Iraqi Family in Germany Returns Cash Hidden in Sewing Machine

Police at a Christmas market in the German city of Potsdam, near Berlin, Germany, December 1, 2017. Reuters/Fabrizio Bensch
Police at a Christmas market in the German city of Potsdam, near Berlin, Germany, December 1, 2017. Reuters/Fabrizio Bensch
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Iraqi Family in Germany Returns Cash Hidden in Sewing Machine

Police at a Christmas market in the German city of Potsdam, near Berlin, Germany, December 1, 2017. Reuters/Fabrizio Bensch
Police at a Christmas market in the German city of Potsdam, near Berlin, Germany, December 1, 2017. Reuters/Fabrizio Bensch

An Iraqi family living in Germany were pleasantly surprised when they stumbled upon two old sewing machines by the side of the road, just as they were in need of homemade coronavirus masks.

But the real surprise was lurking inside one of the machines: 1,000 euros ($1,085) in cash, stashed there by the previous owner and forgotten about.

"We immediately called the police who tracked down the owner," 21-year-old Sherzad Ahmed told Agence France Presse Monday. "He was very, very happy."

The feelgood story happened in the small German town of Morsbach last Wednesday, local police said in a statement.

The 56-year-old owner had hidden the money in the sewing machine when he was visiting Christmas markets as a travelling salesman last year before forgetting all about the "secret hiding place", police said.

Ahmed, who came to Germany with his parents and two sisters four years ago, said they never considered keeping the cash.

"No, no, no," he laughed, adding that the owner had rewarded the honest finders with 200 euros.

Ahmed's father repaired the machines and his mother, who works in an old people's home, has been churning out masks ever since.



Saudi Artist Presents Unique Art Collection at Art Week Riyadh

Photo by SPA
Photo by SPA
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Saudi Artist Presents Unique Art Collection at Art Week Riyadh

Photo by SPA
Photo by SPA

As part of Art Week Riyadh, organized by the Visual Arts Commission from April 6 to 13, Saudi artist Jassim Al-Dhamin is presenting a collection of artworks that explore themes of identity, memory, and societal transformation.

His work merges symbolism and abstraction in a contemporary visual language, The Saudi Press Agency reported.
Al-Dhamin told SPA that participating in Art Week Riyadh marks a significant milestone in his artistic career, offering him the chance to engage with art enthusiasts and those drawn to contemporary artistic narratives.
He noted that the inaugural edition of the event is remarkably successful, both in terms of organization and in attracting visual art fans.

He also said that presenting his exhibition within this distinctive cultural platform enriched his artistic experience and provided him with valuable new perspectives.