Twelve people from 10 nationalities have walked away with homes in Dubai after entering a citywide shopping promotion, with their winning purchases ranging from groceries and shoes to jewellery, furniture and clothing.
The winners of “Win Your Home in Dubai” include long-time Dubai residents, recent arrivals to the UAE, an Emirati born and raised in the city, an Abu Dhabi resident and even a tourist from Kazakhstan.
Together, their stories show just how varied the people who took part in the initiative were. Some had spent decades building their lives in Dubai, while others had only recently arrived or were visiting the city.
The final draw, held at Dubai Festival City Mall, saw Mohammad Salman Masood named the grand winner, securing a two-bedroom apartment after a grocery purchase of approximately Dhs 964 at Union Coop in May.
The other 11 winners each received a studio apartment.
Who are the 12 Dubai home winners?
The winners came from India, the Philippines, the UK, the UAE, Lebanon, Russia, Libya, Kazakhstan and Bangladesh.
Ten were Dubai residents, one lived in Abu Dhabi and one was visiting Dubai when they entered.
Aysha Ameer
The first winner was Aysha Ameer, a 27-year-old Indian national and Dubai resident who works as a business consultant.
Her winning entry came from a purchase at Pinko, securing her a brand-new studio apartment.
Shyngyskhan Rysbek
Shyngyskhan Rysbek, a 33-year-old photographer from Kazakhstan, was visiting Dubai with his family when he entered using a Grand Stores receipt.
After discovering that he had won, he flew back to Dubai just a week later to attend the award ceremony.
Aditi
Aditi, an Indian expatriate who has lived in Dubai for 12 years and works in finance, entered the draw after shopping at Damas with her husband and daughter.
Her family was surprised when the shopping trip turned into a studio apartment win.
Samer Hijazi
For Samer Hijazi, the win came at a particularly significant time.
The Lebanese Dubai resident entered after making a spontaneous furniture purchase at Royal Furniture while he and his wife were preparing to welcome their first child.
He became the initiative’s first Arab winner.
Swathy Santhosh
Swathy Santhosh, an Indian expatriate from Kerala living in Abu Dhabi, entered while buying a gift at Call It Spring in Mall of the Emirates.
She had moved to the UAE nearly a year earlier, and her win brought her closer to her goal of reuniting with her husband and parents in Dubai.
Stacey Bukhantseva
Stacey Bukhantseva, originally from Russia, has been living in Dubai since moving to the city in 2013 after spending 18 years in the United States.
Her entry followed a shopping trip to La Senza in Mall of the Emirates, resulting in her first-ever home.
Hussain Alkazim
Hussain Alkazim, 61, offers a particularly strong Dubai connection.
The Emirati was born and raised in the city and spent 27 years working with Dubai Media, documenting the city’s growth and major milestones.
A Dhs 1,100 grocery purchase at Union Coop in Al Barsha Mall became his winning entry for a studio apartment.
Ethel Metry
Ethel Metry, a Filipina expatriate who has lived in Dubai for almost two decades, entered after buying a gold ring from Jawhara Jewellery.
She was preparing to travel to the Philippines and was unaware that the purchase would ultimately lead to a home in Dubai.
Tareq Al Tayar
Tareq Al Tayar, originally from Libya, has lived in the UAE since 2005.
The father of four, who works as a statistician at the Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Centre, entered after shopping at Primark in Dubai Mall.
He discovered three days later that he had won a studio apartment.
Grace Agnew
Grace Agnew moved to Dubai from London nearly three years ago to join her husband, having previously worked as a financial planner.
Her first-ever entry came after buying two pairs of shoes from Clarks at Dubai Festival City Mall. The purchase cost Dhs 657.75 and ultimately secured her first property in Dubai.
Inderjeet Kaur
Inderjeet Kaur moved from India to Dubai more than 35 years ago and now runs her own real estate business.
Her winning entry came after she shopped at Dune London. Although she left without entering the draw, her husband uploaded the receipt on her behalf.
The couple were in the US when she received the winning call and cut their holiday short to return to Dubai and collect the apartment with their daughters.
Mohammad Salman Masood
The 12th and final winner was Mohammad Salman Masood, who won the campaign’s grand prize of a two-bedroom apartment.
Masood has lived and worked in Dubai for eight years and shares his household with 12 other people. His winning grocery purchase at Union Coop cost approximately Dhs 964.
When he first received the news at work, he thought the call might be a scam and asked for further details before believing he had actually won.
“I feel very lucky to have won. I was at work when I received the news, and at first I didn’t understand what was happening. I thought it might be a scam, so I asked for more details to make sure it was real. When I realised that I had actually won a home in Dubai, I was so happy! The first person I told was my mother. I have been living and working in Dubai for eight years, and, like many people, I have always dreamed of having a home here. Now that dream has come true, and I am very grateful. This is my first win, and I still can’t believe it.”
Masood has already visited his new apartment and plans to celebrate the milestone with friends.
From shopping receipts to 12 homes
The 12 winners were selected during the initiative, which ran from 22 May to 30 August 2026.
Shoppers could enter after spending Dhs 500 or more at any of more than 1,000 participating brands across over 3,500 retail outlets.
The campaign generated more than 400,000 coupons from over 120,000 shoppers and recorded more than Dhs 250 million in retail sales.
It also ran alongside major Dubai retail events including Eid Al Adha, the 3 Day Super Sale and Dubai Summer Surprises.
During Dubai Summer Surprises, the promotion expanded with weekly staycation draws, awarding 32 hotel and resort experiences.
The property campaign has now concluded, with the 12 winners representing the full range of people who participated — from a tourist making a holiday purchase to residents who have spent much of their lives building their lives in Dubai.
tanvir@dubainewsweek.com
