Image used for representation only. Photo by Alexandra Evangelista/ The Peninsula
Doha: Minutes before the Maghrib call for prayer is also the time for Iftar, and the roads become, in certain cases, dangerous with some drivers racing to reach their destination on time.
In a recent warning on social media, the Ministry of Interior stated that most traffic accidents in Ramadan occur before Iftar, and the cause, most of the time, is speeding.
One of the main reasons for this is the rush to reach the destination at the time of the Maghrib call to prayer. Sometimes this rush leads to serious consequences, including accidents or collisions with pedestrians who cross the road.
The Ministry of the Interior, represented by the Traffic Department, is present around the clock to mitigate any accidents.
This is also the time when some people, wanting to do good to society, are actively distributing Iftars, water or dates, at traffic intersections in accordance with Prophet Mohammed (PBUH) Hadith “Whoever gives food to a fasting person with which to break his fast will have a reward like his without detracting from the reward of the fasting person in the slightest.”
One such individual, speaking to The Peninsula, Abdullah F, a Qatar resident for 15 years, said that he has been doing this good deed for 6 years whereby he goes to the intersections that usually sees a huge traffic to distribute water and dates for those who are fasting, and recently he has taken his family with him to carry out the distribution as well.
When enquired if he encountered speeding cars on the road, Abdullah said: “Yes, there are a lot of cars that are speeding during Iftar time. We are very careful, as we wait for the cars to stop completely at the red light in order to distribute quickly. I frequently warn my family not to leave the sidewalk if there are cars moving.”
Abdullah added: "Of course, excessive speed in cars at breakfast is not a good thing and causes disasters if drivers do not pay attention to this issue.”
The Ministry of the Interior stressed in its awareness for drivers that the best solution to this dangerous behaviour is to manage time better. It is important that a person does not leave matters to the last hour of the long fasting day, as it is the rush that causes these accidents and endangers lives of everyone.
