The Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities Department (IACAD) in Dubai has cancelled all permits for Ramadan tents in the emirate this year in line with nationwide efforts to contain the spread of Covid-19. 

IACAD on Tuesday announced that the move aims to prevent large gatherings where people may flout social distancing rules in place during the pandemic.

During the Holy Month, it is a norm for mosques to host social gatherings for workers and provide them with free meals during Iftar. The new instructions, however, have been put in place to protect public health and safety.

Ahmed Darwish Al Muhairi, executive director of the charitable sector, also added that, since a number of people and organisations like to volunteer for distribution during the Holy Month, they can do so only in collaboration with charities and institutions approved and licensed by the IACAD.

Al Muhairi noted that IACAD places health and safety among its priorities, explaining that “all necessary precautions” will be taken to ensure the blessed month of Ramadan passes safely.

Muhammad Musabeh Dahi, director of the charitable institutions department at IACAD, said the authority would continue to reach out to the needy through its digital Meals of Hope initiative during Ramadan.

The initiative was launched in 2019 to provide meals to the underprivileged through a digital platform, enabling them to request food from a group of selected restaurants directly through Zomato.

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