DUBAI // A man who called police after finding Dh93,000 in cash in a stairwell following evening prayers has been rewarded for his honesty.
Iraqi resident Alaa al Mutairi called Dubai police on February 22 after he found the cash, all in Dh1,000 notes, in a Rashidiyah building.
"That day I was heading to my office about 5.30pm and stopped at a small mosque located in the building next to my company's to pray Maghreb," said the engineer, referring to evening prayers.
"When I walked out of the mosque, I spotted the money tied in a stack on the floor of the stairwell.
"I stayed for about an hour, looking around and hoping that somebody would come looking for it, but nobody showed up," he said.
The engineer then called Dubai police on 999 and a patrol arrived on the scene.
"They were quick and when they arrived, they scouted with me for the money's possible owner."
A report was filed by Mr al Mutairi at the Rashidiya police station and the money was kept there.
Not willing to rest, Mr al Mutairi printed flyers to inform the public he had found the money and had handed it over to police, then posted them in office buildings in the vicinity.
"I also approached an announcer at an auction that was being held in the area and asked him to instruct anyone who lost the money to go to Rashidiyah police station," he said.
According to police, the owner of the money was located and came forward to claim it after a few days.
Major Colonel Abdel Rahman Rafeei, director of the Community Services Department at Dubai police, commended Mr Mutairi for his honesty and said that public co-operation had helped to curb crime in the emirate.
"This [award] is part of our effort to increase co-operation with the public and establish security within the community," he said.
Mr al Mutairi was presented with a certificate of appreciation and a gift at a ceremony attended by senior police officials at Dubai police headquarters on Tuesday.
"This is like an honour badge for me and will hopefully entice the public to be more co-operative with police," he said.
"I believe that we should all work together to keep the country safe and put our trust in Dubai police."
