The Mauritanian Journalists’ Union launched the fourth edition of its “Helping Hands” programme on Thursday night. The programme assists families of deceased journalists and is organised by the Union every Ramadan.
The programme will distribute nearly 13 million old ouguiyas to 68 families, with around 10 million provided by President Mohamed Ould El Ghazouani and the remainder donated by media professionals.
The head of the programme’s supervisory committee, media professional Imam Eddine Ahmedou, praised the response to this year’s edition and thanked all participants.
Ould Ahmedou said that the initiative had raised 2.255.000 old ouguiyas, which would be distributed to 68 families of deceased journalists.
He noted that preparations began at the start of the blessed month and concluded on the night of its twenty-seventh day, with the participation of many journalists and media organisations.
The President of the Mauritanian Journalists’ Union, Ahmed Taleb Ould Maâloum, explained that the Union’s aim is to defend journalists’ material and moral rights. He added that social work also falls within the Union’s remit, and that it has chosen to make it a priority so that it becomes a good tradition.
In his speech, he added that the Union has regularly organised this activity each year, noting that it demonstrates humanity towards the families of deceased colleagues.
Ould Maâloum said that the Union’s Board preferred cash distributions for this edition, noting that this is a purely social undertaking, “so that we remain friends after death”.
The Minister of Culture, Arts, Communication and Relations with Parliament, El Houssein Ould Medou, praised the programme and journalists’ determination to demonstrate solidarity and fraternity and maintain ties with the families of those who have died.
On the occasion, Ould Medou announced President Mohamed Ould El Ghazouani’s contribution of 10 million old ouguiyas to the programme.
The ceremony held tonight at the Mauritanian Journalists’ Union headquarters featured two practical presentations. The first, by Professor El Mokhtar Taleb Nafea, addressed “The connection between faith and charitable spending” in the Holy Quran. The other addressed “Social interaction: areas and investment” and was presented by professor and religious jurist Mohamed Mahmoud Jeddou.