Watch: Young girl gets high-five from Sheikh Mohammed in 'once-in-a-lifetime' experience
What began as a routine weekend outing for a Dubai family turned into a moment they will cherish forever.Fathima Zelin had gone with her husband and two children to The Square in Nad Al Sheba on Saturday, expecting a casual evening of dining and shopping. Instead, the family found themselves unexpectedly meeting Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai; and their seven-year-old daughter even received a high-five from him.According to Zelin, the family was planning a weekend outing when her husband, Mohammed Ajil suggested The Square. “We had seen that there were pop-ups and other activities,” she said. “So, we thought it would be a fun outing for the kids.” They visited the destination with their children, seven-year-old Inaaya Aroush and two-year-old Ivaan Hamd. Stay up to date with the latest news. Follow KT on WhatsApp Channels.About 20 minutes after the couple reached there, they noticed people rushing to one side. “The kids were in the play area, and we noticed people running,” she said. “My husband jokingly said, maybe Sheikh Mohammed is here. I laughed and replied that if the Ruler of the emirate was coming, he wouldn’t come with such a small security team.”Curious, the family walked over and to their surprise, it was indeed Sheikh Mohammed touring the area. “We were so shocked and surprised,” she recalled. “I think it is every Dubai resident’s secret fantasy to meet Sheikh Mohammed on the street. We read these stories on the news but never really expect it to happen to you.”To remember the moment, her husband began recording a selfie video. In the excitement, the couple did not immediately notice what had happened. It was only later, while rewatching the video, that they realised their daughter Inaaya had given a high-five to Sheikh Mohammed.“We rushed over to her as she was playing in the kids’ area,” she said. “We asked her if she had gotten a high five and she nonchalantly said yes. We began laughing because she was behaving like it was an everyday occurrence. She knew who Sheikh Mohammed was because she had learnt about him in UAE social studies.”Watch the video below:Response Zelin, who works as a nutritionist, and her husband, who works as a project manager, have been living in the UAE for almost 15 years. They described the encounter as a "once-in-a-lifetime" experience they will cherish forever. A video they posted of the interaction on their Instagram account has gone viral and been viewed more than 500,000 times. “My husband and I are both not too active on social media,” she said. “We posted a video on Instagram and when we logged in two days later, there was a deluge of messages and stories. We have been overwhelmed.”She said the interaction has also drawn a lot of reaction from her extended family. “We have had cousins visiting us and shaking Inaaya’s hand, saying please let us touch the hand that Sheikh Mohammed shook,” she laughed. “It is truly an unforgettable experience for us.”xWatch: UAE President responds to women riders' salute at Union March; video goes viralViral video: Sheikh Mohammed stops as woman crosses path; residents laud 'true leader'
What began as a routine weekend outing for a Dubai family turned into a moment they will cherish forever.
Fathima Zelin had gone with her husband and two children to The Square in Nad Al Sheba on Saturday, expecting a casual evening of dining and shopping. Instead, the family found themselves unexpectedly meeting Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai; and their seven-year-old daughter even received a high-five from him.
According to Zelin, the family was planning a weekend outing when her husband, Mohammed Ajil suggested The Square. “We had seen that there were pop-ups and other activities,” she said. “So, we thought it would be a fun outing for the kids.” They visited the destination with their children, seven-year-old Inaaya Aroush and two-year-old Ivaan Hamd.
Stay up to date with the latest news. Follow KT on WhatsApp Channels.
About 20 minutes after the couple reached there, they noticed people rushing to one side. “The kids were in the play area, and we noticed people running,” she said. “My husband jokingly said, maybe Sheikh Mohammed is here. I laughed and replied that if the Ruler of the emirate was coming, he wouldn’t come with such a small security team.”
Curious, the family walked over and to their surprise, it was indeed Sheikh Mohammed touring the area. “We were so shocked and surprised,” she recalled. “I think it is every Dubai resident’s secret fantasy to meet Sheikh Mohammed on the street. We read these stories on the news but never really expect it to happen to you.”
To remember the moment, her husband began recording a selfie video. In the excitement, the couple did not immediately notice what had happened. It was only later, while rewatching the video, that they realised their daughter Inaaya had given a high-five to Sheikh Mohammed.
“We rushed over to her as she was playing in the kids’ area,” she said. “We asked her if she had gotten a high five and she nonchalantly said yes. We began laughing because she was behaving like it was an everyday occurrence. She knew who Sheikh Mohammed was because she had learnt about him in UAE social studies.”
Watch the video below:
Response
Zelin, who works as a nutritionist, and her husband, who works as a project manager, have been living in the UAE for almost 15 years. They described the encounter as a "once-in-a-lifetime" experience they will cherish forever.
A video they posted of the interaction on their Instagram account has gone viral and been viewed more than 500,000 times. “My husband and I are both not too active on social media,” she said. “We posted a video on Instagram and when we logged in two days later, there was a deluge of messages and stories. We have been overwhelmed.”
She said the interaction has also drawn a lot of reaction from her extended family. “We have had cousins visiting us and shaking Inaaya’s hand, saying please let us touch the hand that Sheikh Mohammed shook,” she laughed. “It is truly an unforgettable experience for us.”x
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