Renowned Indian Social Worker Ashraf Thamarassery honored by UAE with Golden Visa

Ashraf Thamarassery Honored with UAE Golden Visa for Humanitarian Contributions

A prominent individual in the field of humanitarianism, Ashraf Thamarassery, an Indian social worker based in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), has recently been bestowed with the prestigious UAE golden visa. At the age of forty-nine, Ashraf received this esteemed recognition from Sheikh Sultan Bin Saqer Al Nuaimi, the Vice Chairman of the Ajman Chamber of Commerce, on Thursday, May 30.

Expressing his heartfelt appreciation, Ashraf took to Instagram to convey his gratitude to the UAE government for bestowing upon him this significant honor. In a post, he articulated his joy, stating, “Very happy with this achievement. Hope this achievement will be very useful for further activities.”

Hailing from Thamarassery in Kerala’s Kozhikode district, Ashraf’s journey towards becoming a revered social worker began when he relocated to Ajman, UAE, in 1998, where he initially established a garage. However, a transformative incident prompted him to embark on a new path, dedicating himself wholeheartedly to the noble cause of repatriating the mortal remains of expatriates who passed away in the UAE to their home countries.

Ashraf’s compassionate endeavors have seen him successfully repatriate thousands of bodies, including that of the acclaimed actress Sridevi, whose demise in Dubai in 2018 drew widespread attention. In recognition of his exemplary service, Ashraf was honored with the prestigious Pravasi Bharatiya Samman in 2015 and received an honorary doctorate from Kings University, Tennessee, USA.

His remarkable story has been immortalized in a six-minute documentary titled ‘The Undertaker,’ directed by filmmaker Reshel Shah Kapoor. Furthermore, Ashraf’s dedication to humanitarian causes garnered him a nomination for the esteemed Padma Shri Award by the Kerala government in 2018, further underscoring the profound impact of his selfless contributions.

In addition to his commendable humanitarian work, Ashraf’s recent recognition with the UAE golden visa symbolizes a significant milestone in his journey. Established by the UAE government in 2019, the golden visa offers foreign nationals the opportunity to reside, work, and study in the country without the need for a national sponsor. Issued for durations of 5 or 10 years, these visas are automatically renewed and are accessible to investors, entrepreneurs, talented individuals, researchers, and students across various disciplines.

As Ashraf embarks on this new chapter, his golden visa serves as a testament to his unwavering dedication to humanitarian causes and underscores the UAE’s commitment to recognizing and honoring individuals who contribute positively to society.