Mumbai: Etihad Airways brings Ramadan Fridge

This fully stocked refrigerator has been stationed in three countries, including India, as a means to provide food and beverage items to underprivileged communities.

In the recent years, ‘Ramadan Sharing Fridges’ have become a tradition across the UAE, with hundreds placing their own stocked fridges outside their homes, so that those in need can help themselves and break their fast. This year, Etihad Airways decided to take this local spirit of giving, and share it with the world.

Etihad has specially-designed their own fridges – dubbed the ‘Etihad Ramadan Fridge’ - and delivered them to three underprivileged communities around the world.Each fridge will be stocked with food and beverage items during the Holy Month of Ramadan.

Taking this local act of kindness global, the Etihad Ramadan Fridge was brought to Mumbai last week, and hosted by the Faizan E Nooriya Orphanage in the western suburbs of the city. Home to 35 children, the orphanage also caters for the education of around 50 additional children from the surrounding area. To stock the fridge, Iftar meals for the orphanage have been prepared and delivered daily. The journey of this fridge, which began in Jakarta, will be concluded in Karachi next week.

Neerja Bhatia, Vice President, Indian Sub-continent, Etihad Airways said, “We are grateful to bring the Etihad Ramadan Fridge to our country and extend this spirit of sharing to the communities here. This initiative illustrates a local act of kindness and generosity that Etihad has taken across countries during the month of Ramadan. On behalf of Etihad Airways, we would like to wish everyone a blessed Ramadan Kareem.”

Watch the Etihad Ramadan Fridge’s journey to Mumbai: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pmgd76EulKU

Guests can also engage in the spirit of giving this Ramadan by donating their Etihad Guest Miles for a cause. Etihad Guest will match all donations mile for mile for new members, pledging to improve the wellbeing of people everywhere. For every 600 miles that are donated, it ensures provision of a meal for someone in need.

Etihad Airways is also making journeys more seamless for its guests travelling with the airline during this holy month. In addition to the standard food and beverage offerings, Ramadan snacks, beverages and bags are provided on-board. For guests travelling in the premium cabins, an Iftar platter consisting of hot appetisers and soup along with dates, juices and Laban is provided in-flight. Those travelling Economy are given a box of dates, Laban and a meal tray during their flight.

As a takeaway, Ramadan goodie bags containing Laban, a box of dates, some sweet and savoury items are given to guests across all cabins. Additionally, on select flights having departures close to sunset, Iftar packs containing food items are delivered to the guests at the gate, prior to boarding.

Adapting to the requirements of the passengers during Ramadan and making their travel easier, Etihad Airways provides accuracy of direction and prayer timings with the assistance of its real-time electronic Qibla Finder. Aboard Etihad’s A380 and Boeing 787, an exclusive prayer area has been designed for the convenience of people who wish to carry out their prayer rituals in-flight.