Bahrain's self-made tycoon dies

Manama: One of Bahrain's best-known self-made business tycoons was buried in Muharraq after he died at the age of 97.
Thousands of people took part in the funeral of Rashid Abdul Rahman Al Zayani who passed away Wednesday afternoon.

Known for his business ventures, Al Zayani was also an important political figure who helped draft the 1973 constitution of Bahrain, two years after the country gained its independence from Britain in August 1971, and sat on two Shura Council terms where he twice headed the finance and economy committee.

Al Zayani co-founded the Bank of Bahrain and Kuwait which he chaired for 28 years and was behind several investments in hotels, the bourse and hospitals.

He was also a co-founder of the Bahrain Chamber for Commerce and Industry.

As a sports figure, he helped establish Bahrain Club in 1936 and was its president for several years.

In his later years, he took up writing and published three books dealing with Bahrain and the region.