Indian family thanks UAE-based businessman for repaying hefty loan

Al Ain - It was last September that Kerala expat Mohammed Ashik passed away in Al Ain.

UAE-based Indian businessman M.A. Yusuff Ali came to the rescue of a poor family who had lost their sole breadwinner and was staring at an uncertain future with a bank set to seize their home.
It was last September that Kerala expat Mohammed Ashik passed away in Al Ain. It was nine years back that Ashik landed in the UAE with responsibility of looking after his ailing parents and five sisters back in native place of Kokkur village of Malappuram district. He started with a small job and later set up his own shop in Al Ain. He managed to marry off his four sisters. But few years back, his father died following brain tumour, mother got bed-ridden and a sister paralysed following an illness. To meet medical and financial needs, Ashik took bank loans to the tune of Rs1.8 million by pledging his home and land. He repaid monthly installments until his death. However, in past few months the pending amount swelled and his family was helpless.
"Ashik had lots of responsibility on his shoulders. He was managing things well. His death devastated the family. He is survived by wife and a daughter," Mohammed Basheer, his close relative, said over phone from Kerala.
"With bank seizure of property looming and family fearing homelessness, we had formed a committee to seek help. We held talks with the bank but it didn't bore desired result. So, we knocked at Yusuff Ali's doors to get involved for settlement talks with the bank. Instead of that he paid the entire amount. We were unaware about this. So when bank officials came at night, all family members were scared. But soon they realised the generous gesture shown by Yusuff bhai. They were all shockingly surprised to know they will not be homeless as bank officials handed the documents. Yusuff bhai will always be part of our prayers," Basheer said.
LuLu Group chairman and managing director Yusuff Ali said he was pained to learn about the unfortunate state of affairs and offered his support. "I didn't want to prolong the misery of this family even by a day. In this case the bank was in the final stage to go for auction. As soon as I came to know, I interfered. This is the holy month of Ramadan and it's our duty to help the needy in whichever way possible," Yusuff Ali said.
ashwani@khaleejtimes.com

• UAE