DUBAI, 1 October 2006 — Around 4,000 laborers got a golden chance to greet and share iftar meals with UAE Labor Minister Ali ibn Abdullah Al-Kaabi and other dignitaries Friday evening at their camp.
The Ramadan tradition of inviting people to break the fast together was done in a different fashion this year with the Emirati dignitaries deciding to join workers in their camps to share with them the sublime moment.
On the first Friday of the holy month, the workers at one of the housing sites of a local contracting company joined together at an Iftar meal organized by Watani and attended by top government officials, dignitaries and executives.
Kaabi, Brig. Mohammad Ahmad Al-Marri, director general of Dubai Naturalization and Residency Department (DNRD), Mohamed ibn Sulayem, the legendary rally hero and president of the UAE Automobile and Touring Club, and Ahmed Obaid Mansoori, coordinator general of the “Watani” program, broke their fast with thousands of laborers after the sunset prayers.
“Ramadan is a time for families to get together around the iftar meal and the time for us to strengthen our connection with the people who help building our country,” said Mansoori. “Through the weekly iftar meals, we hope to express our respect and appreciation to the unknown soldiers of development as well as to create and sustain a stronger connection between the various segments of our society.”
Many laborers expressed their happiness at having the opportunity. “It was nice to talk and meet the labor minister at our camp,” said a worker.
The Ramadan weekly iftars will be held each Friday at a different workers’ camp in the country and will see over 45 volunteers offering the iftar meals to thousands of workers at various sites in the country.
