DUBAI: With the coronavirus crisis stretching off into the indeterminate future, the Pakistani community in the United Arab Emirates is getting together to help its members affected by business shutdowns in the foreign country.
Over the past weeks, scores of Pakistani nationals working in the UAE have been laid off or sent on unpaid leave. According to Pakistan’s Consulate General in Dubai, at least 10,000 people, many of them daily wage earners, have lost their means of sustenance.
“Some of us may survive for the next few months, but what about the families who are on daily wages?” Talha Ahmed Khan, who runs the Delhi Nihari House in Ajman, told Arab News. “This is what got a few of us thinking,” he said.
Talha Khan and his team behind the Rizq initiative pose for a photograph in Ajman, United Arab Emirates on April 16, 2020. (Photo courtesy: Talha Khan)
Along with his friends who run restaurant businesses in different cities, he came up with an initiative they called Rizq.
“We all decided to give back to the community that has not only helped form our identities, but also gave us the privileged lifestyles that we are blessed with in this country today,” Khan said.
Under the initiative, which was launched earlier this week, each of the restaurants provides free warm meals to needy families in their areas. As of Friday, over 300 packets of biryani, curries, rice, roti, naan, chicken and vegetables dishes have been distributed among Pakistani families in Dubai, Sharjah and Ajman.
Talha Khan who started the Rizq initiative holds a paper with its motto: “No one sleeps hungry.” (Photo courtesy: Talha Khan)
They distribute the meals in the middle of the day so that if something is left, it can be consumed also in the evening, Khan said, “We make sure there is enough for everyone and we do not want to compromise on quality.”
“There are at least 70,000 restaurants all over UAE and even if one percent of them come forward and take part in this campaign, we would be able to feed the affected families and individuals on a regular basis till the situation is under control,” he said, adding that the restaurants that have already joined the initiative, besides his Delhi Nihari, are Mumtaz Darbar, Mani’s Biryani, Bhaijaan’s Biryani and Delicacy Bakers and Sweets.
The restaurants are bearing all costs themselves as they are not authorized under UAE laws to collect donations, but individuals can contribute by paying for the meals directly. “This operation could sustain itself in a long run if we could ask people to bear the costs of one meal,” Khan said, “We would like people to come forward and play a role in helping through contributions and volunteers who can help with their resources to distribute the meal packets are welcome too.”
Those who need help can register through the Rizq initiative’s Facebook page.
