AI
Saudi Arabia
UAE
Egypt
1934 - Invalid Date
Mohamed Alabbar
Jobs
Date of birth
Nov 8, 1956
Nationality
Place of birth
United Arab Emirates , Dubai
Constellation
Biography
Mohamed Ali Alabbar stands out as one of the most influential Emirati entrepreneurs with a renowned international reputation in real estate development. He’s the visionary behind several groundbreaking developments that transformed Dubai into an architectural icon known worldwide. Best-known among these are Burj Khalifa, the tallest building on the planet; the Dubai Mall, the largest shopping center globally; Dubai Marina, the world’s largest man-made marina; and the impressive Dubai Creek Tower project, designed to surpass current architectural records.
Alabbar’s companies have expanded significantly, developing ambitious projects that elevate cityscapes around the globe, underscoring his position as a dominant force in real estate, investment, e-commerce, and hospitality.
Mohamed Alabbar was born into modest circumstances but rose to develop some of the world’s most iconic architectural landmarks.
Here at Arageek, we believe Mohamed Alabbar’s story truly exemplifies how ambition, vision, and dedication can create widespread economic impact and extraordinary legacies. His motivational insights, groundbreaking ideas, and persistent humility have created an enduring benchmark for aspiring entrepreneurs worldwide.
Read more
Early Life
Born on November 8, 1956 in Dubai, Mohamed Alabbar grew up in humble beginnings. His father, an industrious sea captain, regularly traveled for business, trading goods in African regions like Somalia.
Encouraged by his family’s determined spirit, Alabbar won a scholarship allowing him to pursue higher education abroad. He attended Seattle University in the USA, earning his Bachelor of Business Administration in 1981. In 2007, his alma mater awarded him an honorary doctorate in humanities as recognition for his significant global influence.
Returning home after completing his studies, Alabbar began his career journey with roles in Dubai’s government sectors and rapidly ascended to top senior management positions. These experiences provided him firsthand insights and extensive networks, catalyzing the establishment of his own enterprises.
The Personal Life
Mohamed Alabbar is a family man, married with three children. Despite his immense global success, Alabbar prefers maintaining close ties with Riyadh, his roots and cultural heritage. Known to value simplicity, he frequently wears the traditional Emirati attire as his signature look.
A passionate golfer, Alabbar considers the sport a source of relaxation away from his demanding professional life. He strongly believes continuous learning is fundamental, always encouraging others to embrace errors as essential learning opportunities.
Quick Facts
- Known for his preference to work closely among his teams rather than being enclosed in his office.
- Led a consortium acquiring Americana, the Middle East franchise conglomerate managing brands like Pizza Hut and KFC, for US$2.36 billion.
- Established Noon.com, an e-commerce venture intended to compete directly with giants like Amazon and Alibaba.
- Holds multiple influential positions, including Founder & Chairman at Emaar Properties, Eagle Hills, and Africa Middle East Resources.
- Served in Dubai’s public leadership roles as Director General of the Department of Economic Development, and is currently a senior advisor to Dubai’s ruler.
Famous Quotes محمد العبار
– “Make mistakes. Learn quickly. Develop yourself constantly. Never delay action and always review your future plans.”
– “Until your last breath, continue developing and improving yourself. Ignore negative voices, keep company of successful individuals; hard work is key.”
Achievements
Mohamed Alabbar’s diverse accomplishments reflect exceptional talent in strategic business leadership and global advancement:
- Founded **Emaar Properties**, responsible for landmark Dubai developments Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest building.
- Dubai Mall, the world’s largest shopping complex.\ Dubai Marina, the largest man-made marina globally.
- Dubai Creek Tower, a skyscraper planned to surpass existing height records.
- Spearheaded **Dubai Opera**, the luxurious venue hosting major global performances.
- Founded and leads real estate giant **Eagle Hills**, undertaking high-profile projects across numerous countries.
- Established Africa Middle East Resources, strengthening economic ties and infrastructure investment across regions.
- Acquired **Americana Group**, controlling several popular global restaurant franchises in the region.
- Successfully launched **Noon.com**, a robust online shopping platform created to rival international e-commerce giants.
- Served previously as Director-General of Dubai’s economic development department, driving urban economic growth and enabling foreign investment.
Other
– Founder and Chairman of Emaar Properties and Eagle Hills.
– Senior advisor to Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Dubai’s Ruler.
– Vice Chairman at Dubai World Trade Centre.
– Chairman at Dubai Cable Company.
– Board Member of Dubai Executive and the Dubai Economic Council.
Last updated