Emirati overcomes addiction, raises UAE flag on Kilimanjaro

28-year-old shares experience of 6-day climb organised by Dubai’s Erada Centre

- BY AGHADDIR ALI

A young Emirati man, once trapped in the grip of drug addiction, has summitted Africa's highest peak, Mount Kilimanjaro, raising the UAE flag in a moment filled with triumph and hope.

The six-day climb, organised by Dubai’s Erada Centre for Treatment and Rehabilitation, was more than just a physical challenge. For the 28-year-old, it symbolised a personal journey from pain to healing.

"This wasn’t just about reaching the top of a mountain," he said. "It was about climbing out of the darkest place in my life. With every step, I remembered where I came from. I didn’t stop because I wanted to prove to myself and to others that recovery is real. Falling down doesn’t mean the end."