Ansif Ashraf, an Indian entrepreneur and journalist, died of Covid-19 on Wednesday in Sharjah. He was 37.
The businessman was best known for owning the British Herald, a UK online news site and magazine which he bought in 2018. He got his start in media six years prior at the Cochin Herald, a weekly newspaper founded by his father in 1992.
Ashraf was born in Thane, a city just outside Mumbai. He began his career as a graphic designer in 2000 during the early years of the internet revolution in India.
He went on to establish Paradise Group in 2006, a trading company that dealt rubber and carbon black. Two years later, he founded AGI Holdings, a company that sold centrifuge separators.
Ashraf went on to establish the Fly With Me mobile application and found the Young Chamber of Commerce.
On Wednesday, tributes were paid to Ashraf online. Baron Raminder Ranger, a patron of the British Herald, tweeting: "Heartbroken to learn about the sudden death of a dear friend AnsifAshraf to Covid-19 in Dubai. He was young and dynamic entrepreneur with big ambitions. He will be greatly missed. May he rest in peace in heaven."
The British Herald reported that Ashraf died in Sharjah. No further details were immediately available.
An Islamic scholar from Zimbabwe, Ismail Menk, known as Mufti Menk, offered his condolences.
"Saddened by the death of my good friend Ansif Ashraf who passed away this morning in the UAE. May Allah Almighty forgive his shortcomings and grant him Paradise. May Allah Almighty make it easy for his family. Aameen," he wrote on Twitter.
Abdirahman Saylici, vice president of Somaliland, said: "I am deeply saddened to hear about the death of a good friend of Somaliland Brother Ansif Ashraf who passed away this morning in Dubai. May Allah forgive him and grant him Jannah."
Ashraf is survived by his wife, Ramzeen Ansif, and their two children.
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Zayed Sustainability Prize
The specs
Engine: 2-litre or 3-litre 4Motion all-wheel-drive Power: 250Nm (2-litre); 340 (3-litre) Torque: 450Nm Transmission: 8-speed automatic Starting price: From Dh212,000 On sale: Now
Brief scores:
Day 1
Toss: South Africa, field first
Pakistan (1st innings) 177: Sarfraz 56, Masood 44; Olivier 4-48
South Africa (1st innings) 123-2: Markram 78; Masood 1-4
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Essentials
The flights
Etihad and Emirates fly direct from the UAE to Delhi from about Dh950 return including taxes.
The hotels
Double rooms at Tijara Fort-Palace cost from 6,670 rupees (Dh377), including breakfast.
Doubles at Fort Bishangarh cost from 29,030 rupees (Dh1,641), including breakfast. Doubles at Narendra Bhawan cost from 15,360 rupees (Dh869). Doubles at Chanoud Garh cost from 19,840 rupees (Dh1,122), full board. Doubles at Fort Begu cost from 10,000 rupees (Dh565), including breakfast.
The tours
Amar Grover travelled with Wild Frontiers. A tailor-made, nine-day itinerary via New Delhi, with one night in Tijara and two nights in each of the remaining properties, including car/driver, costs from £1,445 (Dh6,968) per person.
THE BIO
Born: Mukalla, Yemen, 1979
Education: UAE University, Al Ain
Family: Married with two daughters: Asayel, 7, and Sara, 6
Favourite piece of music: Horse Dance by Naseer Shamma
Favourite book: Science and geology
Favourite place to travel to: Washington DC
Best advice you’ve ever been given: If you have a dream, you have to believe it, then you will see it.
The 12 Syrian entities delisted by UK
Ministry of Interior
Ministry of Defence
General Intelligence Directorate
Air Force Intelligence Agency
Political Security Directorate
Syrian National Security Bureau
Military Intelligence Directorate
Army Supply Bureau
General Organisation of Radio and TV
Al Watan newspaper
Cham Press TV
Sama TV
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
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Takreem Awards winners 2021
Corporate Leadership: Carl Bistany (Lebanon)
Cultural Excellence: Hoor Al Qasimi (UAE)
Environmental Development and Sustainability: Bkerzay (Lebanon)
Environmental Development and Sustainability: Raya Ani (Iraq)
Humanitarian and Civic Services: Women’s Programs Association (Lebanon)
Humanitarian and Civic Services: Osamah Al Thini (Libya)
Excellence in Education: World Innovation Summit for Education (WISE) (Qatar)
Outstanding Arab Woman: Balghis Badri (Sudan)
Scientific and Technological Achievement: Mohamed Slim Alouini (KSA)
Young Entrepreneur: Omar Itani (Lebanon)
Lifetime Achievement: Suad Al Amiry (Palestine)
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 261hp at 5,500rpm
Torque: 405Nm at 1,750-3,500rpm
Transmission: 9-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 6.9L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh117,059
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