Watch: Dubai billionaire donates Dh3 billion for cancer hospital in moving tribute to daughter

Dubai: Mirwais Azizi, chairman of Azizi Group of Companies, on Sunday donated Dh3 billion towards the Fathers’ Endowment campaign launched by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai. This was announced during the 5th Arab Hope Makers award ceremony in Dubai.

Speaking to Gulf News later, the Dubai-based Afghan businessman said the donation would help build an advanced charity cancer hospital and research center that will offer free treatment to cancer patients in memory of his daughter, whom he lost to cancer last year. “So people don’t have to go to Europe and other places for cancer treatment,” he said.

A video screened at the event showed Mirwais and his family members paying moving tributes to Farishta Jan Azizi, who died at the age of 32.

Mirwais said he had contributed millions of dirhams to various charity initiatives launched by Sheikh Mohammed, but this is his biggest donation. He added that construction would begin this year, with the location and further updates to be announced through Sheikh Mohammed’s offices.

Following the announcement by His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, designating 2025 as the “Year of Community” under the theme “Hand in Hand” as a national initiative, Sheikh Mohammed launched the Fathers’ Endowment campaign on February 21. This initiative honors fathers in the UAE by establishing a sustainable endowment fund valued at Dh1 billion, with proceeds dedicated to providing treatment and healthcare to the poor and needy.

However, Mirwais Azizi’s first announcement has already surpassed the target and is said to be the biggest donation to similar charity initiatives.