For a safe Iftar, Dubai cops distribute 20,000 meals

Dubai - Each packet contains light snacks, dates and water.

Every day since the beginning of the holy month of Ramadan, Captain Faisal Abdulla Mohammed ends his fast with his coworkers on the road.
The head of traffic awareness campaign at the General Department of Traffic of the Dubai Police is among the many volunteers who distribute Iftar packets to motorists as part of the Ramadan Aman campaign, which aims to promote safe driving during Ramadan. The Dubai Police distribute 20,000 to 30,000 Iftar packets to motorists and workers. Each packet contains light snacks, dates and water.
"Ramadan is a time of spiritual discipline when we perform extra prayers, recite the Holy Quran and increase the acts of generosity. It's also a time for family gathering during Suhoor and Iftar. However, I enjoy ending the fast with my colleagues who perform their duties and ensure the safety of others," said Captain Mohammed.
He joined the Dubai police 20 years ago and moved to the traffic department before nine years. Since then, he used to end fast on road.
The traffic police are stationed at various junctions on Dubai roads to distribute Iftar packets to motorists. He said that the police focus on various exits such as those from Dubai to Sharjah and roads leading to Al Khawaneej. The Iftar meals and brochures are distributed to motorists so that they wouldn't be speeding to reach home before Iftar.
The police also cooperate with the Labourers Affairs Department on distribution of Iftar meals to workers and to spread traffic awareness among them.
Volunteers help police
Capt Mohammed said volunteers are helping the Dubai Police to distribute Iftar packets. "Some of the volunteers are selected from those who had applied through the hotline, which was launched as per the instruction of Major-General Khalifa Abdulla Al Marri, Commander-in-Chief of the Dubai Police. He said that from Ramadan 10, around 50 volunteers who applied through 910 are helping the traffic policemen along with 150-160 other volunteers.
Al Ihsan Charity Association has joined hands with the Dubai Police for seventh consecutive year while the American Hospital is among the sponsors. The volunteers include men, women, children, Muslims and non-Muslims.
He said that the traffic policemen and volunteers are stationed at traffic signals 20 minutes before the Iftar time and the distribution will take two to 3 minutes when the signal turns red.
And 45 minutes before that, traffic policemen place the Iftar packets inside the police patrol vehicles. Before moving to various points in Dubai the volunteers are given instructions on how to distribute the packets and brochures safely to the motorists.
One of the volunteers, Ali Hassan who came with his son, said: "We have new volunteers every day. So, it is important that the team leader explains to them how to cross the road and do the job in a safe manner. The fluorescent jacket and a whistle are mandatory parts of the job."
amira@khaleejtimes.com

• UAE
• Dubai