Six and a half years ago, Ajmal Khan was a rickshaw driver in his native Pakistan.
Last week, he topped up his mobile phone with at least Dh25 in credit.
And today he is a millionaire, the face of an Etisalat Ramadan promotion awarding Dh1 million to two winners every week.
Mr Khan, 40, who shares a flat in Sharjah, usually spends about Dh40 a month on his mobile; his wife and four children live back in Pakistan. When he got the text message telling him he had won, he said, his first two thoughts were to thank God and find a way to bring his family to live with him.
"After I get the money, I would like to settle myself here with a new business," he said. "I would like to bring my kids and my wife here. I want a better future for them."
He said he also would like to make the Haj pilgrimage and take some members of his family. But for now, he wants to keep a low profile, fearing for his family's safety.
"I am scared that if I tell anyone else apart from my wife and brother, the word will spread," he said. "People may start asking me about it and that will attract attention. I don't want attention because I am a very simple and poor person. It could lead to security issues for my family. Someone might take my sons or daughter."
From driving a rickshaw in the north-western Pakistani province of Peshawar to landing a job in a tyre and rim shop in Sharjah, Mr Khan was already pleased to be supporting his family, albeit from afar.
Six and a half years ago, Mr Khan made the difficult decision to leave his wife and children, move to the UAE and save as much money as possible to educate and provide for his family.
He moved to Sharjah after a former neighbour who had relocated to the UAE sponsored him. Now he earns Dh1,200 a month, more than half of which he sends back to his family.
He shares one room with four other people. His expenses every month come to about Dh500, including rent, his favourite food, Karahi lamb, and, most important, mobile phone cards. In the first few years living away from home, he visited Pakistan to see his relatives once every two years, but more recently has managed to go back annually.
Naturally, he misses his wife, Rahat, terribly and their four children: one daughter, Samaira, and three sons, Naeem, Aman and Naseem.
"When I got the text message I was thankful first to God, and then to the UAE and Etisalat," Mr Khan said.
"When I told my wife, Rahat Bibi, she was really happy and we both prayed and thanked God. We also made additional Zikr [remembrance] to give thanks."
He plans to go to Pakistan after Eid and is excited to see his wife of 10 years.
"I live in a very broken house in Pakistan, which doesn't have a permanent roof, a proper toilet. It only has one proper room and I would like to make a proper house for myself back home," he said.
As for luxurious presents, Mr Khan said he is not likely to splurge.
"I want to buy my wife some gold bracelets, but other than that I am not really looking to flash," he said. "I would want to stay simple and humble."
For his children, he hopes religion will keep them grounded and he would like them to become part of a family business.
"I would like to make my first son a Hafis [someone who can memorise the Quran]; I believe that is an important education," he said.
Mr Khan already has vowed that when he receives the money, he will work out how much zakat, or tithe, he owes. "I will help my poor village back home and give zakat. I want to help people in the name of Allah, as he has endowed this thing upon me," Mr Khan said.
Like many Pakistanis living in the UAE, Mr Khan often worries for the future of his country as it continues to struggle with a poor economy, clashes between the Taliban and the military and weakening confidence in the government.
"I pray to God that the situation improves. I am not really sure what is wrong with it, only God knows that. I wish for him to fix the situation for us," Mr Khan said.
Yet Mr Khan has adapted to life in the Emirates and wishes to remain here.
"I will continue to work in the UAE," he said. "It is my second home now."
asafdar@thenational.ae
Company%20Profile
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Jigra
Starring: Alia Bhatt, Vedang Raina, Manoj Pahwa, Harsh Singh
The%20specs%3A%20Macan%20Turbo
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EEngine%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EDual%20synchronous%20electric%20motors%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPower%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E639hp%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETorque%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E1%2C130Nm%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETransmission%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESingle-speed%20automatic%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETouring%20range%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E591km%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EFrom%20Dh412%2C500%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EOn%20sale%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EDeliveries%20start%20in%20October%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
if you go
The flights
Air Astana flies direct from Dubai to Almaty from Dh2,440 per person return, and to Astana (via Almaty) from Dh2,930 return, both including taxes.
The hotels
Rooms at the Ritz-Carlton Almaty cost from Dh1,944 per night including taxes; and in Astana the new Ritz-Carlton Astana (www.marriott) costs from Dh1,325; alternatively, the new St Regis Astana costs from Dh1,458 per night including taxes.
When to visit
March-May and September-November
Visas
Citizens of many countries, including the UAE do not need a visa to enter Kazakhstan for up to 30 days. Contact the nearest Kazakhstan embassy or consulate.
COMPANY PROFILE
Founders: Alhaan Ahmed, Alyina Ahmed and Maximo Tettamanzi
Total funding: Self funded
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: HyperSpace
Started: 2020
Founders: Alexander Heller, Rama Allen and Desi Gonzalez
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: Entertainment
Number of staff: 210
Investment raised: $75 million from investors including Galaxy Interactive, Riyadh Season, Sega Ventures and Apis Venture Partners
Abaya trends
The utilitarian robe held dear by Arab women is undergoing a change that reveals it as an elegant and graceful garment available in a range of colours and fabrics, while retaining its traditional appeal.
10 tips for entry-level job seekers
- Have an up-to-date, professional LinkedIn profile. If you don’t have a LinkedIn account, set one up today. Avoid poor-quality profile pictures with distracting backgrounds. Include a professional summary and begin to grow your network.
- Keep track of the job trends in your sector through the news. Apply for job alerts at your dream organisations and the types of jobs you want – LinkedIn uses AI to share similar relevant jobs based on your selections.
- Double check that you’ve highlighted relevant skills on your resume and LinkedIn profile.
- For most entry-level jobs, your resume will first be filtered by an applicant tracking system for keywords. Look closely at the description of the job you are applying for and mirror the language as much as possible (while being honest and accurate about your skills and experience).
- Keep your CV professional and in a simple format – make sure you tailor your cover letter and application to the company and role.
- Go online and look for details on job specifications for your target position. Make a list of skills required and set yourself some learning goals to tick off all the necessary skills one by one.
- Don’t be afraid to reach outside your immediate friends and family to other acquaintances and let them know you are looking for new opportunities.
- Make sure you’ve set your LinkedIn profile to signal that you are “open to opportunities”. Also be sure to use LinkedIn to search for people who are still actively hiring by searching for those that have the headline “I’m hiring” or “We’re hiring” in their profile.
- Prepare for online interviews using mock interview tools. Even before landing interviews, it can be useful to start practising.
- Be professional and patient. Always be professional with whoever you are interacting with throughout your search process, this will be remembered. You need to be patient, dedicated and not give up on your search. Candidates need to make sure they are following up appropriately for roles they have applied.
Arda Atalay, head of Mena private sector at LinkedIn Talent Solutions, Rudy Bier, managing partner of Kinetic Business Solutions and Ben Kinerman Daltrey, co-founder of KinFitz
Premier Futsal 2017 Finals
Al Wasl Football Club; six teams, five-a-side
Delhi Dragons: Ronaldinho
Bengaluru Royals: Paul Scholes
Mumbai Warriors: Ryan Giggs
Chennai Ginghams: Hernan Crespo
Telugu Tigers: Deco
Kerala Cobras: Michel Salgado
COMPANY PROFILE
Initial investment: Undisclosed
Investment stage: Series A
Investors: Core42
Current number of staff: 47
UPI facts
More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions
DRIVERS' CHAMPIONSHIP STANDINGS
1. Sebastian Vettel (Ferrari) 171 points
2. Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes-GP) 151
3. Valtteri Bottas (Mercedes-GP) 136
4. Daniel Ricciardo (Red Bull Racing) 107
5. Kimi Raikkonen (Ferrari) 83
6. Sergio Perez (Force India) 50
7. Max Verstappen (Red Bull Racing) 45
8. Esteban Ocon (Force India) 39
9. Carlos Sainz (Torro Rosso) 29
10. Felipe Massa (Williams) 22
How to protect yourself when air quality drops
Install an air filter in your home.
Close your windows and turn on the AC.
Shower or bath after being outside.
Wear a face mask.
Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.
If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.
KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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Joker: Folie a Deux
Starring: Joaquin Phoenix, Lady Gaga, Brendan Gleeson
Director: Todd Phillips
Rating: 2/5
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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More from Neighbourhood Watch:
Countdown to Zero exhibition will show how disease can be beaten
Countdown to Zero: Defeating Disease, an international multimedia exhibition created by the American Museum of National History in collaboration with The Carter Center, will open in Abu Dhabi a month before Reaching the Last Mile.
Opening on October 15 and running until November 15, the free exhibition opens at The Galleria mall on Al Maryah Island, and has already been seen at the Jimmy Carter Presidential Library and Museum in Atlanta, the American Museum of Natural History in New York, and the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine.
The specs
Engine: 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbo
Power: 398hp from 5,250rpm
Torque: 580Nm at 1,900-4,800rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed auto
Fuel economy, combined: 6.5L/100km
On sale: December
Price: From Dh330,000 (estimate)