Malabar Gold and Jewelry staff and members of some organizations pose for a souvenir photo during one of the group's charitable activities in the observance of Ramadan. — Courtesy photo JEDDAH — The second half of Ramadan has come as millions of people around the world honor this holy month with acts of service and prayers. Malabar Gold & Diamonds, the leading jewelry retailer, joined the spirit of giving as part of its corporate social responsibility (CSR) in the Gulf regopm during the season. In the Saudi Arabia, the jewelry group provided iftar meals to more than 1,500 people, at the Shifa Sanayya Baladiya Labor Camp in Riyadh on July 5 in association with Riyadh Muslim Coordination Committee. This, in turn, is part of iftar events hosted by the group in various parts of the region in keeping with its month-long calendar of activities, in association with like-minded organizations. Over 50,000 residents in the region will be benefitted by its CSR initiatives this Ramadan. In UAE, such initiatives are planned with the Community Development Authority in Dubai, Sharjah Charity International and Awqaf to benefit the needy. It seeks to provide over 42,000 special iftar meals during this period. Two of these events were undertaken at Sajjah Camp and Sharjah scouts throughout the holy month of Ramadan. The group also conducted similar events at Marris-Ras Al Khaima and Municipality labor camp in Ajman as a part of its CSR activities in the region. An iftar event was also organized at Friendship Society for Blinds in Bahrain on July 11 for the visually impaired members of the society with their families. Zakat was distributed to five families and gifts were given to children and other people. About 150 people attended the event. In addition, the group is planning to provide over 3,750 iftar meals to the worers at Asker, Akker, Jau, Asari, Hamadtown and Isa Town throughout Ramadan. It is coordinating with Discovery Islam, Al Hedaya Center and Friendship Society For Blinds to carry out such activities. The group also provided iftar meals for 350 people at Meena Abdullah desert camp in Kuwait. They are planning for such events at labor camps in Wafra desert, Meena Al Zoor, Fintas, Hassawi, Reggae, Mangaf and Ahmadi in association with Kerala Islamic Group (KIG), Youth India and Kuwait Kerala Muslim Association. Over 4000 people will be benefitted by this. In Qatar, the jewelry chain conducted an iftar get-together at Al Ali Engineering W.L.L. on July 17 where 850 people were provided with meals. In Oman, it has organized iftar gathering at Muttrah Souk, Muscat and Dhofar Club- Salalah. More than 4,200 people attended the event. Since its inception in 1993, Malabar Group has been actively involved in CSR activities with the aim of creating a difference to the community in and around its area of operations. The importance of CSR activities for Malabar Group has grown over the decades and the group sets aside 10 percent of its net profit for the needy. It undertakes social welfare activities all-year long, focusing on five priority areas such medical, educational sector, environment as well as housing and women empowerment. Malabar Gold and Diamonds is the flagship company of Malabar Group, a leading diversified Indian business conglomerate. Established in 1993 in South Indian state of Kerala, Malabar Gold & Diamonds has a strong retail network of 116 outlets in eight countries, 10 wholesale units in addition to offices, design centers and factories spread across India, the Gulf region and Singapore. With an annual turnover of $3.5 billion, the company currently ranks among the world's top five jewelry retailers. — SG
