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Dubai residents gather for communal iftar as Zabeel Park becomes open-air dining venue
The iftar brought people together for a meaningful evening of prayer, supplication and camaraderie
- PUBLISHED: Sun 9 Mar 2025, 5:30 AM
Zabeel Park was transformed into a vibrant open-air dining venue on Saturday evening as residents gathered to break their fast in a unique communal iftar.
Set against the backdrop of the iconic Dubai Frame, the park, surrounded by lush greenery and a gentle breeze, was adorned with dining mats that created a festive and welcoming atmosphere for residents.
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The iftar event, organised by Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives, brought people together for a meaningful evening of prayer, supplication and camaraderie.
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As the sun began to set, the air was filled with peaceful prayers, as guests, volunteers and visitors quietly offered their supplications before the Maghrib call to prayer.
One of the most touching moments of the evening came from local company BerryMont, which generously donated exotic fruits to workers, providing them with a special treat as they broke their fast.
Zubair Mohammed from BerryMont shared the company’s motivation behind this gesture: “We wanted to make iftar even more special for those who work hard to keep Dubai running. We will be giving away thousands of fruit packets worth nearly Dh500,000."
“These exotic fruits are a small gesture, but we hope they provide a refreshing and healthy treat to those who often go without it. It’s our way of showing appreciation for their dedication and hard work,” he added.
Shavez Khan, a resident who took part in the iftar, expressed how breaking fast in such a setting helped ease the exhaustion of the day. “It's been a long day of hard work, and having the chance to break my fast here, in such a peaceful place, feels like a real blessing,” said Khan.
Khan also found the exotic fruits unexpectedly delicious. “I had never tasted these fruits before. At first, I was hesitant because I didn't know how they would taste, but they turned out to be delicious,” he said.
Mustapha Adekoya, a worker from Nigeria, also found the event particularly special. “Normally, iftar is a quiet time with roommates and colleagues. But today, being surrounded by so many people in such a peaceful setting felt truly serene."
Several delivery riders, who often break their fast while on the go, were also part of the large gathering. Saad Ahmed, a delivery driver, appreciated the chance to share the meal with others who understood the unique experience of fasting while working. “As delivery drivers, we usually break our fast on the move. We spend Ramadan away from our families, so being here to share the meal with others is really meaningful to me,” said Ahmed.
As guests enjoyed their meals of biryani, fruits, and laban, rows of worshippers gathered on the grass for the Maghrib prayer. The evening ended on a sweet note, with guests treated to ice cream and karak, capping off a memorable and heartwarming communal iftar.
SM Ayaz Zakir is a Senior Correspondent with a flair for extraordinary stories. His playground? Every corner of the UAE. He often ventures into remote corners of the country to capture compelling news and human interest stories.