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Two on marathon to show gratitude to Shaikh Zayed

DUBAI/ABU DHABI - For the first time in the Arab world, two Syrian women have started on a six-day marathon from Dubai. The walk which began on August 1 will see them walking 180km, all the way to Abu Dhabi in the sweltering heat, covering difficult terrain and conditions.

The walk is being undertaken as a gesture of love and gratitude to the President, His Highness Shaikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan on the occasion of the 38th Accession Day.

Twenty-nine year old Lama Faris Nasr and Reem Mohammd Qaqa, 22, with their bags on their backs, started on their trip at 8am from Al Bayan Printing and Publishing House in Dubai. Their journey is expected to end on August 6 in Abu Dhabi where they will hand over to Shaikh Zayed a "love-card" that embodies the deep sentiments of love, respect and gratitude of all the Arab residents of the UAE and the Syrian community in particular.

The "love-card", which bears the young women's signatures, is adorned with poetic words lauding Shaikh Zayed and the rulers of the various emirates for the burdens they have born on their shoulders to turn the UAE into a prosperous country.

Khaleej Times went to Ghantoot on the outskirts of the emirate of Abu Dhabi bordering Dubai, and spoke to the young women. They said: "We have thought a lot on the best way to express our love to the Father of the Nation, who provided substantial and generous support to Arab nations and the needy all over the world.

"As we are sportswomen we came up with the idea of staging a strenuous six-day march. We have approached the Al Shabab Sports Club in Dubai which welcomed the idea and they coordinated with the concerned authorities to provide all the necessary help we need."

Lema said that they had so far covered 95km at a steady rate of 35km each day, at 10 hours march a day. "We start our trip from the early morning till 11pm and then started off again from 4pm until we completed the planned distance we have set to cover for the day."

Reem added: "Despite the parching heat, windy conditions, dust and humidity, we felt strong and determined to reach our destination and prove the ability of Arab women to overcome any difficulties that face them. "We have been encouraged by onlookers who boosted our spirits besides the security provided by the police who guided us through harsh terrain and helped us in crossing roads to avoid fast vehicles. What impressed us most was how people looked at us in amazement and stopped to ask us if we needed any help."

Lama said that during their trip they had been impressed by the great accomplishments in construction projects in the form of hotels, restaurants and petrol stations spread along the roads to serve travellers.

She said that they had also witnessed labourers remove sands and litter and dangerous materials from the roads and even empty spaces. Reem and Lama lauded the Dubai Police General Headquarters and Abu Dhabi Police for protecting the march in their zones, as well as the Al Shaab Sports Club in Sharjah, Al Shabab Sports Club in Dubai, the UAE Women's Union, the Al Bayan Printing and Publishing House, Mowafaq Al Qadah Commercial Group, Al Jazeira Resort for supporting their march.

They said that they are anxiously waiting the end of the trip so they could present the thank-you message to the hands of Shaikh Zayed on behalf of all Arabs and expatriates in the UAE.

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