Ramadan 2018: Three Malayali friends feed over 500 workers in Dubai every day

Dubai - The friends started off by distributing 30 to 40 packets a day.

A trio of good Samaritans in Dubai, have taken it upon themselves to provide Iftar to workers in Dubai this Ramadan.
Indian nationals and good friends Sabith AV Koottanad, Adil Sadique, and Najeeb TP are working closely with private benefactors and restaurant owners to donate excess food to feed the needy.
A purely community-run initiative that gained traction over social media, the friends started off by distributing 30 to 40 packets a day. "Today, we are distributing almost 500 to several camps in Ajman, Sharjah, Al Qouz Dubai and other locations," said Sadique, a PR professional.
Originally from Kerala, the friends - led by Sabith - would always see lines of people outside workers' accommodation waiting in line for food. Sabith runs an advertising agency in Dubai. He said: "I decided at the start of Ramadan that I should do this and Sadique and Najeeb came on board." The concept is simple, according to Sabith.
The trio is working with several restaurants in Dubai and Sharjah, who prepare the food packages for them. "Friends, well-wishers, and other business owners who wish to contribute food packages to the workers during Ramadan can either donate money to the restaurants or donate food directly to us," said Koottanad.
Paramount Royal Restaurant near Deira City Centre Dubai, Ajmal Restaurant in Sharjah, Mushawar Restaurant in Sharjah, Five Star Restaurant, Bangkok Restaurant are some of the eateries that the group works with. "I've received the maximum food packages from Paramount Royal Restaurant. The owner provides us with almost 50 packages a day," he added.
"We don't accept money from the benefactors. We only collect food from the restaurants or directly from households. Some people have even provided us with home cooked meals."
Najeeb TP, who also happens to be a restaurant owner, along with the other two friends collect the food packages, repack them, load them into their delivery vehicles and drop it off to the workers.
"We are fasting ourselves, and to be honest, it does get a little tiring especially since it is hot nowadays. But the experience is enriching," said Sadique.
The packages from restaurants usually consist of a biryani, Laban-up, fruits, dates, and a bottle of water.
"Most of the distribution takes places at the Sonapur workers' accommodation in Muhaisnah. Last week, officials from the Dubai Police helped us distribute 500 kits to the workers."
Given the success of the initiative, Koottanad and Sadique have decided to hold a mega Iftar on the 27^th Day of Ramadan by distributing 5,000 food packages to the camps. "We are doing this in conjunction with the Dubai Police officials," Sadique added.
dhanusha@khaleejtimes.com  

• Dubai