Mohammad Al Gaz
Encyclopedia
Mohammad bin Abdallah bin Mohammad Al Gaz , was a major figure in Dubai politics and business during the thirty year period after the 1950s.
Born in what is now Dubai, U.A.E., circa 1920, Al Gaz was from the Al Bu Falasah family, a sub-sect of the larger Bani Yas tribe, which has ruled Dubai for almost two hundred years.
Often pictured in photographs with the late ruler of Dubai, Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum
, Al Gaz's role in politics was primarily as a friend and aide to the late ruler, and later as the first Chairman of the Central Bank of the United Arab Emirates.
As the first major businessman from the ruling tribe of Dubai, Al Gaz was part of a small group of highly ambitious businessmen in the 1960s who pursued the goal of modernizing the city, notables of them include Majed Al Futtaim and his cousin Abdullah Al Futtaim, Abdullah and Saif Ahmad Al Ghurair
, Jumaa Al Majid, and Obeid Al Mulla. In his early efforts after the federation of the country to bring in foreign companies, Al Gaz's holding company, United Arab Agencies, acquired a large number franchises, including Pepsi
Co., Nissan Motors
, Royal Philips
Electronics, Opel
Cars (owned by General Motors), etc. Additionally, he was a major property owner with approximately 40 high-story buildings developed and owned by his private company.
Al Gaz became somewhat reclusive after the late 1980s as he sold off the majority of the franchises that he held during the period, though he has maintained the real estate business which he continues to operate, into his twilight years. He is often recognized on Dubai roads by his unique license plate - Dubai code A no. 2, which is the second license plate to be produced in the Emirate and given to him by his friend Sheikh Rashid. In his old age, Al Gaz continues to host guests in his "mejlis," where it is said the current ruler of Dubai Sheikh Mohammad bin Rashid Al Maktoum
visits to pay his respects.
Mohammad Al Gaz has been succeeded by eight sons, of whom Abdallah bin Mohammad Al Gaz was the first man to take the General Manager position of Al Gaz's firm, after which Khalfan bin Mohammad Al Gaz, the second eldest brother, became general manager.
voyage, which was bombed in 1961 in Dubai waters.
Born in what is now Dubai, U.A.E., circa 1920, Al Gaz was from the Al Bu Falasah family, a sub-sect of the larger Bani Yas tribe, which has ruled Dubai for almost two hundred years.
Often pictured in photographs with the late ruler of Dubai, Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum
Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum
HH The Emir Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum was the Vice-President and Prime Minister of United Arab Emirates and Emir of Dubai...
, Al Gaz's role in politics was primarily as a friend and aide to the late ruler, and later as the first Chairman of the Central Bank of the United Arab Emirates.
As the first major businessman from the ruling tribe of Dubai, Al Gaz was part of a small group of highly ambitious businessmen in the 1960s who pursued the goal of modernizing the city, notables of them include Majed Al Futtaim and his cousin Abdullah Al Futtaim, Abdullah and Saif Ahmad Al Ghurair
Saif Ahmad Al Ghurair
Saif Ahmad Al Ghurair is CEO of Dubai-based Al-Ghurair Group, one of the most powerful players in the UAE's real estate and manufacturing sectors. At times quoted as Seif Ahmad Al Ghurair...
, Jumaa Al Majid, and Obeid Al Mulla. In his early efforts after the federation of the country to bring in foreign companies, Al Gaz's holding company, United Arab Agencies, acquired a large number franchises, including Pepsi
Pepsi
Pepsi is a carbonated soft drink that is produced and manufactured by PepsiCo...
Co., Nissan Motors
Nissan Motors
, usually shortened to Nissan , is a multinational automaker headquartered in Japan. It was a core member of the Nissan Group, but has become more independent after its restructuring under Carlos Ghosn ....
, Royal Philips
Philips
Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V. , more commonly known as Philips, is a multinational Dutch electronics company....
Electronics, Opel
Opel
Adam Opel AG, generally shortened to Opel, is a German automobile company founded by Adam Opel in 1862. Opel has been building automobiles since 1899, and became an Aktiengesellschaft in 1929...
Cars (owned by General Motors), etc. Additionally, he was a major property owner with approximately 40 high-story buildings developed and owned by his private company.
Al Gaz became somewhat reclusive after the late 1980s as he sold off the majority of the franchises that he held during the period, though he has maintained the real estate business which he continues to operate, into his twilight years. He is often recognized on Dubai roads by his unique license plate - Dubai code A no. 2, which is the second license plate to be produced in the Emirate and given to him by his friend Sheikh Rashid. In his old age, Al Gaz continues to host guests in his "mejlis," where it is said the current ruler of Dubai Sheikh Mohammad bin Rashid Al Maktoum
Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum
Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum , also Sheikh Mohammed, , is the Prime Minister and Vice President of the United Arab Emirates , and absolute monarch of Dubai.-Personal life and education:...
visits to pay his respects.
Mohammad Al Gaz has been succeeded by eight sons, of whom Abdallah bin Mohammad Al Gaz was the first man to take the General Manager position of Al Gaz's firm, after which Khalfan bin Mohammad Al Gaz, the second eldest brother, became general manager.
Trivia
Al Gaz was one of the passengers on the doomed BI DaraDara
-2011 uprising:The city of Daraa was the starting point of the 2011 uprising against the regime lead by Bashar Al-Assad. It all started when 15 children from the same family were arrested in early March 2011 for writing an anti regime slogan on the wall of their school. The children's ages ranged...
voyage, which was bombed in 1961 in Dubai waters.
External links
- http://wikimapia.org/217982/Al-Gaz-building
- http://www.zawya.com/cm/profile.cfm/cid730440//United%20Arab%20Agencies
- http://www.dsmgdubai.com/dir1.htm