Dubai’s ‘unsung heroes’: The workers who kept the city moving during Eid Al Fitr

Dubai: During the recent Eid Al Fitr break, you may have taken the Dubai Metro, travelled by taxi to visit relatives, or spent time with your family at Jumeirah Beach. You were able to enjoy the long weekend without any hassles, thanks to Dubai’s unsung heroes - taxi drivers, bus drivers, Dubai Municipality cleaners, and Dubai Police officers. These dedicated individuals selflessly sacrificed their time with family during this joyous occasion to ensure that the city and its visitors experienced a safe, joyful, and secure Eid.

While most UAE residents celebrated Eid Al Fitr with their friends and family, many workers in Dubai continued their duties to serve others. From mall cleaners ensuring shopping centres remained spotless for thousands of visitors to supermarket cashiers assisting shoppers, and nurses providing critical care for newborns in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), these individuals worked tirelessly behind the scenes.

Dubai’s local government authorities recently took to social media after the busy Eid holidays to express their appreciation for the ‘silent dedication’ of their loyal and hardworking employees.

Dubai’s public beaches were a popular destination for families during the Eid break, with some areas specifically reserved for them. Dubai Municipality ensured its representatives were present on-site to oversee operations, while lifeguards remained on duty and cleaners worked diligently to maintain Dubai’s pristine beaches.

The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) dedicated a video to the ‘unseen heroes’ and ‘Guardians of Eid’ - the committed individuals who gave up their holiday and time with family to ensure Dubai residents and visitors could travel seamlessly via the Metro, taxis, buses, and abras without any interruptions or inconveniences.

And, most importantly, Dubai Police played a crucial role in ensuring that Eid Al Fitr celebrations in Dubai were both secure and safe. Officers dedicated their time to managing crowds during Eid prayers and directing traffic throughout the busy long weekend, sacrificing their own time with family to keep the city running smoothly.

For the Eid Al Fitr break, Dubai’s Events Security Committee announced that Dubai Police deployed extensive security and emergency resources to ensure public safety. This includes 24 marine security boats, two helicopters, 138 ambulances, marine rescue boats, bicycle patrols, 471 police patrols, Civil Defence vehicles, and off-road rescue vehicles, all on standby during the busy holiday period.

To accommodate the expected increase in travellers, RTA also enhanced its transportation services. A total of 108 trains, 1,150 public buses, 55 marine transport vehicles, 12,632 taxis, and 13,912 luxury limousines were put into operation to facilitate smooth and efficient travel across the city.