
    • 2024–25, Navy: Naval Military Academy in Marín. In January 2025 she set sail on the training ship Juan Sebastián de Elcano for a five-month voyage that included stops in Latin America and New York.
    • 2025–26, Air and Space Force: General Air and Space Academy in San Javier, Murcia. On 18 December 2025 she flew solo for the first time in a Pilatus PC-21 trainer, and in May 2026 she completed the basic parachute course, the first member of the royal family to do so.

    Her training year ended at a ceremony in San Javier on 10 July 2026, attended by her parents and her sister, Infanta Sofía. Her formal commission as an officer is expected in 2027.

    An oath before Parliament

    On her 18th birthday, 31 October 2023, Leonor swore to uphold the Spanish Constitution before both houses of Parliament, receiving an ovation of more than four minutes. That oath formally confirmed her as the adult heir to the throne.

    Now a university student

    In April 2026 the Royal Household announced that she would study for a four-year degree in Political Science at Universidad Carlos III de Madrid, a public university. She began in September 2026 and, according to the palace, follows the same timetable and exams as other students while continuing her official duties.

    Read more about her public engagements and the foundations she leads in Princess Leonor’s public duties and foundations.

    Sources

    Spanish Royal Household; Wikipedia; ¡Hola! (July 2026); Euro Weekly News (27 April 2026).

    Featured image: representational stock photo from Pexels. It does not show any person named in this article.

  • MBRGI Spent Dh2.3 Billion in 2025, Reaching 165 Million People in 122 Countries

    MBRGI Spent Dh2.3 Billion in 2025, Reaching 165 Million People in 122 Countries

    The Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives (MBRGI), the umbrella organisation for Dubai’s main charitable and humanitarian programmes, spent Dh2.3 billion in 2025. Its programmes reached 165 million people in 122 countries, 16 million more people and four more countries than in 2024. The results were announced in April 2026 at a board meeting chaired by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.

    What is MBRGI?

    MBRGI was formed in October 2015 to bring together more than 30 separate philanthropic initiatives under one roof. It is chaired by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, with Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, the Crown Prince of Dubai, as deputy chairman. Its well-known members include Dubai Cares, the Al Jalila Foundation, Noor Dubai and the Arab Reading Challenge.

    Spending by pillar in 2025

    • Healthcare and disease control: Dh872 million, the largest share, supporting more than 396,000 people.
    • Humanitarian aid and relief: over Dh625 million, reaching more than 53 million people.
    • Spreading education and knowledge: Dh419 million, reaching 106 million people.
    • Innovation and entrepreneurship: Dh239 million, benefiting about 1.4 million people.
    • Empowering communities: more than Dh187 million, reaching about 3.9 million people.

    Key programmes

    Fathers’ Endowment: a Ramadan campaign to fund healthcare for those who cannot afford it raised Dh3.72 billion, almost four times its Dh1 billion target, from more than 277,000 contributors.

    Al Jalila Foundation: its A’awen programme paid for the treatment of 3,605 patients, including 816 children, at a cost of about Dh143 million.

    Food and relief: the 1 Billion Meals initiative was completed in July 2025 after delivering meals in 65 countries. Dubai Humanitarian sent 789 tonnes of aid to 2.8 million people in Palestine, Afghanistan, Myanmar and Sri Lanka, and a Dh37 million joint project with the WHO targets health needs in Gaza and the West Bank.

    Education: the ninth Arab Reading Challenge attracted more than 32 million students from 50 countries, and the Digital School expanded to 39 countries with over 800,000 students.

    Volunteers

    MBRGI reported 185,670 volunteers in 2025, up from 171,892 the year before, alongside 990 staff.

    Important: MBRGI does not take applications for cash help through social media. Any page claiming to register people for “Sheikh Mohammed’s grant” is not official.

    Sources

    Khaleej Times and Gulf News (25 April 2026); Dubai Media Office; MBRGI Year in Review 2025.

    Featured image: representational stock photo from Pexels. It does not show any person named in this article.

  • The Generosity of Saudi Arabia’s Leaders and Citizens: Housing, Zakat and Waqf

    The Generosity of Saudi Arabia’s Leaders and Citizens: Housing, Zakat and Waqf

    Generosity (karam) is one of the most valued traits in Arabian culture, and Saudi Arabia’s leaders have long presented charitable giving as a national duty. In recent years that tradition has moved onto regulated digital platforms, which make giving faster and much more transparent.

    The roots: zakat, sadaqah and waqf

    • Zakat is the obligatory annual charity paid by Muslims who meet a minimum wealth threshold, generally 2.5% of savings. In Saudi Arabia, zakat on businesses is collected by the state.
    • Sadaqah is voluntary charity, given at any time and in any amount.
    • Waqf is a permanent endowment: an asset whose income is devoted to good causes forever. Many mosques, wells and hospitals in the Kingdom are funded this way.

    Jood Eskan: helping families find a home

    Launched in 2019, the Jood Eskan platform lets citizens and residents contribute towards housing for families in need. According to Saudi Housing Minister Majed Al-Hogail, more than 4.5 million donors have contributed more than SR5 billion. It began with 100 families and now serves more than 50,000.

    The housing sector’s non-profit network also includes more than 313 organisations and 345,000 volunteers, supporting over 106,000 families, plus a rent-support programme for about 6,600 families.

    Leadership giving

    Saudi leaders traditionally open major charity drives with personal donations. In Ramadan 2026, for example, the national Ehsan campaign was supported by a SR70 million donation from the Saudi leadership. Abroad, the Kingdom’s generosity is channelled through KSrelief.

    How help actually reaches people

    All of this support goes through licensed charities and government programmes that check eligibility. It is not distributed by individual sheikhs through social media, and nobody in this system asks applicants to pay a “processing fee”.

    Sources

    Arab News (16 February 2026 and 21 March 2026); Saudi Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing.

    Featured image: representational stock photo from Pexels. It does not show any person named in this article.

  • KSrelief: Inside Saudi Arabia’s Humanitarian Agency and Its $8 Billion in Aid

    KSrelief: Inside Saudi Arabia’s Humanitarian Agency and Its $8 Billion in Aid

    The King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre (KSrelief) is Saudi Arabia’s main international aid agency. It was established in May 2015 under royal directives to bring the Kingdom’s overseas relief work under one organisation.

    KSrelief by the numbers

    • 4,457 projects in 113 countries since 2015, with funding of more than US$8 billion (Arab News, September 2026).
    • In 2025 alone, its statistics list 830 completed and ongoing projects worth about US$989 million, with health the largest sector.
    • Yemen and Syria were the largest single-country recipients in 2025.

    The conjoined twins programme

    One of KSrelief’s best-known efforts is the Saudi Program for Conjoined Twins. Saudi surgeons have reviewed 158 cases and carried out 72 separation operations on twins from 28 countries across five continents. In 2024 the United Nations designated 24 November as World Conjoined Twins Day.

    Volunteer doctors abroad

    Through the Saudi Portal for External Volunteering, 84,388 volunteers have taken part in 1,446 missions in 59 countries, performing more than 273,000 surgical procedures and reaching more than 2.85 million beneficiaries.

    Sahem: public donations

    KSrelief’s Sahem platform lets the public donate to its relief projects. It has collected more than SR1.7 billion from over 9.8 million donors.

    Saudi Arabia’s giving at home runs largely through a separate platform, Ehsan.

    A note for readers in Pakistan and South Asia

    KSrelief works with governments, the UN and registered NGOs. It does not hand out cash or marriage grants to individuals who fill out online forms, and it never charges a fee. Posts claiming otherwise are fake.

    Sources

    KSrelief official statistics (ksrelief.org); Arab News (6 September 2026).

    Featured image: representational stock photo from Pexels. It does not show any person named in this article.

  • How to Spot Fake “Arab Sheikh” Aid, Grant and Marriage Scams

    How to Spot Fake “Arab Sheikh” Aid, Grant and Marriage Scams

    Across Pakistan, India and Bangladesh, social media is full of posts claiming that an Arab sheikh, a Gulf princess or a royal family will pay for poor girls’ weddings, give cash grants or sponsor visas. They are usually illustrated with edited photos of real royals next to a bride. These posts are scams. This guide explains how they work and how to protect your family.

    How the scam works

    1. A Facebook page, TikTok account or WhatsApp group shares an emotional post: “Sheikh will pay for 100 marriages”, “Queen of Dubai gives Rs 5 lakh to poor families”, and so on.
    2. You are asked to send your name, CNIC number, photos or phone number to “register”.
    3. You are then told you have been selected, but must pay a “registration fee”, “lawyer fee”, “courier charge” or “tax” before the money is released.
    4. After you pay, the account disappears or keeps asking for more.

    Seven warning signs

    • You are asked to pay to receive help. Real charities never charge a fee to beneficiaries.
    • Wrong titles. There is no “Queen of Dubai” or “King of Dubai”. Dubai is ruled by a Sheikh.
    • Edited photos of royals with brides, cheques or bags of cash.
    • Payment through JazzCash, Easypaisa or personal bank accounts.
    • Pressure and urgency: “Only 2 seats left”, “offer ends tonight”.
    • Requests for CNIC copies, OTP codes or photos of girls. Never share these.
    • No official website or government domain.

    How real Gulf charity works

    The UAE’s MBRGI, Dubai Cares and Saudi Arabia’s KSrelief work through governments, UN agencies and registered NGOs. They do not select individuals through social media posts.

    Real help in Pakistan

    For government cash support, use only official channels: the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) and its official SMS short code 8171, or the Pakistan Bait-ul-Mal. Check the government’s own website for current details. Be aware that scammers also copy the names of these programmes.

    What to do if you are targeted

    • Do not pay, and do not share your CNIC or OTP codes.
    • Report the account to the platform (Facebook, TikTok or WhatsApp).
    • In Pakistan, report online fraud to the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA), which took over the FIA’s cybercrime wing.
    • Warn family members, especially elders, who are frequent targets.

    This site is an independent information blog. We do not collect applications, take payments, or connect anyone with sponsors.

    Featured image: representational stock photo from Pexels. It does not show any person named in this article.

  • Ehsan Platform: Saudis Gave SR4.5 Billion Through 135 Million Donations in 2025

    Ehsan Platform: Saudis Gave SR4.5 Billion Through 135 Million Donations in 2025

    Ehsan (meaning “excellence” or “doing good”) is Saudi Arabia’s national platform for charitable work. It is run by the Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority (SDAIA) and lets people donate to verified causes in a few seconds through an app or website.

    Record giving in 2025

    In February 2026, SDAIA president Abdullah Alghamdi said that more than SR4.5 billion (about US$1.2 billion) was donated through Ehsan in 2025, across 135 million donations. That works out at an average of about SR12.45 million a day, compared with roughly SR2.8 million a day during the platform’s first campaign in 2021.

    Over its first five years, the platform has handled more than 330 million donations worth around SR14 billion.

    The Ramadan national campaign

    Each Ramadan, Ehsan hosts a National Campaign for Charitable Work. The sixth campaign, in 2026, raised more than SR1.75 billion through over 26.5 million transactions, supported by a SR70 million donation from the Saudi leadership.

    The Ehsan Waqf Fund

    Ehsan also manages an endowment fund that invests donations and spends the returns on charity. It has passed SR2 billion in total donations and supports more than 2,400 charitable associations.

    Why it is trusted

    Ehsan is supervised by 13 government entities, and every donation opportunity is linked to a licensed charity. Donors can see where their money goes. This is the opposite of informal appeals on social media, which have no oversight.

    Ehsan also works alongside the Jood Eskan housing platform, which helps families in need find homes.

    Sources

    Arab News (16 February 2026 and 21 March 2026); Saudi Gazette.

    Featured image: representational stock photo from Pexels. It does not show any person named in this article.

  • Dubai Cares: How a UAE Charity Has Reached 117 Million People Through Education

    Dubai Cares: How a UAE Charity Has Reached 117 Million People Through Education

    Dubai Cares is a UAE-based global philanthropic organisation focused on education, and part of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives. In February 2026 it reported that it had disbursed AED1.27 billion (about US$346 million) in grants since its launch in 2007, reaching 117 million people in 60 developing countries.

    How it works

    Dubai Cares does not run schools itself. It funds programmes delivered by 143 partner organisations, from UN agencies to local NGOs. Its portfolio includes 264 programmes, 48 advocacy initiatives and 40 research programmes.

    Results since 2007

    • 61.7 million children dewormed, so that illness does not keep them out of school.
    • Nearly 5 million schoolchildren given nutritious school meals.
    • More than 5 million teachers trained.
    • 7.1 million young children enrolled in early childhood education.
    • 4.5 million people given access to clean water, sanitation and hygiene.
    • 4.6 million children and young people supported to keep learning during emergencies.
    • 18.6 million girls and women reached by empowerment programmes.
    • 788,467 young people placed in vocational training.

    Highlights from 2025

    In 2025 Dubai Cares reached 761,975 people in Lebanon and Gaza. Through its “Adopt a School” scheme it built two primary schools each in Nepal and Senegal, and its “Adopt a Library” project opened six inclusive libraries in Bihar and Jharkhand, India, serving more than 19,700 children and educators. Its “Taste of Giving” campaign with 36 restaurants funded 250,000 school meals.

    Can you get help from Dubai Cares?

    Dubai Cares funds organisations and programmes, not individuals. It does not give scholarships, cash or marriage support to individuals through online forms. If you see an advert saying otherwise, treat it as a scam.

    Sources

    Dubai Cares press release (16 February 2026); Emirates News Agency (WAM).

    Featured image: representational stock photo from Pexels. It does not show any person named in this article.

  • Meeting the People: Princess Leonor’s Public Duties, Foundations and Awards

    Meeting the People: Princess Leonor’s Public Duties, Foundations and Awards

    Long before her military training, Princess Leonor was introduced to public life step by step. Today, as heir to the throne, she holds two important roles in Spanish civil society.

    The Princess of Asturias Foundation

    As Princess of Asturias, Leonor is the honorary head of the Princess of Asturias Foundation, which awards the annual Princess of Asturias Awards in Oviedo. The awards recognise achievements in fields such as science, the arts, communication, sport and international cooperation, and are among the most respected prizes in the Spanish-speaking world.

    She gave her first major speech at the awards in October 2019, aged 13. In October 2024 she attended for the first time as an adult and addressed the laureates, and in October 2025 she presided over the ceremony. The foundation also runs the Exemplary Town Award, which honours a small Asturian village for community spirit; in 2025 she spoke at the award in Valdesoto.

    The Princess of Girona Foundation

    She also heads the Princess of Girona Foundation, which supports young people with education, training and entrepreneurship programmes. At its 2019 awards in Barcelona she spoke in four languages: Spanish, Catalan, English and Arabic.

    Meeting volunteers and communities

    • December 2022: visited the Spanish Red Cross headquarters in Madrid and met young Red Cross volunteers.
    • July 2024: made her first official foreign visit, to Portugal, with a focus on ocean protection.
    • September 2025: visited Navarre with her parents to mark 600 years of the title Princess of Viana.
    • May 2026: attended her first Armed Forces Day in Vigo.

    Languages and preparation

    Leonor speaks Spanish, Catalan and English fluently, and has studied French, Galician, Basque, Arabic and Mandarin. She completed the International Baccalaureate at UWC Atlantic College in Wales in 2023.

    Sources

    Spanish Royal Household; Princess of Asturias Foundation; Wikipedia.

    Featured image: representational stock photo from Pexels. It does not show any person named in this article.

  • The 1 Billion Meals Initiative and the Fathers’ Endowment: Dubai’s Ramadan Giving Explained

    The 1 Billion Meals Initiative and the Fathers’ Endowment: Dubai’s Ramadan Giving Explained

    Ramadan is the busiest season for charity in the Gulf, and in recent years Dubai has used it to launch very large public campaigns. Two of the best known are the 1 Billion Meals initiative and the Fathers’ Endowment, both part of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives (MBRGI).

    1 Billion Meals

    The 1 Billion Meals initiative grew out of earlier Ramadan food campaigns. The idea was simple: individuals, companies and institutions in the UAE donate, and the money is used to deliver food parcels and meals to vulnerable people abroad through partners such as the UN World Food Programme and local relief groups.

    According to MBRGI’s 2025 results, the initiative was completed in July 2025, having delivered meals in 65 countries. Its work continues through a permanent endowment model, where donations are invested and the returns fund food support year after year.

    The Fathers’ Endowment

    Launched for Ramadan 2025, the Fathers’ Endowment set out to raise Dh1 billion to create a fund for medical treatment for people who cannot afford it. It ended up raising Dh3.72 billion from more than 277,000 contributors, almost four times its target.

    Why the endowment model matters

    An endowment (known in Islamic tradition as a waqf) keeps the original donation invested and spends only the income. This gives charities a steady, predictable source of money instead of depending on a single campaign. Saudi Arabia uses the same idea in its Ehsan Waqf Fund.

    How people actually donate

    Donations to these campaigns are made only through official channels: the campaign’s own website, SMS short codes announced by the UAE government, and bank transfers to named accounts. These campaigns collect money — they never ask the public to pay a fee to receive help.

    Sources

    Khaleej Times (25 April 2026); MBRGI Year in Review 2025; Dubai Media Office.

    Featured image: representational stock photo from Pexels. It does not show any person named in this article.