CONVERSATION THAT SPARKED OUTRAGE

In the conversation that cost radio programme host Yaqoub Al Awadhi his job, Ali Rashid Al Mazrouei, a distressed Emirati had complained that the salaries of UAE citizens were not keeping pace with the general increase in the cost of living.

Here are excerpts from the conversation.

Al Mazrouei: I am a member of this country ... I am a Mazrouei. Al Awadhi: Yes, my brother, you are the root and the branch ... and we have no roots, branches, values or anything else, may God give you strength. Can we end this conversation now, so I don’t have to disconnect the line? Al Mazrouei: Thank you, and you know what, if you don’t want to answer me again, that’s fine with me. Al Awadhi: No, please go ahead and call me. I don’t treat anyone that way.

Al Mazrouei: No no, if you want to disconnect the line, go ahead, and if you see my phone number and don’t want to answer, that’s fine, too. I don’t curse anyone, I just place my cares with God. Al Awadhi: What did you have for breakfast today? Al Mazrouei: What? Al Awadhi: What did you have for breakfast today? Al Mazrouei: What God provided me to eat. Al Awadhi: Of course what God provided you, but it’s already in your belly. What did you eat? Al Mazrouei: Thank God, I’m not hungry. Al Awadhi: Ok. Al Mazrouei: Even if our circumstances — or salaries — are not sufficient, we are not hungry. Al Awadhi: Do you have children who work, Abu Saeed? Al Mazrouei: Yes thank God, I have children who work and are married as well. Al Awadhi: Thank you. May God bless you. Take care.