ART AND CULTURE

Out of Humanity

In the midst of a buzzing street of a crowded area called Deira, where people do not have the time to think of others, stands a building where humanity is of the utmost importance. The new Kuwaiti building standing just besides the Futtaim mosque has become a boon for many of the people residing around.

While giving zakat, praying five times, being generous and courteous are some of the basic elements of Ramadan. Some people like to go a step forward by being a little extra thoughtful like Mr. Abdullah Abdul hadi, who is the owner of new Kuwaiti building and sponsors iftar for around 100-150 people everyday. While Mr. Abdullah sponsors the iftar there is someone who manages the entire meal for a large public that is the security guard of the building Mr. Shariff.

According to Mr. Shariff, Ramadan is all about purity and being generous "Ramadan is a month that has been granted by Allah to purify our souls, body and wealth." When questioned about the mass iftar and its effect on the people. Mr. Shariff had a very strong point to make "labourers and workers who reside in the most part of Deira do not have any one to cook for them nor do they have the money to buy a decent iftar meal for themselves. At such time serving of iftar is a boon for them."

A normal iftar meal consists of dates, biryani, water and a juice bottle for each and every person. The meal is catered by public cook and comes to the area right at time and is served to the public half an hour before the azan. According to the laws of Dubai there is no need for legal permissions to serve anything during iftar to the common public.
When questioned about the hygiene aspect Mr. Shariff says "Hygiene is given utmost importance, a plastic cloth is spread over on which people sit and everyday new paper cups, spoons and plates are used. After the iftar meal the area is again cleaned and made ready for the next day." Other than managing of the mass iftar Mr. Shariff has a quiet busy schedule in Ramadan. He wakes up in the morning for seheri followed by the morning prayers after which he goes about monitoring the building and again goes to the mosque for the afternoon prayers. His day ends with praying the tarawi, special Ramadan prayers and then again going back to work for sometime and finally retiring for the day.
"The schedule in Ramadan gets a bit tougher but the thought of doing well to the society and myself keeps me going."

Mr. Shariff ends up with a very strong note saying "I hope I get a chance always to serve my community as much as I can and a lot of strength to make full use of the holy month of Ramadan"