Charitable societies in different parts of the Kingdom distribute iftar meals at traffic points just before the adhan for Maghreb prayer in a show of Islamic solidarity.
Mazen Batterjee, chairman of Albir Charitable Society, said: “This helps Muslim faithful who cannot reach their homes for iftar to break their fasts easily.”
Batterjee’s organization has deployed a number of young children from the Juvenile Home to distribute 1,000 iftar kits daily at traffic points.
He said the distributions along the roads would help reduce traffic accidents, as many people drive their cars at high speed to reach their homes for iftar.
He thanked authorities for their support to the project and called on philanthropists to donate generously to the society’s iftar program.
Batterjee thanked Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah for donating a good amount to Albir.
He added: “We are honored to receive this generous donation from King Abdullah.
“It will boost our charitable activities in Jeddah, including educational, health and social development programs.” He thanked the government for its tremendous support to charitable activities across the country, especially Albir, one of the oldest charitable societies in the Kingdom.
Majdi Bakhariba, supervisor of shelter homes for the organization, commended young Saudis for volunteering their services.
He said: “We have divided these volunteers into two groups.
“The first group will prepare iftar kits while the second group will distribute them at traffic points.”
Formed in 1982, Albir is registered with the Ministry of Social Affairs. Makkah Gov. Prince Khaled Al-Faisal is its honorary president.
Batterjee said: “We have been providing assistances in cash and kind to the poor and needy in the city and extending social, health, cultural and educational services.”
Albir also runs charitable clinics, dialysis centers, social care centers for men and women, manpower training courses for young people and charity markets. It conducts seminars, conferences and lectures as well as research on social issues.
