ABU DHABI // Ahmed Khamis Al Romaithi gives generously to people in need in the Palestinian territories and Lebanon, and one of his employees wants him to receive the recognition he deserves for his charity.
"He's a gentleman and he's a good man," said Hassan Ahmed Khdar, 24, a public relations officer for Mr Al Romaithi. "He is known for his generosity."
Mr Khdar filled out a form yesterday at Al Wahda Mall, nominating his Emirati employer in this year's Abu Dhabi Awards.
Yesterday was the opening day for nominations for this year's awards. Individuals have four weeks to nominate a person or organisation of their choice.
The awards recognise people and organisations that have contributed to the community by performing good deeds, whether at home or abroad. The 2011 awards will have a special focus on Al Ain and Al Gharbia, as well as online nominations.
Emiratis and expatriates are eligible for the awards.
The honours are under the patronage of Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, who hands out the awards every other year during a December ceremony at the Emirates Palace hotel.
Sheikh Khalifa, President of the UAE, established the awards to preserve the legacy of his father, the late Sheikh Zayed, the founding President of the UAE. During his lifetime, Sheikh Zayed believed in the generosity and kindness of people in the UAE, and believed that every person - deep inside - had a sense of caring for others.
At Khalidiyah Mall yesterday, Roy Raymond Zinati, 19, a university student from Lebanon, nominated his Iraqi friend, Bashar Al Abadi, 20, the founder of the Abu Dhabi Skaters group, for an award.
"I'm giving my friend an opportunity to be known for his good deeds," Mr Zinati said. "He is into extreme sports and has been organising events here. He has made some sacrifices. He even skipped two years of university to work with the group."
Azad Shahul Hamid, a company driver in Abu Dhabi who is originally from Kerala, nominated his compatriot Yousuf Ali, who is the managing director of the Emke Group, the parent company of LuLu hypermarkets.
"Mr Ali started out with a small business and now has been contributing to the economy," said Mr Hamid, 52, who likewise hails from Kerala. "Although he's very much involved in charity, he does it silently."
rruiz@thenational.ae
The bio
Studied up to grade 12 in Vatanappally, a village in India’s southern Thrissur district
Was a middle distance state athletics champion in school
Enjoys driving to Fujairah and Ras Al Khaimah with family
His dream is to continue working as a social worker and help people
Has seven diaries in which he has jotted down notes about his work and money he earned
Keeps the diaries in his car to remember his journey in the Emirates
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THREE
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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
We Weren’t Supposed to Survive But We Did
We weren’t supposed to survive but we did.
We weren’t supposed to remember but we did.
We weren’t supposed to write but we did.
We weren’t supposed to fight but we did.
We weren’t supposed to organise but we did.
We weren’t supposed to rap but we did.
We weren’t supposed to find allies but we did.
We weren’t supposed to grow communities but we did.
We weren’t supposed to return but WE ARE.
Amira Sakalla
BMW M5 specs
Engine: 4.4-litre twin-turbo V-8 petrol enging with additional electric motor
Power: 727hp
Torque: 1,000Nm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 10.6L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh650,000
The Sand Castle
Director: Matty Brown
Stars: Nadine Labaki, Ziad Bakri, Zain Al Rafeea, Riman Al Rafeea
Rating: 2.5/5
Drivers’ championship standings after Singapore:
1. Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes - 263
2. Sebastian Vettel, Ferrari - 235
3. Valtteri Bottas, Mercedes - 212
4. Daniel Ricciardo, Red Bull - 162
5. Kimi Raikkonen, Ferrari - 138
6. Sergio Perez, Force India - 68
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
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%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EEngine%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%203.0-litre%20twin-turbo%20V6%20and%20electric%20motor%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EMax%20power%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20700hp%20at%207%2C500rpm%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EMax%20torque%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20720Nm%20at%202%2C250rpm%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETransmission%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Eight-speed%20dual-clutch%20auto%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3E0-100km%2Fh%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%203.0sec%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETop%20speed%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E330kph%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20From%20Dh1.14%20million%20(%24311%2C000)%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EOn%20sale%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Now%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
The specs
Engine: 2-litre or 3-litre 4Motion all-wheel-drive Power: 250Nm (2-litre); 340 (3-litre) Torque: 450Nm Transmission: 8-speed automatic Starting price: From Dh212,000 On sale: Now
