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. 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.  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. 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 recognized Merchant’s initiative, and his kindness, forgiveness, and generosity have earned him accolades from senior government officials across the UAE.


Humanitarian Work :
Firoz Merchant received the "Community Service Medal & Award" from the UAE's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, Lt. General Sheikh Saif Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, at the Interior Ministry.
Merchant has participated in several charitable efforts that have benefited and supported a variety of communities. Merchants has given to correctional facilities to liberate convicts of various nationalities imprisoned in the UAE. Merchant said that he will spend $1 million (3.8 million dirhams) to help liberate inmates in the UAE who have been imprisoned for nonpayment of debts. He has already paid 150,000 dirhams for the release of 132 inmates from Ajman Central Prison.

His recognition ~ is as a well-known business leader in the Middle East who is frequently cited in the press. He is rated 26th on the Forbes Middle East List of Indian Owners 2014. With an estimated net worth of $435 million, Arabian Business ranked him 28th among the GCC's richest Indians in 2014. He also serves on the board of Dubai Diamond Exchange (DDE) and the Dubai Gold and Jewellery Group. Merchant was ranked 25th out of the top 100 Indian business owners in the Arab world by Forbes Middle East in 2018. Merchant was also admitted into Abu Dhabi Police's community wing, 'We Are All Police,' after assisting in the release of 560 convicts by paying off their debts. Merchant and his family were granted permanent residency in the UAE, known as the Golden Card, in June 2019 in recognition of their economic contributions.
Awards Achieved till Now: 

• 2017, Community Service Medal/ Award by Sheikh Saif Bin Zayed Al Nahyan; Deputy Prime Minister and Ministry of Interior
• 2017, Business Excellence Award by the Indian Business and Professional Council (IBPC)
• 2017, Philanthropic Icon Award by the Indian Business and Professional Council (IBPC)
• 2016, Philanthropic of the Year by Indian CEO Awards by ITP

Donation is one of the biggest things in itself. It has the potential to change lives. Donating money, therefore, is considered one of the virtues as it could change someone’s life for the better.