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Artists lent their talents to colour Ramadan fridges

Dubai - The Ramadan/sharing fridge is a Dubai-based initiative, under the Emirates Red Crescent's umbrella.

A couple of artists from a Dubai-based art studio for people of determination have lent their talents to add colour and vigour to a couple of Ramadan/ sharing fridges, installed at a Business Bay hotel.
The Ramadan/sharing fridge is a Dubai-based initiative, under the auspices of Emirates Red Crescent, to help workers and less fortunate residents get access to free food and drinks during the holy month.
It started in 2016, when Australian expat Sumayyah Sayed put a fridge filled with food and water on her front porch. Today, it has achieved overwhelming popularity, with over 27,000 members/volunteers who have joined the campaign through social media.
On Wednesday, a day before the start of Ramadan, German expat Vincent Baur, 21, and Pakistani-Canadian national Nazeer Ali, 24, who are both artists from Mawaheb from Beautiful People, turned an otherwise drab sharing fridge into a work of art, outside Brothaus Bakery-Bistro at Steigenberger Hotel in Business Bay.
The graffiti - Happiness comes from Giving - which the duo emblazoned on the two-door refrigerators, is both a striking request for kind-hearted people to fill the fridges with food and drinks and also an eye-catching invitation for workers, who need access to free food and drinks to end their fast.
The initiative was also aimed at promoting the inclusion of people of determination in society, encouraging community service and celebrating the spirit of Ramadan. "I'm an artist and this artwork is the best way I can impart the essence of Ramadan," Baur told Khaleej Times. "We made the fridges very colourful so when people see them, they know we are inviting them to donate to our less fortunate brothers and sisters."
According Stephen Meredith, general manager of Steigenberger Hotel Business Bay, this is the second year they are doing the Ramadan/ sharing fridge. "Last year, it was a bit of a challenge to get people involved, but now some renowned beverage companies have pledged generous amount of drinks; some beverage companies have also donated several cases of fruit yoghurt snacks; and with our attractive fridge design, we can get more individual and corporate sponsors," Meredith said.
He added that the two fridges can accommodate at least 1,000 bottles of water, hundreds of cake slices and bread, and several kilos of fruits and vegetables. "I also request our neighbouring hotels to engage in a similar initiative and encourage all our staff and guests to contribute and fill up the fridges with healthy food and drinks," he added.
angel@khaleejtimes.com