UAE Space Agency conducting 14 Year of Giving events and initiatives

23 April 2017

The UAE Space Agency is implementing 14 special events and initiatives as part of its activities for the Year of Giving, which was declared by HH Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE.

Among the Space Agency’s contribution to the Year of Giving is the Martyrs Badge initiative, in which badges decorated with the names of fallen national heroes will be sent to the International Space Station in recognition of their sacrifice. The badges will then be returned to Earth, and given to the families. The Agency will also produce a special brochure, to be distributed to martyrs’ mothers, containing personal messages of pride and gratitude from Space Agency staff. In addition, the Space Agency will rename one of its headquarters’ rooms to the Martyrs’ Hall.

The Space Agency is also introducing a special project that involves donating and distributing seed samples of plants in order to raise awareness of the importance of agriculture in space.

Charitable work will include a Ramadan Iftar at Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, a campaign to distribute cold water to workers in the streets, and blood donations by Agency staff. Other initiatives will be put in place to support widows and orphans, and the Space Agency will work with the Emirati Red Crescent to organise a variety of humanitarian projects.

HE Dr Khalifa Al Romaithi, Chairman of the UAE Space Agency, said that the Agency welcomed the President’s declaration of 2017 as the Year of Giving, which fulfils the national charitable and humanitarian foundations laid by Sheikh Zayed Al Nahyan. Dr Al Romaithi also noted the importance of charity and giving to the UAE, stating that it is one of the inherent qualities of Emirati society.

HE Dr Mohammed Al Ahbabi, Director General of the UAE Space Agency, spoke of the pride felt throughout the Agency to participate in the Year of Giving activities. These initiatives come as part of the Space Agency’s commitment to its humanitarian and social roles, which are underpinned by a firm belief in the importance of striving towards societal growth and development, he explained. At the same time, they will help consolidate national values, social cohesion and community responsibility across the UAE.

The UAE Space Agency will organize and implement the Year of Giving initiatives with stakeholders throughout the national space sector, and will meet with partners to establish a framework of cooperation and participation on the projects.

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