Ramadan is a time for spiritual contemplation; a time for personal reflection; a time for abstinence and celebration. For the more practically minded among us, it’s also a nice quiet time to get your house in order; a time to throw out the piles of clothes that have been cluttering up your wardrobe, or the old books that have been doing nothing but gathering dust in the spare room. And because it’s Ramadan, there are now more opportunities than ever to give these things away in the knowledge you’re doing some good – how’s that for multi-tasking?

During the Holy Month, numerous charities and corporate organisations organise schemes whereby members of the public can discard their old clothes, books, handbags, accessories and more at various collection
points or drop-boxes located around the city. These items are then collected and distributed to the lesser-privileged people in Dubai, the UAE and in countries across the region. To help you know where to start on your charity-inspired clean-up, we’ve researched what items are needed and what good they’ll do when donated.

Clothes

Dubai Outlet Mall
This bargain-packed mall is usually a destination where you accumulate clothes, rather than discard them. Not so this Ramadan – bundle up your old clothes (ensuring they’re washed and ironed) and shoes (in good condition) and head to the mall’s donation station, located on the ground floor.

You can then reward yourself with a shopping spree aided by the discount coupons you’ll receive from selected outlets as reward for your good deed. You can also donate books, reading glasses and mobile phones.
www.dubaioutletmall.com.

MAF Properties
The name MAF Properties may not mean much to many of us, but if you’ve been in Dubai long enough there’s a good chance you’ll have visited one of the company’s locations at some stage – think Mall of the Emirates, Deira City Centre, and Mirdif City Centre. Each mall features donation boxes, and clothes are distributed by the Red Crescent to underprivileged people in the region.
www.majidalfuttaim.com.

Bags

Dubai Ladies Club
The resourceful Dubai Ladies Club is rounding up designer handbags for a good cause. Rather than the bags being distributed to the needy (that would just be impractical), they will be sold in a charity sale after Ramadan, so there’s a chance to increase your accessories collection for a good cause. Proceeds of the sale will go towards local charity Dubai Cares. Want to donate unwanted designer bags in good condition? Items can be delivered to Dubai Ladies Club opposite Emirates Hospital on Jumeirah Beach Road.
info@dubailadiesclub.com (04 349 9922).

Books

Al Manzil Centre
This local special-needs centre in Sharjah is always in need of books for its school. There are various drop-off points located around town, including at Dubai Media City, International City, and JBR. For more details and information about where to drop unwanted books, email the address below.
autism@devinadivecha.com.

The Pink Ribbon Book Sale
The Pink Ribbon Book Club is collecting second-hand and unwated books for its Pink Book Sale, taking place on October 8. Proceeds will go towards Dubai-based breast cancer charity Safe & Sound Campaign, which funds free mammograms for women who can’t afford them. If you want to donate your old books, drop boxes can be found in BurJuman mall in Bur Dubai.
www.safeandsound.ae, www.volunteerindubai.com/pinkbooksale.