Bahraini wins $1m in Dubai Duty Free raffle draw, 4 others drive away luxury vehicles
A Bahraini national have been announced as the new dollar millionaire at the latest Dubai Duty Free Millennium Millionaire and Finest Surprise draw, held on Wednesday at Concourse C of Dubai International Airport.
Mohamed Tareq Mohamed Akbar, a Bahraini national based in Manama, Bahrain became $1 million winner, in Millennium Millionaire Series 504 with ticket number 3897 which he purchased online on May 25, 2025.
Akbar who is the 4th Bahraini national to have won US$1 million in the Millennium Millionaire promotion since 1999, is currently uncontactable, but will no doubt be delighted to learn of his newfound fortune.
Wednesday's draw was conducted by Dubai Duty Free Managing Director, Ramesh Cidambi, Sinead El Sibai, SVP - Marketing, Mona Al Ali. SVP – HR, Michael Schmidt, SVP - Retail, Zayed Al Shebli, SVP – Loss Prevention & Corporate Security, Mansoor Al Khaja, VP - Finance, Mohamad Al Khaja, VP - Retail Support, Thankachan Varghese, Senior Manager- Retail Support, Salim Ibrahim, Senior Manager – Retail Sales, Nasser Al Jasmi, Senior Manager - Exchange Bureau, Khalid Saleh, Senior Manager - Loss Prevention & Corporate Security and Mohsen Saleh Rashed, 1st Warrant Officer of Dubai Police.
Officials of Dubai Duty Free conduct the Finest Surprise draw at Concourse C of Dubai International Airport on Wednesday.
Following the Millennium Millionaire draw, the Finest Surprise draw was conducted for two luxury cars and motorbikes.
Agop Kazanjian, a 45-year-old Armenian national based in Dubai won a Mercedes Benz S500 (Selenite Grey Metallic) car with ticket number 1024 in the Finest Surprise Series 1924, which he purchased online on May 16, 2025.
A regular participant in Dubai Duty Free's promotion for 11 years now, Kazanjian is a father of two and works as a plant manager for a food manufacturing company.
'Finally, I'm very happy that I have won! Thank you Dubai Duty Free,' he said.
Meanwhile, Stefan Terry, a 44-year-old British national based in Dubai won a Range Rover SE P360 (Ostuni Pearl White) car with ticket number 1840 in the Finest Surprise Series 1926, which he purchased in Concourse B on June 5, 2025.
A resident of Dubai for 20 years, Terry has been a regular participant in Dubai Duty Free's promotion for 5 years now.
He is a father of two and works as a managing director for an investment firm.
'Thank you so much Dubai Duty Free. This is absolutely unbelievable!' he said.
Mohannad Abu Arja, a 41-year-old Jordanian national based in Dubai won an Aprilia Tuono V4 Factory 1100 (Black/Red) motorbike with ticket number 0742 in the Finest Surprise Series 625, which he purchased online on May 27, 2025.
A regular participant in Dubai Duty Free's promotion for 5 years now, Abu Arja is a father of two and works as an IT project manager for a commercial bank.
'Thank you Dubai Duty Free. I'm very thankful for this win,' he said.
Lastly, Muhammad Atif, a 23-year-old Pakistani national based in Hail, Saudi Arabia won a BMW F 900 GS Adventure (Black Storm Metallic) motorbike with ticket number 0371 in the Finest Surprise Series 626, which he purchased online on May 26, 2025.
A first-time ticket buyer, Atif is a father of one and works as a family driver.
'I'm so lucky to win with my first ever ticket to Dubai Duty Free promotion,' he said.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
What's On
3 days ago
- What's On
These are the exact locations of the 14 stations on the Dubai Metro Blue Line
In an exciting move for public transportation in Dubai, construction for the Dubai Metro Blue Line expansion is underway, and scheduled for completion in 2029. This massive expansion of the existing network was first discussed back in 2006, along with other potential lines and the expansion of the existing Red and Green lines. After much anticipation, the process has begun, and for those wondering about what the network will look like, we have all the details. The line will serve 9 key communities including Dubai International Airport, Mirdif, Al Warqa, International City 1 and 2, Dubai Silicon Oasis, Academic City, Ras Al Khor Industrial Area, Dubai Creek Harbour and Dubai Festival City. The university area covers more than 129 million square feet and is predicted to accommodate more than 50,000 students by 2029. This station will be a major interchange and the first point of first route of the Dubai Metro Blue Line. The station will allow people on the Blue Line to connect directly with the Green Line. Al Rashidiya Another existing interchange station, Centrepoint Station on the Red Line will be where the second route begins. The final station on the Red Line will connect with the Blue Line. A much needed connection to this growing community, the Al Warqa station will be found on the smaller second route of the Dubai Metro Blue Line. Mirdif is also an area in need for direct transport, considering the large residential, suburban population. This station will be located on the longer 21km route. This is where the world's tallest metro station will be. The Emaar Properties Station is set to be an iconic landmark with the 11,000 square metre space designed to handle up to 160,000 passengers, with more than 70,000 expected to use it daily once it is operational. A 1,300 metre-long bridge will be constructed to allow the Metro to cross the Dubai Creek, the first of it's kind. Dubai Festival City will sit along the larger 21km route of the Dubai Metro Blue Line and connect a vital Dubai mall. The Metro service will provide a direct link for the area to key parts in the city, and means that there won't be as much reliance on the abra boat service. Several of these communities on the the Blue Line will now be directly connected to Dubai International Airport. It is being estimated that this journeys the world's busiest international airport and will take just 20 minutes. Dubai Silicon Oasis is a major, growing community as part of the Dubai 2040 Urban Master Plan. On the Blue Line, the station to this area will sit on the 21km route and serve a much needed area with at the moment, virtually no connectivity to Downtown. The stations will be located in International City, another area that is lacking connectivity at the moment. These will include one underground interchange station allowing for greater connectivity across the existing Metro lines. Ras Al Khor will also be served by the larger route on the Blue Line. Found between the Emaar Properties Station and the International City stops, Ras Al Khor will soon have greater connectivity with major areas in Dubai. For more information on everything we know about the new line, read our guide here. Images: Socials > Sign up for FREE to get exclusive updates that you are interested in
Web Release
3 days ago
- Web Release
Serco Secures AED 495 million Contract Extension with Dubai Airports to Deliver World-Class Guest Experience Services
Serco has announced a significant contract extension with Dubai Airports, valued at AED 495 million (£100 million) and running until December 2030. The five-year extension builds on a longstanding guest experience partnership over six years, following the successful delivery of an initial five-year term and a one-year extension. As part of the agreement, Serco will continue to provide guest experience services across all elements of the passenger journey at Dubai International Airport (DXB) and Dubai World Central – Al Maktoum International (DWC). This includes the deployment of guest experience ambassadors, passenger processing teams, traffic marshals, buggy drivers, chauffeurs, and lounge hosts for VIP services. With more than 1,500 Serco employees currently operating at the airports, the team plays a pivotal role in supporting the movement of over 93 million passengers per year, helping to deliver a seamless, safe, and welcoming experience for travellers, from arrival to departure. Phil Malem, CEO of Serco Middle East and CEO of +impact, said: 'The latest extension allows us to build on the success we have enjoyed with Dubai Airports over the last six years, supporting Dubai in delivering a best-in-class aviation hub. Dubai Airports continues to set global benchmarks for airport experiences, and we are extremely proud to be part of that journey, helping to shape passenger services through expertly trained teams, innovative solutions, and our customer experience expertise.' Majed Al Joker, Chief Operating Officer of Dubai Airports said: 'This renewed partnership with Serco comes at a time when guest expectations are higher than ever, and the scale of our operations continues to grow. At DXB and DWC, we see every interaction as an opportunity to create a positive and lasting impression. Serco's dedicated teams are an extension of that vision, bringing professionalism, empathy, and consistency to some of the most crucial touchpoints along the journey. As we look ahead to welcoming more that 96 million guests this year, this collaboration will play a key role in ensuring our airports remain among the most guest-centric in the world.' Serco has over 75 years of experience in the region's aviation sector and continues to support airports across the region with guest experience, air navigation services, emergency services, training, facilities and asset management. For more information visit
Time Out Abu Dhabi
4 days ago
- Time Out Abu Dhabi
The UAE has activated the emergency airport response plan
The United Arab Emirates has approved an emergency response plan following the suspension of multiple flights across the country. Steps have been taken to ensure the safety and smooth movement of passengers at UAE airports without compromising service quality. The Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs, and Port Security immediately approved its emergency business continuity plan as the regional situation unfolded. The plans provide greater operational flexibility as several routes from the UAE have been cancelled or suspended – from Zayed International Airport, Dubai International Airport, and Dubai World Central to Sharjah International Airport. Potential disruptions to travel, following airspace closures by some nations, have been minimised by the authority's emergency response plan. Credit: Abu Dhabi Airports A streamlined system for passenger entry into UAE airports has been put in place and direct guidance is being provided to passengers by support teams. The ICP has coordinated with airlines in the UAE to facilitate flight rescheduling for those affected by travel disruption. Stranded passengers have been assisted with temporary accommodation, logistical services and accurate information. The plan includes close coordination with all operational entities to address the fallout from recent regional developments that led to the airspace closures. Passengers have been commended for their cooperation and understanding during the 'exceptional regional circumstances.' The authority also reiterated its commitment to undertaking all necessary measures to guarantee the security and safety of all travellers. UAE visa overstay fines waived for Iranians The UAE has also announced that Iranian citizens currently in the UAE are exempt from paying overstay fines, regardless of their visa type. This applies to both residents and visitors and aims to 'alleviate the burden on individuals who have been unable to return to Iran due to airspace closures and flight suspensions.'
