32,000 workers to get free Suhoor meals during Ramadan

Dubai - The initiative aims to distribute meals to labourers across Dubai and Umm Al Quwain.

With Ramadan less than two weeks away, the Community Development Authority (CDA) Youth Council is putting the final touches on the second edition of the 'Their Suhour On Us' initiative.
This year, the initiative aims to distribute 32,000 meals to labourers across Dubai and Umm Al Quwain.
Weighing 1.1kg, each meal pack will contain the essentials for those observing fast throughout the month, with some added extras thrown in for good measure.
"We want to make sure the meal is a complete meal so it will have a main course, a sweet, fruits, dates, laban and water. These are all foods which help break or open a fast. We will also bring something extra that the people will like such as Karak tea, popcorn," Ahmed Julfar, Director General of CDA told Khaleej Times.
Launched in 2017, 700 council members and volunteers distributed more than 53,000 Suhoor meals to labourers across Dubai and Abu Dhabi after Taraweeh prayer throughout the Holy Month. The initial target was 20,000 meals.
Read: People of determination to deliver 3,000 suhoor meals to workers using drones
Though the conservative aim for this year's meal distribution is 32,000, the council will likely surpass its 2017 figure as it has added seven additional distribution sites to the initiative as well as more than 300 additional volunteers.
Meals will be distributed every night throughout Ramadan from 10pm to about 11.30pm at Abdulrahim Ktait Mosque in Al Quoz. Meals will also be distributed during different periods throughout the month at six other mosques located throughout Deira and Bur Dubai (see box).
Additionally, the Maeed Bin Said Al Mualla Charity Foundation will also distribute meals at two mosques in Umm Al Quwain.
So why Suhoor meals and not Iftar? Julfar said this idea was born from the Youth Council.
"They chose Suhour because there are so many initiatives focused on Iftar and not many are centred around Suhoor, but it's a very important meal. We wanted to fill that gap."
Though all 1,000 volunteers are currently registered for the initiative, Julfar said volunteers wishing to offer a helping hand can register through the CDA's Volunteer mobile application to take part, as well as through the Day for Dubai initiative which was launched by The Executive Council.
"Last year we saw more than 700 volunteers help out but this year we are hoping to double that, including great participation from people with determination."
On the sidelines of the tour, the Dubai Health Authority (DHA) Youth Council will provide free medical checkups for labourers. kelly@khaleejtimes.com
 
Distribution sites
Abdulrahim Ketait Mosque, Al Quoz (Day 1 to Day 28)
Qurtoba Mosque, Satwa (Day 3 to Day 8)
Sheikha Latifa Small Mosque, Jafiliya (Day 7 to Day 12)
AlYaqoub Mosque, Ras Al Khor Indistrial Area (Day 11 to Day 15)
Aqeel Abbas Mosque, Warsan 1 (Day 15 to Day 20)
Bin Fulad Mosque, Rashidiya (Day 19 to Day 24)
Abdulrahim Ketait Mosque, Muhaisnah (Day 23 to Day 28)
Note: Distribution between 10pm-11.30pm

'Their Suhour On Us' objectives
32,000 initial target for meal distribution
1,000 volunteers
7 new locations for 2018

Initiative Outcomes in 2017
20,000 initial target for meal distribution
53,945 final number of meals distributed in Abu Dhabi and Dubai
36,045 main meals; 17,900 sub-meals
700 council members and volunteers
 

• Ramadan 2021
• Dubai
• Umm Al Quwain