MAKKAH — The general manager of the Haji and Mu'tamer's Gift Charity Association, Mansour Al-Aamer, said that the charity will provide more than 1.5 million free meals to fasters during Ramadan this year. The meals will be distributed by nearly 1,150 employees both men and women at Al-Haram, entry points to Makkah, and car parking areas. The general manager said that 450,000 free Iftar meals will be distributed inside Al-Haram, 500,000 in Al-Haram yards, 150,000 in Makkah entrances and car parking areas, and 50,000 in Makkah's Mosques. The society has opened an office this year in Madinah, and the Iftar meal will include yogurt and other Madinah specific food items. 100,000 Suhoor free meals will be distributed in Makkah's central area, and 250,000 Iftar and Suhoor meals will be distributed at the Prophet's Mosque in Madinah. The society has now undertaken a new project of preparing meals. They are now making an Iftar package for 15 fasters, which will include dates, coffee, coffee cups, tissues, and a waste bag. This will allow a faster to share the package with other fasters around him, and share the reward in this act of generosity. These packages will be distributed through the society's offices. In addition to free meals, Al-Aamer said that the charity offers many services to pilgrims and Umrah visitors, such as providing them assistance 24/7. They also offer guidance from the airport, providing special services to the handicapped, translation, and other services in cooperation with government bodies. With the support of concerned authorities, the charity also distributes Haj sacrifices to the poor and needy. For those who stay in Al-Haram or at the Prophet's Mosque for long hours, the society has designed a package — launched last year — for them too. The package consists of back support, a bag for used clothes with pockets for a blanket and a mobile phone, a pillow, an eye cover, a fan, and 80 refreshing tissues. The society was formed in 1430H with the purpose of offering free services to Umrah and Haj pilgrims.
