A taxi driver who returned Dh1 million in valuables, accidentally left behind by a passenger, was recently honored by Dubai Police on October 20. Hamada Abu Zeid, an Egyptian expat, has been working with Dubai Taxi Company since 2006.
On October 11, Hamada picked up a family from Dubai Airport, Terminal 3, and drove them to their residence on Palm Jumeirah. The client, a European man, was traveling with his wife and infant. Amid the chaos of settling in, he must have placed a small black leather bag under the seat for safekeeping, Hamada told Khaleej Times.
After dropping off the family, Hamada picked up another family who left a phone on the back seat. Noticing the phone, he also noticed the bag under the seat. He immediately returned to the hotel to check if the phone belonged to the previous family. However, the bag did not belong to them.
Without checking the contents, Hamada promptly contacted the police. "I did not think twice. I knew I had to return it," he said. When the police arrived, they confirmed that the bag contained items worth a fortune, which the passenger had already reported missing. The relieved commuter expressed immense gratitude to Hamada.
Reflecting on the experience, Hamada said: "It is my duty to return lost items to ensure they reach their rightful owner. This is the moral standard we uphold here in Dubai. I always find things that clients forget behind. My first instinct and reaction is to return them, no matter what the value is."
Brigadier Majid Al Suwaidi, Director of Al Barsha Police Station, later awarded Hamada a certificate of appreciation. "His act embodies the noble values of integrity and responsibility that we seek to promote in the community," Brigadier Al Suwaidi remarked.
"Thank God, I have been happy working with Dubai Taxi company for a long time. It feels like home," Hamada said. "Since the limousine service started in 2014, I have dedicated myself to providing the best service possible." Hamada’s actions reflect the ethos of the city. "Dubai is a place where good values are cherished, and I am proud to be part of this community," he concluded.
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