Bangladeshi farm worker wins Dh1m in Abu Dhabi prize draw

Mizanur Abdul Wahab, a Bangladeshi farm worker, is given Dh1 million after winning a prize draw run by the exchange house Al Ansari. Courtesy: Orient Planet

ABU DHABI // A Bangladeshi farm worker in Abu Dhabi who transferred Dh1,039 to his family back home received a pleasant surprise shortly afterwards – he became a millionaire.

Mizanur Abdul Wahab, 37, won Dh1 million in a prize draw run by the exchange house Al Ansari.

The money will fulfil his dream of building a new house and starting his own business, after spending the past 20 years working in the same field for Dh600 a month.

“My dream was to build a house and rebuild my father’s old house,” said Mr Wahab.

Now he plans to return home and support his family, including six sisters, and the greater community.

“I want to provide good education to my child and look forward to investing this money in establishing a private business that would help make a positive change in the lives of many youngsters in my home town in Bangladesh,” said Mr Wahab, whose formal education ended at primary school.

“I also plan to buy a car in order to be able to visit new places across the country.”

Mr Wahab came to Abu Dhabi in 1996, and his father also worked in the capital for eight years.

After being handed the cheque, Mr Wahab said life as he knew it would change.

“I wake up at around 7am. I take my breakfast and start my duties. My duty ends at 7pm. I return home and prepare dinner. Then, I rest and chat with friends,”

Rashed Al Ansari, the exchange house’s general manager, said: “Our hearty congratulations to Mizanur on being a millionaire with us and changing his life.”

Other customers won prizes ranging from Dh10,000 to Dh50,000.