Philanthropy and compassion took center stage as Dubai-based businessman Mirwais Azizi, founder and chairman of the Azizi Group, pledged a staggering Dh3 billion towards the Fathers Endowment campaign. This significant contribution aims to establish a non-profit hospital in Dubai, offering free and affordable cancer treatment to patients in the UAE. The donation is made in loving memory of his daughter, Farishta Azizi, who lost her battle with an aggressive form of cancer.
A Legacy of Healing and Hope
The proposed hospital will not only provide world-class cancer treatment but will also feature a cutting-edge research facility. This initiative will help introduce advanced technology for cancer treatment, reducing the need for patients to travel abroad for medical care. Speaking at the Arab Hope Maker 2025 event in Dubai, Azizi emphasized that this humanitarian endeavor is deeply personal to him.
“People in the UAE will not have to go to Europe or any other place to get the best cancer treatment,” he stated.
The project, which marks the largest individual contribution from the UAE’s private sector for a humanitarian cause, will also include a medical training center, ensuring that future generations of doctors and healthcare professionals receive top-tier education.
Construction to Begin This Year
Azizi confirmed that construction of the hospital will commence this year, with plans to expand the initiative globally, bringing quality healthcare facilities to different parts of the world.
Additionally, in a separate donation of $500 million, Azizi announced the construction of the Farishta Azizi Medical City in Kabul, Afghanistan. This ambitious project will include:
- A 400-bed cancer treatment center
- A 200-bed maternity and gynecology hospital
- An orphanage for up to 10,000 children
- A medical university and nursing school
- Other essential healthcare and educational facilities
Honoring Fathers Through the Fathers Endowment Campaign
Azizi’s donation aligns with the Fathers Endowment initiative, launched by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai. This campaign seeks to establish a sustainable endowment fund dedicated to providing medical treatment and healthcare to those in need, continuing Sheikh Mohammed’s tradition of launching humanitarian projects during Ramadan.
A Daughter’s Battle and a Father’s Promise
Farishta Azizi, an architect by profession, was diagnosed with cancer a few years ago. Despite undergoing successful initial treatments, the disease returned aggressively. She passed away on October 29 last year, leaving behind a profound impact on her family and inspiring her father’s commitment to philanthropy.
In an emotional tribute, her brother Farhad Azizi, CEO of Azizi Group, shared:
“We were lucky enough to provide her with the best medical care, but we know that not everyone has that privilege. We hope this donation will help those who need it the most.”
Mirwais Azizi echoed this sentiment, saying:
“Farishta’s passing has reignited my passion for charity work to help those in need. Sometimes, it takes a loss of such magnitude to be reminded of the shared humanity that connects us all.”
This extraordinary act of generosity not only honors a beloved daughter’s memory but also offers hope and healing to countless families affected by cancer.