The community section of the Ras Al Khaimah police has started distributing free Iftar meals to drivers and travellers on the roads of the emirate.

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Col Ahmed bin Juma, Director of the RAK Community Police, on Monday said that they would contribute as many as 16,000 free Iftar meals during the holy month as is the case every year.

"The Federal Community Police is also to chip in the project with 3,500 Iftar meals while the RAK Rock Company will contribute 3,000 meals to the same programme."

The free Iftar meals will be distributed on the main roads and intersections of the emirate, he added. "Traffic brochures will also be distributed to raise drivers' awareness and advise them not to rush at Iftar time."

Speeding at Iftar time has been blamed for so many deadly accidents in the emirate over the last years, he stated. "It is unreasonable to put your life and road users at grave risk just to catch an Iftar meal."

The kind gesture is in line with the teachings of Islam and go with the deeply-rooted values of giving here in the UAE, Col Bin Juma said. "Such contributions are well received from the public."

The RAK police have, meanwhile, taken all precautionary measures to attend to all public complaints and feedback and ensure security, safety and stability across the emirate round-the-clock during the holy month.

A special programme has been planned for the inmates here as well, according to Major General Ali Abdullah bin Alwan Al Nuaimi, Commander-in-Chief of the RAK Police.

"We are preparing six different interesting contests, two cultural programmes and eight sports activities for the inmates here," he said. "These are added to the Iftar meals to be offered to 10 low-income families of the inmates."

More security and traffic patrols -- 40 in all -- are deployed across the emirate to crack down on suspects, criminals and reckless drivers, particularly at busy tourist sites, hotels, markets and residential districts, apart from highways, he added.

"The RAK police have also prepared a thorough plan to put an end to all negative phenomena during the holy month, on top of which is begging at mosques and markets," he said.

Source: Khaleej Times