‘The inmates help me realise my inner self’

A British expat jailed since 2015 for defaulting on outstanding loans has had his 7-year sentence drastically reduced recently, due to a settlement.

He is due for release this year. “God willing, I will celebrate Ramadan next year with my family. My wife and four children live in south Dubai and it’s very hard to be away from them. My message for Ramadan to everyone is to appreciate the time they spend with their family and count their blessings,” the 39-year-old said.

Even while in jail, he tried to raise money through friends and family to give to the other inmates who couldn’t afford to buy food from the prison canteen. “Because of the sentiment during this time of the year, people tend to share more. We contact friends and family and tell them how much it would cost per head to buy Iftar and Suhoor from the canteen. They gather

God willing, I will celebrate Ramadan next year with my family. My family live in south Dubai and it’s very hard to be away from them.” A British expat

money and put it in one of our accounts and we then buy and distribute it amongst other inmates. I feel the other inmates are like my family. They help me realise my inner self,” he said.

“From young age, we’re taught that Ramadan is about realising what people go through around the world. For me, especially after the stay in jail, Ramadan has been soul searching, understanding myself, self-restraint, controlling emotions, and of course, getting closer to God.”

nilanjana@khaleejtimes.com