Key Highlights
- Dubai Airports gave a special entry stamp to a 90-year-old Indian expatriate who first visited Dubai in 1965.
- The act was made possible at the request of his son, marking his father’s half-a-century-long connection with the UAE.
Key Facts
- Haji N. Jamaluddin first arrived in Dubai in 1965 from India.
- His son requested a commemorative passport stamp honoring his father’s roots.
- Dubai Airports responded with a symbolic gesture in honor of early expats.
Key Background
In an emotionally charged and symbolic move, Dubai Airports just honored 90-year-old Indian expatriate Haji N. Jamaluddin, who arrived in Dubai for the first time in 1965, with a specially designed commemorative passport entry stamp. While unofficial, the stamp was released as an affectionate gesture to commemorate his long association with the emirate.
The special gesture came after a poignant request by Jamaluddin’s son, who wanted to do justice to his father’s service and memories of the early days in Dubai. In 1965, the city was in its early stage of development, and visionaries like Jamaluddin were among the several individuals who laid the cornerstone for the modern city Dubai is today.
Jamaluddin’s life is the witness to the enduring legacy of Indian expatriates who became key to creating the infrastructure, business, and community life of the UAE. Amenities were few and living standards simple at that time, but vision and determination took them far. His life is a witness to determination, hard work, and quiet contribution—additional details in the larger tale of instant urbanization.
The commemorative stamp, even symbolic, is an eloquent reminder of the way individuals such as Jamaluddin contributed to the making of Dubai today. The airport’s gesture to fulfill this personal wish is indicative of much empathy and cultural understanding, especially towards the pioneer generation of expatriates who settled in the pre-union era.
This symbol of acknowledgment is more than a personal commemoration—it reflects the UAE’s acknowledgment of its multicultural past and importance of remembering the generations that worked to create the nation. The action resonated with the public and the expatriate community, capturing the emotional importance of remembering those who worked behind the scenes but made considerable contributions.
Jamaluddin’s tale is a tribute to the strong and lasting India-UAE connection. His life has been remembered not just in memory but now also in the symbolic black ink of a passport stamp—marking the past, commemorating the present, and inspiring the next generation.