The Jeddah-chapter of the Muslim Educational Society (MES) has given a humanitarian touch to Iftar parties in Ramadan by offering them to the less privileged in the community, inspired by the spirit of the blessed month.

“Indian Consul General B.S. Mubarak opened our first iftar program at the industrial city, which was attended by about 800 workers including Indians, Filipinos, Bangladeshis and other nationals,” said Mohammed Ashraf, its president.

Engaging with the less fortunate is the path that MES has chosen this year to demonstrate their social responsibility and show empathy toward them during the blessed month, he said.

More than 700 people attended its second iftar program, which was held in Briman district, Ashraf said. “There are a large number of poor foreign workers living in that part of Jeddah. They live with bare minimum facilities and need our support and care,” the president said.

Ashraf disclosed plans to hold another iftar program for 1,000 people in Quwaiza district. “MES officials and workers have felt great satisfaction by distributing iftar meals among the poor. We would like to organize such programs on a larger scale in the coming years with the support of philanthropists and community members,” he added.

MES is blazing a new path for itself by finding alternative channels to serve the deserving in the community. The move comes at a time when the general trend is to hold grand iftars for affluent people by spending huge amounts of money.

The first two iftars were held using money mostly donated by its own executive committee members.
“The third and fourth iftar programs will be relying on resources from benevolent members of the community,” said K.P. Abdul Salam, its treasurer.

“The second iftar program was held in a camp, which is in absolutely squalid conditions,” said C.P. Saleem, an executive member. The third and fourth iftars will also be held in similar surroundings, he added.

Alavi Aruveetil, vice president, N.M. Jamaluddin, secretary, Omi Notani, Wasim Muqaddam, social workers, K.T. Hyder, Raheem Backer, Shehriyar, K.A. Abdul Samad, and other MES members have played a big role to make the program a big success.

As a leading NGO in the field of education, the MES has established a reputation in the field of education in South India, mainly Kerala, having established several schools, colleges, professional institutions, and health establishments. Recently, it organized a talent hunt competition for around 6,000 students from the Indian Community in Jeddah, in association with Al-Abeer Educity.

 
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