Watch: 55 years ago, this Dubai trader used to sell foodstuff to royals

Watch: 55 years ago, this Dubai trader used to sell foodstuff to royals

From the age of 13 years, Mohammed Hassan Ali Akbaryan has been witnessing the growth story of Dubai

Mohammed Hassan Ali Akbaryan at his shop.

Published: Sat 28 Jan 2023, 6:00 AM

When Mohammed Hassan Ali Akbaryan arrived in Dubai just three years before the union, the city was just a small town with a tiny market with only a few shops in Deira. And surprisingly, he says, there was no visa to enter the country.

“I was just 13 years old and that was the first time I was on a plane, it was Iran Airlines and the ticket fare was about Dh70. When I landed, the passport was stamped, however, there was no visa,” said Ali.

As Ali made his way from the airport to his uncle’s residence in Deira, he said it took him nearly 45 minutes “as the roads were very narrow back then”.

“The airport back then was very small and had only a few rooms and the passengers directly exited on the road,” added Ali.

Royal clientele

The 13-year-old Ali then started working at his uncle’s shop located in the present Gold Souk and sold foodstuffs and household items. He was given the tasks of delivering the products to residents’ homes and