Dubai Worker Wins Dh85,000 Big Ticket Prize After 15 Years
After 15 Years in Dubai, Bangladeshi Worker Wins Big Ticket Abu Dhabi ā and Shares Dh85,000 Prize with Friends
For 15 long years, Alim Uddin Sonja Miah, a 35-year-old Bangladeshi expatriate, has been toiling in Dubaiās loading and unloading industry ā a job that demands both physical endurance and quiet determination. But this October, his years of hard work and hope were rewarded in the most unexpected way.
Alim, who moved to Dubai to support his family back home, has won Dh85,000 in Abu Dhabiās Big Ticket Big Win contest ā a moment of pure joy that he describes as āsurreal.ā
What makes his story even more inspiring is that Alimās victory isnāt his alone. The prize money will be shared among 10 of his friends, all of whom have been buying tickets together for the past year.
A dream 15 years in the making
Alim arrived in the UAE more than a decade ago, like thousands of migrant workers from Bangladesh who come seeking better opportunities. His daily routine revolved around hard labor ā loading and unloading heavy goods across warehouses and worksites. Despite the physical strain, he remained optimistic about the future.
That optimism translated into action when he and a group of friends discovered the Big Ticket raffle at Abu Dhabi International Airport last year. Inspired by stories of fellow expats turning their dreams into reality, the group began pooling small amounts of money every month to buy joint entries.
āWe started this just for fun,ā Alim recalled with a wide smile after collecting his prize. āNone of us ever thought we would actually win. But we decided to keep trying ā one ticket at a time.ā
āItās not just my win, itās our winā
When Alimās ticket number was announced in the Big Ticket Big Win draw, he couldnāt believe his ears. āIt was an unbelievable moment. Visiting the Big Ticket office and spinning the wheel myself felt like a dream,ā he said.
Alim was quick to emphasize that this victory belonged to everyone in his group. āIām incredibly happy about this win. Itās not just mine but my friendsā as well. Every person will get a share,ā he said proudly.
Each of the 10 members in the group will receive an equal portion of the Dh85,000 prize, meaning everyone takes home Dh8,500. For workers earning modest wages, thatās a life-changing sum ā enough to pay debts, send extra money home, or even start saving for the future.
But the group doesnāt plan to stop here. āWeāll share the prize among ourselves and continue purchasing Big Ticket entries together,ā Alim confirmed. āThis win has given us hope ā maybe next time, it will be the grand prize.ā
A symbol of teamwork and hope
Stories like Alimās have become a hallmark of the Big Ticket Abu Dhabi draws, which regularly feature winners from diverse nationalities and modest backgrounds. The raffle, one of the UAEās oldest and most popular, has turned countless ordinary residents into millionaires over the years.
Earlier this month, a Kerala expat in Qatar won Dh150,000, and another Indian expat in Sharjah bagged Dh110,000, proving that luck often favors those who keep the faith.
For Alim and his friends, the Dh85,000 win is more than just a stroke of luck ā itās a celebration of friendship, persistence, and shared dreams. āWeāve stood by each other for years,ā he said. āWinning together feels much better than winning alone.ā
Life beyond the win
Even after his win, Alim remains grounded. He continues working in Dubaiās loading and unloading sector, and says he has no plans to quit his job just yet. Instead, he intends to use his share of the money wisely ā to support his family in Bangladesh and save for his childrenās education.
āI came here with nothing but hope,ā he reflected. āNow, I feel like life is finally rewarding me for all the years of struggle. But I will keep working hard ā thatās what brought me here.ā
A reminder of everyday miracles
For many like Alim, the UAE has long been a land of opportunity ā a place where persistence can pay off in unexpected ways. His story reminds thousands of expatriates that even small acts of teamwork, faith, and patience can lead to life-changing outcomes.
As he walked away from the Big Ticket office, still smiling, Alim summed up his journey in one simple line:
āFifteen years of hard work ā and finally, my lucky day came.ā
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