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Jordanian on peace mission since 1998

Ahmed Abdullah Mufallah Ayassra, father of eight children and grandpa 38 times over, has cycled his way through Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and Qatar before reaching the UAE on the first leg of his 'peace mission.' From the UAE, he would be travelling to Oman and Kuwait, and then on to Malaysia, Yemen, the Maldives Islands and Egypt.

Wherever he goes, Ahmed, a fitness freak and an active sportsperson in his heydays, delivers lectures on the need for religious harmony, peace and love, besides, the inevitable need to keep oneself fit.

At the end of it all, he plans to go the US to pass on his message in the name of all religions and race to President George Bush.

En route his journey, Ahmed picked up several 'titles' bestowed on him by the people including "Jordanian Iron Traveller," "Conqueror of Jebel Hafeet" and "King of Space."

While in UAE, he cycled down from Abu Dhabi to Dubai, Sharjah and Ajman to commemorate the "Seniors' Day," besides taking part in the International Environment Day, the Traffic Week and the Accession Day.

Although his wife does not like his globetrotting ways, she has not taken objection to his desire that one of his children follow the path he has chosen. The children's pursuit of education has so far stalled his dreams turning into reality, he says.

Says the old sportsman: "From my early childhood, at the age of six, my bicycle has always been by my side. It has also served to keep me fit and keep away diseases."

• UAE