Deliveroo rider Hassan Ahmed Gariba said the roads are also clearer than usual. Pawan Singh / The National
Deliveroo rider Hassan Ahmed Gariba said the roads are also clearer than usual. Pawan Singh / The National
Deliveroo rider Hassan Ahmed Gariba said the roads are also clearer than usual. Pawan Singh / The National
Deliveroo rider Hassan Ahmed Gariba said the roads are also clearer than usual. Pawan Singh / The National

Fasting delivery riders praise generosity and kindness of Dubai public during Ramadan


Patrick Ryan
  • English
  • Arabic

Delivery riders have praised the compassion and generosity shown to them by Dubai residents during Ramadan.

As Eid Al Fitr approaches, The National spoke to riders in the emirate who have been fasting during the holy month, and they spoke of the kindness they have received from understanding members of the public.

As Ramadan started earlier in the spring, it also meant they are not having to fast in the searing summer heat — something welcomed by riders.

“Customers have been extremely kind and patient with us during Ramadan,” said Muhammad Danveer, 26, from Pakistan who delivers food for Talabat.

“At other times of the year, if we phone them up looking for directions they can demand that we hurry up.

“During Ramadan though, they are telling us to take our time and they are extremely patient.”

It was not uncommon for customers to tell the riders not to worry about the deliveries until they have broken their fasts, he added.

Muhammad Danveer said customers are kind and generous to delivery riders during Ramadan. Photo: Talabat
Muhammad Danveer said customers are kind and generous to delivery riders during Ramadan. Photo: Talabat

Iftar offerings

Showing patience is not the only way Dubai residents have been supportive to the riders fasting for Ramadan, according to Mr Danveer.

“The majority of people have been very generous this year and often give us food and water, especially if we’re delivering just before or post iftar time,” he said.

Ramadan falling earlier than in previous years has also come as a relief to riders having to deliver food while fasting.

“In previous years it was a lot hotter during Ramadan but now it’s much better,” said Hassan Ahmed Gariba, 24, from Ghana, who works for Deliveroo.

“The days can be very long when you are fasting, it’s even more so in the summer when you have the heat to contend with as well.

“Things feel like they are going a little quicker now that the weather is cooler, it makes it less stressful.”

Ramadan traffic, especially pre-iftar with motorists rushing home to break their fasts, can be notoriously tricky.

Toseef Ghaffar explained how delivery riders try to avoid the heat on Dubai's roads. Photo: Kitopi
Toseef Ghaffar explained how delivery riders try to avoid the heat on Dubai's roads. Photo: Kitopi

Road safety experts offered advice to motorists on how to stay safe during that period, earlier this month.

However, Mr Gariba believes the roads are clearer than usual as many people leave their office earlier in the day.

“There’s a lot less traffic on the roads at that time than if it was any other time of the year,” he said.

“Most people go home earlier in the afternoon for Ramadan, the traffic is much heavier around 4pm than later.

“There are also quite a few people who choose to stay in their office and get their iftar delivered to them there.”

It was not just customers offering support to the riders. Many restaurants also offer them food and vouchers, for when they want to break their fasts.

Mr Gariba's employer, Deliveroo sends a van around different locations each day to distribute iftar meals to riders.

Another rider explained some of the measures he and his colleagues take to ensure they do not suffer too much in the heat while making deliveries.

“It’s usually difficult to work while fasting in Dubai because it’s so hot,” said Toseef Ghaffar, 27, from Pakistan, who delivers food for Kitopi.

“This year, the weather is a bit normal compared to last year, so it is easier.

“We make sure we cover our face when riding the bike, wash our face with cold water and try to spend more time in cold places and rest in the Kitopi kitchens waiting areas.”

Delivery riders in the UAE - in pictures

The specs
 
Engine: 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbo
Power: 398hp from 5,250rpm
Torque: 580Nm at 1,900-4,800rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed auto
Fuel economy, combined: 6.5L/100km
On sale: December
Price: From Dh330,000 (estimate)
SOUTH%20KOREA%20SQUAD
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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.

F1 The Movie

Starring: Brad Pitt, Damson Idris, Kerry Condon, Javier Bardem

Director: Joseph Kosinski

Rating: 4/5

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre flat-six
Power: 510hp at 9,000rpm
Torque: 450Nm at 6,100rpm
Transmission: 7-speed PDK auto or 6-speed manual
Fuel economy, combined: 13.8L/100km
On sale: Available to order now
Price: From Dh801,800
THE BIO

Ms Davison came to Dubai from Kerala after her marriage in 1996 when she was 21-years-old

Since 2001, Ms Davison has worked at many affordable schools such as Our Own English High School in Sharjah, and The Apple International School and Amled School in Dubai

Favourite Book: The Alchemist

Favourite quote: Failing to prepare is preparing to fail

Favourite place to Travel to: Vienna

Favourite cuisine: Italian food

Favourite Movie : Scent of a Woman

 

 

The%20specs
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5pm: Wathba Stallions Cup Maiden (PA) Dh 70,000 (Dirt) 1,600m
Winner: Samau Xmnsor, Abdul Aziz Al Balushi (jockey), Ibrahim Al Hadhrami (trainer)
5.30pm: Maiden (PA) Dh 70,000 (D) 1,600m
Winner: Ottoman, Szczepan Mazur, Abdallah Al Hammadi
6pm: Maiden (PA) Dh 70,000 (D) 1,800m
Winner: Sharkh, Patrick Cosgrave, Helal Al Alawi
6.30pm: Handicap (PA) Dh 85,000 (D) 1,800m
Winner: Yaraa, Fernando Jara, Majed Al Jahouri
7pm: Handicap (PA) Dh 70,000 (D) 2,000m
Winner: Maaly Al Reef, Bernardo Pinheiro, Abdallah Al Hammadi
7.30pm: Maiden (PA) Dh 70,000 (D) 1,000m
Winner: Jinjal, Fabrice Veron, Ahmed Al Shemaili
8pm: Handicap (PA) Dh 70,000 (D) 1,000m
Winner: Al Sail, Tadhg O’Shea, Ernst Oertel

Results

Stage 7:

1. Caleb Ewan (AUS) Lotto Soudal - 3:18:29

2. Sam Bennett (IRL) Deceuninck-QuickStep - same time

3. Phil Bauhaus (GER) Bahrain Victorious

4. Michael Morkov (DEN) Deceuninck-QuickStep

5. Cees Bol (NED) Team DSM

General Classification:

1. Tadej Pogacar (SLO) UAE Team Emirates - 24:00:28

2. Adam Yates (GBR) Ineos Grenadiers - 0:00:35

3. Joao Almeida (POR) Deceuninck-QuickStep - 0:01:02

4. Chris Harper (AUS) Jumbo-Visma - 0:01:42

5. Neilson Powless (USA) EF Education-Nippo - 0:01:45

How to register as a donor

1) Organ donors can register on the Hayat app, run by the Ministry of Health and Prevention

2) There are about 11,000 patients in the country in need of organ transplants

3) People must be over 21. Emiratis and residents can register. 

4) The campaign uses the hashtag  #donate_hope

Profile

Company name: Jaib

Started: January 2018

Co-founders: Fouad Jeryes and Sinan Taifour

Based: Jordan

Sector: FinTech

Total transactions: over $800,000 since January, 2018

Investors in Jaib's mother company Alpha Apps: Aramex and 500 Startups

Kalra's feat
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  • Becomes second Indian to score century in U19 final after Unmukt Chand in 2012
  • Scored 122 in youth Test on tour of England
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England squad

Joe Root (captain), Alastair Cook, Keaton Jennings, Gary Ballance, Jonny Bairstow (wicketkeeper), Ben Stokes (vice-captain), Moeen Ali, Liam Dawson, Toby Roland-Jones, Stuart Broad, Mark Wood, James Anderson.

Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
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The specs
  • Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
  • Power: 640hp
  • Torque: 760nm
  • On sale: 2026
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Opening fixtures

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UAE squad

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Players out: Mohammed Naveed, Shaiman Anwar, Qadeer Ahmed

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Living in...

This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.

Veere di Wedding
Dir: Shashanka Ghosh
Starring: Kareena Kapoo-Khan, Sonam Kapoor, Swara Bhaskar and Shikha Talsania ​​​​​​​
Verdict: 4 Stars

Pharaoh's curse

British aristocrat Lord Carnarvon, who funded the expedition to find the Tutankhamun tomb, died in a Cairo hotel four months after the crypt was opened.
He had been in poor health for many years after a car crash, and a mosquito bite made worse by a shaving cut led to blood poisoning and pneumonia.
Reports at the time said Lord Carnarvon suffered from “pain as the inflammation affected the nasal passages and eyes”.
Decades later, scientists contended he had died of aspergillosis after inhaling spores of the fungus aspergillus in the tomb, which can lie dormant for months. The fact several others who entered were also found dead withiin a short time led to the myth of the curse.

COMPANY%20PROFILE
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FA CUP FINAL

Manchester City 6
(D Silva 26', Sterling 38', 81', 87', De Bruyne 61', Jesus 68')

Watford 0

Man of the match: Bernardo Silva (Manchester City)

How green is the expo nursery?

Some 400,000 shrubs and 13,000 trees in the on-site nursery

An additional 450,000 shrubs and 4,000 trees to be delivered in the months leading up to the expo

Ghaf, date palm, acacia arabica, acacia tortilis, vitex or sage, techoma and the salvadora are just some heat tolerant native plants in the nursery

Approximately 340 species of shrubs and trees selected for diverse landscape

The nursery team works exclusively with organic fertilisers and pesticides

All shrubs and trees supplied by Dubai Municipality

Most sourced from farms, nurseries across the country

Plants and trees are re-potted when they arrive at nursery to give them room to grow

Some mature trees are in open areas or planted within the expo site

Green waste is recycled as compost

Treated sewage effluent supplied by Dubai Municipality is used to meet the majority of the nursery’s irrigation needs

Construction workforce peaked at 40,000 workers

About 65,000 people have signed up to volunteer

Main themes of expo is  ‘Connecting Minds, Creating the Future’ and three subthemes of opportunity, mobility and sustainability.

Expo 2020 Dubai to open in October 2020 and run for six months

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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Updated: April 17, 2023, 8:30 AM`