Dubai CDA Distributes 13,000 Iftar Meals, Supports Six Emirati Families

Dubai's Community Development Authority (CDA), in collaboration with the Dubai Charity Association, has concluded the Khair Dubai Be Ahlaha initiative for Ramadan 2026, distributing 13,000 Iftar meals to fasting residents across the Muhaisnah area while providing income support to six Emirati families running home-based culinary businesses.

The initiative, whose name translates to "Goodness of Dubai by its People," operated on a dual mandate: feeding fasting community members and generating seasonal income for productive Emirati families specializing in culinary arts.

Each participating family prepared an average of 70 meals daily throughout the holy month, with total financial support across all six families amounting to AED 260,000.

Initiative Links Social Support to Economic Empowerment

Ali Alqassim, Director of the Financial Benefits and Empowerment Department at the CDA, said the program is part of a broader strategy to transition families from reliance on support systems to sustainable economic participation. He stated that the initiative creates seasonal income opportunities designed to evolve into permanent businesses, while reinforcing the role of families as active contributors to the local economy.

Obaid Alshuweihi, Head of the Financial Empowerment Section, noted that the CDA is developing a comprehensive pathway for productive families within its empowerment plans, including project evaluation, capacity building, brand development, and improved market access. The goal is to move participating families from seasonal home production to stable enterprises with clear identities and growth potential.

Families prepared traditional Emirati main dishes alongside Ramadan specialties, hot and cold desserts, and other items, operating under approved standards as required by home business licensing regulations. Meals were distributed to fasting individuals including workers and residents across the Muhaisnah area.

Families Report Financial Relief and Community Impact

Participating families said the initiative improved their income during Ramadan and reduced financial pressure on household budgets. They also cited challenges including time constraints and maintaining food quality and safety ahead of the Maghrib call to prayer, which they managed through advance planning and coordinated task distribution among family members.

Several families expressed interest in expanding their ventures beyond Ramadan, with plans to open permanent outlets and reach wider markets. The CDA said it would support this transition through structured empowerment programming.

The initiative is part of the CDA's wider Ramadan 2026 program, conducted under the "Ramadan in Dubai" campaign and aligned with the UAE's designation of 2026 as the Year of the Family. CDA Director General Hessa bint Issa Buhumaid said the authority designed each Ramadan initiative to serve a specific member of the family, including home-based entrepreneurs seeking real opportunities for empowerment and community contribution.