Khalaf Ahmad Al Habtoor, Founder and CEO of Al Habtoor Group, met with three Afghan girls who recently arrived safely in Dubai. Al Habtoor announced that he would sponsor their higher education in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), treating them “like my daughters,” he said.
The meeting was publicized in a post on X, formerly known as Twitter, where the businessman expressed his commitment to the girls’ comfort and safety in the UAE. “You are now in the safest country in the world and you are with safe people,” Al Habtoor assured them.
The announcement comes a week after the businessman revealed that more than 60 Afghan female students, set to travel to Dubai for education on scholarships, were halted at Kabul airport. “This is a significant tragedy against humanity, against education, equality, and justice,” he said at the time.
In the meeting, which was attended by Dr. Essa Al Bastaki, President of the University of Dubai, Al Habtoor confirmed that the scholarships provided to the girls were in collaboration with the university. The scholarships cover the cost of studies, housing, transportation, and health insurance.
Dr. Bastaki reassured the girls about the equal opportunities in the UAE, stating that “there is no difference between men and women in terms of opportunities, rights [to] education.”
The three Afghan girls expressed their gratitude towards Al Habtoor and even presented him with a small token of appreciation.
The Al Habtoor Group is committed to helping more Afghan students come to the UAE for their higher education. Al Habtoor emphasized that the girls are “coming here for a mission which you have to achieve,” highlighting the importance of discipline in achieving success.