A travel agent who lost his job because of the pandemic is thinking of launching his own business after winning a slice of a Dh1 million ($272,000) lottery jackpot.
Afsal Khalid scooped Dh333,333, sharing the top prize with two others, in Dubai's Mahzooz draw.
The former travel agent, 38, who lives in Kerala, India, said the windfall will be life-changing for him and his family.
Mr Khalid worked in Saudi Arabia for nearly eight years before his company shut because of the pandemic.
"I've been in India for the past year, with no income. It's been really difficult to support my family," he told The National.
“When I found out I won this money, I was really happy. I told my wife, but she won’t believe me. It’s because we have never won any prizes and this seems like a dream to her."
Mr Khalid plans to use his experience to open a travel agency, once the pandemic is over.
He said he will now be able to take better care of his wife, children and parents. He will also save for his children’s education.
Mohammed, 52, an Egyptian who lives in Dubai, also won Dh333,333.
“When I checked my account, I was shocked. It took a while for the win to sink in,” he said.
“As a treasurer, I am used to seeing big numbers, but this was a different story. I cannot describe my feelings. I was instantly overwhelmed with happiness and my neck pain vanished.
“This win will help me tremendously in my daily life. I will pay off my credit cards and be able to support my family in Egypt.
“Thanks to Mahzooz, I’m now able to bring joy to my family, friends and those who are in need, especially during Ramadan. I’m also planning to donate some money to cancer patients in Egypt.”
The third winner was Khandrix, a UAE resident from the Philippines.
Participants must register online and buy a Dh35 bottle of water to enter.
Money collected by Mahzooz, through the sale of water bottles, is donated to charity.
The next draw will take place at 9pm, UAE time, on May 1.
How a UAE lottery has changed lives – in pictures
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UAE residents who struck luck with Abu Dhabi's Big Ticket draw attended a gala dinner on Tuesday. Organisers of the draw celebrated the winners' good luck at the Alexandra Dhow Cruise in Dubai Marina. All photos by Leslie Pableo / The National -
The ticket for the grand prize costs Dh500 -
Shahed Ahmed Moulvifaiz, a Bangladeshi car garage owner in Al Ain, won Dh10 million less than a week ago. He wants to bring his family to the UAE, expand his business and spend on his youngest son's education -
Richard Isaac and Bouchra Yamani, the two presenters who pick out the raffle tickets and call the winners, interacted with the winners. Some of attendees had won jackpots of between Dh1 million to Dh15 million, while others won Dh90,000 -
'The National' spoke to winners about how they have spent their grand prize. Shivamurthy Gali Krishnappa won Dh12 million last month. He said he wants to save for his children's future. For now, he is still working as a mechanical engineer for a stainless steel production company -
Jayaprakash Mariyan Philip had won the Dh1 million prize with nine other people. The funds were split equally, leaving him with Dh100,000. He said he has paid off part of his bank loans -
Zaheenn Kausar was visiting her husband in Abu Dhabi from Pakistan, when he bought a ticket under her name. She proved lucky for her family after winning Dh90,000. She wants to pay for her daughter's university tuition and buy a car for herself -
Before the Covid-19 pandemic, more than 5,000 people would gather during a live event in Abu Dhabi to watch the draw take place. Since 2020, the draw streams live on social media channels, bringing in even larger crowds -
Many people buy multiple tickets together and then split the prize equally. There are also those who win after buying a ticket alone, allowing them to keep the entire jackpot -
The Abu Dhabi Big Draw has been changing lives since 1992
