Hawzah News Agency-The sultanate’s one-stop donations portal raised RO214, 365 during Ramadan this year, the second highest in the holy month since its launch in 2009.

The ongoing economic gloom it seems didn’t deter people to be altruistic, keeping the faith in giving and sharing during the holy month.

While RO70,762 were raised in the first 15 days of Ramadan, a major portion was collected in the latter half, with donations peaking towards the end of the holy month.

The last five days of Ramadan saw a collection of RO75, 440.

Although this year’s Ramadan collection is significant, it falls short of RO290, 642 raised in 2014, the highest amount generated thus far during the holy months.

Last year too, Ramadan was good for the portal as it received a donation of RO173, 266, while it was RO63, 311 in 2013, RO41, 561 in 2012 and RO74, 336 in 2011.

With a monthly average of around RO30, 000 before Ramadan, donations picked up during the holy month, taking the June total to RO146, 511. In July, the amount raised till Monday morning was RO81, 347.

Out of the 24 organizations associated with the portal, the top three charities that received donations during Ramadan were Oman Charitable Organization (OCO), Al Rahma Charity Team - Seeb and Dar al Atta’a.

The collection for 2016 till Monday was RO374, 865.38 and a total of RO1, 901,371 since the portal’s launch in 2009.

OCO with 31,528 donors continues to be at the top with RO856,416 in donations received through the portal since 2009, Al Rahma Charity Team – Seeb is second with RO431,883 collected from 21,399 donors, and Dar al Atta’a receiving RO375,966.78 through 13,088 donors.

ITA had started its promotional campaign for the portal with the beginning of Ramadan encouraging people to start donating through the website or the mobile app available on Android or iOS.

“Opting for the portal for charitable organizations as an alternative would also be secure, transparent and easy to use,” said ITA in a statement.

When donors visit the portal, they can choose to donate either by a cause or by charitable organization.

There are up to 30 different causes one can choose from such as, Pay your Zakah, Zakat al Fitr, Fasting Fidyah Expiation, Ramadan Iftar Meal,

Donation for Eid Clothes, Sadaqa, Syria Help Campaign, Orphans Care, Donations for Masjid, General Donations, Family Care, Social Care, International Relief, Student Care and Medical Support.

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