Organized by Saint Mary's Catholic Church, the workers will enjoy games, dinner, dance, and gift baskets. The men will be given a combination of food and necessities, including items such as coffee, tea, sugar, detergents, razors, and phone cards. Father Connully said the calling cards will help connect the fathers and their families.
The fathers are "making a big sacrifice in being away from their families just to provide for them. So that is the reason why we thought of them," he said. "It's not on a very big scale, but it is something we can give at this moment."
This is the third annual event that St Mary's parish will host to provide aid and comfort to the people within the UAE. In 2017, the church celebrated the women who provide cleaning services.
This year, the event coincides with celebrations of the life of Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the founding president of the UAE.
"There can be no better way to commemorate the Year of Zayed – founding father of the UAE – than by honouring lonely fathers on the occasion of International Father's Day. Shaikh Zayed is a true symbol of humanitarianism. To honour his vision and memory, St. Mary's Catholic Church has decided to bring fun and entertainment into the lives of more than 500 deserving workers from selected labour accommodations in Dubai," Fr. Connully said, according to Gulf News.
Dubai has a large migrant-to-citizen ratio, with immigrants making up more than 80 percent of the population and 90 percent of the work force.