Iftar tent for workers runs out of meal packets
Large numbers of low-income people turned up at Iftar tents across the country on the first day of Ramadan yesterday, leaving several tent organisers embarrassed as meal packets fell short.
At several tents in Doha at least, large crowds descended at Iftar time, leading to chaotic scenes.
One person said he waited for long at a tent in the Old Airport Area but had to leave disappointed as meal packets ran short and he didn’t get any.
A senior official of Qatar Charity (QC) said they had increased the number of tents this year considering that the population had gone up.
“We have set up 20 tents this year in different parts of the country,” said Yusuf Al Harami, in-charge of Iftar tents at QC.
He said people should realise that each tent is sponsored by a donor.
And a donor specifies a limit. “For example, some say we can sponsor Iftar meals for 100 people a day. So we have to limit a tent’s capacity,” said Al Harami.
But large numbers of people turn up for Iftar at nearly all tents, not realising that some are big while others have limited capacity.
Some tents have the capacity to serve 500 to 600 people, he said. According to Al Harami, Iftar tents are set up by QC based on areas with large population of low-income workers.
This year, for instance, QC has set up tents in places like Al Jamiliya, Al Dhakhira, Al Shahaniya and Semaisma, among other places.
Two additional tents have been set up and Iftar packets there are being supplied by “productive” Qatari families.
QC has a mobile Iftar tent (in a vehicle) which is distributing meal packets to workers in the Industrial Area.
He said an Iftar meal packet cost QC QR33.5 on average this Ramadan, including the cost of setting up the tent and cleaning.
I have spent a round five Ramadan periods in Qatar, at each Ramadan I used to break fast in a Iftar Tents, I could never do it in my room, nor in restaurants. The tents are good for you can enjoy a meal with people you do not know, you may have a nice discussion before the meal, you meat new people, you save time, energy and money. Furthermore, a lot of food would not be wasted because too much food is ordered sometimes but not all of it is eaten.
Ramadan has just started,there are still 26 and a half days to make amends.
Paladin , I wish Rip & Khalli could come back & read your full comment , or atleast last three words. ... ...
At least they helping the poor (consider it) and not wasting time to criticize other good deeds.Move on!"If you have nothing to say good, better shut up"!
This could be one stray case and should not be used to give a negative picture of a noble practice. There are so many places one can enjoy an iftar meal that the question of short supply does not arise. Also, it is just the beginning of Ramadhan and soon things will settle down.
Najeeb, most people here would agree with you.
Rip , At the time of Iftar you 'r asking for salary increase ? That 's untimely my friend ... ...... Mon, 30.06.201`4 , 11.38 hrs
Master , You need to master the skill for locating essential items you need .... . ...... Mon, 30.06.201`4 , 11.37 hrs
Don't forget to carry a pack for Galinda , lol. ...... Mon, 30.06.201`4 , 11.36 hrs
Khalli you will find whatever you need just approach the nearest tent your eyes could see ... ....... be in time that is important , take your friends along ............. Mon, 30.06.201`4 , 11.35 hrs
I happened to see in one tent in an Old airport area,there is plenty of food,but nobody is not supply of that,bocz of that some peoples they didn't get the food,even water and dates also.but it already had in a vehicle......
It has nothing to do with the wages.A bachelor would rather prefer breaking his fast in a mosque or such iftar tents than doing the same at home(where he largely spends his time resting after day duty or in devotion).
It is very sad when people who have jobs have to rely on charity like this in the richest country in the world. The employers should be ashamed of themselves that they do not pay a living wage