Members of the public are raising concerns about the poor safety standards at Iftar tents, in particular the inadequate electrical wiring and cleanliness. During Ramadan, thousands of low income expatriates benefit by breaking their fast at these tents. These Iftar tents are erected across the Kingdom by various charitable organizations, philanthropists and mosques. But many lack proper safety measures and are poorly maintained. In some cases, tents use ordinary air-conditioners that are kept on the floor and are powered by unsecured electrical wires running from someone's home. Most of these tents also do not have fire extinguishers. Most of the tents only have a single exit. In the event of a fire or other emergency, the chances of a stampede are high because of this single exit system. Huge tents which can accommodate hundreds of people must have at least two exits or multiple exits in case of an emergency. There is also poor maintenance, like cleaning the tent after every Iftar meal. Saudi Gazette visited one such tent that had piles of empty water and laban bottles, even before Iftar. Tents which are erected close to the main highways are also dangerous because of possible accidents from speeding motorists at Iftar time. Since the fabric used for tents are flammable, they must be sprayed with a flame resistant liquid. This precautionary measure is also not adopted at many tents. This is particularly dangerous considering the poor electrical wiring and the hot weather. “I am a regular visitor to Iftar tents because it is free and I can save that money for my family back home. My salary is very little. It is really a blessing for poor laborers like me. But being an electrician myself, I am fearful about the poor wiring system inside the tent because of a possible short circuit. Electric cables are lying underneath the carpets and floor,” said Ibrahim, an electrician in Dammam.
