Hundreds join Hyatt Plaza’s Fast-a-thon for a cause

Hundreds of participants gathered on Saturday to join Hyatt Plaza’s seventh edition of ‘Fast-a-thon’, a charity event to give young and destitute children in Somalia the opportunity to learn English.

Held every Ramadan, the two-day event is staged for non-Muslims, providing the participants with the chance to help the underprivileged and experience the true spirit of the Holy Month through fasting even for one day.

Fast-a-thon is an offshoot of ‘Help the Orphans’ Intensive English Course (IEC), spearheaded by renowned scholar Dr Bilal Philips, who sought to make 500 bright children proficient in English.

Hyatt Plaza and Eid Charity raised funds for the project by donating QR200 on behalf of every person who registered for Fast-a-thon, whose mission this year is ‘Educating Children in Somalia’.

Prior to Fast-a-thon, the participants were given an interactive orientation on Friday where they received information about the campaign and instructions on how to fast.

The event culminated on Saturday with an Iftar party, which also served as a venue for participants to share experiences and views about fasting.

Hyatt Plaza General Manager Feroz Moideen said the annual Fast-a-thon aims to increase the chances of children in Somalia to get a higher education and become productive members of society.

“The Fast-a-thon follows a two-pronged approach to help change Somalian children’s life — to promote tolerance and brotherhood values, and encourage expatriates to discover the local culture,” Moideen said.

In Somalia, according to IEC, orphans learn their subjects in either Somali or Arabic with little or no English.

With English as the main medium of instruction in most universities, the chance for higher learning is bleak for the thousands of high school graduates from Somalia’s orphanages.

Despite finishing high school, most end up as street merchants, while others risk their lives by fleeing the country, crossing the Mediterranean Sea to become refugees in Europe.

Others, unfortunately, become easy foot soldiers for Shabaab extremists.

“In preparation for this event, we’ve sent emails to non-Muslim communities, urging them to search their hearts, invite family and friends, and make a huge difference by joining the Fast-a-thon,” Moideen said.

Courtesy: thepeninsulaqatar.com