Mohammed Rafiq. Mohammed Rafiq.

Mohammed Rafiq, InterContinental Hotel Abu Dhabi

About Rafiq
Rafiq started his career in U.A.E. as a gardener for the Municipality of Abu Dhabi, Gardening and Landscaping Department on 29th June 1978. This was when the visa was valid for five years and cost him merely AED20.00. Rafiq learned to understand and converse in Arabic that opened all channels of communications and relationship with the contractors and his superiors giving him the advantage to later on join MLU (McDonald Layton Unicom – Civil Engineering & Building Contractors). They were the main contractors responsible for the building construction of the InterContinental Abu Dhabi. Rafiq joined the company as a Watchman on the 31st December 1978, responsible for building the hotel gardens as well as tree and palm plantings for the surrounding area. Seeing his dedication and passion in every task, the Management of InterContinental Abu Dhabi offered him a job as a Gardener for the hotel on 26th March 1981. The first tree right in front of the main hotel entrance and other five trees in the Marina area that live until today were amongst Rafiq’s initial demonstration of his green thumb. Rafiq had witnessed and took part in various major occasions at the hotel beautifying the premises with his creative ideas using variety of plants.

Above and beyond the call of duty…
By getting the first irrigation water line from municipality, Rafiq started his first environmental commitment to save fresh water by reducing its usage for irrigation and worked closely with the Municipality to gain access to the irrigation water line to supply the entire hotel garden. In 2009, the old municipality main irrigation line broke down inside the hotel premises with the problem area at almost 3.5 meters deep. Rafiq and his team managed to identify the pipe and expose it, when pipe was eventually found, it was difficult to replace or repair it as the type of it was old and obsolete. Rafiq managed to find and get the same type of pipe from some contractors who work directly with the municipality and repair the pipe, all works completed free of charge. Rafiq proved his great initiative in responsible business and in saving the environment by helping the hotel set up the action plan for water saving and increase the green area around the hotel. When the IHG Green Engage program was launched, one of the targets is to achieve savings through water consumption, Rafiq directed the irrigation water line to a tank to store water to be used for beach cleaning and irrigation during the low water supply period by the municipality. With his idea and action, the hotel achieved a saving of almost 200m3 on daily basis. Big or small, Rafiq continued to support the community. He suggested incorporating plant a tree initiative during the Kids’ Summer Camp program in 2012 at the hotel. The program allowed children to plant different types of trees and plants and visit them at their convenience to water and take care of them. He also came up with an idea to build a small green house in the hotel as nursery for the young plants, to use them for hotel decorations and exterior landscaping instead of purchasing certain types of plants. Rafiq is currently responsible for running the operation and maintenance of the hotel gardens, indoor greeneries consisting of around 760 plants as well as the exterior landscape with an area of 48,000m2.

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Testimonials for Rafiq
Robert Zogbi, former EAM thanked Rafiq for his strong and effective participation and involvement in the HEO & Environmental Committee's beach cleanup. He cited how Rafiq has contributed to the interior and exterior looks of the hotel and considered Rafiq as a shining star.

“Rafiq has reached the age of retirement (60 yrs old), however, I would like to extend his service for another year 2013 due to his valuable contribution, expertise and high knowledge of the hotel's irrigation system. The hotel is highly dependent on his capabilities and would be difficult to replace him. His contract is to be renewed until a qualified successor is found.” Department head, Magid Bahaa.

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