Focuses on the welfare and education of UAE Nationals

Will hold 20% of Al Habtoor Group shares

Dubai, January 21, 2013

Khalaf Ahmad Al Habtoor, Chairman of the Al Habtoor Group, launched today the Khalaf Ahmad Al Habtoor Foundation. The Foundation focuses mainly on developing and improving human societies in need in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). It also aims at providing relief and assistance to communities around the world affected by natural disasters and social calamities, meeting the needs of orphans and improving their welfare, as well as promoting interreligious and intercultural communication, and enhancing education.

The head office of the Khalaf Ahmad Al Habtoor Foundation is located in Al Farooq Mosque and Center in Safa (Jumeirah) in Dubai. The launching ceremony took place in the presence of Sultan Al Habtoor, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Foundation, and Board members, Dr. Rafia Ghobash, Ahmad Khalaf Al Habtoor, Mohammad Abdallah Al Haj, Jomaa Khalifa Bin Thalith, and Abdul Salam Marzooqi, Secretary General and Director of the Foundation.

Khalaf Al Habtoor said, "I decided to launch the Khalaf Ahmad Al Habtoor Foundation to combine all the charities I am involved in and put them under one framework in accordance with the Foundation's statute that defined its objectives and noble goals."

As for the funding source, Al Habtoor explained, "Twenty per cent of Al Habtoor Group shares have been allocated for the Foundation. It is of course different from Zakat, which is mandatory for every Muslim."

He added, "One of the most important goals of the Khalaf Ahmad Al Habtoor Foundation is to help all humans in general, with a particular emphasis on UAE nationals, within a comprehensive and sustainable development approach and a healthy environment. It will draw on its principles looking towards leadership and excellence."

The charitable activities of the Khalaf Ahmad Al Habtoor Foundation will extend to include support for education and scientific research through establishment of scientific and research chairs named after the Founder within and outside the UAE, support of various sports, and to provide assistance and grants for researchers and scholars in different fields and specialisations.

Al Habtoor concluded, "I chose to launch the Khalaf Ahmad Al Habtoor Association officially from Al Farooq Omar Ibn Al Khattab Mosque and Center for the latter's role in our society as a beacon of education, faith and intercultural communication."

Khalaf Al Habtoor has generously donated towards many humanitarian initiatives over the years with a combined value exceeding tens of billions of UAE Dirhams (AED), in cooperation with the UAE Red Crescent Society. He also funded several community, educational and sports initiatives, mainly:

Chair of Khalaf Ahmad Al Habtoor in Business Sciences with a donation of AED 10 million at Zayed University. (May 2011)

Khalaf Al Habtoor Assistive Technology Resource Center with a donation of AED 1 million at Zayed University. (May 2011)

Chair of Khalaf Ahmad Al Habtoor in International Relations with a donation of AED 15 million at the American University of Sharjah. (October 2009)

Khalaf Ahmad Al Habtoor Simulation Center with a donation of AED 18.5 million at Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Academic Medical Center. (November 2007)

The Khalaf Al Habtoor Harvard Medical Research Fellowship at the Dubai Harvard Foundation for Medical Research (DHFMR) offers a qualified post-doctoral researcher from the UAE or wider region the opportunity to work for up to three years at a research centre of laboratory based at Harvard Medical School, Harvard School of Public Health or one of the Harvard School affiliated hospitals. (March 2011)

Khalaf Al Habtoor Awqaf Building for Low-income People at Al Quoz, with a donation of AED 19 million. (June 2009)

Sponsoring UAE Basketball Association for two years. (May 2012)

Khalaf Ahmad Al Habtoor Football & Track Stadium with a donation of AED 18.5 million at the American University of Cairo. (November 2008)

Khalad Al Habtoor Leadership Center with a donation of AED  5 million at Illinois College in the United States. (November 2007)

Harar Hospital with a donation of AED 25 million in North Lebanon. (September 2009)

Grant of AED 3.7 million to Carter Centre Middle East Program to alleviate the suffering of Palestinians. (December 2010)

Grant of AED 10 million to the UAE Red Crescent campaign to help Syrian refugees in Jordan and Lebanon. (February 2012)

Donation of AED 1 million to UNRWA to assist Palestinian refugees in Syria and provide employment for 200 Palestinian workers in the West Bank. (October 2012)

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About Al Habtoor Group
The Al Habtoor Group is a UAE-based conglomerate. While best known for construction, it is globally recognised through its involvement in the hotel, automotive, real estate, education, insurance and publishing sectors.

One of the UAE's most respected and successful businesses, the Al Habtoor Group today operates in the UAE and international markets.

© Press Release 2013