Championing Social Responsibility: The H Dubai Hosted Two Iftar Events, Efforts Towards Inclusivity

The H Dubai, the first hotel in the city to earn the Certified Autism Center™ designation, recently organised two iftar events on March 14th and 15th. Embracing the essence of Ramadan and in an effort to give back to communities, the events focused on celebrating the resilience of children on the spectrum and their families, highlighting the importance of inclusivity. Both events were a remarkable success, marking a significant milestone in the hotel’s dedication to creating a supportive environment for all.

The first iftar was hosted on March 14th, welcoming kids from the Dubai Autism Center with their families. The Dubai Autism Center is the largest non-profit organisation in the region that focuses on supporting children on the spectrum. On March 15th, the second iftar saw children from Georgetown Early Intervention Center enjoy a mouthwatering feast. This was the second time the hotel hosted the centre, as a similar iftar took place at The H Dubai last year, with it now becoming an annual tradition for the hotel. Georgetown Early Intervention Center is a non-profit centre that specialises in providing families with case-based assistance in specific areas of concern and developing programmes tailored to each child.

Both events were held at Eat & Meat restaurant, one of The H Dubai’s main dining destinations. Welcoming over 70 people, including children and their families, the iftars featured an array of culinary delights, including Ramadan specialities and international dishes. Prepared by the talented chefs at Eat & Meat, the iftars also featured a special buffet for children, complete with all their favourite meals along with a selection of tempting desserts.

To make the occasion even more memorable for the younger guests, The H Dubai distributed special goodie bags filled with treats and surprises, adding a further touch of joy and excitement to their Ramadan festivities. The children and their families had a wonderful time at both events, bonding with each other over the course of the evenings, all while being supported by the dedicated team at The H Dubai, who ensured a seamless and memorable experience for everyone involved.

Sophie Blondel, the General Manager at The H Dubai, commented on both events, saying, “We are deeply honoured to have had the opportunity to host these meaningful iftar events. This initiative not only celebrates the incredible resilience of children on the spectrum but also symbolises The H Dubai’s continued commitment to social responsibility and fostering inclusivity in every aspect of our operations.”

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Mohammed Al Emadi, Director General of the Dubai Autism Center, also remarked on the center’s participation in this event, stating, “Participating in this incredible iftar perfectly aligns with our mission to build a more inclusive society, especially for families touched by autism. We’re dedicated to supporting individuals with autism and their parents, and this event beautifully showcased the talents and resilience of our community.”

Zahra Al Jasmi, the Managing Director at Georgetown Early Intervention Center, added, “We are proud to have worked together with The H Dubai to create a meaningful and inclusive experience for children on the spectrum and their families. This event builds on the success of the first iftar The H Dubai hosted for our children last year, showcasing the positive impact of such initiatives in fostering a sense of belonging and joy to our wonderful learners.”

Striving to craft a more understanding society, The H Dubai aligns with the city-wide accessibility movement initiated by Dubai’s Department of Economy and Tourism (DET). On February 29th, the hotel organised an engaging Ramadan craft workshop for children from the Dubai Autism Center and it is currently hosting a Ramadan-themed Arabian Souk in the lobby of the hotel to support local businesses. The H Dubai remains committed to sustainability and giving back to the community, and it looks forward to expanding its initiatives and working with more organisations that share its values and support its mission.