TRIBUTES poured in for pioneering Bahraini businessman and former Bahrain Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI) chairman Mohammed Yousif Jalal who died yesterday.
Mr Jalal, one of the senior members of the business community of Bahrain who was also known for his philanthropic activities, was in his early 90s and died at the Bahrain Specialist Hospital at around 10.30am.
The funeral will be held at Muharraq cemetery today after the noon prayer, said family.
Mr Jalal was the chairman of Mohammed Jalal and Sons Group and was also among those who established major business ventures including the Al Ahli Bank (now Ahli United Bank), Investcorp, Bahrain Airport Services, Bahrain Islamic Bank and the National Bank of Bahrain.
“He was a jovial person and a godfather to each of us in the family,” his son Sami Jalal told the GDN.
“He will be missed by all of us, especially his grandchildren with whom he shared a very special bond.
“Besides being a businessman, he was also a great human being with a passion for charity.
“He also loved reading and travelling.”
He was a close friend of the late Amir HH Shaikh Isa bin Salman Al Khalifa and shared a special relationship with him for more than 45 years, according to son Sami.
BCCI first vice-chairman Khalid Al Zayani reflected on his memories of Mr Jalal.
“I grew up seeing him with my father on the business front, on various boards.
“The days when he headed the BCCI (he was BCCI chief for 14 years) were days of glory for the chamber; we have lost a pillar of the business community.
“I also had the honour of working with him on the board of Investcorp and it was a great experience.
“He has left behind a legacy of pride for himself and his family and he will be deeply missed and fondly remembered.”
BCCI board member Khalid Al Amin added that the loss was irreplaceable.
“Mr Jalal was someone who left his fingerprint on Bahrain’s business society.
“His death is a loss for the business community and the people of Bahrain and his charity efforts will be remembered.”
Mr Jalal has four sons, four daughters and 17 grandchildren.
The family will receive condolences for the next three days starting today – for men at the family house in Adliya near Gulf Hotel and for women at his son Jalal Mohammed’s residence behind Ramada Hotel in Adliya, from 9am to 12.30pm and 4pm to 8pm.
raji@gdn.com.bh
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