Abu Dhabi, UAE: In a remarkable turn of events, 41-year-old Indian expat Muhammad Azam made history on January 25 by becoming the first millionaire of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Lottery, winning Dh1 million (approximately Rs 23.47 million) in his very first attempt.

Azam, who works as a senior electrician at the Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA), expressed his excitement and surprise at the win during an interview with Gulf News. He shared that he and 20 of his friends had pooled their resources to participate in multiple lottery draws. "I was fortunate enough to win on my first try," Azam said, beaming with pride.

Azam chose specific numbers through his account for each ticket, and one of his tickets matched the jackpot combination perfectly. In a generous gesture, Azam and his friends agreed to divide the Dh1 million prize equally among the group.

“I was left speechless when I found out we had won the lottery,” Azam recalled, still in disbelief. He plans to use part of his winnings to improve his family's financial situation, with the intention to donate a portion to charity. He is still considering how to wisely invest the remaining funds.

Azam also spoke highly of the UAE lottery system, praising its transparent and regulated nature. Looking ahead, he joked about his hopes for even greater luck, saying, "Winning the Dh100 million jackpot would truly be a dream come true."

Encouraging others to try their luck responsibly, Azam offered advice: “Before you take part, set clear financial limits for yourself. You can never predict when luck will come your way, so it’s important to play wisely.”