Beit Al Khair to contribute nearly 1m free Iftar meals this Ramadan

A total of 900,000 free Iftar meals will be distributed by the Beit Al Khair Society to poor workers, low-income people, and passersby during Ramadan this year.
"We are all set to distribute 30,000 Iftar meals on a daily basis at the Iftar tents," said Abdeen Taher Al Awadhi, director-general, of the Beit Al Khair Society, on Monday while launching the Ramadan campaign under the theme: 'They hasten to good deed'. "Each meal consists of fresh rice with meat or chicken, dates, fruit, water and milk."
Ramadan saw a quantum leap in Iftar meals project last year. "Over 705,000 free Iftar meals, worth Dh6.7 million, were served in 45 tents and Iftar centres, while Dh12 million were spent on Ramadan Meer packages."
The Ramadan campaign, to continue until the end of Eid Al Fitr, is aimed to bring happiness to as many disadvantaged families and people, be they Emiratis or residents, according to a top official.
Al Awadhi said they are eagerly aspiring for more assistance to fulfill their obligations towards over 52,000 registered families and cases. "With the help of kind hearts, we will be able to ease the suffering of thousands of deprived and low-income families over the holy month of Ramadan, and help them enjoy the serenity of the month and give more time to worship."
Meanwhile, Beit Al Khair is geared up to carry out its "Farha" seasonal programme. "This programme spans the Ramadan Meer, Iftar meal, Zakat Al Fitr, Ediya, and Kiswah projects," said Al Awadhi. "These schemes are meant to make families happier during the Eid Al Fitr. Records show that the society spent Dh81.5 million last Ramadan. We hope to collect and spend more, and support additional eligible families this year."
Ramadan is a season of giving when more people pay out their zakat and give for charity in hope for more rewards, he pointed out.
"This season gives a big boost to our charity programmes and projects, mainly emergency aids, treatment support, and defaulters scheme whereby 24 Emirati nationals were set free after settling their over Dh4 million debts."
ahmedshaaban@khaleejtimes.com