Iftar tents set up to serve poor..

Charities have set up Iftar tents for low-income people at scores of places in Qatar.

The state-run Zakat Fund has collected QR6mn through donations and set up 11 Iftar locations that will feed 300,000 people throughout the holy month, according to project manager Mohamed al-Jadii.

“This is half the number of locations we had last year, since we are restricted by the large-scale construction going on in so many parts of the country,” said al-Jadii.

Locations were selected in consultation with other charities to ensure that they did not choose the same place and cause overcrowding, as the Fund’s tents alone would be hosting as many as 1,200 people each.
The key locations at which tents are set up are Old Airport, Al Asmagh, Mansoura, Madinat Khalifa, Bin Umran and Mesaimeer. Outside Doha, Iftar will be offered in Wakrah and Al Khor. The Fund’s meals will include meat, chicken, rice, yoghurt, juice and dates.

According to al-Jadii, 98% of their charity work is paid for by donations. “Donation boxes are still open to people, we encourage them to contribute.”

Non-governmental organisations are also playing their part. Qatar Charity is spending QR2mn and plans to feed almost 3,000 people daily at five locations.
According to Ali Al-Rashid, head of QC’s information department, the tents will be placed next to the main mosques in the respective areas, which include Old Al Ghanim and the Industrial Area.

He added that low-income people can collect debit cards from QC with which they can buy what they need from hypermarkets, instead of the food coupons that used to be provided.

“Non-Arab workers form the majority of those who come to the tents,” said Wafiq Fathy, head of media at Eid Charity. Fathy explained that the seating arrangement is four people to a tray of rice, with two or three pieces of meat for each, or, on the days when chicken is being served, a quarter of a chicken for each person.
The charity groups are ensuring that leftovers are not thrown away through a programme called Hefz al-Ni’ma or ‘Preserving God’s Gifts’. People will be given cartons to take away leftovers.

Because of the large numbers, the organisations will be posting around 50 overseers to maintain order and ensure security.

Other organisations are focusing their efforts overseas. Sheikh Thani bin Abdullah al-Thani Foundation for Humanitarian Services is setting up Iftar tents in 26 countries including Somalia, Palestine, Iraq and Nigeria.

Source..Gulf times.