Dubai: Away from the skyscrapers and the hustle and bustle of the city, in a tiny hamlet near the mountains of Dibba Al Fujairah, 94-year-old Emirati Ali Al Hassani lay half-paralysed in his house, recalling the visit that changed his life.
Entering his house, which was newly furnished and renovated by His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, Ali sat with his 91-year-old wife and other family members on their traditional Bedouin floor cushions.
“God bless our leaders, God keep Shaikh Khalifa alive and well, God bless Shaikh Mohammad,” were the first words of the nonagenarian, who at one time worked as an imam.
Ali lived in a village built by Shaikh Rashid in the ’70s after the union of the UAE. His community included 20 houses, which were some distance away from the medical care needed by the old man and other elderly members of the community.
Because of the lack of health care, his age, and an absence of medical follow-ups, Hassani became diabetic and developed hypertension. Eventually, he suffered a stroke that paralysed the entire right side of his body.
“One day, I woke him up and he tried to get on his feet but was not able to.” said his frail 91-year-old wife Aisha Bint Ali Ezyood, who was wearing the traditional Emirati face covering and colourful jalabeyah. “I tried to help him, so did other family members but he simply could not move his feet.”
His paralysed state, along with his difficult financial situation, caused Ali’s family to struggle for the next four years as they had to take him to the city for medical care.
Ali’s grandson, who is named after him, said that his house, which was around 35 years old, was also in a terrible state before Shaikh Mohammad’s visit. The mild earthquakes experienced in their area caused the house to develop more cracks, making the rainwater seep in through the ceiling and often drench the elderly couple.
“It was a very difficult situation. We thank God every day and Shaikh Mohammad for flying my grandfather to the clinic in Dubai, where he stayed for three weeks, while His Highness’ team renovated his house,” said his grandson Ali Al Hassani.
Shaikh Mohammad had heard about Al Hassani’s case from a report in a daily Arabic newspaper.
“We can’t believe that he actually visited our house to check up on us. We were surprised and happy with his visit, God bless Shaikh Mohammad,” said Ali’s wife.
According to his family members, the old man is one of the only remaining father figures left in the Hassani family. Four of his five brothers have passed away and his only son, whom he had with his first wife, also died at the age of 46.
“He is the only father figure we have left, which is why we are so attached to him,” said his grandson who visits him daily and takes care of all his needs.
