News DeskAbu Dhabi: During the Holy Month of Ramadan, Erth Abu Dhabi is once again carrying forward a remarkable tradition of giving, preparing and distributing more than 95,000 Iftar meals every day across the emirate.
Backed by the Zayed for Good Foundation, an affiliate of Erth Zayed Philanthropies, the initiative is helping bring communities together at sunset, offering support to thousands of worshippers and residents during the holy month.
The daily Iftar meals are being served at the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Centre in Abu Dhabi and Fujairah, as well as Sheikh Khalifa Mosque in Al Ain. In addition, weekly food packages are being delivered to the Specialised Economic Zones (ZonesCorp), helping prepare daily Iftar meals for people from a wide range of communities.
Every evening, large numbers of people gather at these locations to break their fast, reflecting the UAE’s enduring culture of generosity, hospitality and social solidarity.
Speaking on the initiative, Shaikha Al Kaabi, Chief Executive Officer of Erth Abu Dhabi, said Ramadan continues to reflect the UAE’s deeply held values of compassion, unity and giving. She noted that through this effort, Erth Abu Dhabi is proud to support worshippers and communities throughout the holy month, while honoring the legacy of the UAE’s Founding Father, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, whose vision of charity and service still inspires community-focused initiatives today.
Organized every year since 2004, the Ramadan program has become a meaningful example of the UAE’s long-standing commitment to public service and community care.
Behind the scenes, the operation is massive and highly coordinated. Preparation for each Iftar meal begins nearly 24 hours in advance, with Erth’s culinary teams focusing on freshness and quality. Seasonal vegetables are sourced locally and prepared daily, while premium chicken and lamb are marinated with traditional spices to ensure authentic flavor.
Work in the kitchens begins as early as 5:00 a.m., when chefs start blending aromatic masalas for rice and side dishes. From 8:00 a.m. until midday, large batches of rice and roasted chicken or meat are cooked, followed by meal packing from 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. Distribution starts at 2:30 p.m., making sure the Iftar boxes reach mosques and community centers before sunset.
Each meal box is carefully designed to provide a balanced and nourishing meal after a day of fasting. A typical box includes marinated roasted chicken or meat with biryani rice, vegetable salona, mixed salad, dates, laban, juice, water and an apple.
To meet the scale of daily demand, Erth’s kitchens handle enormous quantities of ingredients, including 30,000 kilograms of chicken, 15,000 kilograms of lamb, 15,000 kilograms of rice and 15,000 kilograms of locally sourced vegetables every day. Traditional Ramadan spices such as cumin, coriander, cinnamon and dry lemon add the rich flavors associated with the season.
The initiative also depends on the work of a large support team. More than 650 chefs are involved across Abu Dhabi, Al Ain and Fujairah, assisted by 400 stewarding staff, 800 food packagers, and 200 drivers and logistics personnel. With the help of 150 delivery trucks, the meals are transported daily to mosques and community locations across the emirate in time for Iftar.
Through this large-scale Ramadan effort, Erth Abu Dhabi, with support from the Zayed for Good Foundation, continues to serve fasting communities while reinforcing a long-standing culture of generosity that remains central to the UAE’s identity.
