With investment from UAE firm-led consortium, Aster DM expands in KSA and GCC

Dr. Azad Moopen, founder and chairman, Aster DM Healthcare.
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Updated 24 March 2024
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With investment from UAE firm-led consortium, Aster DM expands in KSA and GCC

Aster DM Healthcare Limited, one of the largest and fastest growing integrated healthcare providers in the GCC and India, has announced that the separation of its India and GCC businesses and the proposed investment in the company’s GCC business by a consortium of investors led by Fajr Capital, a sovereign-owned private equity firm headquartered in the UAE, is nearing imminent completion.

In November 2023, corporate approvals were received to separate the company’s India and GCC businesses into two distinct and stand-alone entities to unlock long-term value. Under the separation plan, a Fajr Capital-led consortium entered into a definitive agreement to acquire a 65 percent stake in the company’s GCC business. The plan was approved by the company’s shareholders in January this year.

As a part of the completion process, the Fajr Capital-led consortium has obtained the necessary approvals from Saudi Arabia’s General Authority for Competition. The integration of business operations in Qatar into the transaction perimeter of Aster DM Healthcare FZC has also been successfully completed.

The Moopen family will continue to lead and operate the GCC business retaining a 35 percent stake in the buyer entity. Existing shareholders will continue to remain with the listed Indian entity, Aster DM Healthcare Ltd.

Dr. Azad Moopen, founder and chairman, Aster DM Healthcare, said: “The separation of Aster’s India and GCC businesses will unlock the value and potential of both businesses and provide the needed impetus for the company to further strengthen its presence in both geographies. We are very near to closure and excited to embark on the next stage of growth.”

Alisha Moopen, managing director and group CEO, Aster GCC business, said: “With most of the processes near closure and necessary approvals in place, we are almost at the closure of the transaction and ready to embark on the next stage of our growth journey, which would see us expand our presence in Saudi Arabia and further strengthen our footprint in UAE, Oman and Qatar. We are delighted to have Fajr Capital and its consortium partners in our journey and thankful to the authorities for their continued support.”

In the GCC, the company has plans to expand its Aster Pharmacy business in Saudi Arabia with 180 retail stores set to open within the next three to five years. This would be alongside the expansion of Aster Sanad Hospital in Riyadh with added bed-capacity to serve a larger population segment. 

In the UAE, the company is all set to launch Medcare Royal Hospital, a 126-bed super specialty hospital in Al-Qusais, positioned to emerge as the destination for tertiary and quaternary care in a luxury setting, for local and international patients.


Muzz helps GCC to embrace modern marriage without compromising faith

Updated 59 min 50 sec ago
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Muzz helps GCC to embrace modern marriage without compromising faith

In an era where digital platforms shape nearly every aspect of modern life, many Muslims across the world are turning to technology not for casual interactions, but for something far more meaningful: marriage. Among the platforms leading this shift is Muzz, the world’s largest Muslim marriage app, which has established itself as a trusted space for young professionals, families, and faith-minded individuals seeking genuine, value-aligned connections.

With a global community of more than 15 million members and over 600,000 marriages facilitated through the platform, Muzz has redefined how Muslims meet and communicate while honoring cultural expectations and Islamic principles. Its rapid growth reflects an increasing demand for tools that offer modern convenience without compromising traditional values.

Muzz’s origins trace back to 2011, when founder Shahzad Younas created a simple website from his London bedroom. What started as a small personal project soon evolved into a pioneering venture. In 2017, the platform became the first Muslim-focused startup to be accepted into Y Combinator, the Silicon Valley accelerator known for backing giants such as Airbnb and Dropbox. This milestone marked a turning point that propelled Muzz from a grassroots idea into a global technology brand.

Today, the company operates with more than 150 employees across several regions, serving diverse Muslim communities throughout the Middle East, Southeast Asia, Europe, and North America. Despite its global footprint, the platform remains rooted in a clear mission: to offer Muslims a safe, respectful, and intentional way to pursue marriage.

In contrast to mainstream dating apps that cater largely to casual relationships, Muzz’s guiding philosophy is that “Muslims don’t date — they marry.” This principle shapes the platform’s user experience and distinguishes it from competitors. The app incorporates features designed specifically to reflect Islamic values, including privacy tools, optional chaperone modes, verified profiles, and a strong emphasis on safety and conduct. These elements resonate particularly strongly with users in the GCC, where cultural expectations around courtship remain firmly tied to modesty, family involvement, and serious intentions.

“We built Muzz to empower Muslims with a tool that fits their lives and their values,” said CEO Younas. “Our users want modern convenience, but they also seek sincerity and intention. Muzz brings both together.”

Beyond impressive numbers and global reach, the platform’s impact is evident in the personal stories shared by couples who found each other through it. Omar and Noura, a Saudi–Jordanian couple who married last year, credit Muzz for creating the opportunity that brought them together. Living in different countries, they never expected their paths to cross naturally. “Conversations on Muzz felt sincere from the start,” Omar said. “Within weeks, we realized this was something real.”

For individuals like Sara, a single mother from the Gulf region, the app provided a renewed chance at companionship after years of hesitation. Concerns about trust and privacy initially held her back, but the platform’s respectful environment helped her feel comfortable enough to explore the process. “Muzz felt intentional,” she said. “I met someone who understood my journey, someone I didn’t expect to find.”

Stories like these, now numbering in the hundreds of thousands, highlight how thoughtfully designed technology can support tradition rather than undermine it. The platform’s growing adoption in Saudi Arabia and the UAE reflects this balance, combining technological ease with the cultural sensitivity deeply valued in the region. According to a spokesperson for the company, this growth demonstrates a widespread desire for tools that honor authenticity and respect while offering users an accessible way to pursue marriage.

In addition to its role as a matchmaking platform, Muzz has emerged as a socially conscious brand committed to humanitarian initiatives. The company has raised more than $1.2 million in charitable contributions, supporting essential projects in Sudan, Pakistan, Türkiye, Palestine, and other regions. Its donations have helped fund bakeries, mobile clinics, temporary shelters, and emergency relief efforts, reinforcing its commitment to community support and ethical responsibility.

As digital tools continue to influence how people work, communicate, and build relationships, Muzz’s success illustrates how technology can harmonize with religious and cultural values. By offering a platform grounded in sincerity, safety, and faith-centered design, Muzz is shaping a new chapter in Muslim matchmaking, one where innovation and tradition work hand in hand to help people build lasting connections.