The UAE has funded more than 100 million free meals in 20 countries across the region during Ramadan. Pictured are youngsters in Egypt. All photos by Wam
The UAE has funded more than 100 million free meals in 20 countries across the region during Ramadan. Pictured are youngsters in Egypt. All photos by Wam
Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives, organiser of the campaign, has tied up with international and local partners in each of the beneficiary countries to deliver the food parcels
Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives, organiser of the campaign, has tied up with international and local partners in each of the beneficiary countries to deliver the food parcels
Cash vouchers are being given to low-income communities in Palestine and in refugee camps in Jordan and Bangladesh
Cash vouchers are being given to low-income communities in Palestine and in refugee camps in Jordan and Bangladesh
Staples such as rice, oil, beans, beans and flour are included in the food parcels, which is sufficient to prepare between 240 and 300 meals throughout Ramadan
Staples such as rice, oil, beans, beans and flour are included in the food parcels, which is sufficient to prepare between 240 and 300 meals throughout Ramadan
Children smile for the camera after receiving a food packet.
Children smile for the camera after receiving a food packet.
Low-income families, refugees, orphans and widows in Jordan, Egypt and Pakistan have started receiving food boxes.
Low-income families, refugees, orphans and widows in Jordan, Egypt and Pakistan have started receiving food boxes.
A worker gives a food box to a lady
A worker gives a food box to a lady
Food boxes being unloaded from a truck
Food boxes being unloaded from a truck
Workers packing food boxes to be delivered to the needy during Ramadan
Workers packing food boxes to be delivered to the needy during Ramadan

Government

Ramadan 2021: more than 1,000 volunteers help distribute 86,500 iftar meals in Dubai

Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities Department co-ordinates operation from 20 locations in city each day

Gillian Duncan
Gillian Duncan

April 18, 2021

  • English
  • Arabic

A team is overseeing the distribution of charity meals during Ramadan in Dubai.

About 86,500 meals and 42,560 food baskets will be distributed during the nightly drive, thanks to more than 1,000 volunteers from the Watani Al Emarat Foundation.

The meals are delivered to workers' accommodation supervisors, who distribute them to workers before iftar.

The Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities Department is co-ordinating the operation, which takes place from 20 locations in the city each day, including Silicon Oasis, Al Quoz, Al Khawaneej and Jebel Ali.

The initiative aims to manage crowds and ensure compliance with Covid-19 precautions to prevent the spread of the virus.

The operation is being monitored by Dubai Police, which will issue fines to anyone who flouts rules on social distancing and the mandatory use of masks.

Director general of the Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities Department in Dubai, Dr Hamad Al Shaibani, said people should donate through accredited charities and institutions that “have expertise in managing distribution of meals to large groups”.

Charities involved in the drive include the UAE Red Crescent Authority, the Mohammed bin Rashid Humanitarian and Charity Establishment, Dubai Charitable Society and the Dar Al Ber Society.

The operation is being carried out in co-operation with the Community Development Authority, Dubai Police, Dubai Municipality, Dubai's Permanent Committee of Labour Affairs and the Department of Economic Development.

100 Million Meal campaign nears its target

About 86,500 meals and 42,560 food baskets will be distributed during the nightly drive. Courtesy, Dubai Media Office
About 86,500 meals and 42,560 food baskets will be distributed during the nightly drive. Courtesy, Dubai Media Office

In a separate campaign, the UAE is moving closer to a goal of funding 100 million meals in 20 countries across the region during the holy month, having achieved more than three quarters of its target in the first week.

The charity drive, which sends ingredients to families to prepare meals throughout Ramadan, has raised more than Dh78 million ($21.2m) to provide more than 78 million meals.

Every Dh1 donated helps to provide one meal in countries across the Middle East, Africa and Asia.

Hussain Sajwani is the latest high-profile figure to donate to the campaign, organisers at the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives say.

The Emirati chairman of Damac donated Dh1m.

A website set up for the campaign allows the public to donate as little as Dh10 to fund 10 meals, rising to Dh500 or more.

UAE residents with Etisalat and du numbers can donate through their phone providers.

To donate, send the word "meal" to the following numbers:

1034 for a Dh10 contribution

1035 for a Dh50 contribution

1036 for a Dh100 contribution

1037 for a Dh300 contribution

1038 for a Dh500 contribution

Larger donations can be made to the campaign’s call centre on 800 4999.

10 Million Meals campaign 2020 – in pictures

A worker holds a food pack from Dubai's Beit Al Khair Society, as part of the Ruler of Dubai's 2020 campaign to deliver 10 million meals to low income residents. This year, the campaign will expand to 100 million meals in 20 countries in the region. All photos by Pawan Singh / The National
A worker holds a food pack from Dubai's Beit Al Khair Society, as part of the Ruler of Dubai's 2020 campaign to deliver 10 million meals to low income residents. This year, the campaign will expand to 100 million meals in 20 countries in the region. All photos by Pawan Singh / The National
Volunteers distribute food packages in Dubai in May 2020, as the social and economic impact of the pandemic is felt
Volunteers distribute food packages in Dubai in May 2020, as the social and economic impact of the pandemic is felt
Restaurants across the city joined the campaign to feed workers in the absence of daily Ramadan iftars at mosques and in light of job losses and salary reductions
Restaurants across the city joined the campaign to feed workers in the absence of daily Ramadan iftars at mosques and in light of job losses and salary reductions
Staff at Al Nadeg restaurant in Deira, Dubai box up fresh and dried food
Staff at Al Nadeg restaurant in Deira, Dubai box up fresh and dried food
This box contains biryani, laban, fruit, dates and water
This box contains biryani, laban, fruit, dates and water
Staff and workers practise social distancing
Staff and workers practise social distancing
Staff at Al Nadeg in Deira prepare fresh produce for the campaign
Staff at Al Nadeg in Deira prepare fresh produce for the campaign
Fresh roasted chicken is prepared for the next batch of boxes
Fresh roasted chicken is prepared for the next batch of boxes
The 10 million meals project was brought in to replace the free iftars run by mosques across the country, which were halted due to the coronavirus
The 10 million meals project was brought in to replace the free iftars run by mosques across the country, which were halted due to the coronavirus
Staff of Al Nadeg restaurant in Deira prepare the food to be delivered
Staff of Al Nadeg restaurant in Deira prepare the food to be delivered
1,000 boxes were readied for this particular camp
1,000 boxes were readied for this particular camp
Roast chicken is prepared for delivery
Roast chicken is prepared for delivery
Restaurants across the city are volunteering their kitchens and staff as part of the campaign
Restaurants across the city are volunteering their kitchens and staff as part of the campaign
Race 3

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Director: Remo D’Souza
Cast: Salman Khan, Anil Kapoor, Jacqueline Fernandez, Bobby Deol, Daisy Shah, Saqib Salem
Rating: 2.5 stars

Getting%20there%20
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Towering concerns
Milestones on the road to union

1970

October 26: Bahrain withdraws from a proposal to create a federation of nine with the seven Trucial States and Qatar. 

December: Ahmed Al Suwaidi visits New York to discuss potential UN membership.

1971

March 1:  Alex Douglas Hume, Conservative foreign secretary confirms that Britain will leave the Gulf and “strongly supports” the creation of a Union of Arab Emirates.

July 12: Historic meeting at which Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid make a binding agreement to create what will become the UAE.

July 18: It is announced that the UAE will be formed from six emirates, with a proposed constitution signed. RAK is not yet part of the agreement.

August 6:  The fifth anniversary of Sheikh Zayed becoming Ruler of Abu Dhabi, with official celebrations deferred until later in the year.

August 15: Bahrain becomes independent.

September 3: Qatar becomes independent.

November 23-25: Meeting with Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid and senior British officials to fix December 2 as date of creation of the UAE.

November 29:  At 5.30pm Iranian forces seize the Greater and Lesser Tunbs by force.

November 30: Despite  a power sharing agreement, Tehran takes full control of Abu Musa. 

November 31: UK officials visit all six participating Emirates to formally end the Trucial States treaties

December 2: 11am, Dubai. New Supreme Council formally elects Sheikh Zayed as President. Treaty of Friendship signed with the UK. 11.30am. Flag raising ceremony at Union House and Al Manhal Palace in Abu Dhabi witnessed by Sheikh Khalifa, then Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi.

December 6: Arab League formally admits the UAE. The first British Ambassador presents his credentials to Sheikh Zayed.

December 9: UAE joins the United Nations.

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Document everything immediately; including dates, times, locations and witnesses

Seek professional advice from a legal expert

You can report an incident to HR or an immediate supervisor

You can use the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation’s dedicated hotline

In criminal cases, you can contact the police for additional support

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