Abu Dhabi police to give 30,000 iftar meals a day

Hundreds of Abu Dhabi police men will deploy through the emirate’s roads during Ramadan to hand out Iftar meals to drivers and other road users, a customary practice during the fasting month aimed at closer ties with the public.

The cops will take time out of their stern traffic enforcement duty to fan out at key intersections in the capital and other parts of the emirate to stop drivers just before the evening prayers to offer nearly 30,000 boxed meals every day.

Police said the annual gesture is intended to strengthen relations with the public and at the same time curb accidents.

“Many drivers rush just before the evening prayers to have their Iftar and this is a major cause of accidents in Ramadan…our initiative is intended to ensure they have a meal as they head back home so they will slow down,” said Major General Mohammed bin Al Awadi Al Minhali, police operations director.

Besides motorists, the meals benefit other road users and construction workers who are overtaken by the end of the fasting period. Police said any one passing by their makeshift centres on the roads can have an Iftar meal.

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