A godly effort to feed the fasting

The Red Crescent provides aid and assistance to the needy in the Middle East and around the world.

Throughout the Ramadan, the organisation will be carrying out various activities, giving everyone an opportunity to lend a helping hand.

One of their activities will involve establishing stands at places such as Deira City Centre, Al Ghurair City and Jumeirah Town Centre.

These stands will contain large boxes where people can donate items such as clothes, toys, electronic gadgets and food, which will be given to the needy across the world.

Coupons for food

The Red Crescent will also work in collaboration with the Union and Emirates Cooperatives to provide the underprivileged between Dh500 and Dh2000 worth of coupons to buy rice, oil, sugar and other basic foods during Ramadan.

Charity counters in Festival City and other locations will help raise funds for this project.

Perhaps the biggest initiative in collaboration with Etisalat will involve setting up tents across the UAE to serve 160,000 meals during of Ramadan.

The Al Khaimah Al Ramadania project aims to feed those who are away from home and cannot afford a decent meal after a full day of fasting.

The tents will be located in areas where they are needed most, including Muhisna 4, where many labourers
reside.

Some of us go back to the comfort of our air-conditioned homes with a plate of hot soup and a dish of wholesome home-made food waiting for us but many people are not as fortunate.

Unwind paid a visit to one of the tents in Satwa and spoke to people who struggle daily to be able to support their children and families.

Despite efforts by the Red Crescent to provide the underprivileged with a place to stay and some food to eat for iftar, I entered the tent only to discover that the air-conditioning system had broken down and no tables or chairs had been provided for visitors.

Shoes were piled near the entrance, where workers were trying to make their way through by the dozen.

Sweat streaming down their faces, workers sat in rows inside the tent, waiting for the Azaan to be called so they may break their fast.

The only things that separated the rows of workers were the picnic sheets and the food spread on the floor.

I tried to make my way through the crowd and find those who could speak English. Every worker I spoke to was eager to share his story.

Imran Shahazada is a security guard at the Park Place building on Shaikh Zayed Road. He came to Dubai from Pakistan, looking for a better life so he could support his family back home.

He said he goes to the tent for iftar because not many other options are available.

Great going

“This is a great facility that the Red Crescent sets up for us every year,'' he said. Shahazada said he doesn't have to struggle to keep a fast because his work is simple.

He shared his concern for those who have it more difficult. “I work in a building. So it's OK, unlike labourers who must work in the sun and heat with nothing to eat or drink all day,'' he said. “I have it easier compared to them and I'm thankful for that.''

Mohammad Sadiq Ali is a worker at an office supplies company. Ali, who is from Pakistan, came to Dubai in the hope of a brighter future. Ali said he liked going to the tent because “all the people are the same''.

“Everyone here has the same needs and shares similar experiences,'' he said. “And that makes the iftar experience very nice.''

Ali said fasting not only offers benefits in terms of religious obligations but also health. “All of this is part of God's gift,'' he says. “I'm living a peaceful life and I have a loving family.''

Tanweer Siddiqui is an engineer at an IT services company. He also came from Pakistan to Dubai for a better future.

“I come to this tent because of convenience,'' he said.
“It's the first day of Ramadan and I work nearby on Shaikh Zayed Road.''

Reward for hard work

Siddiqui said he plans to go home for Eid and spend time with his family. “I've already booked a ticket,'' he said. Asked if he had a message for his colleagues, he replied: “God always gives a lot of reward for hard work.''

You can help improve the conditions in these tents by making a donation or volunteering. Every effort can make a difference.

For more information, visit www.rcuae.ae

STATISITICS

Humanitarian work done by Red Crescent

48,000 orphans around the world are supported by the Red Crescent.

Dh400 million has been spent by the organisation in Palestine in cooperation with the United Nations and Unicef.

Dh36.7 million of that amount was used for polio vaccinations given to 100,000 children.

16 hospitals have been constructed in Palestine.

2,800 is the number of humanitarian cases that Dubai's Red Crescent handles in the UAE.

— Source: Gulf News report, May 8, 2008

“[The tent] is a good facility Red Crescent sets up every year.''

“I come to the Red Crescent tent because of convenience.''

“Everyone here has the same needs and similar experience.''