ABU DHABI // All Shahzad Ali has ever wanted was to lead a normal, independent life so that he can provide for his family.
The 36-year-old contracted polio as a child, which left him without the use of his right leg.
Despite being able to walk only with the use of a specially made leg, knee brace and a cane, Mr Ali, who has a double master’s in communications and international relations, has never let his disability hold him back.
He has spent five years in Dubai working to support his wife and three young children back in Pakistan.
“I found this country excellent in many ways,” he said. “I love being here but I miss my family and would like for them to be with me.”
However, the prosthetic limb that is a lifeline to Mr Ali is now more than two years old and in urgent need of replacing. Without a new one he fears he will not be able to work, and without an income he has little hope of bringing his family to Dubai to live with him.
“I am suffering because of my disability but instead of depending on charity for a new leg brace I would like a job so I can depend on myself and get it on my own. I am here to make money for my family so it’s OK if I have a nothing left for me.”
The brace costs Dh55,000, which on Mr Ali’s Dh2,500 monthly salary at a Dubai transport company, is out of reach.
But, as proud as ever, Mr Ali is not looking for a handout. Instead, he is seeking employment and is prepared to work in any field, doing anything, as long as it is provides him with an income that will give him and his family a decent life.
“The current prosthetic is two-years-old and will be useless soon,” he said.
Hisham Al Zahrani, manager of Zakat and Social Services at Dar Al Ber, said it was always encouraging to see people who wanted to depend on themselves rather than on charity.
“Mr Ali is a capable, educated man and what would help him most is a steady job.”
salnuwais@thenational.ae
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What is the FNC?
The Federal National Council is one of five federal authorities established by the UAE constitution. It held its first session on December 2, 1972, a year to the day after Federation.
It has 40 members, eight of whom are women. The members represent the UAE population through each of the emirates. Abu Dhabi and Dubai have eight members each, Sharjah and Ras al Khaimah six, and Ajman, Fujairah and Umm Al Quwain have four.
They bring Emirati issues to the council for debate and put those concerns to ministers summoned for questioning.
The FNC’s main functions include passing, amending or rejecting federal draft laws, discussing international treaties and agreements, and offering recommendations on general subjects raised during sessions.
Federal draft laws must first pass through the FNC for recommendations when members can amend the laws to suit the needs of citizens. The draft laws are then forwarded to the Cabinet for consideration and approval.
Since 2006, half of the members have been elected by UAE citizens to serve four-year terms and the other half are appointed by the Ruler’s Courts of the seven emirates.
In the 2015 elections, 78 of the 252 candidates were women. Women also represented 48 per cent of all voters and 67 per cent of the voters were under the age of 40.
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