Missing Ramadan fridge a ‘simple mistake’

Dubai: Posts spreading on social media about a stolen Ramadan Fridge were said to be exaggerated, as the initiative’s organisers told Gulf News it is a matter “of miscommunication”.

While a fridge was taken from the front of Sue Sindian’s villa in Al Satwa on Thursday, Sumayyah Sayed, one of the initiative’s organisers, described the incidence as “a simple mistake”.

“We think that someone thought the fridge was left outside because it was unwanted. We don’t know the full story, but we are giving the person the benefit of doubt that it’s a simple mistake. No one has reported the incident to the police, as we think it was unintended,” she said.

The Ramadan Sharing Fridges community initiative is taking place for the second consecutive year, with more than 100 fridges regularly stocked with food and drinks available to the underprivileged in every Dubai community. The initiative, which is operating under the Red Crescent umbrella, has been attracting more volunteers since the start of Ramadan with many residents lining up to join the cause.

The incident of the missing fridge should not worry fridge managers taking part in the initiative, said Sayed.

“We are hoping once the news gets out about the fridge being a part of the initiative that it is returned to its location. Meanwhile, a resident has donated a fridge to Sue so that she can continue to take part in the initiative,” explained Sayed.

Sayed, who is one of 13 expats organising the campaign, advised fridge managers to print out and hang the labels available on the group’s Facebook Page ‘Ramadan sharing fridges in the UAE.’

One of the labels state: “Please take only what you need and leave the rest for your brothers and sisters. Thank you,” in seven different languages, with the Ramadan Fridge logo and Emirates Red Crescent logo listed on the sheet. The second label lists the rules of donating along with the accepted food and drink items.