JOY OF GIVING

Just before sunset, on sweltering Ramadan evenings, crowds of people are gathering around mosques, markets and labour camps across the kingdom to break their fast, thanks to a big-hearted superstore.

Lulu Hypermarket has been busy highlighting the true meaning of Ramadan with its annual Joy of Giving charitable campaign.

The retail giant sends out four vans branded with the Lulu ‘Joy of Giving’ signage to different locations, minutes before sunset, to distribute around 1,000 iftar meal packages a day containing dates, sweets, juice, water and samosas.

Your FM 104.2 radio jockeys have also joined the team in handing out the boxes in recent days and featured interviews with the hungry hordes flocking to the vans to share their Ramadan thoughts and to greet their loved ones on air.

Juzer Rupawala, Lulu Hypermarket’s regional director, said: “The Joy of Giving campaign has captured public imagination and we are very happy that people are not only breaking their fast with Lulu but also reaching out to family and friends at the same time.

“This is the public interactive face of our community service initiatives and we see every iftar meal shared as an underscoring of our commitment to nurture it.”

The GulfWeekly team caught up with the team in front of a mosque in Um Al Hassam. Sayed Bastatar, 40, a computer engineer was going home to break his fast with his family when he came across the van. He said: “This is a fantastic service and came at a perfect time as its only minutes away from sunset.”

Nazmul Hassan, 11, a student at the Bangladesh School, lives close by and was walking with his friend when he saw radio celebrity Hemang Sharma.

Nazmul said: “I’m fasting and it was very hot so it was such good timing to hand out food. I was also very excited to meet RJ Hemang – I listen to him on the radio all the time. He is my favourite!”

As the boys took pictures with the star presenters more residents of Um Al Hassam swarmed the van. Retired Faisal Khalif Al Rouwar said: “I think this is wonderful.

“It is beautiful to see how this gesture brought the entire neighbourhood together. I was really surprised when I saw the van.

“I usually walk to the majlis by my house to break my fast with friends as I do every day with a date, laban (yogurt) drink and water. After I eat, I pray and then go home to eat with my family. Now I have an iftar meal to take with me. Ramadan Kareem to all.”

Within 15 minutes the van, once filled to the top with boxes, was completely bare, leaving behind a sea of smiling faces.

RJ Hemang, 36, who manages the station’s breakfast show, said: “I found the whole experience really humbling.

“When we are handing out these iftar packages the smiles on the faces of the people we met spoke volumes. It made me feel that my day and my life were worth it and that is the main thing about the holy month. Ramadan Kareem wishes go out to everybody.”

The vans have already visited areas around the Indian Club, Dasman Centre, the Galali area and the Alba Labour Camp. Further 7pm locations will be announced on Your FM and the campaign will continue throughout the holy month.

Other companies supporting Lulu’s campaign are Ulker, Americana, Shweppes, Aquafina and Ramli Mall.