Sheikh Mohammed pays tribute on death of Mohammed Ibrahim Obaidallah

Dubai: His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister, and Ruler of Dubai, paid tribute to Mohammed Ibrahim Obaidallah, a prominent Emirati businessman and philanthropist, who passed away today, Monday.

In a heartfelt message, Sheikh Mohammed described the late Obaidallah as one of the UAE’s sincere and dedicated sons, a man who combined success in business with an commitment to humanitarian work.

“May Allah Almighty have mercy upon Mohammed Ibrahim Obaidallah, one of the loyal men of the UAE and a figure of business and enterprise,” Sheikh Mohammed wrote. “What distinguished him was his commitment to humanitarian work, from building hospitals and health centers to establishing mosques and supporting charitable projects both within the country and beyond.”

Sheikh Mohammed added: “The body may have departed, but his goodness, legacy, and kind reputation remain, along with the prayers of those he helped.”

The Obaidallah family also issued a statement mourning the loss of a father, philanthropist, and devoted servant of society. Mohammed Ibrahim Obaidallah, father of Abdulaziz, Abdullah, Hassan, Hamad, Salem, Saud, and Maid, passed away earlier today at the age of 89. Funeral prayers will be held after Maghrib at Al Shuhada Mosque next to Al Qusais Cemetery in Dubai. Condolences for men will be received starting Tuesday at the family majlis in Al Hamriya, behind Dubai Hospital.

Born in Ras Al Khaimah in 1935 and raised in Dubai, Obaidallah received his early education in the emirate before beginning his career as a young trader. He later dedicated his life to philanthropy, focusing on the underserved, the poor, the sick, and students, through initiatives that left a visible impact on the community.

Known as one of the UAE’s most dedicated benefactors, he directed his knowledge and resources toward humanitarian projects, most notably the development of a large-scale medical complex in Ras Al Khaimah. This included a general hospital and a pioneering eldercare facility, the first of its kind in the region.

A member of the UAE’s first generation, Obaidallah devoted over half a century to charitable work. He believed healthcare should be a priority in philanthropy, founding generous treatment initiatives, funding mosque construction across emirates, and supporting educational opportunities by sponsoring students, firmly convinced of education’s role in national development.

One of his most impactful contributions was the establishment of the Ibrahim Bin Hamad Obaidallah Hospital in Al Nakheel, Ras Al Khaimah, in 1997, named in honor of his father. The hospital was equipped with state-of-the-art medical and engineering technologies at the time and later expanded with a kidney dialysis unit that eased the burden on patients across the region.

Modest and deeply private, Obaidallah shunned the spotlight while quietly extending his support to countless causes. He was a founding member of Beit Al Khair Society and remained active in ensuring aid reached those in genuine need.