MAKKAH, 3rd September, 2017 (WAM) -- The Official UAE Hajj Mission has distributed 153,000 meals to pilgrims of various nationalities at the holy sites during their Hajj, to honour the memory of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan.

Dr. Mohammed Matar Al Kaabi, Chairman of the General Authority of Islamic Affairs and Endowments and Head of the Official UAE Hajj Mission, stated that the Mission distributed 50,000 meals to pilgrims on the day of Arafah, as well as 30,000 meals in Muzdalifah, and more 53,000 meals during the Days of Tashreeq at the campsite in Mina.

Dr. Al Kaabi stressed that the Mission is closely following the steps in delivering, storing and distributing these meals, under the supervision of a specialist food committee that organises the preparation of the meals and the purchasing of ingredients, which are of high quality and nutritious.

He added that the UAE will offer meals to all pilgrims regardless of their nationality, race or sect, following the path that was established by the late founder, Sheikh Zayed, which has made the UAE a global role model of charity work and an example to be followed in extending a helping and giving hand to all people, regardless of their religion, colour or nationality. He also stressed that the countrys charity work strategy is represented by the Year of Giving 2017, which was launched under the directives of President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, who continued the legacy of Sheik Zayed by establishing a culture of benevolence in the UAE community, to benefit the entire world.

The mission also distributed 20,000 meals to pilgrims in Medina before the start of the Hajj rituals.

Copyright Emirates News Agency (WAM) 2017.