FMT in partnership with The Global Institute For Tomorrow (GIFT) brings you a Covid-19 “healer” from the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
Muneer Shamsuddin, 45, was preparing to return to India for extended medical leave after working in the UAE for over 20 years, when the Covid-19 pandemic led to lockdowns and travel bans.
As an active member of the Kerala Muslim Community Centre (KMCC), he didn’t hesitate to sign up as a volunteer to help those in desperate need.
His duties range from distributing food supplies during Ramadan to dealing with pandemic-related deaths.
The KMCC was established in the UAE 45 years ago to serve the welfare of their estimated 100,000 members across the UAE.
The KMCC works closely with UAE authorities to launch various Covid-19-related initiatives, such as one of the largest isolation centres in Al Warsan.
The KMCC joined H H Sheikh Rashid Bin Al Maktoum’s 10 million meals project, for which they’ve received an official citation on government social media.
Ibrahim Arimala, another volunteer and a legal professional, works closely with the Indian Consulate to help the many unskilled laborers unable to complete the necessary documentation to return home.
The work has not slowed down: the waitlist for those seeking repatriation remains long, as many do not have jobs or the resources to support themselves, relying instead on the charity of the community.
Imran Ahmed came to the UAE in 1976 in his early teens from Bangladesh. He became professionally interested in photography after taking photos of life on the Creek, the historic open harbour area in Deira, Dubai. Imran is a finance professional with a keen interest in migration, livelihood and entrepreneurship. He self-published a book in 2012 called Dubai Creek and his work has appeared in various international publications and exhibitions, including The Other Hundred. He was tested positive for Covid-19 in September 2020 and has recovered. View his portfolio here.
‘The Other Hundred Healers’ is an initiative by the non-profit organisation GIFT. The 240-page, full-colour, hardcover book can be purchased here at US$40 per copy for a minimum order of 20 copies.
