A low-wage Indian expat living in Jeddah who is renowned for his extensive philanthropic initiatives among community members has won an excellence award from a Dubai-based media company.

Mohammed Ali from Kerala has taken it upon himself to solve the most cumbersome of expat woes, from unclaimed bodies, missing persons and patients in trouble, to prisoners and deportees.

His efforts have helped resolve many crises.

“I work for the poor and destitute to earn my reward in the Hereafter,” Mohammed Ali told Arab News.

Ali is not affiliated with any non-governmental organization, yet is routinely called upon by Indian community members from Kerala and other states alike to help put out logistical fires.

His tireless philanthropic work has earned him the nickname “soldier on foot.”

Ali is one of three people in the Kingdom to be chosen by the Malayalam television channel.

Ali had refused to travel to Dubai to receive the award, both due to budgetary constraints and thanks to his unwavering modesty, which make him shy away from the limelight.

He was eventually honored in Jeddah after long rounds of negotiations to persuade him to even accept the award.