6 Emirati families prepare 13,000 iftar meals at Dubai's Al Ghafar Mosque in Muhaisnah
As sunset approaches and kitchens fill with the aroma of biryani and Harees, six Emirati families are transforming their homes into hubs of generosity this Ramadan. But beyond the daily rhythm of preparing iftar meals lies a deeper purpose: seeking reward, serving the community, and embodying the true spirit of compassion that defines the holy month. Each day, these meals are delivered to fasting worshippers at Al-Ghafar Mosque in Muhaisnah during Ramadan.Stay up to date with the latest news. Follow KT on WhatsApp Channels. Ramadan Prayer TimingsThe initiative, launched by the Community Development Authority, is part of Dubai’s broader empowerment strategy to shift families from temporary assistance to sustainable income generation. This year, six productive families are participating, aiming to prepare and distribute nearly 13,000 iftar meals throughout the holy month.Obaid Al Shuweihi, Head of Financial Empowerment at the authority, said the programme is designed to create long-term impact.“We are not offering temporary aid,” he said. “We are building a sustainable economic pathway for families. Our goal is to move them from being recipients of support to active, productive contributors to society.”He added, “Ramadan is the ideal time to reinforce this concept. Giving is multiplied during this month, and we want the impact to be multiplied as well, a reward for the fasting person and empowerment for the Emirati family.”Al Shuweihi explained that the authority provides more than financial assistance. Families receive guidance on food safety and quality standards, logistical and organisational support, connections to supply chains, and performance monitoring and evaluation.“We see each family as a project with growth potential,” he said. “What begins as 70 meals a day can evolve into a recognised local brand if it is properly supported.”He noted that the long-term vision includes project evaluation, capacity building, brand development, and improved market access beyond Ramadan.“Our ultimate objective is for families to have a clear commercial identity and stable sales channels, enabling them to operate independently without relying on direct aid,” he said. Obaid Al Shuweihi, Head of Financial Empowerment at the authority 70 meals a day and more if neededHanifa Abdullah, one of the participating home chefs, prepares approximately 70 iftar meals daily, approximately 2,100 meals over the course of Ramadan, with the capacity to increase production if required. “My kitchen can handle more than 70 meals a day,” she said. “We are always ready to meet additional demand.”Biryani and kabsa are among the most requested dishes. The biggest challenge, she noted, comes in the final hour before Maghrib.“The time pressure before the call to prayer is intense,” she said. “We have to ensure fast distribution while maintaining high food quality and safety.” For her, the project provides more than income. “It helps reduce our household food expenses during Ramadan, which eases financial pressure and improves our stability,” she explained.She also makes a point of preparing extra meals daily for delivery riders and petrol station workers.“Hearing their sincere prayers at iftar means everything to me,” she said. “It reminds me that what we are doing goes beyond business.” Hanifa AbdullahA family effortAisha Saeed Al Dhaheri is participating for the third consecutive year, having been nominated by the authority. She also prepares 70 meals daily, with luqaimat and harees among the most popular items. “This is my third year in the initiative,” she said. “Each year the responsibility grows, but so does the sense of reward and fulfilment.”She ensures the iftar meals for the 70 beneficiaries are completed first before turning to her private kitchen orders. “We organise our priorities,” she said. “We finish the ‘Iftar for the Fasting’ meals first, then I start working on my own kitchen orders.”Ramadan, she added, has become even more special at home because of the initiative. “The atmosphere is very family-orientated," she said. “My children, my brother, and my sister all gather to help. Everyone is seeking reward, and that makes the effort lighter.”Despite traffic congestion and high customer demand before Maghrib, she sees it as a sign of trust.She recalled an emotional memory of an elderly neighbour who instructed her children to order daily iftar from “Um Khaled Popular Kitchen” until she passed away.“That moment stayed with me,” Al Dhaheri said. “Food is not just a meal; it is trust and connection.” Her kitchen operates year-round, and she hopes to open a restaurant in the future. “This initiative gives me the push I need to achieve that dream,” she said. Aisha Saeed Al Dhaheri and her family Beyond RamadanAccording to the authority, the initiative delivers both economic and social impact, providing direct income, building practical management and marketing skills, strengthening family confidence, and instilling a culture of work
As sunset approaches and kitchens fill with the aroma of biryani and Harees, six Emirati families are transforming their homes into hubs of generosity this Ramadan.
But beyond the daily rhythm of preparing iftar meals lies a deeper purpose: seeking reward, serving the community, and embodying the true spirit of compassion that defines the holy month.
Each day, these meals are delivered to fasting worshippers at Al-Ghafar Mosque in Muhaisnah during Ramadan.
Stay up to date with the latest news. Follow KT on WhatsApp Channels. Ramadan Prayer Timings
The initiative, launched by the Community Development Authority, is part of Dubai’s broader empowerment strategy to shift families from temporary assistance to sustainable income generation.
This year, six productive families are participating, aiming to prepare and distribute nearly 13,000 iftar meals throughout the holy month.
Obaid Al Shuweihi, Head of Financial Empowerment at the authority, said the programme is designed to create long-term impact.
“We are not offering temporary aid,” he said. “We are building a sustainable economic pathway for families. Our goal is to move them from being recipients of support to active, productive contributors to society.”
He added, “Ramadan is the ideal time to reinforce this concept. Giving is multiplied during this month, and we want the impact to be multiplied as well, a reward for the fasting person and empowerment for the Emirati family.”
Al Shuweihi explained that the authority provides more than financial assistance. Families receive guidance on food safety and quality standards, logistical and organisational support, connections to supply chains, and performance monitoring and evaluation.
“We see each family as a project with growth potential,” he said. “What begins as 70 meals a day can evolve into a recognised local brand if it is properly supported.”
He noted that the long-term vision includes project evaluation, capacity building, brand development, and improved market access beyond Ramadan.
“Our ultimate objective is for families to have a clear commercial identity and stable sales channels, enabling them to operate independently without relying on direct aid,” he said. Obaid Al Shuweihi, Head of Financial Empowerment at the authority
70 meals a day and more if needed
Hanifa Abdullah, one of the participating home chefs, prepares approximately 70 iftar meals daily, approximately 2,100 meals over the course of Ramadan, with the capacity to increase production if required. “My kitchen can handle more than 70 meals a day,” she said. “We are always ready to meet additional demand.”
Biryani and kabsa are among the most requested dishes. The biggest challenge, she noted, comes in the final hour before Maghrib.
“The time pressure before the call to prayer is intense,” she said. “We have to ensure fast distribution while maintaining high food quality and safety.” For her, the project provides more than income. “It helps reduce our household food expenses during Ramadan, which eases financial pressure and improves our stability,” she explained.
She also makes a point of preparing extra meals daily for delivery riders and petrol station workers.
“Hearing their sincere prayers at iftar means everything to me,” she said. “It reminds me that what we are doing goes beyond business.” Hanifa Abdullah
A family effort
Aisha Saeed Al Dhaheri is participating for the third consecutive year, having been nominated by the authority. She also prepares 70 meals daily, with luqaimat and harees among the most popular items.
“This is my third year in the initiative,” she said. “Each year the responsibility grows, but so does the sense of reward and fulfilment.”
She ensures the iftar meals for the 70 beneficiaries are completed first before turning to her private kitchen orders. “We organise our priorities,” she said. “We finish the ‘Iftar for the Fasting’ meals first, then I start working on my own kitchen orders.”
Ramadan, she added, has become even more special at home because of the initiative. “The atmosphere is very family-orientated," she said. “My children, my brother, and my sister all gather to help. Everyone is seeking reward, and that makes the effort lighter.”
Despite traffic congestion and high customer demand before Maghrib, she sees it as a sign of trust.
She recalled an emotional memory of an elderly neighbour who instructed her children to order daily iftar from “Um Khaled Popular Kitchen” until she passed away.
“That moment stayed with me,” Al Dhaheri said. “Food is not just a meal; it is trust and connection.” Her kitchen operates year-round, and she hopes to open a restaurant in the future. “This initiative gives me the push I need to achieve that dream,” she said. Aisha Saeed Al Dhaheri and her family
Beyond Ramadan
According to the authority, the initiative delivers both economic and social impact, providing direct income, building practical management and marketing skills, strengthening family confidence, and instilling a culture of work among children.
“Family stability begins with financial independence,” Al Shuweihi said. “When a family has a sustainable source of income, it builds a more secure future for the next generation.”
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