Video: Over 700 workers treated to pizza party for Flag Day in Dubai

Dubai - Their faces lit up as Dabs' Zayed Happiness Van arrived with piping hot pizzas and gifts.

Around 700 blue-collar workers joined an early Flag Day celebration at Za'abeel Park on Wednesday, with officials from Dar Al Ber Society (Dabs) and the Dubai Municipality (DM).
In the spirit of the UAE Flag Day, Dabs organised a get-together at the park, surprising the workers with a pizza party during their lunch hour. Their faces lit up as Dabs' Zayed Happiness Van arrived with piping hot pizzas and gifts.
A section of Zabeel Park, located next to the Happiness Market, was festooned with UAE Flags, lined with goodie bags, and filled with the savoury aroma of the special lunch.
"We wanted to spread happiness among the underprivileged section of society. As the whole nation celebrates the UAE Flag Day, we did not want our labourer brothers and sisters to be left behind. We are very happy to contribute in the happiness of these people on this special occasion," said Dr Hisham Al Zahrani, deputy director of Dabs' social sector.
The celebration, which was part of Dabs' Zayed Happiness Caravan initiatives, was also attended by the organisation's management, along with DM officials. As soon as they reached the venue, they gave away yellow happiness stickers, building up the excitement among the labourers who were all from the municipality's park section.
Debonairs Pizza had made a total of 750 pizzas especially for the event. On top of the tasty pizza, all those who were present also received gifts that include shampoos, soaps, creams, and others.
Bangladeshi national Zarina, a sweeper at the park, said: "I have been in the UAE for the last eight years and the government here makes it a point not to forget us, especially on such occasions. This means a lot to us. We are grateful to Dar Al Ber Society for treating us to hot pizzas and celebrating Flag Day with us. We feel blessed to be in this country."
Dressed in their blue uniforms and fluorescent jackets, the workers were then given mini UAE flags that they waved in the air, wishing each other a happy UAE Flag Day.
Bringing smiles to the workers faces was Dabs' charity initiatives expert, Juhi Yasmeen Khan, who was personally distributing pizzas to the workers. She said: "It was heart-warming to see 750 labourers cheering with the UAE Flags. It was like a huge party and we absolutely loved seeing the moods of these workers light up at this outing that we arranged for them."
Workers Azam and Waqas said they were looking forward to such programmes as they enjoy celebrating with the officials and feel at home here in the UAE. "Also this was a chance to meet our fellow workers and celebrate with them. Getting such treats during work days is one of the best surprises for us. We thank Dar Al Ber Society for giving us this party and marking this national occasion with us," Waqas added.
Abdullatif Ali Al Jallaf, manager at the DM's horticulture department, said: "We are delighted to celebrate UAE Flag Day with Dar Al Ber Society and we wish everyone a happy UAE Flag Day."
saman@khaleejtimes.com
 
 

• Dubai