Acting as our eyes and ears in the crowd, Gulf News' community reporters regularly raise the alarm on relevant and urgent concerns.
The newspaper recognises readers who took a stand and raised their voice on issues that they felt were important, relevant and required immediate attention.
Today, we acknowledge and award those who shared their experiences and brought significant matters to the fore during the month of January.
Over the past few months, the Your Turn page's Community Report section has highlighted myriad subjects that concerned residents and helped alert the authorities about matters that required urgent attention.
Topics of concern ranged from incorrect parking methods around the UAE to jaywalking on busy highways.
Readers have found Community Reports to be the right platform to create awareness and turn the spotlight on situations that generate interest and truly impact their lives.
Raising important questions, seeking answers from the relevant authorities and highlighting social issues takes effort. And community reporters do not hesitate to investigate if there is a chance of making a real difference.
The community reports published in January were judged by UAE Editor Meher Murshed. The criteria for selection included content, issue, impact on community, responsibility and the quality of contribution.
Here are the winners:
FIRST PRIZE
Our feathered friends are dying
By Fajis Abu Bakr
Published January 29
Reason for selection:
Dead gulls on the shores of a quiet lake in International City, Dubai, sounded alarm bells for the community reporter, who immediately sent startling photographs to Gulf News.The mysterious deaths of the birds meant it was time for the municipality to investigate, and prompted Gulf News’ Nation desk to pursue the story and find out what went wrong.UAE Editor Meher Murshed said: “[This was] an excellent example of community journalism, where the reader broke the story and it was followed up by our environment reporter.”
The gulls were eventually found to have avian botulism a disease that causes paralysis and death in birds, as a result of eating decomposing plants or animals.
Their call for help was answered by the community reporter and directly helped prevent more birds from falling ill.
Profile
Fajis Abu Bakr works as a guest ambassador in Dubai and has been a resident of the city for the past five years.
When he highlighted the problem in Gulf News, Abu Bakr said he never realised it would generate so much interest.
“I was amazed at how fast action was taken. The newspaper took the issue to the right people and helped solve the problem in a matter of days.”
He said he saw municipality officials working to remove the bodies of the dead birds from the lake, on two occasions.
Abu Bakr added: “I rarely see dead birds there now. It is all thanks to this combined effort.”
SECOND PRIZE
Who is looking after our wildlife?
By Jamal Abdul Rasheed
Published January 4
Reason for selection:
Camels are in big trouble when debris becomes their staple diet. When the community reporter highlighted camels eating plastic in an abandoned construction site in Ras Al Khaimah, he was able to throw light on a serious issue.
Told through photographs, the report spoke volumes to our judge.
UAE Editor Meher Murshed said: “[They are] grave pictures that tell the truth: camels are dying because we dump plastic bags, which they eat. Yet, the carelessness continues… with complete disregard for the environment.”
The scourge of littered camping sites and unfinished work areas extends throughout the UAE, and through his community report, the reader was able to give us a glimpse of its impact on animals.
Profile:
Jamal Abdul Rasheed is an urban planner, residing in Ras Al Khaimah.
He said he chose to send in a community report because he believed in its ability to bring change.
“The avenue [Gulf News is] providing is wonderful. This is the one and only way to bring issues directly to the readers and decision-makers.”
On revisiting the work site recently, the reader said he saw the debris and remaining construction material being dismantled and removed.
However, there is still much to be done.
Abdul Rasheed said: “A lot of people use the surrounding areas as a camp site. Around 200 to 300 cars are there on weekends.
Perhaps the environment department can look into this and ensure people do not litter. I am still concerned about the camels.”
THIRD PRIZE
Dog needs home after the death of his master
By Sylvia Samuel
Published January 5
Reason for selection:
Through her community report, the reader shared a touching story about a five-year-old dog named Pico, who became homeless after the death of his master.
Abused and left starving, Pico’s sad eyes pictured in the community reporter’s photograph tugged at the heart-strings of many readers. UAE Editor Meher Murshed commended the reader’s humanitarian efforts. He said: “Pico can probably teach many of us a lesson today if we listen carefully.”
Profile:
Sylvia Samuel is a flight attendant, based in Dubai. She works in Abu Dhabi.
Winning the community report competition for the second time in as many months, the reader expressed her appreciation and support for the platform.
The reader said Pico is still without a permanent home and is currently under the care of K9 Friends. Easily frightened and withdrawn after the death of his master, Pico needs to be treated delicately. This poses a challenge for those trying to find him a loving home. Samuel said: “[Pico] is in need of someone who is willing to be patient and understanding someone who can nurse him back to his old, happy self. I hope he gets the love and attention he deserves.”
