Three Afghan girls, who were able to safely make their way to the UAE, were lovingly welcomed by local billionaire Khalaf Ahmad Al Habtoor.
The founder and CEO of Al Habtoor Group met the girls after they arrived in Dubai, saying they were like his daughters and offering them scholarships in top universities.
The good news was a welcome change after more than 60 Afghan female students were stopped at Kabul International Airport just last week, as they tried to board a flight to Dubai to pursue their higher education, generously sponsored by Mr Al Habtoor.
"I will treat you now like you are my daughters," the billionaire said in a video on X, formerly known as Twitter.
“I chose for you the best university. You are now in the safest country in the world and you are with safe people.
"The most important to me is discipline in life. You’re coming here for a mission which you have to achieve,” the billionaire told the girls in the presence of Dubai University president Eesa Bastaki.
Dr Al Bastaki reassured the girls, saying 'there is no difference between men and women in terms of opportunities, rights [to] education'.
This morning, in the presence of Dr. Essa Al Bastaki @ebastaki and the management team at Al Habtoor Group, I met three Afghan female students who made it to #Dubai safely, They are among those who received the comprehensive scholarship that I provided them with in collaboration… pic.twitter.com/PlDaNlbDlO
— Khalaf Ahmad Al Habtoor (@KhalafAlHabtoor) August 24, 2023
"This morning, in the presence of Dr Essa Al Bastaki and the management team at Al Habtoor Group, I met three Afghan female students who made it to Dubai safely. They are among those who received the comprehensive scholarship that I provided them with in collaboration with the University of Dubai," Mr Al Habtoor said in a post on X.
"I welcomed them in the safest country in the world, as I stated, I am entirely in charge of seeing to their comfort and safety, including taking care of their studies, housing, and other extensive services like transportation, and health insurance. We are hoping to see the rest of their classmates in Dubai very soon," he added.
The girls thanked the businessman for his kind gesture and even handed him a small token of their appreciation.
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