‘Attending Cabinet meeting was a big honour’
Emirati who was mocked on live Ajman radio show vows to do justice to new job as a social researcher
An Emirati man who was treated rudely during a live radio programme yesterday thanked the UAE leaders for their compassionate response.
A day after he attended the Cabinet meeting by an invitation from His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, Ali Mohammad Al Mazroui yesterday reflected on a whirlwind of activity following his fateful call to the radio station to speak about the impact of inflation, price hikes and their impact on Emiratis.
In an interview to Gulf News, he said he witnessed a justice of sorts when the radio anchor was suspended and his plight was heard in person by the leaders of the country.
“On Sunday, attending the UAE Cabinet meeting was a big honour for me. It’s like a badge on my chest. At that time I felt I was the happiest person in the world...”
An Emirati man who was treated rudely while he was live on a call-in Ajman radio show, sparking national outrage, yesterday said his hope in humanity had been restored following a compassionate response by the country’s leaders.
In an exclusive interview
with Gulf News a day after he attended the Cabinet meeting after an invitation from His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, VicePresident and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, Ali Mohammad Al Mazroui reflected on a whirlwind of activity following his fateful call to the radio station to speak about the impact of inflation, price hikes and their impact on Emiratis.
Before he was cut short by the show host, Al Mazroui spoke of his struggle to get by on a relatively low salary and a large family.
Plight heard by leaders
He said he witnessed a justice of sorts when the radio anchor was suspended and his plight was heard in person by the leaders of the country.
The 57-year-old Al Mazroui is a resident of Al Dhait area in Ras Al Khaimah and is father of six girls and three boys.
Al Mazroui was hosted by the UAE Cabinet on Sunday, and hired as a social researcher at the Ministry of Community Development.
He will also get a house to help him raise his large family. Al Mazroui told Gulf News that he was grateful to the UAE leaders for relieving his pain and granting him a decent life through a new government job. “I thanked His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum for the leaders’ support. I pray to Almighty Allah to bless him and all our leadership with health and happiness,” Al Mazroui said.
“On Sunday, attending the UAE cabinet meeting was a big honour for me. It’s like a badge on my chest. At that time I felt I was the happiest person in the world. My heart filled with gladness to see all the leaders listening to our problems and solving them,” he recounted. “Our leaders are generous and help anyone in need, whether inside the country or outside. God bless them.”
“The future is looking bright for me and my family,” he said.
“Shaikh Mohammad gave me a house in Dubai and appointed me as a social researcher at the Ministry of Community Development.
Moving to Dubai
“Today [on Monday], I received a call from the Ministry of Community Development asking me whether I would like to work in Ras Al Khaimah or any other emirate. I will start working in Ras Al Khaimah for the time being, and after shifting to my new house in Dubai I will work from there,” Al Mazroui said. “I will work hard to serving the community.”
Al Mazroui said he was fully aware of the responsibility that comes with such a generosity from the leaders and will endeavour to do his personal best to give something back to his community.
“I will do my best to not to disappoint the UAE government who put their trust in me and serve the community.”
Al Mazroui previously worked as a driver for the environment ministry but had to resign due to health problems stemming from diabetes and high blood pressure.
He was receiving Dh13,000 per month in benefit payments from the government, but said he had to struggle hard to make both ends meet.
I express my gratitude to Shaikh Mohammad for providing me a house and a job … The new role will enable me to help the community. I pray for his good health and well-being.”
Ali Al Mazroui | Emirati citizen from Ras Al Khaimah
Life of struggle
Al Mazroui said the benefit payments barely covered his food, utility bills and other household expenses.
“I also have to pay tuition
fees for my children, who are studying in university, college and school. Three of my children are married.”
On Thursday March 29, Al Mazroui called in to the Al Rabiaa Wal Nas live programme on Ajman Radio to complain about the price increase and the impact on the standard of living of citizens. The show host interrupted him during his call saying it was not true and made fun of him.
As the phone call went viral on social media on April 2, Shaikh Ammar Bin Humaid Al Nuaimi, Crown Prince of Ajman, ordered the suspension of the show host Yaqoub Al Awadhi.
Later the same day, Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid intervened personally in the case to ensure that Al Mazroui received assistance within the next 24 hours.
He also instructed Hessa Bint Eisa Bu Humaid, Minister of Community Development, to present a detailed and urgent report to the next Cabinet meeting on all the needs of citizens with low incomes.