Nezar Hezam Sallam was seven years old when he saw his first shooting star.
The chance sighting sparked an obsession with astronomy which has led the Abu Dhabi Police computer engineer, now 31, to spend Dh750,000 (US$204,185) on stargazing over the years.
The costly venture includes a custom-built mobile observatory, which he uses to educate people about the stars for free.
After seeing the meteor, he started reading books on astronomy and studying the night sky through binoculars. "I remember the first time I looked at the moon. It changed my life forever," he says.
He bought his first professional telescope in 1998. It cost Dh1,500 - a sizeable chunk of his Dh4,000 first monthly salary with Abu Dhabi Police.
"In 1998 I wasn't familiar with the planet Saturn yet. I was opposite the Hilton on Abu Dhabi Corniche. I saw a bright star. I moved the telescope to it and it turned out to be the planet Saturn," says Mr Sallam, who is originally from Yemen but has lived in the UAE for most of his life.
"At first I didn't believe it. Then I saw something in the middle. I was so excited. I felt like I had made an achievement, that I had discovered something," he says.
He now owns 77 telescopes in all - the biggest of which cost Dh120,000 and allows him to see 30,000 light years into space. He spends about 90 per cent of his salary on his hobby.
"My wife supports me in this project. Before [our marriage] I spoke to her father. I [told him] astronomy is my life. I will never give it up or forget about it. He told me 'It's OK. It's up to you,'" he says.
"When I talked to her I said the same thing and she said 'No problem. Maybe I can support you if you want.' And she did. I'm so lucky. I love her so much. She knows this is my life and my dream," he says.
His obsession stretches to science in general. He has built four robots for Abu Dhabi Police that relay messages to children about road safety.
He also designed every feature of the mobile observatory himself, transforming an ordinary Chevrolet Silverado into a stargazing van complete with computer and TV screens, as well as a motorised mount to hold his vast array of telescopes and a hydraulic stand to keep the van steady.
"I am really proud of this because nobody helped me," he adds.
To help provide the energy his contraptions use, he installed solar panels and a wind turbine. He has also attached a carbon filter to the van's exhaust.
Mr Sallam's aim is to inspire the next generation to recreate a golden age of Arab civilisation, when important advances were made by scientists from the region. But he sometimes struggles to inspire others with his mission.
"Some people, most, think I'm crazy and I'm wasting my time and wasting my money. They want to go out to chatting to girls, shisha smoking, to malls, and to the cinema. I enjoy my life with my wife," he says.
He hopes to one day build an observatory in the desert.
"I want to make a big discovery that the world will speak about. I will be like Galileo Galilei or Copernicus ... why not?"
For now, he says, he is happy educating people. And he does so free of charge.
"I feel shy asking people for money. But sometimes they kill my equipment. I say please don't touch and they touch and break it.
"Sometimes people take something with them. Sometimes there is a problem with the road and something breaks," says Mr Sallam.
"But I don't care. I am the luckiest person in the world with everything that I have."
gduncan@thenational.ae
twitter: Follow our breaking business news and retweet to your followers. Follow us
Our legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
((Disclaimer))
The Liechtensteinische Landesbank AG (“Bank”) assumes no liability or guarantee for the accuracy, balance, or completeness of the information in this publication. The content may change at any time due to given circumstances, and the Liechtensteinische Landesbank AG is under no obligation to update information once it has been published. This publication is intended for information purposes only and does not constitute an offer, a recommendation or an invitation by, or on behalf of, Liechtensteinische Landesbank (DIFC Branch), Liechtensteinische Landesbank AG, or any of its group affiliates to make any investments or obtain services. This publication has not been reviewed, disapproved or approved by the United Arab Emirates (“UAE”) Central Bank, Dubai Financial Services Authority (“DFSA”) or any other relevant licensing authorities in the UAE. It may not be relied upon by or distributed to retail clients. Liechtensteinische Landesbank (DIFC Branch) is regulated by the DFSA and this advertorial is intended for Professional Clients (as defined by the DFSA) who have sufficient financial experience and understanding of financial markets, products or transactions and any associated risks.
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
2020 Oscars winners: in numbers
- Parasite – 4
- 1917– 3
- Ford v Ferrari – 2
- Joker – 2
- Once Upon a Time ... in Hollywood – 2
- American Factory – 1
- Bombshell – 1
- Hair Love – 1
- Jojo Rabbit – 1
- Judy – 1
- Little Women – 1
- Learning to Skateboard in a Warzone (If You're a Girl) – 1
- Marriage Story – 1
- Rocketman – 1
- The Neighbors' Window – 1
- Toy Story 4 – 1
Why the Tourist Club?
Originally, The Club (which many people chose to call the “British Club”) was the only place where one could use the beach with changing rooms and a shower, and get refreshments.
In the early 1970s, the Government of Abu Dhabi wanted to give more people a place to get together on the beach, with some facilities for children. The place chosen was where the annual boat race was held, which Sheikh Zayed always attended and which brought crowds of locals and expatriates to the stretch of beach to the left of Le Méridien and the Marina.
It started with a round two-storey building, erected in about two weeks by Orient Contracting for Sheikh Zayed to use at one these races. Soon many facilities were planned and built, and members were invited to join.
Why it was called “Nadi Al Siyahi” is beyond me. But it is likely that one wanted to convey the idea that this was open to all comers. Because there was no danger of encountering alcohol on the premises, unlike at The Club, it was a place in particular for the many Arab expatriate civil servants to join. Initially the fees were very low and membership was offered free to many people, too.
Eventually there was a skating rink, bowling and many other amusements.
Frauke Heard-Bey is a historian and has lived in Abu Dhabi since 1968.
Top%2010%20most%20competitive%20economies
%3Cp%3E1.%20Singapore%0D%3Cbr%3E2.%20Switzerland%0D%3Cbr%3E3.%20Denmark%0D%3Cbr%3E4.%20Ireland%0D%3Cbr%3E5.%20Hong%20Kong%0D%3Cbr%3E6.%20Sweden%0D%3Cbr%3E7.%20UAE%0D%3Cbr%3E8.%20Taiwan%0D%3Cbr%3E9.%20Netherlands%0D%3Cbr%3E10.%20Norway%0D%3Cbr%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
The Bio
Favourite place in UAE: Al Rams pearling village
What one book should everyone read: Any book written before electricity was invented. When a writer willingly worked under candlelight, you know he/she had a real passion for their craft
Your favourite type of pearl: All of them. No pearl looks the same and each carries its own unique characteristics, like humans
Best time to swim in the sea: When there is enough light to see beneath the surface
Specs%20
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EPower%20train%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E4.0-litre%20twin-turbo%20V8%20and%20synchronous%20electric%20motor%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EMax%20power%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E800hp%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EMax%20torque%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E950Nm%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETransmission%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EEight-speed%20auto%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBattery%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E25.7kWh%20lithium-ion%3Cbr%3E0-100km%2Fh%3A%203.4sec%3Cbr%3E0-200km%2Fh%3A%2011.4sec%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETop%20speed%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E312km%2Fh%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EMax%20electric-only%20range%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%2060km%20(claimed)%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EOn%20sale%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Q3%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EFrom%20Dh1.2m%20(estimate)%3Cbr%3E%3Cbr%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
More from Neighbourhood Watch:
