Jamshed Ali, a taxi driver from Abu Dhabi, has gained attention on social media for his kind heart and selfless acts. A sign on the back of his car reads: “This is an Uber Careem taxi but it’s free for disabled and sick people. If they don’t have money, no problem, I will give you a ride for free. If you can give happiness by helping someone, you are the luckiest person in the world.”
Ali, a Pakistani expat, has been offering free rides, water, snacks, and even mobile charging for the past 1.5 years. “I used to drive a metered taxi, which had limitations,” he said. “Since I started driving for Careem, I have more flexibility and try to give free rides to at least 4 or 5 people a day, even if it’s just a short distance.”
Ali, the youngest of four brothers, always dreamed of helping others. After working as a taxi driver for almost four years, he saved Dh80,000 and planned to start his own restaurant. However, he was swindled by a dishonest agent who took his money and disappeared. “I had always wanted to help people through my business, but that dream was shattered,” he explained.
From Struggling to Helping Others
After losing his savings, Ali faced great hardships. “There were days when I couldn’t even afford one meal a day,” he recalled. “I went through tough times, but I was lucky that my family helped me, and I was able to make the down payment on a taxi. That’s when I started driving for Careem.”
Ali always keeps a cooler filled with water bottles and snacks in his car. “During my hard times, I often went hungry, so I don’t want anyone else to suffer that,” he said. “I offer snacks to people who haven’t eaten or are rushing to work. It feels good to start the day with something to eat.”
Ali drives around the city every day and says he often sees people struggling. “I see people missing the bus by a few minutes, running to catch it, and I think about how missing it would ruin their day. So I offer to drop them off at the next bus stop so they can still make it to work on time.”
A Helping Hand for Strangers
Ali frequently picks up people who have been waiting for a taxi in the heat. “Some people wait for hours, and when I offer them a ride, they are so grateful. The relief and smile on their face are beyond words,” he shared.
Despite his kind actions, Ali has faced ridicule from some of his friends and family. “Some people joke that I’ve been in the UAE for six years and haven’t saved any money. But for me, helping people is more important,” he said.
His sign went viral online, bringing even more attention to his good deeds. “I have no idea who posted my sign or when, but since then, my phone has been ringing nonstop. My friends suggested I start a social media account, but I don’t do this for fame or money. If I had too much money, I might become greedy. So I prefer to stay away from social media.”
Ali eventually agreed to share his photo after his friends encouraged him. “I just want people to know that helping others doesn’t require a lot of money,” he said. “You don’t need to be rich or do anything big. Just a small act of kindness can bring you peace at night.”
Ali is also looking forward to the day when he finishes paying off his taxi. “Once I pay off my monthly installment, I’ll be able to help more people with my car,” he said. “I hope that happens soon.”
