Engineer with 'most precious' helmet

Omar Abdullah Al Aref, an Emirati engineer, says he is proud to have the“most precious” helmet in the UAE. For it is signed by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, and General Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Abu Dhabi Crown Prince and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces.

Omar managed to get the two signatures at the same time when he escorted the two leaders after the official inauguration of Emal, the world’s single largest aluminium smelter in Abu Dhabi this week.

Oman said he had the chance to accompany the two leaders and brief them on the project as one of the engineers who saw the project come on stream.

“It was the most important moment in my life…I was as much happy as with my marriage last month,” the young engineer told 'Emarat Al Youm' daily.

“The trip I took with them was like a family meeting as their highnesses asked me about my studies and qualifications and then expressed delight about the presence of Emirati engineer in this giant project….at the end of the trip, I asked their highnesses to sign on my helmet and they did so with pleasure…they also asked me to convey their thanks to my colleagues who participated in the establishment of this project, saying they make the UAE proud of them.”