Rashid Mohammed Al Dhaheri

Rashid Mohamed Al Dhaheri has been working to increase literacy among Al Ain’s elderly women since 1995 when he built the Istiqama Mosque that initially took on 20 women. In 2002, Rashid built the only free education center ever established by an individual citizen called Istiqama Center. The Centre, which contains eleven classrooms, two libraries and a nursery, aims to reduce female illiteracy by teaching Arabic, and Islamic Studies. Rashid focuses on spreading educational and social values through numerous projects, events and competition supported by the Islamic Affairs Authority both at the Center and at other locations. Rashid’s efforts have positively impacted more than 650 women and have given many the gift of reading and writing.