Christian expat builds mosque in UAE, serves Iftar to 700 workers

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Christian expat builds mosque in UAE, serves Iftar to 700 workers

Fujairah - The businessman had landed in Dubai with just Dh630 in 2003.

By Web Report

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Published: Thu 9 May 2019, 2:59 PM

Last updated: Sat 11 May 2019, 10:04 AM

Indian businessman and UAE Christian expat Saji Cheriyan serves more than 700 Iftar meals for workers in Fujairah throughout the holy month.
Cheriyan built the Mariam Umm Eisa (Mary, the Mother of Jesus) mosque in Al-Hail Industrial Area last year for thousands of workers in the emirate, Al Roeya reported.  
The Indian businessman said that his humanitarian project enhances compassion between the workers and brings them together after a long day of work. 
Before building the mosque, Cheriyan used to go to the Iftar tents to distribute food to the workers. He decided to build the mosque after he noticed that workers had to walk long distances in the heat to reach a mosque.
Also read: UAE Christians hail renaming of mosque to 'Mary, Jesus mother'
Cheriyan went to the General Authority for Islamic Affairs and Endowments in Fujairah to obtain all necessary permits and started building the mosque.
He stated that he had received offers from many to help build the mosque, but he preferred to build it alone and contribute towards breaking the worker's fast at his own expense.
Cheriyan had landed in Dubai with just Dh630 in 2003 with no job or contacts. He started as a construction worker, then a contractor and now he works as a real estate developer.


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