Emirati has been offering iftars for 20 years
Sitting beside my fellow Christians, and Muslims and Hindus from many other countries and having iftar is a new experience.”
Ygo Onwuka | Cleaner from Nigeria
Ayoung Nigerian Christian man who arrived in the UAE two months ago said the very first Ramadan here has brought him many surprises, including many first-time experiences in his life.
“I had my first iftar in life here. It is surprising to see someone offering delicious free meals to scores of people in a well-organised set-up,” said Ygo Onwuka, 23, who works as a cleaner.
He spoke to Gulf News at a Ramadan tent near the embassies area in the capital, which has been offering iftar meals to more than 200 people for the past 20 years.
The tent’s open invitation to all, irrespective of their faith or identity, was something fascinating to Onwuka.
“I had some Muslim friends when I was in school. But I never had a chance to have iftar with them,” said Onwuka who is from southern Nigeria.
“But here, it’s nice to see that Ramadan and iftar are not just a Muslims’ affair. Sitting beside my fellow Christians, and Muslims and Hindus from many other countries and having iftar is a new experience,” he said.
He tasted Indian biryani for the first time in his life from the tent. Some Asian friends at a workers’ accommodation had described the taste of Indian biryani and he was looking forward to enjoying it. “It is really delicious.”
The caretaker of the tent said Indian biryani is often served, as most of the guests are Asian workers. “They like it very much,” said Mohammad Iqbal Shah, a Pakistani national, who looks after the tent on behalf of his Emirati employer.
He said the employer does not want to reveal his name as he takes it as his religious duty to serve others. “He [the Emirati] has been doing it for the past 20 years without fail. He has made an arrangement with a restaurant to serve food throughout Ramadan. Later two other Emirati families also started to contribute. They bring some homemade food to the tent,” Shah said.
The other two Emirati families also did not want to reveal their names.
Shah and four other colleagues start making arrangements around one hour before iftar to welcome the workers. Biryani in different flavours — Arabic and Asian — is the main dish, served with beverages.
Many people have been visiting the tent for several years.
“I have been coming here for the past 11 years,” said Mohammad Ahmad, an Indian air-conditioning technician. He often drives with his colleagues from his accommodation in Musaffah, which is around 25km away, to enjoy the warm hospitality.
“We don’t know the person who offers the food. We are always welcomed here,” Ahmad said.
His Indian colleague Khalid Sayed has been accompanying him to the tent for three years. “This is a very peaceful atmosphere here to have iftar. I like it,” Sayed said.
P.K. Unais, an Indian merchant, came there for the first time. “I enjoy the delicious food here.”
Shahid Sayed, an Indian purchasing officer who also came for the first time, said it was nice to see all guests get unlimited food. “They always keep enough food and everyone enjoys it without any restriction,” Sayed said.