INTERNATIONAL NEWS NETWORK
Dubai is a city of aspirations, where many have rebuilt their lives from the ground up. One such individual is Muhammad Jabir, known as 916 Jabir, who hails from the Indian state of Kerala and has established himself anew in the business world here. When one night turned his life upside down, he held onto his faith in God and the belief in better days ahead with unwavering self-confidence. He had two jewelry businesses. One of them was established by his father in 1978, and he would assist with it after his classes. Following his father’s passing, he assumed full responsibility for that business, overseeing its various operations.
In 2016, during a fateful night, a theft occurred at his second jewelry store, resulting in significant financial liabilities. Consequently, he had to close both jewelry stores. Even in those times, there was a steadfast belief that God would grant an opportunity one day to regain his life, a firm conviction that all of this was a test from Allah. At that time, opening shop was solely for resolving dealer matters at there, without bringing them home. He had to sell his vehicle and watch. Even thought about committing suicide…
In considering what to do next, decided to step away from the gold business and start something else. During that time, he noticed his Indian identity card (Aadhar). Its last digits were 916, signifying the 22-karat gold. 916 phone numbers and vehicle numbers are a symbol and adornments for gold traders. Jabir also had 916 vehicle number and phone number, but they were all lost. Among the 1.3 billion identity cards issued to people, to have the last digits 916, considered the magic number among gold traders, he believed it was God’s decision, so he chose to continue in this field and became known as 916 Jabir.
Years passed by. The words of sufi guru Jalaluddin Rumi “Anything you lose comes round in another form” became real. Today, 916 Jabir is the CEO of Thazi Gold & Diamond Jewelry in Dubai’s bustling souks, establishing a notable presence in Dubai’s gold and diamond industry through the knowledge he has gained from his wealth of experiences.
Let’s engage in a conversation to gain some insights from him.
How do you see business in Dubai ? Dubai is a blessed dreamland for businessmen, continuously evolving through long-term vision and innovation.
How much gold is there in the world today ? According to recent estimates, 2 lakh tons.
How much gold is mined a year ? 2500 to 3000 tons.
What percentage of mined gold is used for jewelry ? About 46% for jewelry, 22% for bullion, 17% for various central banks, and 15% for industrial purposes.
How much gold remains to be discovered ? According to available sources, approximately 53,000 tons. There is also the potential for the discovery of new gold deposits. If not, it is estimated that there is only around 18 years worth of gold left to be mined.
The future of gold ? For thousands of years, gold has held its pride; much like its shine, its value has never waned. It will continue to rise.
Will lab-grown diamonds create a crisis for natural diamonds ? It didn’t effect the natural diamond business. but the lower prices of lab-grown diamonds have made them accessible for many.
No one fails when challenges arise. It’s how we deal with them that determines our success and failure, says 916 Jabir. 916 Jabir is one among those who face the same challenges, forging ahead, and being a guiding light in the lives of many.
