Ilyas & Mustafa Galadari Group gives Dhs18.35m to Dubai Harvard Foundation for Medical Research

Two Dubai-based businessmen brothers have dipped into their pockets and given a staggering Dhs18.35m ($5m) to a medical research firm to help address health issues in the UAE.

The philanthropic pair's act of generosity will be used to support and encourage medical research, training and education programmes to address medical issues relevant to the UAE and the surrounding region.

Ilyas Galadari, Chairman of the Group, said: "Our family has a rich history in the UAE and therefore has a heartfelt concern for the welfare and health of the people of the UAE and the surrounding area."

Mustafa Galadari, Vice-Chairman and Managing Director, added: "In addition to our numerous business concerns, we are eager to support any worthy causes and were therefore delighted to provide this donation to such an excellent research organisation."

The Ilyas and Mustafa Galadari Group are project owners of City of Arabia, the spectacular $5bn retail, residential, commercial and entertainment destination lying at the gateway to Dubailand.

DHFMR was created in 2006 with support from His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President, Prime Minister, and Ruler of Dubai to provide funding to develop collaborative scientific, educational and medical research initiatives between regional laboratories and Harvard Medical School. With the support of its donors, like Ilyas and Mustafa Galadari, DHFMR will advance new scientific knowledge and create a regional community of leaders in science and medicine.

An agreement to finalise the donation was signed in the presence of Richard G. Mills, Dean for Operations at Harvard Medical School, Syed Khalil, Group Executive Director at Ilyas & Mustafa Galadari Group, Robin Wheatley, Director of Administration of DHFMR, Dr. Abdulkareem Al Olama, Executive Manager of DHFMR and other officials from both organisations.

This is not the first time that Ilyas and Mustafa Galadari have given financial help to less privileged people than themselves. They have previously donated Dhs70m to the Dubai Cares initiative, which was set up in 2007 by H.H Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai to help needy people all over the world. This was the biggest single donation to the scheme at the time.