Haydar Amoun, a 56-year-old Makkah resident, said every Ramadan he gathers his sons and grandsons to serve iftar meals to the poor and pilgrims.

He takes them hours before iftar so they can set up in poor neighborhoods. His iftar meal consists of an orange, banana, biscuits, dates and water.

"We have a budget for this. We start collecting for it months before Ramadan. We seek nothing but reward from God. We target the poor areas and distribute food among the poor and needy. Anything extra we distribute to worshipers on their way to the Grand Mosque."

Makkah resident Hosni Labban said he participates every year by distributing cold water to pilgrims in addition to milk and dates.

Labban's budget is limited so he prepares 50 food bags that contain three days worth of cold water and milk.

"I target the motorists on the road who are not going to make it home for iftar. Motorists often drive at high speeds so they can reach home on time but by distributing food bags to them, they will slow down and drive safely because they have something to break their fast with. I always tell them to drive safely when I distribute the food bags."

Labban inherited this tradition from his father who died nine years ago. He said that his father asked him to continue this practice shortly before he died. Labban is also passing this tradition on to his children.

Sharaf Abdul Lateef, a 45-year-old Makkah resident, said providing iftar meals to visitors and pilgrims is the most honorable job for Muslims. He also inherited this tradition from his father and is passing it on to his six-year-old son.

"Every day I take large quantities of dates and cold Zamzam water and head to the Grand Mosque. I distribute the dates and water with my son to pilgrims inside the Tawaf area as soon as the call for Maghreb prayer starts. I am proud to see that my son enjoys it. I make sure that all the quantity of food I brought is distributed before I break my fast."