'Cat heroes' tell of surprise as Ruler of Dubai gives each Dh50,000

Four men receive rewards for their service to the community

President Sheikh Mohamed with Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid at Al Marmoom Majlis in Dubai. Pictured in the middle is a special guest. Photo: Wam

The cat's mother was famously caught in a sheet after a fall from a residential building in Bur Dubai. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid placed the cat in the Marmoom desert reserve - and gave its rescuers handsome rewards. Photo: Wam

This is the moment when the cat, who had jumped over an apartment balcony guard, struggled to cling on. Courtesy: Rashid Mohammed

RTA bus driver Naseer Muhammed rushed out of his home to hold out a bedsheet to help save the cat, which fell from the second storey balcony. Here, he poses in front of the building from which the cat fell. Antonie Robertson / The National

Naseer Muhammed (L), from Kerala in India and Pakistani salesman Atif Mehmood helped to rescue the cat. Antonie Robertson / The National

The video of the rescue has gone viral after Rashid Mohammed (R), 25, an Indian owner of a nearby grocery store, filmed the event. He is pictured here with rescuer Naseer Muhammed. Antonie Robertson / The National

The cat fell from the balcony but was safely caught by Naseer Muhammed with a blanket. Courtesy: Rashid Mohammed

The cat was unharmed in the incident. Courtesy: Rashid Mohammed

Four men who caught a pregnant cat as she fell 10 metres from a balcony have received a Dh50,000 reward each from the Ruler of Dubai.

The community heroes were seen catching the feline in a blanket after she hopped over a second-floor balcony barrier and plummeted towards the street below in Murar, Deira.

A video, shot by one of the men, went viral after it was shared by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai.

The Ruler's office tracked down the men, who spoke to The National last week, and invited them to an event where their efforts were celebrated.

They are Naseer Muhammad, an RTA bus driver from India, Atif Mehmood, a Pakistani salesman, Rashid Mohammed, an Indian grocery store owner, and Ashraf Bleinza, a security guard from Morocco.

On Thursday afternoon, the men received a phone call from a government official.

“He asked me how I was doing and asked if we could meet but I was on duty until midnight,” said Mr Muhammad.

During his break at around 7pm, Mr Muhammad was surprised when the official visited him and handed him an envelope, which he was stunned to find contained Dh50,000.

“It was a great surprise that made me so much happy and will make my life easier,” he told The National.

“I was back in my country few months back, trying to finish building a house for my family, but I've faced a financial difficulty.”

“Now I can have the house construction completed.”

His family and three children were elated at the news and cannot wait to move into their new home, he said.

Mr Bleinza said he would ensure he gives some of the money to a good cause.

“I don’t know what I will do with it but I will give out some of it for charity for sure,” he said.

Mr Mehmood plans to buy his father a car with some of the money.

“My parents house is very far and they have to walk long distances,” he said.

“God bless Sheikh Mohammed for this gift.”

Mr Mohammed, 25, hopes to expand his father’s business.

“I don’t believe what happened until now. This was a gift from Allah that will help me make life better for me and my family," he said with a smile.