Whenever immigration agents at airports request travelers to pause, it often raises concerns regarding their visas. However, this was not the situation for Abdallah Al Balushy, an immigration officer at DXB, who engaged in a pleasant conversation with a woman in a wheelchair on the verge of departing for home.
The details of this encounter were shared by Heba Mustafa Saleh, a radio presenter on Dubai’s Alarabiya 99 and the daughter-in-law of the woman involved.
“Following her passage through the security checkpoint, immigration officer Abdallah Al Balushy, whom I commend, stopped her for a chat and gestured for my husband to join him,” Heba recounted during a radio segment.
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Al Balushy inquired about the duration of the woman’s stay in the UAE. Upon learning that she had been in the country for less than a month, he asked, “Why is she leaving us so soon? Did we do something wrong?”
After explaining that her departure was related to medical appointments, Al Balushy expressed his apologies to the son: “I’m sorry, please forgive me for stopping her. I noticed you were saying goodbye and wanted to give you a chance to share those moments again. We would appreciate her prayers for us and hope she forgives any missteps. We look forward to her return as soon as possible.”
This kind act caught the eye of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, the Ruler of Dubai, who shared a retweet of the radio presenter’s account of the event, stating, “A salute to those who spread happiness or joy to a traveler’s heart. This is the Dubai we aspire to build.”
Sheikh Mohammed, who also serves as the Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE, frequently acknowledges dedicated individuals whose contributions enhance people’s experiences and improve government services in Dubai.
In March, he praised a customer service representative from a vehicle inspection and registration center in Al Qusais, Dubai. The Ruler shared images of this “hardworking young man” known for his commitment to efficient service.
He pointed out that clients at the center appreciated his “cheerful demeanor” and positive attitude towards them.