Abdulrazagh “Abu Nader” Mohammadi. JONATHAN YBERA/EXPAT MEDIA

Abdulrazagh “Abu Nader” Mohammadi, the Emirati businessman affectionately known by many Filipinos as Ninong ng Bayan, died on Friday (May 22), his close aide confirmed to Expat Media. He was 81. Funeral prayers were being held in Dubai, where he will be laid to rest. The cause of death was not disclosed, although in previous interviews with Expat Media, Abu Nader had spoken candidly about suffering from multiple age-related illnesses. For generations of Filipinos in the UAE, Abu Nader was more than a businessman. He was a familiar face, a benefactor, and for many, the man who helped make their Dubai dreams possible. His remarkable story twice made the cover of the Expat Media Special Edition magazine, with his viral interviews reintroducing him to a younger generation as the Emirati entrepreneur who helped more than 300,000 Filipinos come to Dubai through his former travel agency, Al Wasl Travels. For decades, he offered discounted tickets, visa assistance and, in many cases, trust-based arrangements for workers who had little money but big ambitions. “Sometimes when somebody didn’t have money, I told them, ‘You can pay me when you find work,’” Abu Nader told Expat Media. “I just wanted to help people reach their dreams.”

A businessman with a Filipino heart

When Expat Media met Abu Nader for an interview last year, he had just come from paying his respects at the funeral of a member of Sharjah’s royal family. Despite his packed schedule, he arrived with his trademark calm smile and warmth, dressed in a crisp white kandura.“I had to pay my respects,” he said softly. “It’s part of life, showing up when it matters. I even brought my son. I want him to learn that lesson.” That belief in showing up for people became the philosophy that shaped every chapter of his life. Abu Nader often said his connection to Filipinos ran deeper than business. “I may be Emirati, but people see me as having a Filipino heart more than anything else,” he said. “Even at Filipino events, people joke and say, ‘The Philippine ambassador is here!’ That makes me very happy.” It was this affection that earned him the nickname Ninong ng Bayan. Abu Nader made history when he opened the first Philippine Supermarket branch in Al Muraqqabat, long before Filipino grocery stores became common across Dubai. At the time, it was more than a supermarket. For many overseas Filipino workers, it was a piece of home. “I was the first one to open a Filipino supermarket in Al Muraqqabat,” he said proudly. “After that, I saw seven others open nearby. One even opened two branches on both sides of me. But still, our sales kept increasing. People come because they trust us. They know our prices are fair and our service is from the heart.” That trust turned Philippine Supermarket into a household name in Dubai’s Filipino community. Abu Nader remained hands-on until his final years, often personally greeting customers during his nightly visits. “Every night, I am there from 7pm to 8pm,” he said. “No child leaves my supermarket without a gift.”

Grooming the next generation

Even as his health declined, Abu Nader was focused on securing the future of the business he built. He revealed to Expat Media that he had already prepared his son to take over Philippine Supermarket. “I have put the supermarket under his name,” he said. “I’ve trained my staff and my family. Life is like that. We must prepare for the next generation.” He often spoke of discipline and consistency as the foundation of success, lessons he wanted his son to carry forward. “I always come on time,” he said. “Young people today wake up at noon. I wake up at 7am or 8am, take honey with hot water, read the news, then go to work. I tell my son that success starts with being early and consistent.” Plans were already in motion to expand Philippine Supermarket with branches in Satwa, Al Barsha and another Karama outlet in Al Attar Centre. He had also spoken passionately about his dream project, Kabayan World, a Dh50 million Filipino-themed entertainment and lifestyle complex inspired by encouragement from boxing icon Manny Pacquiao. “We just need the right funding. It will happen when the time is right,” he said.

A legacy of kindness

For Abu Nader, success was never about money. He often said education and kindness were life’s greatest investments. “I grew up curious. I read a lot,” he reflected. “I learned that education and kindness are the two most powerful things a person can have. Be kind to everyone, and keep learning. That’s the best legacy.” His wish for how people would remember him was simple. “To be remembered as someone who had a Filipino heart. Someone who helped others, built something that made life easier for many, and made Filipinos proud of their own products.” Today, across Dubai and far beyond, thousands of Filipinos are remembering exactly that. PIA/Expat Media
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