Mohammad Al Gaz

Mohammad Abdallah Al Gaz (circa 1920 – April 12, 2016) was a prominent Emirati financier, developer, diplomat, central banker, and philanthropist who played a crucial role in the early development of the United Arab Emirates.

Born in Al Dhagaya, Deira, Dubai, he grew up in modest circumstances but rose to become one of Dubai’s first generation of influential investors and developers during the 1950s, notably through his successful partnership with Juma Al Majid.

This partnership led to the founding of the Mohamed & Juma Al Majid company, which gained exclusive distribution rights for major international brands in Dubai, including General Electric, Samsung, Philips, Nissan, and Pepsi.

Politically, he was a trusted adviser to Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum and a member of the Dubai Municipal Council from 1958 to 1965, where he served on the budget and treasury committee.

He played a diplomatic role in reconciling relations between Dubai and Abu Dhabi during critical land negotiations. After the UAE's federation, he became the first Deputy Chairman of the Central Bank of the UAE, serving through the 1980s and early 1990s, an important position during the nation's formative years of economic development.

Beyond his business and political achievements, he was widely regarded as a pioneering philanthropist in the UAE. He devoted much of his wealth and efforts to charitable causes, including founding the Beit Al Kheir charity, the first formalized charitable society in Dubai.

He also supported public education by building schools and funding various endowments, often anonymously.

Mohammad Abdallah Al Gaz passed away at age 96 in 2016, leaving behind a legacy as a key architect of modern Dubai’s economic, political, and philanthropic landscape.