In the realm of UAE's legendary camel races, one name shines brightly for his crucial role in honoring victorious camels — saffron master Samir Ahmed. With over four decades dedicated to perfecting the art of creating saffron mixtures for camels, Samir is a highly respected figure in the UAE and Gulf region. For Samir, now in his early sixties, the saffron mixture is more than a secret recipe; it is a tribute to the desert's most treasured animal: the camel.
"Our sheikhs honor even the animals," he said, explaining how applying saffron to a camel's head post-race rejuvenates, cools, and energizes it. "Camels are our desert ships. In the past, they were everything to the Bedouins, providing milk, meat, and even wealth." Samir arrived in the UAE in 1976 with his sister, who was married there. As a nine-year-old, he immersed himself in the traditional Bedouin lifestyle, learning the ways of the desert, riding camels, and earning recognition among Bedouins and the royal family.
His journey with camel racing began in 1980 when he started working with Bedouins and sheikhs at top races in Nad Alsheba, Dubai. However, it was in 1983 when Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, mandated a special saffron mix for camels finishing in the top three positions in the prestigious end-of-season races. Initially, women prepared the saffron mixture, which weighed about five kilograms per batch. Samir, who initially only applied the mixture, was soon entrusted with its preparation.
"It was challenging at first," Samir recounted. "I didn’t know the exact recipe. Then it was sent to me on paper with the ingredients. Over time, I perfected it and developed a blend that is still in use today." The recipe Samir created is a closely guarded secret, comprising 40 ingredients, with saffron as the primary and costly component. The cost of the saffron mixture used for up to 1,000 camels in each race amounts to approximately Dh100,000. Saffron, one of the most expensive ingredients, is a fragrant and aromatic plant that resembles threads. It is used in foods and beverages to impart a unique flavor and taste. Saffron oil is also featured in some of the world’s finest perfumes.
Over the years, the quantity of saffron mixture produced by Samir has significantly increased. What started as 50 kilograms per race has now grown to over 1,000 kilograms of dry ingredients, which are later mixed with water. From his base in Nad Al Sheba, Samir's saffron mixture was initially used for races in Dubai, then expanded to Abu Dhabi, and eventually to other GCC countries like Kuwait and Qatar. His saffron mixture is now the only one authorized for official races, with strict regulations prohibiting the use of any external blends. "There are those who try to cut corners and use inferior ingredients, but I’m the only one trusted with making the saffron blend," he proudly asserts.
For Samir, who has acquired UAE citizenship and lives with his family, it's about preserving a way of life passed down through generations. "It’s not just about the races or the money; it’s about keeping our heritage alive and ensuring that the camels, our desert ships, are always treated with the respect they deserve."
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