Beshara | The National

Welcome to The National's weekly newsletter Beshara, where we share the most positive stories of the week.

Stranded animals and pets have been rescued in southern Lebanon. Photo: Animals Lebanon

It's the final stretch of Ramadan – the most sacred time of the holy month – but these days are not what anyone expected them to be.

The calm and reflection we usually seek in a month meant to bring out the best in people have been replaced by uncertainty and prayers for peace. And yet, the spirit of Ramadan is still very much alive. You see it in people coming together today to help those in need.

One story, in particular, stood out to me this past week.

Two men, Houssein Hamze and Kassem Haidar, have been risking their lives to care for abandoned animals and pets in southern Lebanon, which has been hit by heavy Israeli strikes.

Mr Hamze runs the Mashala Shelter, caring for more than 200 animals, from abandoned pets to strays. When the war forced many families to flee, he stayed behind, determined not to leave the animals. Even after his own home was destroyed in strikes last year, he refused to abandon them, treating the animals as his own and making sure they had food, water and safety amid the chaos.

Meanwhile, Mr Haidar has taken his rescue efforts directly to the streets. He goes to abandoned homes to save animals whose owners have reached out for help. He has also been driving across villages and towns in the south, providing food for animals left behind and tending to those severely injured.

Images and videos of thousands of families forced to flee their homes in Lebanon have been infuriating and heartbreaking. But the compassion shown by those two men has reignited a sense of hope in me that I almost lost.

Because as long as there are good people in this world, there will always be good days ahead.

Never forget that.

Stay safe,

Fatima

Worshippers gather to observe Laylat Al Qadr at Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi. EPA

Large crowds continue to gather in the UAE for late-night prayers. The final 10 days of Ramadan are considered the most spiritually significant part of the holy month, as it includes Laylat Al Qadr, which was the night the Quran was first revealed to the Prophet Mohammed.

Alerts on mobile phones occasionally flash news of developments, but for many, the quiet of mosques provides a momentary refuge from the wider unrest.

- President Sheikh Mohamed marks Emirati Children's Day by pledging that the nation's youth are safe and protected

Dubai renewed its Bus of Goodness initiative as a show of support for the city's construction workers

Government workers and volunteers in Dubai have delivered 135,000 iftar meals to construction workers in the city as part of the Bus of Goodness campaign this Ramadan.

The initiative was launched to "reach as many members of the workforce as possible, spreading happiness and reinforcing the values of solidarity and community cohesion," an Emirati official said.

"Through the Bus of Goodness initiative, we aim to support the workforce and bring happiness to their hearts in appreciation of their valuable contributions to Dubai’s ongoing development and prosperity."