ABU DHABI // In the emirate of Ras Al Khaimah, many chanted for Ahmed Al Amash when he won in the 2011 FNC elections.
Abdullah Mohammed Al Shehi, a 26-year-old from Rams, was one of the people who voted for him.
“He is a great man,” Mr Al Shehi said. “A lot of people were happy when he won.”
He said Mr Al Amash’s reputation preceded him.
“He is known as a man of his word, his words are heard,” he said. “He is a very well-known person.”
Mr Al Shehi said if he is eligible to vote in next year’s elections, he would vote for Mr Al Amash.
“Everyone talks about him and is proud of him,” he said.
Mr Al Amash is known for his firm voice in the council, using strong metaphors to convey his message. He is also an active member of the FNC’s economic and financial committee.
He has repeatedly demanded updates from the Government on the state of an eagerly awaited plan for full health insurance for Emiratis.
He has also grilled the Minister of Energy for answers for the power cuts in the Northern Emirates and asked why electricity pylons were so close to residential areas.
Not all FNC members agree with Mr Al Amash’s suggestions.
When the council asked for lower petrol prices, Mr Al Amash suggested that the Government should only subsidise the price of petrol for nationals. Some council members rejected that notion.
During a discussion on the Child Rights law, he said that it neglected details of Islamic upbringing and nationalism and did not give parents the right to discipline their children. Other members disagreed.
Mohammed Hussain Al Teneiji, a 45-year-old from Rams, was particularly happy with Mr Al Amash’s comments on power cuts. He believed the FNC member’s actions helped resolve the issue for the area.
“This man is a role model for all the people in Rams,” he said. “He has sacrificed in the name of God, the country, and the people. He is a man in all its meanings.”
Mr Al Teneiji and all his family members voted for Mr Al Amash in 2011, he said proudly, and looked forward to voting for him again in the next elections.
osalem@thenational.ae
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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Engine: 1.5-litre 4-cylinder petrol
Power: 154bhp
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The bio
Studied up to grade 12 in Vatanappally, a village in India’s southern Thrissur district
Was a middle distance state athletics champion in school
Enjoys driving to Fujairah and Ras Al Khaimah with family
His dream is to continue working as a social worker and help people
Has seven diaries in which he has jotted down notes about his work and money he earned
Keeps the diaries in his car to remember his journey in the Emirates
England 12-man squad for second Test
v West Indies which starts Thursday: Rory Burns, Joe Denly, Jonny Bairstow, Joe Root (captain), Jos Buttler, Ben Stokes, Moeen Ali, Ben Foakes, Sam Curran, Stuart Broad, Jimmy Anderson, Jack Leach
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Name: Brendalle Belaza
From: Crossing Rubber, Philippines
Arrived in the UAE: 2007
Favourite place in Abu Dhabi: NYUAD campus
Favourite photography style: Street photography
Favourite book: Harry Potter
BEETLEJUICE BEETLEJUICE
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Director: Tim Burton
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Transmission: 6-speed automatic
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Dir: The Russo Brothers
Starring: Chris Evans, Chris Pratt, Tom Holland, Robert Downey Junior, Scarlett Johansson, Elizabeth Olsen
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MATCH INFO
Final: England v South Africa, Saturday, 1pm
The 10 Questions
- Is there a God?
- How did it all begin?
- What is inside a black hole?
- Can we predict the future?
- Is time travel possible?
- Will we survive on Earth?
- Is there other intelligent life in the universe?
- Should we colonise space?
- Will artificial intelligence outsmart us?
- How do we shape the future?