FNC candidate offers his salary to charity

A candidate for the Federal National Council pledges to give his salary and other benefits to charity if he is elected.

Rashid Matter Al Jabri believes Emiratis should start school much earlier.

DUBAI // Rashid Matter Al Jabri says that if he wins a seat on the Federal National Council, he will give his salary and other benefits away to charity.

Video:What it means to be a FNC candidate

Abu Dhabi FNC candidate Mansour Al Faheem speaks about what it means to run for a seat on the Federal National Council.

"I am waiving all my rights that I may get from the national council, from a salary, car, or whatever it may be," he said. "I am ready to drive in a pick-up truck and carry people's voices. Our job is to make sure to enable the new generation."

He said he will use the money instead to assist charities, help young people marry, and pay off debts of Dh1,000 to Dh2,000 for hardworking people who do not have the means.

At a press conference yesterday, Mr Al Jabri said UAE nationals should be educated from the day they are born, not only when they reach four years of age.

"The national is the base of the country," said the 35-year-old father of five boys and one girl. "Our biggest problem is the lack of education, and we need in all possible ways to help the ministries by providing the right programmes at the right time and at the right age. There is nothing wrong with our ministries or government, they are one of the best out there, but there is a lack of education."

His platform also includes preserving national identity, health, social awareness, the empowerment of women, youth and the economy.

Mr Al Jabri said he started with nothing and worked his way up to becoming the chief executive of the Rashid Al Jabri group of companies, which includes interests in construction, real estate, commercial trade and tourism.

He created his first business in 1996 while studying at the Higher Colleges of Technology.

His companies have grown to number 35, and he operates them from his home.

This January, he financed the construction of Al Jabri Mosque. It includes a prayer space, a school for memorising the Quran, an Islamic school for adults, and a nursery.

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"I will not change my values if I were to be part of the FNC, as I already operate schools, and centres for Quran memorization, which are done electronically," he said, noting that his businesses are all online.

Technology should be used for good, he said. "This is what I aim to do, by using the western technologies and use it for our own good and instil our own values," he said.

The election takes place on September 24. In Dubai, there are 124 candidates for four spots.