Sharjah's biker grandpa who prayed at new mosque every morning dies at 67
Mohammad Dawood, the beloved Sharjah resident whose early morning motorcycle rides to mosques across the UAE and selfless evening gestures of goodwill won him countless admirers, passed away on Saturday, June 14. He was 67 years old.
His funeral prayers will be held at Al Sahaba Mosque on Sunday, June 15, after Asr, and he will be laid to rest at Sharjah Cemetery.
Dawood, a Pakistani expat and longtime resident of Al Heera, Sharjah, was best known for his early morning rides to offer fajr (morning) prayers at different mosques across the UAE, a personal journey he described as his 'calling". Often departing as early as 3.30am, he braved thick fog, long distances, and demanding work travel to stay committed to his goal.
A sales manager at an American company, Dawood began this spiritual endeavour around five years ago, aiming to visit as many mosques as he could.
Stay up to date with the latest news. Follow KT on WhatsApp Channels.
Khaleej Times had reported on his progress, which took him to nearly 100 mosques in the Northern Emirates. He also documented many of these visits on his YouTube channel, In Love with Masajids.
'It was about connecting with God, with strangers, with community,' he once told Khaleej Times.
Dawood's younger son, Samir Mohammad Dawood, confirmed the passing. 'He had suffered a heart attack some time ago but made a full recovery,' he said. 'Recently, he developed a chest infection and complications that worsened. He was admitted to the ICU at Ras Al Khaimah's Sheikh Khalifa Specialty Hospital and passed away peacefully.'
Beyond his morning prayer rides, Dawood had become a familiar and cherished sight outside his villa along Al Montazah Road, wheeling out a food trolley stacked with bottled water, dates, chocolates, and, during Covid, even masks and hand sanitiser, which he handed out to passersby, joggers, and beachgoers during hot summer evenings.
Earlier this year, he shared a video with Khaleej Times showing his grandsons, both under 10, pushing the same trolley he once did, continuing his tradition.
Tributes poured in from those who knew him personally and those who had only seen him from a distance but were touched by his acts.
'This is terrible news,' said Sunil Sequeira, a Sharjah-based real estate broker who met Dawood during an evening stroll years ago. 'He was a wonderful man. You don't meet people like him every day.'
His friend and neighbour, Farooq Ibrahim Ahmed, said Dawood would be remembered for his kindness, generosity, and the positive impact he had on many lives.
Fellow motorcyclists also mourned the loss. 'He was a great guy,' said Dubai-based biker Afroz. 'While most of us rode for thrill, Dawood bhai rode for purpose.'
Dawood is survived by his wife, sons Hamza and Samir, a daughter, and four grandsons.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Zawya
6 hours ago
- Zawya
Abu Dhabi reinforces global leadership in healthcare innovation with high-level U.S. visit
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates – A high-level delegation led by the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi (DoH), is set to embark on a strategic mission to the United States from June 14 to 21, 2025. The visit reaffirms Abu Dhabi's global leadership in healthcare innovation and reflects its broader vision for healthcare transformation—driven by innovation, investment, and a deep commitment to global collaboration. The delegation will visit key U.S. cities including Boston, Washington D.C., and Philadelphia, in parallel with Abu Dhabi's participation at BIO International Convention 2025, one of the world's foremost biotechnology events. The visit will spotlight the Emirate's achievements in AI, digital health, genomics, and clinical research and showcase Abu Dhabi's Health, Endurance, Longevity and Medicine (HELM) Life Science Cluster, while promoting long-term strategic partnerships with government entities, research institutions, and global innovators. H.E. Dr. Noura Khamis Al Ghaithi, Undersecretary of the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi, stated: 'This mission reflects our commitment to shaping the future of health through collaboration, innovation, and shared purpose. Our vision is to build a health system that predicts, prevents, acts to restore, and acts to cure, therefore ensuring better outcomes for our communities and beyond. This can only be achieved through meaningful partnerships and a shared ambition to improve lives. We are proud to join our partners in the United States to explore new opportunities that advance healthcare, both in the UAE and globally.' The delegation will conduct over 20 strategic meetings and visits with public and private sector leaders across the U.S., aimed at knowledge exchange, investment opportunities, and the signing of new agreements that accelerate the adoption of advanced health solutions. Representing Abu Dhabi's innovation ecosystem, the delegation includes key stakeholders such as the Abu Dhabi Investment Office, Mubadala BIO, M42, Masdar City, KEZAD, PureHealth, and Etihad Cargo. Abu Dhabi continues to lead the region in genomics through the Emirati Genome Programme, which has successfully sequenced over 800,000 samples, creating one of the most advanced national genomic databases. The Emirate is also home to more than 90 licensed research centers and 30+ ongoing clinical trials in areas such as oncology, rare diseases, and chronic conditions. Advanced data platforms such as Malaffi, which securely store over 5 million patient records—enable AI-powered insights and real-world evidence, while national initiatives like the Golden Visa program are cultivating a global workforce and have granted over 2,000 long-term visas for researchers and healthcare professionals from around the world. About the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi (DoH): The Department of Health – Abu Dhabi is the regulative body of the healthcare sector in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi. Committed to ensuring excellence in healthcare, DoH monitors the health status of the population while shaping the regulatory framework for the health system. This includes inspecting against regulations, enforcing standards and encouraging the adoption of world-class best practices and performance targets by all healthcare providers in the Emirate. Abu Dhabi remains dedicated to shaping the future of healthcare by establishing an intelligent and sustainable ecosystem that prioritises health, longevity and quality of life for all community members. Leveraging state-of-the-art infrastructure and cutting-edge capabilities, DoH continues to develop and implement initiatives and programmes in line with its strategic focus areas, Healthy Population, Best-in-Class Care and Resilience and Innovation. These efforts reflect DoH's unwavering commitment to predicting, preventing and personalising healthcare for every individual. For further information on DOH, visit and follow on X, Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn and YouTube. For media inquiries, please contact: Mariam Al Marzooqi, msalmarzooqi@
Khaleej Times
9 hours ago
- Khaleej Times
Sharjah's biker grandpa who prayed at new mosque every morning dies at 67
Mohammad Dawood, the beloved Sharjah resident whose early morning motorcycle rides to mosques across the UAE and selfless evening gestures of goodwill won him countless admirers, passed away on Saturday, June 14. He was 67 years old. His funeral prayers will be held at Al Sahaba Mosque on Sunday, June 15, after Asr, and he will be laid to rest at Sharjah Cemetery. Dawood, a Pakistani expat and longtime resident of Al Heera, Sharjah, was best known for his early morning rides to offer fajr (morning) prayers at different mosques across the UAE, a personal journey he described as his 'calling". Often departing as early as 3.30am, he braved thick fog, long distances, and demanding work travel to stay committed to his goal. A sales manager at an American company, Dawood began this spiritual endeavour around five years ago, aiming to visit as many mosques as he could. Stay up to date with the latest news. Follow KT on WhatsApp Channels. Khaleej Times had reported on his progress, which took him to nearly 100 mosques in the Northern Emirates. He also documented many of these visits on his YouTube channel, In Love with Masajids. 'It was about connecting with God, with strangers, with community,' he once told Khaleej Times. Dawood's younger son, Samir Mohammad Dawood, confirmed the passing. 'He had suffered a heart attack some time ago but made a full recovery,' he said. 'Recently, he developed a chest infection and complications that worsened. He was admitted to the ICU at Ras Al Khaimah's Sheikh Khalifa Specialty Hospital and passed away peacefully.' Beyond his morning prayer rides, Dawood had become a familiar and cherished sight outside his villa along Al Montazah Road, wheeling out a food trolley stacked with bottled water, dates, chocolates, and, during Covid, even masks and hand sanitiser, which he handed out to passersby, joggers, and beachgoers during hot summer evenings. Earlier this year, he shared a video with Khaleej Times showing his grandsons, both under 10, pushing the same trolley he once did, continuing his tradition. Tributes poured in from those who knew him personally and those who had only seen him from a distance but were touched by his acts. 'This is terrible news,' said Sunil Sequeira, a Sharjah-based real estate broker who met Dawood during an evening stroll years ago. 'He was a wonderful man. You don't meet people like him every day.' His friend and neighbour, Farooq Ibrahim Ahmed, said Dawood would be remembered for his kindness, generosity, and the positive impact he had on many lives. Fellow motorcyclists also mourned the loss. 'He was a great guy,' said Dubai-based biker Afroz. 'While most of us rode for thrill, Dawood bhai rode for purpose.' Dawood is survived by his wife, sons Hamza and Samir, a daughter, and four grandsons.
The National
10 hours ago
- The National
Breast cancer support group marks 20 years as services more in demand than ever
From zero awareness to a full package of world-class care and patient support, breast cancer treatment has come a long way in the UAE. It is 20 years since the founding of Brest Friends, a patient support group which has helped thousands of women deal with the uncertainty and fear surrounding the life threatening condition. Although survival rates are on the increase, so are cancer rates in general – with the founders of Brest Friends warning complacency is the biggest barrier in the way of further progress. The latest National Cancer Registry showed breast cancer remained the most common form of the disease, but just 25 per cent of at-risk women were being screened. One of the UAE's first female consultant breast surgeons, Dr Houriya Kazim, is medical director of the Well Woman Clinic and founding president of Brest Friends. While great strides have been made in attitudes towards breast cancer, she said there is still work to do. 'In 1998 when I first arrived here, there was absolutely no awareness of breast cancer, I mean zero,' she told The National. 'I was seeing advanced breast cancer cases, and it was very difficult to develop advice and awareness within the cultural boundaries of the time.' 'I put together videos in five different regional languages, basically showing women how to examine their breast without actually showing a breast. Then some women started asking for a support group, as they liked to talk. 'I had people actually call patients up, ask them what they thought and the majority wanted something like that, so it began from there.' Soaring cancer cases Cancer is the fifth leading cause of death in the UAE, and responsible for about eight per cent of all deaths. Since 2019, there has been a 60 per cent increase in cancer cases, largely due to better diagnostic screening and a growing population, but also more lifestyle related risk factors such as obesity and smoking. Since the launch of Brest Friends in 2005, scores of women and their families have benefited from support and guidance from health professionals, and others who have experienced cancer. The group meets monthly in hotels in Dubai, bringing the cancer community together to discuss a shared view and pass on advice. A WhatsApp group also exists to offer quick tips and answer questions. Dr Kazam now believes more is needed to be done for other forms of cancer. 'Our therapy has always been talking to friends and other women, that's just been our way of dealing with life in general,' she said. 'We have several patients with other types of cancer because there aren't any support groups for them. Cancer affects everyone, it doesn't know who's rich, or who's poor.' While arduous radiation treatments and chemotherapies can be physically demanding, the psychological toll on patients is an often underreported aspect of recovery. Since 2015, the Al Jalila Foundation has been working with Brest Friends to operate a drop-in centre to support women trying to navigate the path to recovery. Charity partnership The Majlis Al Amal cancer drop-in centre in Dubai Healthcare City offers a safe space for patients and their families to relax and receive both support and expert advice. All services are offered free of charge, with volunteers often having experienced cancer themselves. British primary schoolteacher Charlotte Rule was diagnosed with breast cancer in July 2022 when she was seven months pregnant with twin boys. Doctors decided to deliver the babies early through emergency Caesarean section due to an unrelated medical condition, pre-eclampsia. Three years on and the boys Reuben and Ezra are healthy, while Ms Rule has almost fully recovered. 'The hardest bit was the fact that I actually found a lump in February and it took until July to get diagnosed,' she said. 'Originally my condition was misdiagnosed as fibroids, and I was told not to worry about it. 'As it was getting bigger, I moved hospitals to see a breast specialist, but had to wait for my insurance to come through before I was able to get an appointment, which delayed my treatment." In response to the most recent national cancer figures that showed more than half of cancer (56 per cent) is found in women, doctors said there was an urgent need for a national insurance code for cancer management to improve access to care. Because of the variation in policies and approvals, early detection can be delayed due to administrative delays, doctors said. The Al Jalila Foundation said it had seen a huge increase in applications for financial support from cancer patients, largely as a result of increasing cases, insufficient insurance coverage and high treatment costs. Psychological impact in recovery Dealing with the long term psychological impact of breast cancer can also be a challenge, and is where support groups come into their own. Dr Melanie Schlatter, a health psychologist at American Hospital Dubai, said Brest Friends offers support that otherwise may be out of reach. 'Post-diagnosis, women often face emotional distress, such as anxiety and depression, body image struggles and social isolation,' she said. 'Longer term, there is psychological impact, trauma, lingering anxiety and identity challenges that can persist for years, even after remission.' Through Brest Friends, women can access peer connections, survivorship activities and general psychological safety through shared experiences and community building. Dr Schlatter, from New Zealand, said the model could be replicated to offer similar support for other cancers. 'Financially, it's typically high treatment costs and lack of insurance coverage for mental health care which create barriers to accessing psychological support,' she said. 'The success of Brest Friends really shows the value of culturally sensitive, long-term community spaces that normalise emotional struggles and basically foster belonging. 'The model could be adapted or other cancers. There are women who joined many years ago who are still participating now and helping new women. Longer term survivors have a lot to teach the newly diagnosed, it's a really lovely model.'
