Sharjah Charity sets up 135 sites for 900,000 "Iftar Saem" meals
The association has strategically chosen locations with high population density to effectively serve the community. Abdullah Sultan bin Khadem, Executive Director of the SCI, emphasised the development of a thorough plan for meal distribution, which is carried out around the clock to ensure the success of the campaign and strengthen social solidarity.
Ensuring health and safety standards
The association works closely with authorized authorities to ensure meal delivery meets the highest health and safety standards. Great care is taken in selecting the meals, and specialized containers are used to maintain their quality and safety during transportation to Iftar sites. This initiative reflects the association's commitment to serving the community during Ramadan while ensuring the well-being of all beneficiaries.
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Middle East Eye
5 days ago
- Middle East Eye
Israeli troops executed her father and brother. Then taunted the survivors
Hungry, terrified, and crammed into a small apartment, as intense Israeli bombardment rocked the area around them. This is how Hadeel Saleh and her family of nine spent several days in March 2024 during a violent Israeli raid on Gaza City's al-Shifa hospital and the surrounding neighbourhood. Their ordeal was interrupted by dozens of Israeli soldiers storming the home without warning. Without hesitation, they shot and killed her 60-year-old Palestinian father. When her older brother rushed to help, he too was gunned down. During the raid on the hospital, Israeli forces had put it out of service and then went door to door to neighbouring buildings, killing at will and forcing survivors to flee. New MEE newsletter: Jerusalem Dispatch Sign up to get the latest insights and analysis on Israel-Palestine, alongside Turkey Unpacked and other MEE newsletters More than a year after the devastating assault, testimonies continue to emerge. Haunted by the trauma, Saleh has still not been able to return to the home where her father and brother were killed. Standing just outside, she recounted to Middle East Eye what she described as the most nightmarish day of her life. Al-Shifa hospital siege Saleh, 21, said her family had been forced to flee multiple times during the first year of the war, after their home was destroyed in an earlier bombing. Their most recent shelter was an apartment near al-Shifa hospital, located by the Haidar Abdel Shafi roundabout. 'Our situation was extremely difficult. It was our 10th displacement, and it happened during Ramadan,' she told MEE. 'Food was scarce, goods were almost entirely unavailable, and we had to leave all our belongings behind due to repeated displacements and the lack of transportation.' In the early hours of 18 March 2024, the Israeli army launched a major raid on al-Shifa hospital, with intense air strikes and artillery fire targeting the surrounding neighbourhoods. After encircling the area with tanks and military vehicles, Israeli troops stormed buildings near the hospital complex, carrying out field executions and, in less lethal encounters, forcibly expelling residents from their homes. Hadeel Saleh standing in Gaza City near the building where Israeli forces killed her father and bother (MEE/Mohammad al-Hajjar) 'Around 2:30am, we woke up to the sound of intense gunfire nearby, along with missiles, tanks, and heavy warplane activity,' Saleh recalled. 'We were terrified. We tried to find out what was happening, but couldn't. We later learned it was a raid on al-Shifa hospital.' Saleh and her family, like many others in the area, found themselves effectively under siege. For days, they were unable to leave their homes, let alone flee the area. 'Those days were incredibly hard. We couldn't break our fast, couldn't pray, and couldn't even switch on a torch to see in the dark,' she said. 'Soldiers were everywhere, and tanks were constantly moving. There was no way out.' The family remained trapped in hiding for eight tense days before Israeli forces reached the residential building where they had taken shelter. 'Executed at point-blank range' At around 3am on 26 March, just as the family was preparing their suhoor, the pre-dawn meal during Ramadan, they were ambushed by more than 60 Israeli soldiers. 'They blew up the building's entrance with sound bombs and explosives. We were on the ground floor. Then they blasted through our apartment door and stormed in, firing their weapons before even seeing us,' Saleh said. All nine members of the family were huddled silently in a darkened room with the door closed. Another displaced family, mostly women and children, was also sheltering with them. The only adult males present were Hadeel's father, Mohammed Saleh, and her two brothers: Bilal, 28, and Salah, 18. Moments later, the soldiers burst into the room. 'He was immediately executed at point-blank range before he could say a single word' - Hadeel Saleh, Palestinian woman Saleh's father stood to speak, attempting to explain that they were civilians and had children with them. 'He was immediately executed at point-blank range before he could say a single word,' Saleh recalled. 'They shot him in the stomach.' At first, the family hoped the wound was not fatal, as there was no visible blood when he collapsed. Her brothers tried to pull him to safety, but then the soldiers opened fire again. 'They shot Bilal, first in the leg, then in the stomach,' she said. Salah was cornered, beaten, and tortured, as the soldiers appeared to deliberate whether to kill him too. After shooting the two men and preventing anyone from approaching them, the soldiers separated the women from Salah. They then forced him to strip and began searching the apartment. 'He made sure he was dead' During the search of the apartment, one soldier noticed that Bilal was still alive and fired again. 'When he saw him breathing, he executed him with a bullet to the neck, right in front of Salah,' Saleh said. 'He made sure he was dead.' 'I was in a state of utter terror. I was trembling uncontrollably and broke down from the horror of it all. We begged the soldiers to bring a doctor for my father, who had heart disease and diabetes, but no one responded." Survivors recount harrowing Israeli field executions in Gaza Read More » A few minutes later, a soldier returned and informed them that her father had died. 'We burst into tears,' she said. 'The soldier shouted at us, telling us he had killed Bilal as well.' After confirming the two men were dead, the soldiers asked the family who they were. 'That was the clearest evidence,' Saleh said. 'They had executed my father and brother without even knowing who they were - civilians, killed in cold blood.' When Salah told the soldiers the men were his father and older brother, one soldier turned to him and said, with sarcasm: 'Now you're the man of the house.' Salah replied: 'After you killed the man of the house, you say this?' 'They aimed their weapons at him, and had it not been for our repeated pleas for them not to kill him, he would have been executed too,' Saleh said. 'Ramadan Kareem' The surviving members of the family were ordered to leave the house and head south. The women asked to change their clothes before leaving, but the soldiers insisted they do so in front of them. When they refused, they were forced to leave wearing only the prayer garments they had on. 'Before leaving, I asked about the fate of my father and brother's bodies,' Saleh said. 'They laughed at my question and forced me out. 'I was terrified they would burn the building with their bodies inside. I had heard of them doing that in other homes. 'Before we were evacuated, they told us they would blow up the apartment above us. The explosion was horrific. After the blast, they mockingly said, 'Ramadan Kareem',' a greeting commonly meaning "blessed Ramadan" used during the Islamic holy month. 'We were in a miserable state, tears in our eyes, walking through pitch-black streets' - Hadeel Saleh After around two hours of horror, the family was forced to leave the bodies behind and flee. 'At exactly 5:10am, they pushed us out of the house. We were in a miserable state, tears in our eyes, walking through pitch-black streets, barely able to see,' she said. 'They threatened that if we didn't head south, a tank would follow behind us and a drone would hover overhead.' As they walked, they passed corpses scattered along the way, Saleh said. Eventually, they diverted their route and remained in Gaza City. On 1 April, Israeli forces withdrew from their second major raid on al‑Shifa hospital, concluding a two-week operation that left hundreds dead or wounded, caused widespread destruction, and left bodies strewn across the hospital grounds and surrounding areas. A few hours after the withdrawal, on 2 April, the family returned to the house to retrieve and bury the bodies of their loved ones. They have not returned to live there since.
Emirates Woman
05-06-2025
- Emirates Woman
Fasting for Ramadan: 5 key tips to nourish your body and soul
Fasting during Arafat Day is a significant spiritual practice for Muslims around the world. It involves abstaining from food and drinks from dawn until sunset, on the day before Eid Al Adha. While fasting, individuals focus on prayer, reflection, and self-discipline. Here are five tips to help make fasting on Arafat Day a spiritually fulfilling and physically manageable experience. Hydration is Key Begin your fast with a balanced suhoor meal that includes plenty of fluids and hydrating foods such as fruits and vegetables. Drink plenty of water during non-fasting hours to prevent dehydration. Avoid caffeine and sugary drinks, as they can cause thirst. Eat Nutritious Foods Opt for wholesome, nutrient-rich meals during iftar (breaking the fast) to replenish your body's energy levels. Include complex carbohydrates, lean proteins, and healthy fats to sustain you throughout the fasting period. Avoid overeating or indulging in heavy, greasy foods, which can lead to discomfort and sluggishness. Moderate Physical Activity While intense exercise may be challenging during fasting hours, light physical activity such as walking or gentle stretching can help maintain energy levels and promote overall well-being. Listen to your body and avoid strenuous activities, especially during the hottest parts of the day. Prioritize Rest and Sleep Ensure you get adequate rest and sleep during Ramadan to support your body's fasting process. Aim for seven to eight hours of sleep per night and consider taking short naps during the day if needed. Establish a bedtime routine to promote relaxation and quality sleep. Focus on Spiritual Growth Use the opportunity of Ramadan to deepen your connection with your faith. Allocate time each day for spiritual reflection and self-improvement. Engage in community iftars and taraweeh prayers to foster a sense of unity and solidarity with fellow Muslims. – For more on luxury lifestyle, news, fashion and beauty follow Emirates Woman on Facebook and Instagram Images: Pexel & Unsplash, Feature Image: Instagram @futurebedouin
Middle East Eye
06-05-2025
- Middle East Eye
‘Death of a generation': Gaza infants battle starvation under deepening Israeli siege
Suwar Ashour weighed just 2.4kg at birth five months ago. Since then, she has gained less than half a kilogram. "She used to vomit heavily from both breast milk and formula," said her mother, Najwa Aram, as she leaned over the crib where the tiny infant lay. Aram told Middle East Eye she had stayed in the hospital with her baby for 10 days. Aram herself is malnourished and has struggled to breastfeed. "Suwar was born during the hardship of war," she said. New MEE newsletter: Jerusalem Dispatch Sign up to get the latest insights and analysis on Israel-Palestine, alongside Turkey Unpacked and other MEE newsletters "While I was pregnant, there was no nutrition - no meat, no eggs, no dairy. There was nothing." Food shortages have been widespread in Gaza due to an Israeli siege since the war began in October 2023. The blockade has brought widespread malnutrition in its wake. During the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, when some aid entered Gaza as part of the January ceasefire, the family managed to obtain a formula that Suwar could tolerate. 'While I was pregnant, there was no nutrition - no meat, no eggs, no dairy. There was nothing' - Najwa Aram, new mother For the first time, she began to gain weight, eventually reaching 4kg. But as the Muslim world prepared to celebrate Eid al-Fitr - the festival marking the end of the fasting month - Israel resumed the bombing and imposed a total blockade. Suwar's condition began to deteriorate again. The newborn showed signs of dehydration. Her mother rushed her to hospital, where they have remained since 8 April. Though her condition initially improved, by the third day she had developed intestinal flu, further exacerbated by the lack of formula, pushing her deeper into malnutrition. "Our financial situation is dire," said the anxious mother. Her husband was blinded by Israeli forces during the 2018 Great March of Return protests, and their home was destroyed in an Israeli air strike, leaving them displaced. Najwa Aram leans over the crib where her five month-old Suwar Ashour, who weighs less than three kilograms, is laying down as she is fed formula (MEE/Ahmed Aziz) Aram, like many Palestinians in Gaza, has been displaced multiple times during the devastating war. She now lives in a tent. Her only wish is for her child's survival and recovery. "God willing, they open the crossings and provide the formula she needs... I hope she gets better, returns to how she was and even stronger," she said. Ahmed al-Fara, director of the paediatric department at Nasser Hospital, where Suwar is receiving treatment, told MEE that nothing has entered the besieged enclave in the past two months. 'We're talking about 2.3 million people trapped in what has become a giant prison. Gaza is completely cut off from land, sea, and air,' he said. According to al-Fara, Gaza has been stripped of all viable food sources. Bakeries have shut down, prices in the private markets have soared due to dwindling supplies, and aid warehouses run by international organisations are now empty. Catastrophic food insecurity According to Fara, Gaza's population is now facing catastrophic levels of food insecurity, classified as Phase Five on the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC), which ranges from one (minimal) to five (catastrophe/famine). 'If the crossings remain closed and there is no international pressure on Israel to lift the siege, we are looking at the mass death of most children, women, and the elderly in Gaza - alongside much of the wider population,' he warned. The IPC is widely used by NGOs, charities, and aid agencies to assess food security and nutritional crises. Gaza, he noted, is now firmly in the worst category. 'We are witnessing the systematic targeting of an entire generation of children' - Ahmed al-Fara, Palestinian pediatrician Women and children are among the most vulnerable, he added. Pregnant women lack access to regular medical care and suffer from severe nutritional deficiencies due to the lack of food and essential vitamins. 'A pregnant woman has no access to proper nutrition, no safety, and lives in constant fear,' he explained. 'As a result, many give birth prematurely, or deliver underweight babies.' In both scenarios, these children face long-term consequences ranging from low birth weight and susceptibility to infection, to weakened immune systems. During early development, a child's nervous system is especially sensitive to malnutrition. Under such conditions, Fara warns, children may suffer from poor concentration, communication difficulties, and may even develop learning disabilities. 'We are witnessing the systematic targeting of an entire generation of children,' he concludes. Speaking about Ashour, Dr Fara said she is one of many children suffering from malnutrition and remains in a critical condition. He added that the number of such cases is rising rapidly. Each day, the hospital is overwhelmed with new emergency admissions linked to malnutrition. 'We are now witnessing an unprecedented number of malnutrition cases, figures we could never have imagined before,' he said. According to Munir al-Barsh, director-general of the Ministry of Health in Gaza, 91 percent of the population is now facing a food crisis amid the ongoing Israeli assault. 'Gaza is living through a horrific humanitarian catastrophe - one defined by hunger, poverty, and disease - driven by genocide and a suffocating Israeli siege, which includes the closure of crossings and the systematic denial of humanitarian aid,' Barsh said. He noted that 92 percent of children and breastfeeding mothers are experiencing severe malnutrition, 'posing a direct threat to their lives and development'. Since Israel broke the ceasefire six weeks ago, its military has killed more than 2,326 Palestinians, bringing the total number of deaths to at least 52,000 since October 2023, including over 15,000 children.
