Bahraini and Bosnian nationals hit $1m jackpot in Dubai Duty Free draw

Gulf Today, Staff Reporter

Six lucky individuals have been added to the long list of dollar millionaire and luxury vehicle winners as Dubai Duty Free conducted the latest draw for Dubai Duty Free Millennium Millionaire and Finest Surprise promotion on Wednesday in Concourse B at Terminal 3 of Dubai International Airport.

Abdulhakim Alshafei, a 64-year-old Bahraini national based in Manama, Bahrain became a $1 million winner in Millennium Millionaire Series 356 with ticket number 2392 which he purchased online on March 21, 2021.

Alshafei is a regular participant in Dubai Duty Free’s promotion since 2018 and the father of two works as an advisor for an investment company in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

“Thank you Dubai Duty Free, this unexpected blessing is much appreciated specially during this challenging time,” he commented.

Joining Alshafei in the Dubai Duty Free Millennium Millionaire’s circle is Selmir Omazic, a Bosnian national based in Bosnia and Hercegovina, was also announced as the winner of $1 million in Millennium Millionaire Series 357 with ticket number 2609, which he purchased online on April 1, 2021.

Omazic, who is the first Bosnian national to win $1 million since the start of the Millennium Millionaire promotion in 1999, was unavailable for immediate comment, but will no doubt be surprised when he learns of his newfound fortune.

Wednesday's Millennium Millionaire draw was conducted by Dubai Duty Free's Executive Vice Chairman & CEO, Colm McLoughlin, Chief Operating Officer, Ramesh Cidambi and Sinead El Sibai, SVP – Marketing.

Following the Millennium Millionaire draw the Finest Surprise draw was conducted for two luxury cars and two motorbikes.

Joining in the draw line-up was Michael Schmidt, SVP - Retail Support, Sharon Beecham, VP - Purchasing and Zayed Al Shebli, VP - Loss Prevention & Corporate Security.

Jayan Palakkal, a 51-year- old Indian national based in Sharjah, won a BMW 760Li xDrive (Black Sapphire Metallic) car, with ticket number 0474 in Finest Surprise Series 1771, which he purchased online on MArch 30, 2021.

Officials conduct Finest Surprise draw for two luxury cars and two motorbikes.

A father of one, Palakkal belongs to the same group of 25 employees of a school transport service company in Al Quoz who won $1 million in Millennium Millionaire Series 353 with ticket number 4960 under his colleague’s name, Rahul Kovithala Thazheveettil, which was drawn on March 20, 2021, after the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships Men's final.

Sharing the ticket cost with the same group of 25 employees, Palakkal, who put the ticket under his name this time, was understandably ecstatic to share the good news to his colleagues.

“Thank you so much Dubai Duty Free. This Is a great opportunity and we will continue to buy tickets. I encouraged everyone to take part in this amazing promotion,” he said.

Meanwhile, Dean Post, a 53- year-old South African national based in Dubai won a Mercedes Benz GLE 53 4M AMG (Polar White) car, with ticket number 1152 in Finest Surprise Series 1772, which he purchased online on April 17, 2021.

A regular participant in Dubai Duty Free’s promotion for five years now, the father of two is a resident of Dubai for 14 years and works as Chief Financial Officer for a shipping company in Dubai.

“I’m stoked! Thank you for the fantastic surprise Dubai Duty Free,” commented Mr. Post.

Lastly, Muhammad Ali Atara, a Pakistani national based in Pakistan won a BMW R 1250 RS (Black Storm Metallic) motorbike, with ticket number 0367 in Finest Surprise Series 451, which he purchased online on April 3, 2021.

While, Hafeezur Rahman, an Indian national based in Dubai won an Aprilla RSV4 Factory (Atomico Racer) motorbike, with ticket number 0730 in Finest Surprise Series 452, which he purchased on 13^th April.