Mohammad's gift changes Jasem's life

Umm Al Quwain: Little Jasem Mohammad Ali Al Besh has a dream to realise ... to thank His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, for changing his life in a matter of moments.

While on a recent visit to Al Watan School in Umm Al Quwain, Shaikh Mohammad met seven-year-old Jasem and learnt about his life -money was tight in the family, that he lived in a dilapidated house and that there was was only one air-conditioner in a bedroom.

But all that changed because of Shaikh Mohammad who gave the family a villa worth Dh1 million, together with furniture, appliances and a Nissan Patrol so Jasem's father can ferry him to and from school.

Shaikh Mohammad visited Umm Al Quwain and then went to the school after getting reports that it was in poor shape. Khuloud Hussain, the school's secretary, said: "We were stunned to see Shaikh Mohammad. He checked the premises and attended classes."

And it was in Grade II where the boy caught Shaikh Mohammad's attention. He asked pupils questions and Jasem answered them correctly. Shaikh Mohammad left the room, but paused. He returned to Jasem's classroom and asked the boy to accompany him on his tour of the school. Jasem, Khuloud said, jumped at the invitation. Khuloud said: "Shaikh Mohammad asked Jasem his name. He answered and asked the same to Shaikh Mohammad, who whispered in his ear."

Unbelievable

Jasem said: "I spoke to him as if he were my father. He listened to me carefully. I felt I was a very important person and a precious human being while in his company. I will never forget those moments. I told my parents about my meeting with Shaikh Mohammad, but they did not believe me. They cross-checked with the school. My mother cried when she saw me with Shaikh Mohammad during the television news."

Since their meeting Jasem refers to the Ruler of Dubai as 'Baba Mohammad' and has put up scores of pictures in his home.

Salama Abdullah, 32, Jasem's mother, said: "Representatives from the office of Shaikh Mohammad contacted us to say a plot of land had been bought and registered in my husband's name. A construction company had been ordered to build a house for my family immediately.

"But when Shaikh Mohammad heard that construction would take seven to eight months, he ordered the project be stopped. The next day early in the morning, the representatives came to our house, asking us to accompany them. We came upon a beautiful villa ... my husband was given the keys ... the house was beautiful. We were overwhelmed by Shaikh Mohammad's gift."

An official asked Jasem to open a room. It was full of toys and games. But there was yet another surprise.

A four-wheel drive was parked in a covered garage. The family thought it belonged to an official. Jasem's father Mohammad Ali was given the keys. Mohammad Ali said: "One minute we were in an abyss ... the next we were celebrating life. We will never forget Shaikh Mohammad's generosity."

Generosity

Umm Al Quwain school gets new building

His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, heard about the plight of the Al Watan School in Umm Al Quwain and ordered its replacement with a building with all facilities.

Khuloud Hussain, the school's secretary, said the management had written several times to the Umm Al Quwain Educational Zone and the Ministry of Education about the poor condition, but there was no response. She said the school is small and cannot accommodate the increasing number of pupils whose number exceeds 300 in the morning shift. There is an evening shift as well.

The pressure on the power supply caused a major fire in the building a few months ago. Shaikh Mohammad said the school will be replaced with a new building with all facilities. Work on the building in another location has started.

Soon after Shaikh Mohammad's visit, she said, Dr Hanif Hassan, Minister of Education, called the school asking for a list of requirements till the new building is ready.