Mohammed Bin Awad Bin Laden
Mohammed bin Awad bin Laden
Mohammed bin Awad bin Laden (1908–1967) was a prominent Saudi Arabian businessman and the patriarch of the Bin Laden family. He was the founder of the Saudi Binladin Group, a major global construction conglomerate.
Early Life
Mohammed bin Awad bin Laden was born in 1908 in the Hadhramaut region of Yemen. He belonged to the Shafi'i (Sunni) sect of Islam. In the 1930s, he emigrated to Saudi Arabia to seek better economic opportunities.
Establishment of Saudi Binladin Group
In 1931, Mohammed founded the Saudi Binladin Group, initially a small construction company that grew to become one of the largest construction firms in the Middle East. The company was responsible for several major infrastructure projects in Saudi Arabia, including the expansion of the Masjid al-Haram in Mecca and the Al-Masjid an-Nabawi in Medina.
Family
Mohammed bin Awad bin Laden had many children and multiple wives. His descendants include some notable figures:
- Osama bin Laden: One of his most infamous sons, Osama was the founder of the militant Islamist group al-Qaeda.
- Bakr bin Laden: Another of his sons, Bakr served as the chairman of the Saudi Binladin Group until his detention during the 2017 Saudi Arabian purge.
- Yeslam bin Ladin: Yet another son who is a businessman and has been involved in various ventures outside of Saudi Arabia.
Legacy
Mohammed bin Awad bin Laden's legacy is multifaceted. On one hand, he is remembered for his contributions to the development of Saudi Arabia's infrastructure. On the other, his family name has become synonymous with global terrorism due to the actions of his son Osama bin Laden.
Death
Mohammed bin Awad bin Laden died in 1967 in a plane crash in Saudi Arabia. His death marked a significant turning point for the family and the business empire he had built.