Prominent UAE-based Indian entrepreneur and philanthropist Dr PA Ibrahim Haji passes away

Dubai: Dr PA Ibrahim Haji, prominent Indian entrepreneur and philanthropist in the UAE, passed away in the south Indian state of Kerala this morning, the group has confirmed.

A UAE resident for 55 years, the chairman of PACE Education Group was a man of many hats. The founder and vice-chairman of the Indus Motor Company and co-chairman and key investor of Malabar Gold and Diamonds was also known for his philanthropic activities.

The 78-year-old had suffered a stroke last week and had undergone a surgery in Dubai. He was moved to Kozhikode in Kerala in an air ambulance last night. However, he breathed his last this morning, a top official with the group said.

Under Haji’s leadership, the PACE Group of schools in the UAE entered the Guinness Book of World Records six times with all the records dedicated to the country.

Haji was present when the latest Guinness Record was set at the India International School in Sharjah on November 29 as part of the 50th UAE National Day celebrations, which he termed as “a personal milestone”.

As many as 16,367 members of PACE Education Group’s students, teachers, staff and parents from 64 countries created a nine metre-wide, 18-metre-long flag in the UAE flag colours red, green, black and white to set the record for ‘Most Contributions to a Handprint Mural’.