Watch: After 60 years in Dubai, Indian educator gets first UAE entry stamp

Indian expat Haji N Jamaluddin arrived in Dubai from Mumbai by ship on February 26, 1965. Sixty years after his original arrival, the veteran educator and founder of Crescent English High School was officially welcomed into UAE.

The 91-year-old expat received a special immigration stamp from Dubai Airports to commemorate 60 years since his arrival in the UAE, making up for the one he never received when he first set foot in the city.

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With no port and the city just taking shape in the 1960s, Haji N Jamaluddin never got a stamp on his passport, which usually documents entry and exit dates in the country. Instead, he got a stamp by the Government of Dubai. Six decades later, his son, Dr Riyas Jamaluddin, wanted to mark the occasion by giving his father a new UAE entry stamp.

In a heartwarming gesture that reflects the spirit of the UAE’s Year of Community, Dubai Airports helped make the son's simple wish for his father come true. "This new entry stamp isn’t just a mark in a passport, it’s a tribute to everything Dubai has given us," said Jamaluddin. "My son wanted to honour the years I have spent here, and with the help of the Dubai Airports team, he made that possible."

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In a social media post, Dubai Airports celebrated his legacy and wrote: "He arrived in Dubai by sea in 1965, before there was even a port. There was no immigration stamp back then. As part of the ‘Year of Community,’ we felt privileged to finally put a stamp in his passport to celebrate a legacy shaped by service, humility, and hope. Haji Jamaluddin still believes “education is the best weapon for enlightenment.”

Students from Crescent English High School were also invited to Dubai International (DXB) for an educational tour, which offered them a unique behind-the-scenes look at DXB’s operations.

A respected educator, chairman and founder of Crescent English High School, Jamaluddin has influenced the lives of thousands of students since opening the school in 1984.

With more than 1,700 students enrolled today, it remains one of the most affordable private schools in the UAE. Located in Al Qusais, the yearly fees at the school begins at Dh3409 annually. His philosophy is simple: “Money is not everything. Education is the best weapon for enlightenment.” 

With more than 1,700 students enrolled today, it remains one of the most affordable private schools in the UAE. Located in Al Qusais, the yearly fees at the school begin at Dh3409 annually. His philosophy is simple: “Money is not everything. Education is the best weapon for enlightenment.” 

"All it took was an email"

Dr Riyas still cannot believe how one email of his snowballed into a high honour for his father. “I first wanted to write an email to Mr Paul Griffiths, the CEO of Dubai Airport, to request more chairs in the prayer rooms, but then I decided to ask for a stamp for my father,” he said. “I didn’t think much of it. I didn’t even expect a response.”

Not only was his request granted, but his father was recognised for his contributions to the UAE. Just a few weeks after his email, he and his father were invited to the office of Paul Griffiths. “That is when I told my father about the email I had sent,” he said. “He was surprised.”

 There, Jamaluddin was given the coveted UAE entry stamp with the year 1965 written. “He is a man of few words, and I didn’t show a lot of emotion, but I know that it made him very happy,” said Dr. Riyas. Later, Lt General Mohammed Ahmed Al Marri, Director General of GDRFA, and Aisha Abdulla Miran, Director General of KHDA, visited the school as well.

Giving back to society

Jamaluddin credits much of his passion to the leadership of the UAE, especially the late Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum, whom he saw regularly visiting worksites in the early morning hours. “He was always among the people and now Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum is continuing that legacy. It’s what makes Dubai what it is today.”

According to Dr Riyas, his father was immensely inspired by the late Sheikh Rashid. “He always spoke about how Sheikh Rashid built colonies in Karama and Al Qusais for lower-income people to live comfortably in,” he said. “That was one of the reasons why he established a school with one of the lowest, if not the lowest, fees in the country. He says that if a person earns Dh2500 a month and has two children, how will he afford to educate those children.”

Jamaluddin’s passion for giving back to the community has inspired Dr Riyas to do his bit as well. He said he admired his father for his work. “At the age of 91, he still goes out every day and does what he loves to do,” he said. “He is driven by the purpose of educating the younger minds.” 

• Dubai

Nasreen Abdulla

Nasreen Abdulla is a Special Correspondent covering food, tech and human interest stories. When not challenged by deadlines, you’ll find her pulling off submissions on the jiu jitsu mats.

nasreen@khaleejtimes.com