(Mohammad – Syrian – 34 years old) received a glimmer of hope after two donors stepped forward to settle the AED 150,000 blood money (diya) imposed on him following a workplace accident that resulted in the unintentional death of a worker, leading to his imprisonment.

This humanitarian initiative came after “Al-Emarat Al-Youm” newspaper, through its “Hotline” section, published Mohammad’s plea for help. The donors responded to his case, and coordination was carried out between the donors and the Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities Department in Dubai, facilitated by the “Hotline” team, to transfer the donation to the relevant authorities.

Mohammad expressed his deep gratitude to the donors, affirming that such generous acts are not unusual in the UAE, where both individuals and institutions consistently support those in need. He said, “I cannot express my joy when the Hotline team called to inform me that the blood money had been paid just days after my story was published.”

The newspaper had published Mohammad’s story on the 28th of last month, including his appeal to kind-hearted individuals to help him settle the blood money so he could be released and reunited with his family.

Mohammad is currently being held at the Sharjah Central Prison, following a court ruling that sentenced him to jail and ordered him to pay the diya, after one of his company’s workers died due to negligence and lack of safety measures. The deceased worker was allowed to climb scaffolding without wearing a helmet or safety harness, which led to his fall and subsequent death.

Mohammad recounted that the incident took place last April, during a visit to one of his company’s sites in Kalba City. He arrived to find workers running in panic and, upon inquiry, learned that one of them had fallen. He rushed to the injured worker and transported him to Kalba Hospital, where a medical report confirmed the victim was in cardiac and respiratory arrest, with severe bleeding from the ears and mouth, and signs of fractures in the thigh and right leg. Despite multiple resuscitation attempts, the worker could not be saved.

He added that he has been residing in the UAE for 11 years and previously owned a company specializing in tiling and flooring. However, the business suffered heavy losses in recent years. His imprisonment has also deeply affected his family, who had to vacate their home due to an inability to pay rent. They are currently living with a relative.