DAMASCUS/JEDDAH, 12 September — Syrian Ahmad Salahuddin Al-Sabbagh, winner of the SR1 million prize of the interactive contest of Asharq Al-Awsat, said he was overjoyed for being the luckiest of the thousands of readers who had taken part in the newspaper’s Contest of Millions competition.

Forty-five-year-old Sabbagh, a businessman who stays in a posh area of Damascus, said his wife, a bachelor degree holder in English literature, had pushed him to take part in the competition and helped him answer the questions.

"I participated in the contest without expecting to win a prize. In fact, I never sought such prizes in my life," he told Asharq Al-Awsat.

Asked about his wife’s reaction to the news, Sabbagh said she had advised him to pay part of the money as zakah and charity.

Sabbagh received the news of his victory at 9.30 p.m. on Sept. 5 while he was surfing the Internet. Dr. Fahd Al-Tayash, director general of Saudi Research & Publishing Company (SRPC), and Salah Al-Balawi, chairman of Saudi Call, telephoned Sabbagh to congratulate him on the big victory.

"At first I thought it was just a joke," he said. "My wife and children were away on a family visit. I later informed my wife about the victory but asked her to keep it a secret, fearing that our friends and neighbors would become jealous. I did not even tell my children because they might spread the news."

Surfing the Internet, listening to classical music, painting and playing tennis are some of Sabbagh’s hobbies. He also collects Oriental artifacts and prayer mats.

Sabbagh has two daughters — Nayla and Deena and a son, Salahuddin.

Muhammad Eid Al-Marwani, who won the second prize worth SR300,000, said he had a feeling that some good news was awaiting him. He commended the contest’s credibility and said he would continue to take part in it.

Marwani, 33, an employee at Saudi Arabian Airlines’ medical services division, said he had not informed his wife and children about the win until they learned about it from the newspaper. "I wanted to keep it as a surprise for them."

Marwani, who hails from Amlaj, has two sons and two daughters. He started writing Nabatean poems when he was 16. He intends to use part of the money to publish the first compilation of his poems.

Elham Suleiman Al-Anazi, winner of the third prize of SR100,000, said she was extremely happy after hearing the news of her victory. "It’s a big encouragement," she added.

"I participate in the contest to enhance my knowledge and utilize my spare time in a useful manner," she said.

Elham, a mother of three, thanked her husband, Ahmad Al-Maliki, a civilian official at the land forces, for his support. Her family lives in Al-Aqeek District north of Riyadh.

Elham said she would use part of the prize money to pay her telephone bills. She intends to spend half the money to start a small project. "I also intend to sacrifice an animal and distribute its meat among the poor," she concluded.

The next draw for the grand prizes of the competition will be held in the first week of November. The company launched the contest in July.