Dubai Police served up more than 90,000 iftar meals in the first 10 days of Ramadan in a bid to deter motorists from flouting traffic rules while rushing to break their fast.
The force said the number of road accidents typically surges in the period before iftar, with some drivers speeding, running red lights or committing other breaches of traffic safety.
Police are working with local charities to distribute meals to drivers shortly before iftar in hopes of improving road safety.
“Traffic accidents and offences usually surge before iftar time,” said Maj Gen Saif Al Mazroui, director of Dubai Police's traffic department.
“Some motorists commit serious offences such as speeding, crossing the red signal or overtaking from the hard shoulder of the road.”
He said three people died and 34 were injured in 47 traffic accidents during the first 10 days of Ramadan in 2022, with one death and 23 injuries recorded in 29 traffic accidents during the holy month in 2021.
“Many motorists drive recklessly, not leaving a safe distance between vehicles and not following lane discipline because of fasting, anxiety and fatigue,” he said.
“Such behaviour causes severe accidents and deaths on the roads as well as damages to properties.”
Maj Gen Al Mazroui hoped the free meal initiative would mitigate the risk of accidents during what is often referred to as the “Ramadan rush”.
“Having an iftar meal in the car will reduce tension and encourage them to slow down to reach safely to their destinations,” said the senior officer.
Col Salah Al Hammadi, director of traffic awareness campaigns at Dubai Police, said the force has chosen junctions with heavy traffic in the city to distribute meals to motorists, with assistance from volunteers.
“It is part of our awareness campaign to have a safe Ramadan. Officers and volunteers will distribute the meals to drivers before iftar in order to encourage them to slow down and not exceed speed limits to get home,” Col Al Hammadi said.
Police said motorists who hear the call for maghrib prayer while driving should find a safe place to stop to order to break their fast before resuming their journeys.
Dubai Police have launched a separate initiative to serve 11,000 iftar meals to labourers throughout Ramadan.
Ramadan Al Khair — Ramadan of Goodness — was created to highlight “the values of compassion, interdependence and solidarity through humanitarian action”.
“The distribution of iftar meals is an ideal opportunity to promote and spread the culture and awareness of safety and security among labourers in both English and Urdu,” said Butti Ahmed bin Darwish Al Falasi, director of the Security Awareness Department in the General Department of Community Happiness at Dubai Police.
“This campaign is also a chance to educate labourers on their rights and duties, and ensure the communication channels are kept open to establish trust between the police and workers.”
Dubai Police launch Ramadan food drive — in pictures
Groom and Two Brides
Director: Elie Semaan
Starring: Abdullah Boushehri, Laila Abdallah, Lulwa Almulla
Rating: 3/5
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Kumulus Water
Started: 2021
Founders: Iheb Triki and Mohamed Ali Abid
Based: Tunisia
Sector: Water technology
Number of staff: 22
Investment raised: $4 million
Electric scooters: some rules to remember
- Riders must be 14-years-old or over
- Wear a protective helmet
- Park the electric scooter in designated parking lots (if any)
- Do not leave electric scooter in locations that obstruct traffic or pedestrians
- Solo riders only, no passengers allowed
- Do not drive outside designated lanes
The%20specs
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COMPANY PROFILE
Name: HyperSpace
Started: 2020
Founders: Alexander Heller, Rama Allen and Desi Gonzalez
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: Entertainment
Number of staff: 210
Investment raised: $75 million from investors including Galaxy Interactive, Riyadh Season, Sega Ventures and Apis Venture Partners
ARSENAL IN 1977
Feb 05 Arsenal 0-0 Sunderland
Feb 12 Manchester City 1-0 Arsenal
Feb 15 Middlesbrough 3-0 Arsenal
Feb 19 Arsenal 2-3 West Ham
Feb 26 Middlesbrough 4-1 Arsenal (FA Cup)
Mar 01 Everton 2-1 Arsenal
Mar 05 Arsenal 1-4 ipswich
March 08 Arsenal 1-2 West Brom
Mar 12 QPR 2-1 Arsenal
Mar 23 Stoke 1-1 Arsenal
Apr 02 Arsenal 3-0 Leicester
What the law says
Micro-retirement is not a recognised concept or employment status under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (as amended) (UAE Labour Law). As such, it reflects a voluntary work-life balance practice, rather than a recognised legal employment category, according to Dilini Loku, senior associate for law firm Gateley Middle East.
“Some companies may offer formal sabbatical policies or career break programmes; however, beyond such arrangements, there is no automatic right or statutory entitlement to extended breaks,” she explains.
“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”
If an employee resigns to pursue micro-retirement, the employment contract is terminated, and the employer is under no legal obligation to rehire the employee in the future unless specific contractual agreements are in place (such as return-to-work arrangements), which are generally uncommon, Ms Loku adds.
Brief scores:
Toss: Pakhtunkhwa Zalmi, chose to field
Environment Agency: 193-3 (20 ov)
Ikhlaq 76 not out, Khaliya 58, Ahsan 55
Pakhtunkhwa Zalmi: 194-2 (18.3 ov)
Afridi 95 not out, Sajid 55, Rizwan 36 not out
Result: Pakhtunkhwa won by 8 wickets
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Starring: Winona Ryder, Michael Keaton, Jenny Ortega
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Terror attacks in Paris, November 13, 2015
- At 9.16pm, three suicide attackers killed one person outside the Atade de France during a foootball match between France and Germany
- At 9.25pm, three attackers opened fire on restaurants and cafes over 20 minutes, killing 39 people
- Shortly after 9.40pm, three other attackers launched a three-hour raid on the Bataclan, in which 1,500 people had gathered to watch a rock concert. In total, 90 people were killed
- Salah Abdeslam, the only survivor of the terrorists, did not directly participate in the attacks, thought to be due to a technical glitch in his suicide vest
- He fled to Belgium and was involved in attacks on Brussels in March 2016. He is serving a life sentence in France
