We will miss everything about Dubai and the UAE
> Faisal bin Ahmed and Rahna Faisal > India > journalists
For more than a decade, Faisal bin Ahmed’s reports on the Malayalam TV channel Asianet Middle East reflected the UAE’s Malayali community’s woes, worries as well as success stories. At a time when he is signing off from Dubai, he is happy about the international exposure and historic moments he enjoyed in Dubai.
“When I came here in 2005 as a journalist for a Malayalam newspaper, there were only two Malayalam TV channels, two Malayalam newspapers and a few radio stations. When I am going back to Kerala as Chief Reporter of Asianet, there are over 10 Malayalam TV channels, a large pool of Malayali journalists, five Malayalam newspapers, online media as well as several radio stations,” he said.
“Dubai has changed a lot and as a journalist, I could witness several milestones. I was lucky enough to report many historic developments including the opening of Burj Khalifa and Dubai Metro,” he said.
“Life in Dubai gave me an international exposure, a decent life and a good wife. My wife Rahna Faisal is a journalist with Mathrubhoomi Newspaper. We are blessed with two children,” he added. The couple fell in love and got married while working in Dubai.
“In Dubai, I could interact with people from different countries, cultures, languages and religions, something that I could have never experienced in India.
“Ten years ago, we had to wait several hours to find an airline passenger going to Kochi airport, to physically carry a videotape containing our programmes,” Faisal said, adding that now it is only a matter of few minutes to transfer a video footage of several hours using the latest technology.
“I came to Dubai to solve some family financial problems. Now, I am going back after stabilising my family’s finances,” said Rahna.
“Life in Dubai has been peaceful and secure and its credit goes to the wise leaders of the UAE. Without travelling to many countries, we could experience different cultures and nationalities. Love and support from the expatriate community has been encouraging. Thanks to Dubai, I am returning home with a stable finance and a good life partner,” Rahna added.
Faisal said he was happy that his reporting helped many Malayali expatriates in need. The UAE authorities and Indian missions here were of great help in solving many issues which I could bring to their attention, he said.
“The television and media scene in India is getting murkier, but we are going back to our roots. Dubai is only three and hours away from Kerala and in this digital era, maintaining contacts with this vibrant city is not difficult. However, we will miss everything about Dubai and the UAE. This city has given us immense opportunities of growth and prosperity,” he said.