End of an era as Saif Al Ghurair passes away

Dubai - Born in 1924, Saif Al Ghurair was instrumental in starting some of the key industries such as cement, sugar and flour in the UAE.

Saif Ahmed Al Ghurair, a prominent Emirati businessman and founder of Al Ghurair Group, passed away at the age of 95 on Tuesday.
His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, accompanied by Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, offered condolences on the death of Saif Al Ghurair. Rulers and other prominent Emiratis attended the funeral on Tuesday.
Born in 1924, Saif Al Ghurair was instrumental in starting some of the key industries such as cement, sugar and flour in the UAE.
"Saif Al Ghurair was from the generation of pioneers and era of struggle and construction. We miss him today and may God bless his soul and place him in paradise," Dr Anwar Gargash, UAE's Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, tweeted.
"It was the death of a good man, a pillar of Dubai's economy, the Arab Rockefeller. May God have mercy on him, and give his family patience and solace," said Khalaf Ahmad Al Habtoor, founding chairman of Al Habtoor Group.
Saif Al Ghurair, whose business expands into retail, manufacturing, banking and real estate, was ranked 1,349 in the list of billionaires by Forbes.
The funeral prayer of Saif Al Ghurair took place after the Asr prayer in Al Qusais Cemetery on Tuesday.
waheed@khaleejtimes.com

• Dubai