For Malawian brothers Imran and Mohammed Karim in the UAE, Ramadan is a time of service. When most people are preparing for iftar with their families, these two are serving thousands of blue-collar workers and the faithful across the country.

Through their initiative, Happy Happy UAE, they are providing over 33,000 free iftar meals daily at many locations, including labour camps and mosques.

Running such a large-scale meal distribution effort requires extensive planning, manpower, and resources.

Each day, over 200 kitchen staff and 350 volunteers work tirelessly, dedicating more than 700 man-hours to ensure that meals reach those in need. The night before, meals are carefully planned, with thousands of kilograms of mutton or chicken being slaughtered and brought to kitchen.

The cooking begins in the morning soon after suhoor. By noon, over 30,000 hot meals are ready, followed by large-scale packing operations that begin after the Dhuhr prayer at 1 pm.

The packed meals, accompanied by 32,000 laban packets, 40,000 bottles of water, 6,000 kilograms of fruit, and 500 kilograms of dates, are then loaded onto 15 trucks and transported to different locations across Dubai and Sharjah.

Volunteers from Modern Service Society (MSS) play a crucial role in ensuring that thousands of iftar meals reach those in need across the UAE. Every day, over 200 volunteers from the organisation actively participate in the distribution process, working alongside other teams to deliver meals to labour camps and mosques.

Imran Karim takes a break from his business every Ramadan to oversee the initiative personally. His day begins at 11 am with coordination efforts between the kitchen and suppliers, and it doesn’t end until 3 am the next day. He then begins his night prayers, takes suhoor and offers fajr prayers and is off to sleep for four hours before beginning the daily Ramadan cycle.

 “During Ramadan, the need for support grows, and so does our commitment. This year, we are reaching over 30,000 people every day,” said Karim.

The brothers have ambitious goals. Their mission, which began with 10,000 meals per day in their first Ramadan in 2015, has now tripled in scale. Looking ahead, they aim to serve two million meals in 2025.

Mohammed Karim (centre), British former professional boxer Amir Khan (right) 

"What started as a small act of kindness has now turned into a mission of serving millions. In 2025, we have planned to serve two million meals,” said Mohammed.

Ahmed Khan, a construction worker from Pakistan, expressed his gratitude for the initiative, saying: “Every day, after a long day of work, we look forward to these meals. It’s not just about the food, it’s about knowing that someone cares for us,” said Khan. 

“Imran and the volunteers treat us with kindness and respect, making us feel valued. This initiative brings relief not just to me but to thousands of my colleagues who might otherwise struggle to afford a proper iftar,” added Khan.

Mohammed Irfan, another beneficiary was delighted to meet the brothers after hearing a lot about their initiative. “I had heard so much about Imran and the incredible work he does, but meeting him in person was a moment I will never forget,” said Irfan.

Mohammed Irfan with Imran

“He greeted us with such warmth and humility, as if we were his own family. Seeing someone so dedicated to helping others makes me feel grateful and inspired,” added Irfan.  

Unlike many charity initiatives that focus only on Ramadan, the brother operates 365 days a year, providing daily meals to thousands of workers. They believe in continuous giving and making a lasting impact in the lives of those they serve.

“We don’t just serve food. We are building a community of care and support. Every meal we give is a step towards a better tomorrow,” said Imran.

Since its inception in 2015, they have distributed over eight million food packs in Dubai and millions more globally. What started as a small act of kindness workers has now evolved into a large-scale humanitarian mission, touching the lives of countless individuals.

“Giving back is a daily commitment, not just a seasonal effort. We serve meals 365 days a year because kindness should have no limits,” said Mohammed.