The General Directorate of Endowments at the Ministry of Endowments and Islamic Affairs, in collaboration with the Ministry of Interior, has launched awareness programmes for those breaking their fast in Iftar Saim tents, presented before the Maghrib call to prayer with the participation of the specialised awareness departments: the General Directorate for Drug Control, the General Directorate of Civil Defense, the Traffic Awareness Department, and the Community Police Department.
The Ministry of Endowments and Islamic Affairs said in a press release Wednesday that the Iftar Saim tents, affiliated with the General Directorate of Endowments at the Ministry of Endowments and Islamic Affairs, are witnessing a large turnout of fasting individuals this year. These tents are distributed in various labor-dense areas and aim to provide Iftar meals for 300,000 fasting people throughout the holy month of Ramadan, as part of the Iftar Saim Endowment project, one of the projects of the Endowment Fund for Righteousness and Piety, with contributions from benefactors and charitable donors.
The Ministry of Endowments said that these programs aim to enhance awareness of security and safety procedures and to provide guidance on proper behaviors at work and in daily life, through awareness lectures translated into Urdu, the language spoken by the majority of non-Arabic-speaking expatriate communities in Qatar.
It pointed out that the awareness sessions in the tents covered several themes. The Civil Defense Department offers guidance on fire prevention and the importance of having safety tools, such as fire extinguishers and first-aid kits, in addition to safe behavior in emergency situations. Meanwhile, the General Directorate for Drug Control focuses on raising awareness about the dangers of drugs, the seriousness of bringing legally prohibited medications, and how to report any suspicious activities via the hotline (999).
As for the Traffic Awareness Department, it aims to raise traffic awareness among workers and to emphasise adherence to traffic laws, such as wearing a seat belt, avoiding phone use while driving, and not exceeding the speed limit. Meanwhile, the Community Police Department educates workers on the importance of integrating into society and introduces them to Qatari customs and traditions, as well as the role of the community police in resolving personal and financial issues amicably.
For his part, Lieutenant Abdullah Saleh Al Shammari, an accredited lecturer from the General Directorate for Drug Control at the Ministry of Interior, explained that participation in the Iftar Saim tent activities of the Ministry of Endowments and Islamic Affairs is part of the efforts to spread awareness among members of expatriate communities, particularly workers, about the dangers of drugs and their negative effects on both the individual and society.
Al Shammari stated that awareness is not limited to warning against the use of narcotic substances, but also involves highlighting the seriousness of bringing certain medications and pharmaceutical products from abroad, which may be listed among the prohibited substances in the State of Qatar, potentially subjecting their owners to legal liability upon entry.
He pointed out that ignorance of the law does not exempt one from responsibility. Therefore, these awareness programs play an important role in protecting individuals from committing legal violations and shielding them from the dangers of addiction and drug use. He called on everyone to cooperate by reporting any suspicious activity via the hotline to ensure community safety.
On another note, the General Directorate of Civil Defense is educating workers and residents on ways to prevent fires, the necessity of adhering to safety measures in residences and workplaces, and how proper awareness of these measures can save lives and reduce losses.
It provides basic safety tools such as fire extinguishers, first-aid kits, and smoke detectors, which are of utmost importance, since these tools help deal with emergency incidents quickly and effectively.
Through these awareness lectures in the Iftar Saim tents, the General Directorate of Civil Defense is keen to guide workers and residents on how to use fire extinguishers and respond correctly when a fire breaks out, such as avoiding panic, evacuating the place safely, and communicating immediately with Civil Defense via the hotline.
It noted that most fire incidents result from negligence, improper use of electrical appliances, or gas leaks, stressing that adherence to safety instructions and performing regular inspections of electrical appliances and gas systems helps reduce these risks.
The General Directorate of Endowments called on benefactors to contribute to the Iftar Saim project according to the area where they wish to contribute. The cost of one meal is 23 Qatari Riyals, offering an opportunity to donate and earn a reward. Benefactors can participate in the endowment and select one of the table locations via the following link: https://www.awqaf.gov.qa/ftr
