Community centres serve Iftar to thousands

Imran Mojib, Special Correspondent

Going by the spirit of the holy month of Ramadan, a month of giving, various community organisations in Dubai are distributing Iftar packets to the less fortunate of the society under the guidance of the Community Development Authority (CDA), Dubai.

  As a part of its endeavour to give back to society, India Club Dubai has been distributing Iftar packets with an aim to give out 10,000 meals in the month of Ramadan. This initiative is a joint effort by India Club Members, Shiv Mandir and Merchantile Community of Thatta Sindh Dubai.

  The meals have been prepared at India Club in keeping with the highest hygiene and cleanliness measures as directed by the local authorities. These meals are dropped off to various emirates and will be distributed by the respective local authorities.

  Iman Cultural Centre, one of the registered social organisations of Indians in Dubai with the Community Development Authority, Dubai, has been distributing 3,000 Tamil traditional iftar meal every day since the beginning of the month.

  Iman Cultural Centre President PSM Habibulla Khan said that the organisation provides Iftar to the blue collar workers who can break their fast with a good nutritious meal and also take it home.

  A typical day for the volunteers and workers behind this traditional iftar meal preparation begins at 9am. A group of eight chefs along with a few dozen helpers race against time to prepare 10 giant pots full of simmering mutton porridge, known as Kanji. The humble broth coddled with rice, lentil, fennel, coriander and other herbs, is served to about 3,000 people every day. All office-bearers and more than 30 volunteers have been giving their services.

  The centre has been organising Iftar gatherings in Deira Dubai for the past 40 years, which was usually attended by about 3,000 people every day. Since Iftar gatherings are not allowed this year due to Covid-19 precaution, the centre was advised by the CDA to prepare the traditional food, pack it and distribute through government approved societies in various locations of Dubai including Deira and Hor Al Anz.

  Khan said that the purpose of the charity is to serve the humanity without any discrimination of colour, caste or creed.

  “With this spirit, we have been serving to people from different nationalities and backgrounds who have been enjoying the Iftar together for the past four decades,” he said.