May brings with it the Holy Month of Ramadan, a time of faith, family and reflection. Across the Gulf adjustments are made for both Muslims and non-Muslims alike, including alterations in eating and drinking times, and the reduction of work hours. During the month, time spent reflecting and helping communities with less is as essential an element as the respect and adherence to the fast.
All month Muslims and organisations alike are proactive in doing charity work in a myriad of different ways and, recently, one of our favourite ideas created in Dubai was the Ramadan Sharing Fridges initiative.
Created in 2016, and now under the patronage of the Emirates Red Crescent, the idea is based on individuals placing a spare fridge outside their home for communial use.
A network of volunteers help keep the fridges stocked throughout the month with water, milk, fruit and biscuits, and people can locate the the registered fridges, and monitor their contents the via the dedicated ‘communityfridge’ app.
The group now has over 25,000 members, and last year saw more than 200 fridges across the city. It is estimated that each fridge feeds at least 100 people a day.
However, this year this year is the organisation has a license to operate only in Dubai and is registering fridges before Ramadan so that the map is ready for Day 1. They are encouraging all interested fridge managers to register on: [email protected].
From all us here at Esquire Middle East, Ramadan Kareem.
