The Minister of Culture, Arts, Communication and Relations with Parliament and Government Spokesperson, Mr El Houssein Ould Medou, announced that President of the Republic Mr Mohamed Ould Cheikh El Ghazouani had directed a personal grant of 10 million old ouguiyas in his name as his contribution to the “Helping Hands” campaign supporting the families of deceased journalists.
The announcement came last night as he presided over the opening of a seminar organised by the Mauritanian Journalists’ Union at its headquarters, as part of the fourth edition of the annual “Helping Hands” programme supporting families of deceased journalists. Its theme was: “They ask you what they should spend. Say: whatever good you spend is for parents, relatives, orphans, the needy and the traveller. And whatever good you do, Allah knows it.”
The Culture Minister described the “Helping Hands” campaign as a good tradition that brings the media community together to stand alongside, support and assist the families of deceased journalists, highlighting their role in establishing the media landscape.
He thanked everyone behind this blessed initiative, which, as on previous occasions, takes place at a special time and in the blessed atmosphere of Ramadan. He also thanked those who first established it and those who have supported and assisted these noble efforts to continue and sustain the “Helping Hands” initiative.
He said that media professionals’ contributions are measured not by their size but by their symbolism. Every contribution to supporting the families of deceased journalists carries symbolic meaning that goes beyond its purely material dimension, becoming part of the major positive acts and good deeds that support the journalistic community and mutual solidarity among colleagues.
For his part, the President of the Mauritanian Journalists’ Union, Mr Ahmed Taleb Ould Maâloum, said that the Union has regularly organised this event each year. He stressed that this charitable activity, which provides cash assistance, is a purely social undertaking intended to bring joy to the children of deceased journalists.
He thanked everyone who contributed, directly or indirectly, to this important charitable effort, and praised the Ministry of Culture’s role in making the event a success.
The ceremony was attended by the President of the National Human Rights Commission, several ambassadors, mission officers and advisers in the culture sector, and a group of people interested in media and cultural affairs.