Small gestures make a big difference. After all, it is the thought that counts! Bringing a big smile to the face of passerby’s, a Pakistani expat in Sharjah is making headlines for all the right reasons. A sales manager by profession, Mohommad Dawood has now become a popular face in his vicinity (Al Montazah Road). Carrying a trolley filled with edibles, the 64-year-old steps out of his house at 5pm every weekend and distributes basic necessities (for free!) to whoever he comes across, including bottled water and disposable prayer mats too. Having been doing this for three years now, he has also added face masks and hand sanitisers to his list following the coronavirus outbreak.
Talking to Gulf News, Dawood said, “Very few people frequented this place in the past so most of the things in my trolley would remain undistributed.” However, this is not the case anymore. “Now this place is milling with everyone from joggers, walkers and cyclists to people on wheelchairs and picnicking families. I have to keep replenishing every few minutes and add variety. So, if it’s not biscuits, it’s chocolates and candies. The kids relish them,” he added. Dawood’s spouse and two sons also accompany him most of the time.
Speaking about the safety measures surrounding the Covid-19 pandemic, he shared, “Face masks get damp due to breathing and sweating. A lot of runners want to replace them, and I am happy to help. I also keep sanitisers and encourage people to use them before they pick anything from the trolley.” And there is no one who does not praise him! Singing praises for Dawood, Sunil Sequeira from India told the publication, “As we crossed the Sharjah International Marine Sports Club, we came across the endearing sight of a man distributing water. He offered us as bottle as well. Soon we struck a conversation. Now we are good friends. What Dawood is doing is truly remarkable. It takes a great deal of personal commitment to stand there till late evening week after week.”