A Syrian family at threat of eviction from their home in Ajman said they were overwhelmed by support and offers of help after their plight became public knowledge.
The Naji family, from Deraa, amassed about Dh200,000 in debt after surgeons in Jordan botched a routine operation on their son, rendering him in need of round-the-clock care, and the father, Reyad, lost his life’s savings when his business failed.
The family of nine share a small flat in Al Rashidiya, Ajman, having moved to the UAE in 1994 in search of better opportunities.
Last week, they were served an eviction notice because they owed their landlord Dh24,000 in rent.
This is the land of good and giving and we are overwhelmed by how many people have reacted to our problem and offered to help
Their visas expired years ago and, because of their outstanding debt, they are unable to renew them.
Mr Naji, 50, said, since their story was published in The National this week, he has had offers of employment and people offered to help rectify his family's visa status.
“We received two calls yesterday from two men and this morning another called offering to help us,” he said.
"This is the land of good and giving and we are overwhelmed by how many people reacted to our problem and offered to help."
Readers contacted The National expressing sympathy and offering to support the family.
“I literally broke down in tears reading about the story of the Syrian family in Ajman,” one reader said.
“I would like to know if there is any way I can help these people, either financially or donating items they need.
“We are fortunate to live in a great country and have great provisions for ourselves. I feel bad about others not having anything.”
Others attempted to reach the family through social media.
“I work here to support my family in Syria and it breaks my heart to hear about families struggling. It’s very sad what’s happening in the world,” said Syrian resident Halla Nakhleh.
Mr Naji worked for a livestock and meat trading company until he was laid off in 2016 but his family’s problems began two years before that when their son, Taha, was left immobile after a botched hernia operation.
The boy now needs regular physiotherapy and medicine that costs Dh1,000 a month.
Mr Naji opened a butchery using his end-of-service money but it failed and closed down, leaving him and his family with no source of income.
The couple sent their eldest daughter Shaima, 19, back to Syria a few years ago because they could not afford to support her here.
Three of their children, Mohammed, 14, Fajr, 8, and Abeer, 6, have either been taken out of school for unpaid fees or were never enrolled because they have no visas. They also have two young boys under the age of two to support.
"I'm hopeful that with this support we are getting I will be able to find a steady job and pay off my debts," Mr Naji said.
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Why are asylum seekers being housed in hotels?
The number of asylum applications in the UK has reached a new record high, driven by those illegally entering the country in small boats crossing the English Channel.
A total of 111,084 people applied for asylum in the UK in the year to June 2025, the highest number for any 12-month period since current records began in 2001.
Asylum seekers and their families can be housed in temporary accommodation while their claim is assessed.
The Home Office provides the accommodation, meaning asylum seekers cannot choose where they live.
When there is not enough housing, the Home Office can move people to hotels or large sites like former military bases.
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High profile Al Shabab attacks
- 2010: A restaurant attack in Kampala Uganda kills 74 people watching a Fifa World Cup final football match.
- 2013: The Westgate shopping mall attack, 62 civilians, five Kenyan soldiers and four gunmen are killed.
- 2014: A series of bombings and shootings across Kenya sees scores of civilians killed.
- 2015: Four gunmen attack Garissa University College in northeastern Kenya and take over 700 students hostage, killing those who identified as Christian; 148 die and 79 more are injured.
- 2016: An attack on a Kenyan military base in El Adde Somalia kills 180 soldiers.
- 2017: A suicide truck bombing outside the Safari Hotel in Mogadishu kills 587 people and destroys several city blocks, making it the deadliest attack by the group and the worst in Somalia’s history.
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If you go
The flights
There are various ways of getting to the southern Serengeti in Tanzania from the UAE. The exact route and airstrip depends on your overall trip itinerary and which camp you’re staying at.
Flydubai flies direct from Dubai to Kilimanjaro International Airport from Dh1,350 return, including taxes; this can be followed by a short flight from Kilimanjaro to the Serengeti with Coastal Aviation from about US$700 (Dh2,500) return, including taxes. Kenya Airways, Emirates and Etihad offer flights via Nairobi or Dar es Salaam.
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