The Daily Star - Fasting children offered free meals - August 09, 2011

SIDON, Lebanon: Dozens of fasting children from the southern coastal city of Sidon gather every day during Ramadan for iftar in one of the city’s restaurants to enjoy meals which they normally do not have a chance to enjoy.
The iftars are being organized by Sidon’s Islamic Welfare Association which is providing meals for over 9,000 people who fast during the month of Ramdan in the city and surrounding refugee camps, as well as camps in the southern coastal city of Tyre and some villages close to the border.
Mohammad, who received an invitation from ISWA to attend an iftar meal in a restaurant in Saida Mall, expressed his joy upon entering one of the restaurants with his peers, saying “the only food I’ve ever eaten outside home are falafel and shawarma sandwiches.”
According to ISWA executive director Moutaa Majzoub, the association carries out three different kinds of iftar activities during Ramdan.
ISWA invites needy families in the city’s neighborhoods and camps to iftar meals. The association also delivers hot meals to those who prefer eating at home instead of participating in public receptions.
The newest activity the association is organizing is inviting fasting children to fast food restaurants whose owners are offering to serve the children iftar meals free of charge.
The association has also been receiving donations from people who want to invite hundreds of needy children to fast food restaurants for iftar meals.
According to Majzoub, ISWA receives financial aid for these iftar meals from donors in Lebanon and the Arab Gulf as well as Islamic associations in Europe and the United States.