DUBAI: The one-week photo exhibition of Dubai Police’s Head of Photography Sector in the General Department of Community Happiness, Warrant Officer 1 Mushtaq Ahmad Mohammed Ameer, has attracted commendation from retired and former Assistant Commander of Dubai Police, Maj. Gen. Nasser Abdul Razaq Al Razooqi, who joined the force in mid-60s when it was still under the command of the British.

“I have seen the changes in the force through the years: when the national, Col Abdullah Bilhoul took over from Jak Brigss in 1975, and when Lt Gen. Dhahi Khalfan took over in 1981; and I am happy that a big part of the history is captured by people like Mushtaq,” he said.

Mushtaq displayed only 18 photographs in the Dubai Mall, but they were enough to tell a visitor, for example, that the Emergency Department was launched in 1979; Bur Dubai Police Station was opened in 1983 and the Police Academy was launched in 1989.

The pictures captured the Sheikhs and commanders officiating at the events. General Al Razouqi, who has five sons who are all holders of masters degrees and above, four of them serving in police and another in the special force, appears in two of the photos.

“Iam glad my sons are serving in the government, but I made sure they had to attain academic qualifications first, because I believe that one can lose everything except education,” Al Razouqi, the father of the Director of Rescue and Transport, Dr Brig. Mohammed, and the Director of Artificial Intelligence, Brig. Khaled, told this reporter.

72-YEAR AT 40

The 72-year old Indian, Mushtaq, joined the force as a photographer three months upon arrival in the country. He has served during the leadership of Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Sheikh Maktoum Bin Rashid Al Maktoum and His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum.

“I have always felt at home. The people here create an environment of open opportunities. I thank our commanders, colleagues and the Chief Executive Officer of Emaar Malls Group, Nasser Abdulrahman Rafi.”

Within the four decades of services, and witnessing the positive, robust changes of Dubai Police and the emirate in general, Mushtaq has also seen his son, Eng. Mohammed Saeed growing up to serve in Dubai Police’s Department of Equipment Service.

“A lot has changed in the emirate’s infrastructure and the technology in the profession,” mused Mushtaq as he was visited on Monday by the Commander of Dubai, Major General Abdullah Khalifa Al Marri.

General Al Marri praised the images taken by Mushtaq, now head of photography at the force, as “moments full of historical events.”

Other visitors include the Director General of Authorities, Establishments and Emergency at Dubai Police, Brigadier Abdullah Al-Ghaithi; the Assistant Commander for Fire and Rescue Affairs at the General Command of Dubai Civil Defence, Brig. Rashid Khalifa Bin Maasim Al-Buffalasa, and the Deputy Director of Traffic, Col. Jumaa Suwaidan, among others.