By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Accept
The Arabian NewsThe Arabian NewsThe Arabian News
  • Home
  • Business
  • Exclusive
  • Technology
  • Wellness
  • Real Estate
  • Contact
Reading: 80 Years of Metalwork: The Inspiring Story of UAE’s Iron Man
Share
The Arabian NewsThe Arabian News
  • Politics
  • Pursuits
  • Business
  • Technology
  • Home
  • Business
  • Exclusive
  • Technology
  • Wellness
  • Real Estate
  • Contact
Follow US
  • Advertise
© 2022 Foxiz News Network. Ruby Design Company. All Rights Reserved.
The Arabian News > Exclusive > 80 Years of Metalwork: The Inspiring Story of UAE’s Iron Man
Exclusive

80 Years of Metalwork: The Inspiring Story of UAE’s Iron Man

admin
SHARE

The hands of Syed Murad tell a story of decades spent crafting iron and steel into functional tools. Now 85, Murad remains dedicated to his craft as a blacksmith, a passion he inherited from his father and has cherished for a lifetime.

Contents
The Beginning of a Lifelong PassionMastering the CraftPassing Down the Legacy“It’s My Identity”

“All my friends have called me ‘Iron Man’ since childhood, and the name stuck,” Murad shared proudly from his shop, Al Haddad Syed (Blacksmith Syed), located in the Heritage Village at Global Village.

Since Global Village began in 1997 at Dubai Creek, Murad and his son, Syed Hassan, have showcased their traditional blacksmithing techniques to visitors from around the world.

“It was a smaller setup back then,” Murad recalled. “We brought everything from our workshop in Ajman to sell here. Now, at the current location, we even shape and mold metal on-site.”

The Beginning of a Lifelong Passion

Murad’s journey started early. At just five years old, he didn’t play with toys but worked with raw metals, accompanying his father to the workshop in Ajman.

By seven, Murad had joined the trade, learning to craft essential items like hinges, shackles, and anchors for traditional boats. “Parts for boats were in huge demand back then,” Murad said. “I felt proud to be part of such important work. It was the top job for a blacksmith.”

Determined and ambitious, Murad told his father he would run his own business one day. By 18, he had saved enough to start a family and launch his own workshop.

Mastering the Craft

Over the years, Murad honed his skills, crafting farming tools like hoes, rakes, and weeding knives. He also became an expert in making the das, a traditional sickle with a curved, serrated blade.

“There are two types of das, one for harvesting and another for palm tree harvests,” he explained.

Creating these tools is a meticulous process. “We melt iron over a charcoal fire, make it malleable, and hammer it into shape on a metal block called a ‘sinda,’” Murad explained. A single piece can take over five days to complete.

Murad is especially proud of his knives, made using age-old techniques. The process involves heating metal in a coal-fired forge, shaping it, cooling it in water, and hardening it in oil. “It takes three days, but the quality is unmatched,” he said.

Even the wooden handles require precision. Murad uses strong woods like walnut or rosewood, shaping them with sandpaper until they fit perfectly. Depending on the design, this process can take several hours to a couple of days.

Passing Down the Legacy

Though Murad’s craftsmanship is exceptional, sales have slowed at both his Ajman workshop and Global Village. “People prefer machine-made products from markets,” he said. “But handmade tools have a story and soul—they’re more than just tools.”

Despite the challenges, Murad remains dedicated. “This is my life. I’ll keep working as long as I can,” he said with pride.

His son, Syed Hassan, shares this passion and admires his father deeply. “He’s my role model,” Hassan said. “Even at 85, he works harder than anyone I know. He always says, ‘If your hands stop working, your heart stops living.’”

“It’s My Identity”

For Murad, blacksmithing is more than a job—it’s his identity. “I’m not just shaping metal; I’m shaping a legacy,” he said. Hassan is equally committed to continuing this tradition. “I want to keep his work alive and pass it down to future generations,” Hassan said, standing proudly beside his father.

Murad’s story is a testament to passion, perseverance, and the timeless value of craftsmanship.

You Might Also Like

Jane Goodall’s Pollinator Garden Opens in Dubai, Inspiring UAE’s Next Generation

UAE Prepares for a Grand 53rd Eid Al Etihad Celebration

Want to Volunteer? Abu Dhabi’s 4 Initiatives to Help Save the Environment

Mother Pulls Over on Highway to Scold Child, Video Becomes Viral

Dubai Unveils VIP Perks for Residents with 10 Years of Flawless Visa Compliance

Share This Article
Facebook Twitter Email Print
Previous Article Fog Alerts Issued Across UAE: Rain Forecast in Some Regions
Next Article 10-Year-Old UAE Students Support Orphans with Handmade Candles

Popular News

alt="Following Iran's attack on a US military base, Qatar calls on the public to report missile debris"
Following Iran’s attack on a US military base, Qatar calls on the public to report missile debris
World
alt="In China's First AI Match, Robot Football Players Fight—Tumbles and Injuries Occur"
In China’s First AI Match, Robot Football Players Fight—Tumbles and Injuries Occur
Technology
alt="Abu Dhabi Will Be Rocked by UFC 321's Action-Packed Fight Card"
Abu Dhabi Will Be Rocked by UFC 321’s Action-Packed Fight Card
Exclusive
alt="Elisabetta Cocciaretto destroyed world No. 3 Pegula at Wimbledon"
Elisabetta Cocciaretto destroyed world No. 3 Pegula at Wimbledon
World

Recent News

  • Y-Axis Sounds Alarm on Rising Immigration Scams: Stay Smart, Stay Safe
  • How Abu Dhabi’s SSMC Hospital is Fighting Inhaler Pollution
  • Pakistani Stars to Shine in UAE: ILT20 Season 4 Heats Up
  • Golden Visa Made Easy: Indians Can Apply for UAE Residency from Home
  • A Strong Speech by Captain Emaan Durrani Sparks Patriotism
The Arabian News

Quick Links

  • Home
  • Business
  • Real Estate
  • Contact

Featured Categories

  • Real Estate
  • Wellness
  • Politics
  • Economics

Find Us on Socials

© 2024 The Arabian News. All Rights Reserved.
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Username or Email Address
Password

Lost your password?