In a heartwarming, pre-Ramadan gesture, Indian businessman and philanthropist Firoz Merchant has donated a whopping $2.7 million to help Indians stuck in prison across UAE. Molly Gambhir tells you more.

Gravitas | Indian businessman Firoz Merchant's generosity frees 900 Indian prisoners in UAE

In a heartwarming, pre-Ramadan gesture, Indian businessman and philanthropist Firoz Merchant has donated a whopping $2.7 million to help Indians stuck in prison across UAE.

UAE: Indian businessman Firoz Merchant's generosity frees 900 prisoners, pays their bail fees

Dubai-based Indian businessman, Firoz Merchant has donated a whopping amount of 1 million dirhams (approx. $272,000) to help Indians stuck in prisons across the UAE. Merchant, who is known for his philanthropy work, presented this amount as a payment for the fines imposed on prisoners for various reasons.&nbsp;

There are tens of thousands of Indians imprisoned in foreign jails in West Asian nations. In UAE alone, there are more than 900 Indian prisoners stuck in jails for years over alleged espionage, illegal immigration and other reasons.&nbsp;

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Merchant wants to ensure that all Indian prisoners stuck in the UAE jail can be released and reunited with their families ahead of the Holy Month of Ramadan.&nbsp;

“Prominent Dubai-based Indian businessman and philanthropist Firoz Merchant of Pure Gold has donated close to Rs 2.25 Crores (AED 1 million) to ensure the release of 900 prisoners from jails across the Arabian nation,” said a statement from his office.

<h2>Who is Firoz Merchant?&nbsp;</h2>

Firoz Merchant, 66,&nbsp;is an Indian businessman, based in UAE, who is known for his philanthropy work. He is the founder and chairman of Pure Gold Group and Pure Gold Jewellers. Pure Gold Jewellers is one of the most popular jewellery retailers with more than 120 stores across the Middle East.&nbsp;

He is a well-known industrialist in the Middle East and ranked No. 26 on the Forbes Middle East List of Indian Owners 2014.&nbsp;

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This is not the first time that Merchant has taken the initiative to free Indian prisoners. In the past, he&nbsp;had contributed towards correctional institutions to release prisoners belonging to various nationalities jailed in the UAE.

He has already paid 150,000 dirhams for the release of 132 prisoners from Ajman Central jail.

Merchant does all his philanthropy work under the aegis of The Forgotten Society initiative founded in 2008.

This year, Merchant has set a target to facilitate the release of more than 3000 prisoners. “I am grateful for the government officials' support to help release prisoners,” he said.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/kashmiri-activist-known-for-im-not-malala-speech-in-uk-parliament-accuses-harassment-at-delhi-airport-694234">Kashmiri activist, known for 'I’m not Malala’ speech in UK parliament, accuses harassment at Delhi airport</a>

Colonel Mohammed Yusuf Al-Matrooshi, Deputy Director of the General Administration of Punitive and Correctional Establishments, Ajman, said that it is rare to see such commitment and concern towards the rehabilitation of prisoners by giving them a helping hand.

The UAE authorities have recognised&nbsp;Merchant’s initiative, and his kindness, forgiveness and generosity have earned him accolades from senior government officials across the UAE.

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

Dubai-based Indian businessman, Firoz Merchant has donated a whopping amount of 1 million dirhams (approx. $272,000) to help Indians stuck in prisons across the UAE.

Dubai-based Indian businessman, Firoz Merchant has donated a whopping amount of 1 million dirhams (approx. $272,000) to help Indians stuck in prisons across the UAE. Merchant, who is known for his philanthropy work, presented this amount as a payment for the fines imposed on prisoners for various reasons. There are tens of thousands of Indians imprisoned in foreign jails in West Asian nations. In UAE alone, there are more than 900 Indian prisoners stuck in jails for years over alleged espionage, illegal immigration and other reasons. Also Read | India: Delhi hospital removes 39 coins, 37 magnets from man's intestine in rare surgery Merchant wants to ensure that all Indian prisoners stuck in the UAE jail can be released and reunited with their families ahead of the Holy Month of Ramadan. “Prominent Dubai-based Indian businessman and philanthropist Firoz Merchant of Pure Gold has donated close to Rs 2.25 Crores (AED 1 million) to ensure the release of 900 prisoners from jails across the Arabian nation,” said a statement from his office. Who is Firoz Merchant? Firoz Merchant, 66, is an Indian businessman, based in UAE, who is known for his philanthropy work. He is the founder and chairman of Pure Gold Group and Pure Gold Jewellers. Pure Gold Jewellers is one of the most popular jewellery retailers with more than 120 stores across the Middle East. He is a well-known industrialist in the Middle East and ranked No. 26 on the Forbes Middle East List of Indian Owners 2014. Also Read | Gaganyaan mission: Meet four astronauts part of India's first manned space mission This is not the first time that Merchant has taken the initiative to free Indian prisoners. In the past, he had contributed towards correctional institutions to release prisoners belonging to various nationalities jailed in the UAE. He has already paid 150,000 dirhams for the release of 132 prisoners from Ajman Central jail. Merchant does all his philanthropy work under the aegis of The Forgotten Society initiative founded in 2008. This year, Merchant has set a target to facilitate the release of more than 3000 prisoners. “I am grateful for the government officials' support to help release prisoners,” he said. Also Read | Kashmiri activist, known for 'I’m not Malala’ speech in UK parliament, accuses harassment at Delhi airport Colonel Mohammed Yusuf Al-Matrooshi, Deputy Director of the General Administration of Punitive and Correctional Establishments, Ajman, said that it is rare to see such commitment and concern towards the rehabilitation of prisoners by giving them a helping hand. The UAE authorities have recognised Merchant’s initiative, and his kindness, forgiveness and generosity have earned him accolades from senior government officials across the UAE. (With inputs from agencies)

Gold baron Firoz Merchant donates millions to free 900 Indians from UAE jails. Who is he?

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Gravitas | Indian businessman Firoz Merchant's generosity frees 900 Indian prisoners in UAE

UAE: Indian businessman Firoz Merchant's generosity frees 900 prisoners, pays their bail fees

Gold baron Firoz Merchant donates millions to free 900 Indians from UAE jails. Who is he?