Dubai: That was too short a journey up an elevator. But it is going to last in their memories forever.
Indian entrepreneur Anas Rahman Junaid and his family never thought that they would be joined on elevator by Ruler of Dubai, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.
The family can’t still get over the bouts of excitement from having been with the ruler nevertheless for a short trip.
The entrepreneur, his wife and children were riding the elevator on the 22nd floor of Atlantis The Royal on Saturday, when the Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai entered with his entourage, Khaleej Times reported.
The family visiting Dubai for holiday found their tongue-tied at the sight of ruler in the elevator.
Anas told Khaleej that they were ‘shocked’, but the ruler was ‘very friendly’, and put his arms around his daughter, asking if ‘she knew who he was’.
The ruler posed for photograph and chatted with the family, breaking the ice and engaging them in conversation.
Anas said when they stepped off the elevator everybody including his 10-year-old daughter Mishel, and his 7-year-old son Daniyal were jumping in excitement.
‘We could not believe that we had actually met him and spoke to him. In fact, my wife later took a photo of the lift and shared it on social media saying it was her most favourite lift in the world. We then sent the photos with him to our school friends and family groups before posting on social media, Anas was quoted as saying.
The family, hailing from Mumbai, was in Dubai for a two-week vacation and was staying at the Atlantis The Royal when they bumped into the ruler.
Anas said the ruler asked him where they were from and what they were doing, before obliging for photographs.
‘My son usually doesn’t smile for photographs but this time he had the biggest smile on his face,” he said.
He regrets that he did not wish the ruler a happy birthday, nevertheless he knew it was on his birthday that he chanced upon the ruler.
‘It was just so surreal; we were all so excited and everything happened so suddenly’, thus he comforted himself for missing out on wishing the ruler.