5 steps Sharjah is taking to prepare for Ramadan
Published: Mon 22 May 2017, 6:11 PM
Last updated: Tue 23 May 2017, 1:05 AM
Sharjah Municipality has put in place its preparation and is braced to provide best services to the residents of the emirate during the holy month of Ramadan.
Food safety
It has intensified its food inspection campaigns targeting food outlets, distributors and manufactures to ensure they abide by the rules and maintain food safety for the public in the emirate.
Thabit Al Taraifi, Director General of Sharjah Municipality, said that in order to prevent food poisoning, the inspectors of the Food Control Department are conducting inspections of markets, restaurants, popular kitchens, supermarkets and all institutions specialized in the production and distribution of food to ensure compliance with health conditions and application of standards for the display and storage of food throughout the day until midnight.
"Random samples of food items are being taken from various food establishments to be tested in Sharjah Central food laboratory to ensure its validity, as part of the inspection," he said.
He added that the municipality, in cooperation with Sharjah Charity Association, is organizing five free Iftar tents to provide Iftar meals to more than 3,200 people at the accommodation of Sharjah Municipality workers in various industrial areas. It will also be distributing meals to drivers on the streets at the time of breaking the fast every day. "The municipality has also launched fundraising campaign with the Red Crescent Authority and Sharjah Charitable Society to support the poor and needy," he added.
The Director General of the Municipality stressed that the work is currently on to deck up streets and main squares and roundabouts with colourful lights in all areas of the emirate.
Working hours for municipal services
Al Taraifi pointed out that the working hours in the main municipal building and the various municipal offices during the holy month of Ramadan will be from 9am to 2pm, while in the department of attestation of leases located in industrial area No. 5, it will be from 9am to 5pm, The public health clinic will work from 9am to 2pm and from 8.30pm to 11pm.
Electronic services
He said the municipality has launched an electronic service that allows business owners to obtain permits to carry on activities after midnight during the holy month of Ramadan and pay the fees by using it on the municipality's website, which saves time and effort.
Parking timing
Ali Bogazin, Director of Public Parking Department, said: "The parking spaces will be subject to fees during the holy month of Ramadan from 8am to 12pm. Regarding the parking violations, the inspectors will be deployed in areas round- the-clock," he disclosed.
Park and national parks timing
Ali Obaid Hamoudi, Director of Communication Department, said that all parks in residential areas will be closed in the morning, and remain open from 8pm until 1am after midnight, with the exception of Al Nahda Gardens, Abushagarh, station, Elsafaa, Green Belt.
National Park will open its doors to visitors from 8pm until 1am to provide opportunity to people to enjoy the holy month.