Indian expat walked from Sharjah to Ajman after date-water iftar

[email protected] (News Network)
May 28, 2017

Ajman, May 28: An Indian expat in Ajman has recalled his first Ramadan in the country when he would have just dates and water for Iftar, followed by a long journey on foot from his workplace in Sharjah to his home in Ajman.

1iffar1Syed Ali Maqsood, 51, moved to Ajman in 1990 from Hyderabad. Those were the days when Maqsood wasn't very well off. Today, he has four kids and they all indulge in large bowls of biryani to break their fast. "I used to work under my elder brother who owned a photo studio in Sharjah, near the cricket stadium at that time. Suhoor used to be very humble back then. We used to have roti and milk every suhoor, as well as a curry, another delicacy, which would be a thing of luxury," he said.

"My wife was expecting our second child then. We lived in Ajman and my typical day during this time was very 'historical', rather than calling it struggle.

"After Suhoor, I would start my day at 7am, when my brother would drive me to the studio from Ajman. Later in the evening, I would break my fast with only a bottle of water and few dates and start my journey on foot to home all the way to Ajman, Rashidiya. I still remember the sweatiness and cramps from the first Ramadan I spent and this went on for a year."

Maqsood said that back then, a particular home in every district of Ajman would be elected to cool food in large quantities to serve their community.

When Maqsood would get home from work, his wife had a proper dinner prepared for the family. "Fruits and sherbet was the usual Iftar followed by dinner. Our financial condition was erratic, it would be high some few months and low during others," he said. "Now by the grace of Allah, I have four children all grown up and healthy and my every Suhoor and Iftar is filled with so much blessings and choices. This is very much a dream that I never thought I would living as such a blessed reality. I am very thankful for what I have gained from this country by the grace of Almighty."

Today, Maqsood and his four children still reside in Ajman, except, now they have fuller meals for Iftar.

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News Network
May 2,2020

Dubai, May 2: Saudi Arabia has confirmed 1,362 new coronavirus cases, bringing the total number of COVID-19 patients in the country to 25,459, the Ministry of Health reported Saturday.

In the daily media briefing, the ministry announced 7 more deaths and 210 new recoveries, raising the total number of fatalities and recoveries to 176 and 3,765, respectively.

Out of the 1,362 new cases reported today, 249 were confirmed in Medina, 245 in Jeddah, 244 in Mecca, 161 in Riyadh, in addition to 126 infections in Dammam, 81 in Khobar and 80 in Jubail.

Dr. Mohammed Al Abd Al Aly, spokesman for Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Health reiterated that so far there was no evidence that hot weather will curtail the spread of coronavirus.

Authorities continue to urge people to stay at home unless necessary despite having relaxed some restrictions and curfews at the start of Ramadan.

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News Network
April 26,2020

Dubai, Apr 26: The Central Bank of the UAE (CBUAE) has instructed financial institutions in the country to search and freeze all bank accounts of Indian billionaire BR Shetty and his family along with those of companies where he has a stake.

The apex bank has also blacklisted several firms associated with Shetty along with their entire senior management.

In an advisory issued last week, CBUAE cited decisions of the Federal Attorney General and asked financial institutions to search and freeze any bank accounts, deposits or investments in the name of Shetty or his family members.

Financial institutions have been directed to stop transfers from these accounts and deny access to deposit boxes.

Currently in India and facing a string of charges, Shetty is the founder of NMC Health.

The heathcare provider was placed into administration by a UK court recently following an application by the Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank (ADCB) which alone has an exposure of $981 million (Dh3.6 billion).

Overall, UAE banks have a combined exposure of more than Dh8bn to NMC which owes money to Oman-based banks and financial institutions as well.

Probing credit facilities
The Central Bank has sought information about credit facilites extended to the Shettys along with details of their safe deposit boxes and the financial transfers they have made till date.

A similar advisory has been issued for NMC Healthcare and NMC Holding, based on the decision of the Head of Plenary Fund Prosecution.

The Central Bank has also blacklisted several companies associated with Shetty. Key staff members of these firms have been similarly blacklisted.

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Angry Indian
 - 
Monday, 27 Apr 2020

when you make money with good country you should not make doka to that country, first of all we indian have bad name in GCC now this will make more dought on indian hindus..

 

after BJP come to power in india,our country is acting like maron, this will only end with final WAR.

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Agencies
May 26,2020

Riyadh, May 26: The authorities in Saudi Arabia have decided to ease some restrictions put in place over coronavirus fears, allowing movement and resumption of some economic and commercial activities, Saudi Press Agency reported early Tuesday citing an official source at the Interior Ministry.

The move also allows restarting of domestic flights, opening of mosques, restaurants and cafes and work attendance, however, the temporary suspension of Umrah pilgrimage remains in force.

The easing of restrictions will be carried out in a phased manner, with the first phase beginning on Thursday (May 28) and ending on May 30.

In the first phase, the movement within and between all regions of the Kingdom in private cars will be allowed from 6 a.m. to 3 p.m. except in Makkah. Economic and commercial activities will resume in retail and wholesale shops and malls but beauty salons, barber shops, sports clubs, health clubs, entertainment centers and cinemas will continue to remain shut due to social distancing concerns.

In the second phase, which begins on May 31 and ends on June 20, the movement is allowed from 6 a.m. and 8 p.m. in all areas of the Kingdom, except in Makkah. All congregational prayers, including Friday prayers, will resume in all mosques across the Kingdom except in Makkah.

The suspension of workplace attendance will end, allowing all employees in ministries, government entities and private sector companies to return to working from their offices provided that they follow strict precautionary guidelines.

The suspension on travel between regions in the Kingdom using various transport methods will no longer be in place. Airlines will be allowed to operate domestic flights if they adhere to precautionary measures set by the civil aviation authority and the Ministry of Health. The suspension of international flights, will, however, continue until further notice.

Restaurants and cafes serving food and beverages can reopen, however, beauty salons, barber shops, sports clubs, health clubs, entertainment centers and cinemas will be barred from reopening in the second phase. The ban on social gatherings of more than fifty people, such as weddings and funerals will also continue to remain in force.

In the third phase commencing on June 21, the Kingdom will return to "normal" conditions as it was before the coronavirus lockdown measures were implemented.

Meanwhile in Makkah, the first phase measures will be implemented between May 31 to June 20 and the second phase will begin on May 21. Friday prayers and all congregational prayers will continue to be held in the Grand Mosque, only to be attended by Imams and the employees.

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Mohammed Sarfraz
 - 
Tuesday, 26 May 2020

I think second phase is May 31 to June 20. Must be a typo. 

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