The new academic year is underway across the UAE, but for 18 lucky families who were shopping during Dubai Summer Surprises (DSS), the return to classes reveals another cause for celebration. This year’s edition of DSS saw the launch of the ultimate Back to School raffle – the Modesh Scholarship Promotion. Open to students of all ages and their families, the raffle saw a total of AED450,000 awarded to 18 shoppers, with each winner receiving AED25,000.

To help ease the burden of paying for academic fees as well as shopping for Back to School essentials, the Modesh Scholarship Promotion was launched for the first time this DSS, and was open to residents and visitors who spent AED250 in malls across the city including: Mercato Mall, Town Centre Jumeirah, The Outlet Village, City Walk, Al Seef, The Dubai Mall, Dubai Marina Mall, Dubai Festival Plaza, Mall of the Emirates, City Centre Mirdif, City Centre Deira, My City Centre Al Barsha, City Centre Me’aisem, City Centre Shindagha, Nakheel Mall and Ibn Battuta Mall.

The winners were chosen at random from scores of shoppers who visited the participating malls on a certain day and spent AED250 for a chance to win, with their names officially announced on social media 24 hours after the raffle was held.

Ahmed Al Khaja, CEO of Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment (DFRE), said: “Dubai Summer Surprises is so much more than just sales, deals and promotions – it is a celebration of Dubai’s spirit and community, and an opportunity for the city to give back to the people who make it such a great place to live. The Modesh Scholarship Promotion was just one of the many ways in which Back to School, brought to you by DSS, was able to engage with members of the public in exciting and meaningful promotions that appeal to as many people as possible.

“The timing of DSS and the start of the new academic term meant that the Modesh Scholarship Promotion really resonated with families. With everything that has been going on around the world in the last few months, it is great to see the economic relief brought to these 18 families. The promotion was a wonderful opportunity to give back to the Dubai community and share Modesh’s familiar smile, generosity and friendliness with mums, dads and students.”

Among the 18 winners is Amr Rostom. The 47-year-old from Egypt, who entered into the prize draw after shopping at Mercato Mall, said: “My family usually visits either The Dubai Mall or Mercato Mall, and this DSS we were interested to see that the Modesh Scholarship Promotion was taking place. It was wonderful to receive the telephone call saying we’d won. We will put the money towards school fees for my 17-year-old son, who will be studying at a boarding school in Pennsylvania in the United States.”

Mother of three, Nasreen from Jordan won AED25,000 after shopping at Town Centre Jumeirah. Thrilled at her family’s good fortune, her thoughts immediately turned to helping others and she has already donated a portion of her prize to a children’s charity helping youngsters affected by the recent explosion in Beirut.

“It was so nice to find out that we’d been lucky enough to win the Modesh Scholarship Promotion after shopping at Town Centre Jumeirah during DSS. It’s such a nice promotion that will help a lot of people,” she said. “I’ve already made a donation to help a Beirut charity and will use the remaining amount to pay for extra-curricular activities for my two daughters, aged 7 and 9, and my 12 year old son.”

Maryam Abdulla never thought that her DSS shopping trip to check out the sales and offers at Mall of the Emirates would result in her being named one of the winners of the first-ever Modesh Scholarship Promotion.

The Emirati mother of three girls and one boy entered into the raffle after making a purchase at the mall’s Cartier store. “It was so nice to be told that I had won after visiting the mall during DSS, especially as we had just paid the school fees for the new year. The Modesh Scholarship Promotion is so great for families.”

RizwanFarid’s visit to the stores at Dubai Festival Plaza this DSS banked him and his family the AED25,000 Modesh Scholarship Promotion prize. The Pakistani father of one from Lahore said the cash would be very useful.

“Certainly, it is a big help to receive this prize from the DSS promotion. It is a large sum and it was great to receive the phone call telling me I was one of the winners,” said Rizwan. “We are very happy to have won this DSS prize. My son is in FS1 so this will go towards continuing his education,” added Rizwan, who has lived in Dubai for 12 years.

Osama Demaidi couldn’t believe his luck when he learnt he had won AED25,000 after spending AED250 in City Centre Mirdif during DSS. “I was shocked, surprised and happy,” said the father of two boys from Jordan. “My sons are aged 7 and 9, so this prize will go towards their school fees. It has come at the right time. My wife and I regularly visit City Centre Mirdif and this DSS prize promotion really is a great thing for families.”

Abdulrahman, 21, won AED25,000 in the Modesh Scholarship Promotion raffle at The Dubai Mall. He said: “I am from Egypt and I have lived in Dubai with my family for the past 6 years. Having never won anything in my life before, it is truly exciting for me to win the Modesh Scholarship Promotion. It is surreal and I never thought I would be so lucky! Thank you Modesh and thank you DFRE!”

The Modesh Scholarship Promotion raffle was one of the highlights of the seven-week long shopping and family event. The winners can use their prize money to pay the education costs for students enrolled in classes for the upcoming term and beyond.

The 23rd edition of Dubai Summer Surprises (9 July – 29 August 2020) is part of Dubai’s annual Retail Calendar that features major retail-based festivals, mega sales and exclusive retail experiences and attractions.

Dubai Summer Surprises 2020 was supported by key sponsor RAKBANK and MasterCard and strategic partners which include Emaar (The Dubai Mall), Majid Al Futtaim (Mall of the Emirates, City Centre Mirdif, City Centre Deira), Al Futtaim Group (Dubai Festival City Mall), Nakheel Malls (Ibn Battuta Mall, The Pointe, Nakheel Mall, Dragon Mart 2), Al Zarooni Group (Mercato Shopping Mall), Meraas (City Walk, Boxpark, The Beach, The Outlet Village, Al Seef, La Mer), Emirates Airline, Dubai Duty Free, AW Rostamani Group, Enoc, National Food Products Company and Etisalat.

To see the full calendar of events, please visit www.dubaisummersurprises.com and @DSSsocial on social media.