A Bangladeshi expatriate living in the United Arab Emirates has won a staggering AED 20 million (around Tk 66.34 crore) in the popular Big Ticket Abu Dhabi raffle draw, bringing a moment of joy and disbelief to the hardworking migrant community.

According to Khaleej Times, the lucky winner has been identified as Harun Sardar Nur Nabi Sardar, a 44-year-old taxi driver residing in Sharjah. His winning ticket number was 035350, which he had purchased on 14 September.

Harun, who has been living in the UAE since 2009, was informed of his win during Friday’s (3 October) raffle draw event when the show’s hosts, Richard and Bochra, called to deliver the life-changing news. Taken aback, Harun could barely respond, managing only to say, “Okay, okay.”

However, Harun will not be the sole recipient of the AED 20 million jackpot. The ticket was jointly purchased with 10 other individuals, meaning the prize money will be shared among all of them.

Harun’s story resonates deeply with thousands of expatriate workers across the Gulf who regularly participate in raffles like the Big Ticket, holding on to the hope that fortune may one day smile upon them. “I buy tickets every month, believing that one day I’ll win,” Harun reportedly said before his victory.

Besides Harun, several other Bangladeshi expatriates also struck luck in the same draw. Ali Hossain Ali was among four participants who each won AED 50,000 (about Tk 16.58 lakh). 

Meanwhile, Zazrul Islam Fakir Ahmed, another Bangladeshi based in Al Ain, won AED 150,000 (around Tk 49.75 lakh) in the “Spin the Wheel” segment, which he will share with nine others.

Adding to the list of winners, Mohammad Saiful Islam Ahmed Nabi, a Sharjah resident, won a brand-new Range Rover Velar through the same Big Ticket draw.

The Big Ticket Abu Dhabi, one of the region’s most popular raffles, has long been known for turning the dreams of ordinary expatriates into reality. 

For Harun and his fellow winners, this victory marks not only a personal triumph but also a reminder of hope and perseverance shared by millions of migrant workers striving for a better life abroad.