Ramadan 2020: Dubai workers able to cut costs with free iftar meals


Sarwat Nasir
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With a monthly salary of Dh900, saving even Dh30 on iftar each day helps Muhammad Azad send money back to his elderly parents back home in Pakistan.

He is among thousands of workers in Dubai and Sharjah who has been receiving free iftar boxes filled with biryani, dates, fruit, laban and water.

The National was on site during one of the distributions on Friday, where nearly 1,200 workers queued up for food outside a labour camp in Dubai Investment Parks.

Pakistan Association Dubai and Model Service Society , two non-profit organisations, handed out the meals.

Muhammad Azad at the iftar distribution in Dubai Investment Park. Reem Mohammed / The National
Muhammad Azad at the iftar distribution in Dubai Investment Park. Reem Mohammed / The National

“If we weren’t receiving these iftar boxes, we would have to go to the grocery store and buy our own food for the day,” said Mr Azad, 27, who has been working in Dubai for 10 years.

“Buying rice, meat, vegetables and fruit every day can be expensive for us. Cooked meals, like a plate of rice, can cost less but it is a small portion.”

He said the uncertain times created by Covid-19 has made it important for him and other workers to save as much money as they can, as their concerns over job security and delayed salaries grows.

The construction sector is one among many affected by temporary closures caused by the pandemic.

But restrictions are gradually easing in Dubai and strict precautionary measures have been set in place for those returning to work in construction sites.

Workers are required to wear protective equipment, including masks, gloves and glasses. Tools and materials must be sterilised. Workers have to stay inside the site during the workday and their temperatures must be taken as soon as they disembark buses.

Ghulam Gaji, 25, has a three-month-old baby back home in India who he supports, as well as his wife and parents.

“Any free meals that we can get will help us," said Mr Gaji, who moved to Dubai nine months ago. "I don’t have a lot of my own personal expenses and I usually just spend on food, so this is helping me save.”

Ghulam Gaji also collected an iftar box. Reem Mohammed / The National
Ghulam Gaji also collected an iftar box. Reem Mohammed / The National

PAD has been sponsoring 2,500 meals for workers every day since May 4.

Rizwan Fancy, the director of the group’s welfare department, said the workers are required to eat the food in their rooms in order to maintain social distancing.

“For the last two months, many companies have no work and the staff have been sitting at home with no salary,” he said.

“They are desperate for food, especially those who rely on these kinds of distribution each year.”

Volunteers hand out the iftar meals to workers. Reem Mohammed / The National
Volunteers hand out the iftar meals to workers. Reem Mohammed / The National

Faiyaz Ahmed, a volunteer at MSS, said his organisation delivers 14,000 meals to 22 camps across Dubai and Sharjah daily.

He said the group is associated with the UAE Food Bank and they do this initiative each year for Ramadan, but the pandemic created a challenge this year.

“Our distribution model was completely different this time,” he said.

"We enjoyed going to the camp and having iftar with the workers. We used to cut the fruit in the camp and get the biryani in huge pots and serve them. Now, we pack the food items in the kitchen and we bring them here for distribution."

About 200 volunteers work with MSS to ensure they reach as many people as possible.

Results

6pm: Dubai Trophy – Conditions (TB) $100,000 (Turf) 1,200m 

Winner: Silent Speech, William Buick (jockey), Charlie Appleby
(trainer) 

6.35pm: Jumeirah Derby Trial – Conditions (TB) $60,000 (T)
1,800m 

Winner: Island Falcon, Frankie Dettori, Saeed bin Suroor 

7.10pm: UAE 2000 Guineas Trial – Conditions (TB) $60,000 (Dirt)
1,400m 

Winner: Rawy, Mickael Barzalona, Salem bin Ghadayer 

7.45pm: Al Rashidiya – Group 2 (TB) $180,000 (T) 1,800m 

Winner: Desert Fire, Hector Crouch, Saeed bin Suroor 

8.20pm: Al Fahidi Fort – Group 2 (TB) $180,000 (T) 1,400m 

Winner: Naval Crown, William Buick, Charlie Appleby 

8.55pm: Dubawi Stakes – Group 3 (TB) $150,000 (D) 1,200m 

Winner: Al Tariq, Pat Dobbs, Doug Watsons 

9.30pm: Aliyah – Rated Conditions (TB) $80,000 (D) 2,000m 

Winner: Dubai Icon, Patrick Cosgrave, Saeed bin Suroor  

If you go

The flights

The closest international airport for those travelling from the UAE is Denver, Colorado. British Airways (www.ba.com) flies from the UAE via London from Dh3,700 return, including taxes. From there, transfers can be arranged to the ranch or it’s a seven-hour drive. Alternatively, take an internal flight to the counties of Cody, Casper, or Billings

The stay

Red Reflet offers a series of packages, with prices varying depending on season. All meals and activities are included, with prices starting from US$2,218 (Dh7,150) per person for a minimum stay of three nights, including taxes. For more information, visit red-reflet-ranch.net.

 

Walls

Louis Tomlinson

3 out of 5 stars

(Syco Music/Arista Records)

Tearful appearance

Chancellor Rachel Reeves set markets on edge as she appeared visibly distraught in parliament on Wednesday. 

Legislative setbacks for the government have blown a new hole in the budgetary calculations at a time when the deficit is stubbornly large and the economy is struggling to grow. 

She appeared with Keir Starmer on Thursday and the pair embraced, but he had failed to give her his backing as she cried a day earlier.

A spokesman said her upset demeanour was due to a personal matter.

Winners

Best Men's Player of the Year: Kylian Mbappe (PSG)

Maradona Award for Best Goal Scorer of the Year: Robert Lewandowski (Bayern Munich)

TikTok Fans’ Player of the Year: Robert Lewandowski

Top Goal Scorer of All Time: Cristiano Ronaldo (Manchester United)

Best Women's Player of the Year: Alexia Putellas (Barcelona)

Best Men's Club of the Year: Chelsea

Best Women's Club of the Year: Barcelona

Best Defender of the Year: Leonardo Bonucci (Juventus/Italy)

Best Goalkeeper of the Year: Gianluigi Donnarumma (PSG/Italy)

Best Coach of the Year: Roberto Mancini (Italy)

Best National Team of the Year: Italy 

Best Agent of the Year: Federico Pastorello

Best Sporting Director of the Year: Txiki Begiristain (Manchester City)

Player Career Award: Ronaldinho

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Brief scores:

Liverpool 3

Mane 24', Shaqiri 73', 80'

Manchester United 1

Lingard 33'

Man of the Match: Fabinho (Liverpool)