An Indian man and his friends have won Dh15 million in this week's Big Ticket draw.
Qatar resident Mujeeb Thekke Mattieri works as a driver at Bank Audi and has been buying up to three Big Tickets every month with a group of 12 friends for the past two years in the hopes of winning the grand prize.
The Indian citizen, who has been living in Qatar for the past eight years, was overjoyed and said he screamed with excitement along with his friends when Big Ticket representatives called to inform him of his win.
Also celebrating was UAE resident Sharon Francisco Cabello, who took home a new Jeep Rubicon in the Dream Car draw.
It's the second time the Filipino has won with Big Ticket, having won a new BMW last August.
Ms Cabello, who has been in the UAE since 2014, now lives in Abu Dhabi and works as a procurement assistant at a hedge company.
She said she has been buying Big Ticket and Dream Car raffle entries for six years with a group of five family members.
"The first time I won, we sold the car for over Dh300,000 [$81,677] and I used my portion of the winnings to build my home in the Philippines," she said in a statement.
"The rest of the cash earnings were distributed among my family members."
Ms Cabello said this time she will be using the cash she makes from selling the car for her son's education and to invest in a new business opportunity.
Nine other winners of British, Indian and Sri Lankan nationalities were also announced, each taking home various cash prizes with a combined total of more than Dh500,000.
The Big Ticket was established in 1992 with an initial first prize of Dh35 million.
A school bus driver in Abu Dhabi and his friends won Dh100,000 in September's Big Ticket draw.
Riyas Parambathkandy, 45, had been participating in the raffle with 15 others since 2008 and it was their second big win.
In 2012, the group's lucky ticket won each member a share of Dh40,000.
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Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
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Tomorrow 2021
Iftar programme at the Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding
Established in 1998, the Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding was created with a vision to teach residents about the traditions and customs of the UAE. Its motto is ‘open doors, open minds’. All year-round, visitors can sign up for a traditional Emirati breakfast, lunch or dinner meal, as well as a range of walking tours, including ones to sites such as the Jumeirah Mosque or Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood.
Every year during Ramadan, an iftar programme is rolled out. This allows guests to break their fast with the centre’s presenters, visit a nearby mosque and observe their guides while they pray. These events last for about two hours and are open to the public, or can be booked for a private event.
Until the end of Ramadan, the iftar events take place from 7pm until 9pm, from Saturday to Thursday. Advanced booking is required.
For more details, email openminds@cultures.ae or visit www.cultures.ae
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• The National announces Future of News journalism competition
• Round up: Experts share their visions of the world to come
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While you're here
Zayed Sustainability Prize
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Samar Elmnhrawy: How companies in the Middle East can catch up on gender equality
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AS%20WE%20EXIST
• Remittance charges will be tackled by blockchain
• UAE's monumental and risky Mars Mission to inspire future generations, says minister
• Could the UAE drive India's economy?
• News has a bright future and the UAE is at the heart of it
• Architecture is over - here's cybertecture
• The National announces Future of News journalism competition
• Round up: Experts share their visions of the world to come
Read more about the coronavirus
Plastic tipping points
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
National Editorial: Suleimani has been killed, now we must de-escalate
Mina Al Oraibi: Air strike casts a long shadow over the decade ahead
Jack Moore: Why the assassination is such a monumental gamble
Damien McElroy: A CEO tasked with spreading Iran's influence
Hussein Ibish: Trump's order on solid constitutional ground
Simon Waldman: Cautious Israel keeping a low profile
Kareem Shaheen on Canada
Tomorrow 2021
AI traffic lights to ease congestion at seven points to Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Street
The seven points are:
Shakhbout bin Sultan Street
Dhafeer Street
Hadbat Al Ghubainah Street (outbound)
Salama bint Butti Street
Al Dhafra Street
Rabdan Street
Umm Yifina Street exit (inbound)
KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI
National Editorial: Suleimani has been killed, now we must de-escalate
Mina Al Oraibi: Air strike casts a long shadow over the decade ahead
Jack Moore: Why the assassination is such a monumental gamble
Matthew Levitt: Iran retains its ability to launch terror attacks
Damien McElroy: A CEO tasked with spreading Iran's influence
Hussein Ibish: Trump's order on solid constitutional ground
Simon Waldman: Cautious Israel keeping a low profile
More coverage from the Future Forum
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• Could the UAE drive India's economy?
• News has a bright future and the UAE is at the heart of it
• Architecture is over - here's cybertecture
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More from Firas Maksad
Nepotism is the name of the game
Salman Khan’s father, Salim Khan, is one of Bollywood’s most legendary screenwriters. Through his partnership with co-writer Javed Akhtar, Salim is credited with having paved the path for the Indian film industry’s blockbuster format in the 1970s. Something his son now rules the roost of. More importantly, the Salim-Javed duo also created the persona of the “angry young man” for Bollywood megastar Amitabh Bachchan in the 1970s, reflecting the angst of the average Indian. In choosing to be the ordinary man’s “hero” as opposed to a thespian in new Bollywood, Salman Khan remains tightly linked to his father’s oeuvre. Thanks dad.
Tomorrow 2021
Tour de France 2017: Stage 5
Vittel - La Planche de Belles Filles, 160.5km
It is a shorter stage, but one that will lead to a brutal uphill finish. This is the third visit in six editions since it was introduced to the race in 2012. Reigning champion Chris Froome won that race.
Transgender report
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• Could the UAE drive India's economy?
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Ni Jian: Why China and the UAE are brothers
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On Women's Day
Dr Nawal Al-Hosany: Why more women should be on the frontlines of climate action
Shelina Janmohamed: Why shouldn't a spouse be compensated fairly for housework?
Samar Elmnhrawy: How companies in the Middle East can catch up on gender equality
Justin Thomas: Challenge the notion that 'men are from Mars, women are from Venus'
