DOHA: People in Qatar are also doing their bit to create awareness about Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) disease by taking ‘Ice Bucket Challenge’.
The challenge has become popular all over the world with people from all walks of life posting their videos on social networking websites.
The challenge, also called the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge, involves dumping a bucket of ice water on someone’s head to promote awareness of the disease (ALS) and encourage donations for research.
The challenge dares nominated participants to be filmed having a bucket of ice water poured on their heads and then nominating others to do the same.
Nominated persons either have to take the challenge in 24 hours or they have to donate money for ALS.
ALS is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and the spinal cord.
InterNations- an international network for expatriates, in association with The Grand Hyatt is organising Ice Bucket Challenge on September 5 in which people are requested to make a voluntary donation of QR100 that will go to ALS.
Recently IloveQatar had organised the challenge at St Regis Hotel. Individuals are also taking challenge and posting their videos on social networking websites and are nominating their friends for challenge.
The challenge went viral on social media during July-August 2014.
It is estimated that people shared more than 1.2 million videos on Facebook between June 1 and August 13 and mentioned the phenomenon more than 2.2 million times on Twitter between July 29 and August 17.
Famous personalities have also joined for the cause which is helping this challenge to become popular.
US president Barack Obama was challenged but he declined opting to contribute to the campaign with a donation of $100.
Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg took the challenge and nominated Microsoft founder Bill Gates, who completed the challenge.
The Prime Minister of Britain David Cameron was also challenged but he declined in favour of a donation. Sportspersons, actors and other celebrities have also taken this challenge.
However, some people are of the opinion that at the time when millions of people around the world do not have access to drinking water, it is unwise to waste water for in this challenge.
THE PENINSULA
