Islamic body to oversee the distribution of Ramadan meals
Food distribution will be organised daily during the Holy Month at 20 main points in Dubai; number of meals to be distributed by approved charity organisations reaches 86,500
The Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities Department in Dubai has formed a special team to oversee the distribution of Ramadan meals in cooperation with the Community Development Authority, Dubai Police, Dubai Municipality, Dubai’s Permanent Commitee of Labour Affairs and the Department of Economic Development (DED).
The team will coordinate the distribution of Ramadan meals with the help of government departments and accredited charities in Dubai. Director General of the Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities Department in Dubai His Excellency Dr. Hamad Al Sheikh Ahmed Al Shaibani said the team will streamline efforts to distribute Itar meals and ensure compliance with precautionary measures.
He stressed that community members should channel their food donations through accredited charitable societies and institutions, which have expertise in managing distribution of meals to large groups. They will manage the distribution under the direct supervision of IACAD in accordance with approved safety standards and practices.
His Excellency added that the Watani Al Emarat Foundation is making a major contribution to the food distribution programme with over 1,000 volunteers supporting the initiative. The high participation of volunteers reflects Emirati values of compassion, generosity, cooperation, and social solidarity.
The number of meals to be distributed by approved charity organisations has reached 86,500 while food baskets have totalled 42,560. The distribution will take place daily at 20 main distribution points across the city. The areas covered by the distribution points include Silicon Oasis, Umm Hurair, Al Hamriya, Al Nahda, Hata, Al Qusais, Al Muhaisnah, Al Quoz, Al Khawaneej and Jebel Ali.
Accredited charity organisations which will be distributing donated food during the Holy Month include UAE Red Crescent Authority, the Mohammed bin Rashid Humanitarian and Charity Establishment, Dubai Charitable Society, Dar Al Ber Society, Tarahum Charitable Foundation, Beit Al Khair Society and Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Foundation. Food baskets will be distributed by Dubai Charitable Society, Easa
Saleh Al Gurg Charity Foundation, the Dar Al Ber Society, Mohammed bin Rashid Humanitarian and Charity Establishment, Beit Al Khair Society and Tarahum Charitable Foundation. Efficient distribution and crowd management The Director General of IACAD said a flexible mechanism was created to allocate responsibilities to all teams to ensure a smooth distribution process. He emphasised that the community’s commitment to precautionary guidelines will help safeguard the health and safety of the public. He also urged members of the public to make food donations only through accredited charity organisations.
Dubai’s Permanent Commitee of Labour Affairs will identify labour accommodation complexes for the distribution programme while Dubai Police will enforce precautionary measures at distribution sites and ensure crowding does not take place. Charities will work in cooperation with Watani Al Emarat Foundation to deliver meals to the supervisors of labour accommodations so that it can then be distributed to beneficiaries. Meals will also be delivered to beneficiaries outside such facilities through the ‘Meals of Hope’ initiative.
IACAD will ensure the distribution takes place an hour before Itar. The Department will also issue permits to public-benefit agencies and social clubs to distribute meals to the community ater obtaining approval from the Community Development Authority.
Preventive measures and control
The meal distribution process will be monitored daily during Ramadan. As part of ensuring donations are made according to preventive guidelines, IACAD will manage the process of channeling all food donations through charities.
All individuals receiving food at distribution points should stringently observe preventive guidelines including wearing of masks, social distancing and maintenance of personal hygiene. Dubai Police will issue fines to individuals who violate precautionary measures. The fines will be registered on their Emirates IDS to deter further violations.