Culture & Education | Sunday 1 March, 2015 8:41 am |

- SHAHEEN MC organizes commemorative bike run in first year memory of 5-year-old Leila


For the second consecutive year, SHAHEEN MC organized a social ride that saw more than 250 bikers from across the UAE gather to commemorate Leila, the 5 year old girl who tragically passed away in 2014 by drowning in a swimming pool at one of RAK’s five star hotels.

The ride, held in collaboration with other UAE motorcycle clubs and supported by media representatives, was meant to raise awareness about the urgent need to protect children in public areas and hospitality establishments, and improve general safety and security standards.

The parade, which is an annual event, started from ‘Biker & Bike’ workshop on Sheikh Zayed Road at 7:00 am. The group rode towards Al Khail Road all the way to Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Road, and ended at Sakr Hospital in RAK. The bikers gathered for prayer at the hospital’s garden, and also planted a commemorative tree named after Leila. The ride concluded shortly after, with all the bikers safely reaching Dubai by 1:00 pm.

Kayed Al Haddad, President of SHAHEEN MC said: “On behalf of SHAHEEN MC, I would like to send our gratitude to H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice president, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, and to H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai for their vision and the kind efforts they exerted to create an emirate of love and peace, an emirate where we as Bikers can have the space and support to send social messages and spread awareness about different social causes.”

“We called the ride ‘4 LEILA’ in memory of the innocent five-year old child who lost her life in a five-star hotel pool,” Al Haddad added. “We are hoping that this ride will raise awareness about the accidents that can happen in public areas resulting in severe injury or even fatality. We are hoping that through this initiative, we will be able to gain the much needed attention of parents and officials to help increase safety and security standards in public and private places, and avoid any sort of loss of life through complacency or carelessness.”


“On behalf of SHAHEEN MC, we would like to thank all the biker clubs and bikers who participated in this ride as well as the media representatives who supported it. This initiative is an annual event, and we hope this message will reach everyone across the UAE,” Al Haddad concluded.