DUBAI, 2 March — The Islamic Affairs and Charitable Department in Dubai (IACAD) announced that it has cancelled all permits for Ramadan tents this year, to comply with nationwide efforts to contain the spread of COVID-19.
IACAD said that the move aims to prevent large gatherings where breached to social distancing rules can happen.
Executive Director of the charitable sector, Ahmed Darwish Al Muhairi said that since a number of people and organisations like to volunteer for distribution during the Holy month of Ramadan, they can still do that in collaboration with charities and institutions approved and licensed by IACAD.
“IACAD places health and safety among its priorities, and all necessary precautions will be taken to ensure the blessed month of Ramadan passes safely.” He added.
Muhammad Musabeh Dahi, director of the charitable institutions department at IACAD, said the authority would continue to reach out to the needy through its digital Meals of Hope initiative during Ramadan.
The initiative was launched in 2019 to provide meals to the underprivileged through a digital platform, enabling them to request food from a group of selected restaurants directly through Zomato.
It’s common in UAE and many Arab countries to set up tents during Ramadan, where charitable organisation, philanthropists, and government agencies serve free food to the people during the Holy month.
The Holy month or Ramadan is expected to start on April 13, depending upon the moon sighting.
Source: Khaleej Times/Gulf News
