For many, the desert is a dangerous and foreboding place. For Abdelrahman Alzarooni, brand marketing specialist for Ford Middle East in Dubai, it’s a place to relax, unwind and reset.
It’s where he took his first tentative driving steps in his father’s Nissan Patrol in the mid-2000s, and it’s where he is most at peace now behind the wheel.
“I was just a kid and could barely reach the gas pedal, but it was my first time ever driving a car, and in the desert, it triggered something,” he explained. “I didn’t really understand quite how that would develop into a full-blown passion over time, but that thrill was something I’ll never forget.
“People often escape life through going to clubs or parties on the weekends only to be empty again,” he said. “But in the desert and the outdoors, it’s pure nature, peaceful and empty, there are no marks, no rules, no directions. It’s all about finding your own path and trusting that you’re able to overcome challenges.”
Abdelrahman says his first driving experience with his father was just one of many that continue to inspire him.
“I take a lot of things from my father, he was a giver and helped anyone he encountered, especially with his family and friends,” he said. “I believe in doing the right thing no matter how difficult it may seem.”
Abdelrahman joined the Ford Middle East team in 2023 having worked in customer service in the aviation industry before a brief stint at a local dealership and then a luxury merchandise group.
As a self-confessed petrolhead and off-roader, he says his role as brand marketing specialist for the iconic Mustang and Bronco is perfect.
“My favourite part of my job is that I love being involved with cars that help cater to the needs and wants of our customers,” he said.
And while many people in other companies may simply clock into their 9-5 daily routine, Abdelrahman says that working for one of the world’s largest and most established automotive brands is not lost on him.
“I'm here because I love cars. For me this is not just a job, this is an opportunity to be part of Ford's legacy and history.”
