UAE Motorists Thank Volunteers For Providing Iftar Meals To Drivers Caught In Traffic

Ahmed Khatib no longer worries about where he will break his fast during Ramadan. Every evening, the Ajman resident leaves his office in Jumeirah Lake Towers (JLT) around 5pm and begins his drive home.

By the time he reaches the traffic signal near Al Qusais around 5.50pm, he sees many volunteers distributing iftar meals. As his car stops at the signal, a volunteer walks between the vehicles and hands him a small Iftar box through the window.

“Sometimes I still have a long drive ahead to Ajman. On some days I break my fast in the car. Thanks to the volunteers handing out iftar meals at the signals, I never have to worry about missing Iftar."

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He said the small meal packs, usually containing dates, water, and snacks make a big difference for drivers who are still on the road when the fast ends.

“It's a beautiful gesture. You may be stuck in traffic, but someone comes to your car and makes sure you can break your fast on time.”

For delivery rider Mohammed Salim, the roadside Iftar distribution has become something he depends on during the holy month.

Salim spends most evenings riding and delivering orders, and many days he is still working when Maghrib arrives.

“During Ramadan, we are usually still on the road at Iftar time. So when volunteers distribute iftar boxes at traffic signals, it really helps people like us who are working.”

He said the gesture reminds him of the spirit of Ramadan in the UAE.

“You might be far from home and still riding or driving, but someone comes to your window with food to break the fast. It feels very thoughtful and it helps many drivers and riders.”

Across Dubai, volunteers have been distributing Iftar meal boxes at busy intersections to ensure motorists can break their fast on time. Teams stand at traffic signals shortly before sunset and move between cars handing out small meal packs to drivers, taxi operators, delivery riders and other commuters who may not be able to reach home in time for Iftar.

The initiative is supported by Aster Volunteers , the global CSR arm of Aster DM Healthcare, which runs Ramadan food distribution drives every year.

Volunteers coordinate with community groups and local authorities to distribute hundreds of meal boxes at strategic locations across the city during the holy month.

Another company which distributes meals at signal is Emirates Gulf Group, handing out around 1,000 Iftar boxes daily at busy intersections such as the Al Bustan and Beirut Street traffic signals. Volunteers gather in the evening to pack the meal kits which include water, juice, croissants and dates before heading to the junctions shortly before sunset to distribute them to motorists.

“Many commuters are still stuck in traffic when it is time for iftar,” said Shamim Yusuf, group general manager of Emirates Gulf Group.“Through this initiative, we hope to reach 1,000 hearts, 1,000 smiles and 1,000 prayers every day by making sure drivers can break their fast on time.”

Among those helping organise the efforts is Badariya, who has been actively involved in social service for several years.

Badariya, a business development coordinator who has been volunteering for eight years, said the initiative focuses on reaching people who are still travelling at sunset.

“We know many people are commuting or working when it is time for Iftar. By distributing meals at signals, we try to make sure they can break their fast even if they are still on the road,” said Badariya.

She added that volunteers coordinate across several locations and work quickly before Maghrib to reach as many drivers as possible.

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