As the sun sets during Ramadan, while most families gather to break their fast, Ali Abid races through Sharjah’s streets on his motorcycle with urgent medical deliveries. For six years, this dedicated biker has served as a critical link between Aster Pharmacy and patients requiring emergency medications, often making deliveries during iftar time when others are resting.
Abid’s daily shift begins at 1 PM, meaning he spends his fasting hours navigating traffic to ensure vital medicines reach those in need. On the first day of Ramadan this year, he received an urgent call around 6 PM from a patient who had run out of blood pressure medication. Understanding the critical nature of the request, Abid rushed to deliver the medicine just minutes before the Maghrib call to prayer.
The grateful recipient not only expressed profound thanks but invited Abid inside to share dates and fruits, offering him a chance to break his fast peacefully. Such moments, Abid explains, make the challenges worthwhile. Unlike food delivery riders who experience peak demand during iftar, his calls typically involve life-saving medications that cannot wait.
Abid’s commitment extends beyond his designated routes. Last Ramadan, he received a call from a diabetic woman outside his delivery area who was feeling unwell while fasting. Despite the distance, he raced to her apartment, arriving much sooner than she anticipated. During the pandemic, when his bike broke down mid-delivery, he resorted to taking a taxi to complete the medication drop-off before returning to address his vehicle issues.
The physical demands are considerable—afternoons are warm, and dehydration sets in by evening. The final hour before iftar proves particularly challenging, but Abid carries dates and water to manage his energy levels. Between deliveries, he grabs simple meals at nearby restaurants, forgoing elaborate iftar gatherings for the road and his next call.
Though he misses celebrating Ramadan with his family in Pakistan—including his parents, four sisters, and brother—Abid finds purpose in being one of the family’s breadwinners. His earnings enabled him to obtain emergency leave when his mother fell ill last year, and he looks forward to visiting home for Eid Al Adha. His story represents the hundreds of delivery riders working tirelessly through Ramadan, ensuring that essential services continue despite personal sacrifice.