Brothers and sisters, I have a few words I would like to say to the people of the UAE on the occasion of the UAE President launching the Year of Giving. As the New Year begins, I hope it would bring more giving, blessings, happiness and safety and security for our families, sons, daughters and our nation, the UAE.What do we want from the Year of Giving? What’s this giving that we are seeking? How can the UAE benefit from the Year of Giving? What is it that each one of us can offer this year to oneself and one’s community?

Giving is a word we heard and a trait we witnessed during the era of Shaikh Zayed. We are witnessing the same today during the reign of his sons. Dear brothers, in my modest experience, the definition of giving is not confined merely to volunteering or giving or being generous. Real giving lies in making a difference in another person’s life, or the life of a community, or in the journey of a nation. That’s the meaning of real giving which I learnt from Shaikh Zayed.

Allah created us to do good, and, therefore, it should not be hard to practise it. It is not hard to make a difference. Every father may ask himself what he can do for his family this year. Every mother can make a great change in her family, her district and her community. Every son may ask himself what he can offer to his father and mother to make them happy and make a difference in their lives.

Doing good is easy, and one can do so in numerous ways. Giving is feeding the birds, smiling at your neighbour, doing your job in the best way possible, being kind to your co-workers, being responsible and making people happy. Every one of us can do good in our own environs. We can all make a real difference right where we are.

source : gulfnews