These images show Indian fans snapping selfies with a stony-faced Sheikh Mohammed, the ruler of Dubai, in a lift on his birthday.
Anas Rahman Junaid, 39, was with his family in the lift on Saturday, 15th July when none other than Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, entered.
It was Sheikh Mohammed’s 74th birthday and the family, on holiday from India, were thrilled to meet him at the Atlantis The Royal, a luxurious five-star resort located in The Palm, Dubai.
The family, including Anas, his wife Thanzeem, 37, his daughter Michelle, 10, and his son Daniel, 7, can be seen in these photos posing for selfies with him.
And despite him looking less than amused in the pics, Anas said that he was actually very nice.
Anas told Newsflash in an exclusive interview: “At the time I arrived the previous day, I went to the 22nd floor to check the pool, but the kids were not allowed there, so so because we can’t go to the pool we went back to the elevator disappointed that’s when his highness entered the elevator and saw us and spoke to us.
Anas, who said that he studied at Oxford in the UK, added: “It was fantastic how it feels like, we were surprised and jumping for joy, and we were excited to see his highness in the same elevator with us.”
They said that despite being very modest, the ruler brought a certain kind of energy into the lift with him, saying: “He was so modest, he could have not entered the elevator or asked to leave and not use that elevator, but his highness was great enough to join us and the best part was he started a conversation with our daughter Michelle, actually, he brought the energy with him when he entered the elevator you can feel it, and this was fantastic, so from my perspective that is how the ideal leader should be.”
Anas, an entrepreneur who founded Hurun India, which he said is known for publishing and researching rich lists, said they enjoyed their holiday in Dubai, adding: “It was fantastic, I can tell you that the best breakfast I ever had was from Royal Atlantis, and the fact of meeting his highness made our vacation not compared to any other vacation.”
