Hundreds of people bid an emotional farewell to 80-year-old Emirati philanthropist Amena Abdullah Ali bin Dhahi, who passed away on Monday. Her funeral witnessed huge crowds of Emiratis and residents paying tribute to the popular figure who became a ‘saviour of the needy’.
She did not have any children or relatives.
“Amena Abdullah became an iconic philanthropist in the emirate of Umm Al Quwain, and her actions spoke volumes (about her generosity),” said Rashid Hamad Al Hamar, general manager of Saud Bin Rashid Al Mualla Charitable and Humanitarian Establishment.
After the death of her husband years back, she found herself alone and turned her house into a hub for those in need of help.
It was then that His Highness Sheikh Saud bin Rashid Al Mualla, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Umm Al Quwain, directed the authorities to convince her to relocate to a new villa.
The villa, completed in less than six months, was registered in her name, he pointed out. “An Emirati consultant took care of the villa’s design and supervised its construction for free.”
Later, Amena developed some respiratory problems and was shifted to a hospital
“It is really sad to lose a kind-hearted woman like her. Hundreds of people were keen to participate in her funeral to pay tribute to her boundless kindness and generosity.”
Why Amena Abdullah was called a saviour of the needy
After Amena Abdullah Ali bin Dhahi’s husband passed away, she found herself alone in a big house. She didn’t have any children to take care of or any relatives. So she turned her villa into a place where anyone could just walk in for help. Such was her popularity that she was moved to a new fully furnished villa, where she continued her charitable endeavours.
