The Art Of Giving

I stepped out of the office recently in the hope of buying presents for my better half. The nearest mall was a short drive away and as I browsed through the shops I heard a commotion at the nearby pharmacy.

A noisy gaggle of mostly North African women were pushing to get inside while the Indian manager of the shop kept pushing them out.

I slipped into the shop and found the cause of the commotion. His name was Ahmad, a slightly built Emirati man with a long greying beard and the kindest eyes I’ve ever seen.

“Why are these women chasing you? I asked him. Complete silence.

“He’s buying medicines for the poor,” the manager chipped in.” He does this very regularly and these women have sick family members including children and the medicines are very expensive.”

And how much money do you spend a month doing this? And do you belong to a charity? Why? I rushed all the questions. I wanted to know.

“Khairat,” he said simply. “Blessings from God and I spend what I can afford. There are many poor people in Dubai although it is considered a rich country.”

“Please I do not really want anyone to know me, my blessings will be greater if I remain unknown,” he added.

The cash machine showed the sum total of his medical purchases: Dh3,804.

Brings me back to the charitable people who gave to unsung labourers featured in XPRESS and all the good Samaritans helping the sick and needy in the UAE.

Without givers we would not have institutions, places of worship, soup kitchens and blood banks. In my busy world do I really know how to give of my money or myself, I’ve asked myself.

Small amounts at a time will do I think. A smile, time, patience at a zebra crossing or a handwritten Thank You note for help received no matter how small.

There are thousands of people in this fair city of ours that give and remain unknown. Say a prayer for those who stay anonymous.

Nirmala Janssen
editor@alnisrmedia.com
www.xpress4me.com/letters