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Wikipedia:Articles for deletion/Adeeb Ahamed

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The following discussion is an archived debate of the proposed deletion of the article below. Please do not modify it. Subsequent comments should be made on the appropriate discussion page (such as the article's talk page or in a deletion review). No further edits should be made to this page.

The result was delete‎. Despite the emphatic arguments from the SPA, consensus is clear that we lack independent sources with significant coverage. Please note that this went through a previous AfD under a different spelling, which was endorsed at DRV. Therefore, I am SALTing the page under both spellings. Owen× ☎ 15:03, 16 August 2025 (UTC)[reply]

Adeeb Ahamed

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Adeeb Ahamed (edit | talk | history | protect | delete | links | watch | logs | views) – (View log | edits since nomination)
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Fails GNG. Most of the coverage is in the form of promotional interviews, press releases, or routine reports tied to company events and awards. There appears to be little truly independent, in-depth profiling of him as an individual beyond his corporate roles. Much of the sourcing focuses on business expansions, acquisitions, and recognitions rather than sustained critical or biographical analysis. Thilsebatti (talk) 09:03, 9 August 2025 (UTC)[reply]

  • Delete I have reviewed all references in the article. Nearly all are either routine corporate announcements, award recognitions, or list inclusions WP:ROUTINE. There are no substantial, independent profiles that provide in-depth coverage of the subject’s life or career outside of his corporate roles. Several sources are directly affiliated with the subject or his companies. The article does not satisfy WP:GNG or WP:BIO.
Sweetabena (talk) 09:46, 9 August 2025 (UTC)[reply]
Do not Delete - This the coverage that you will get for all Middle-East based business figures where all media is essentially paid. Does this mean that we should restrict Wikipedia to business figures only from certain geographies? Trenton215 (talk) 09:27, 15 August 2025 (UTC)[reply]
The standards at WP:GNG and WP:CORP apply equally to every subject, regardless of geography, and they are not lowered to accommodate a region’s media environment. If the majority of available coverage in a region is paid or promotional, then it is an unfortunate reality that many figures from that region may not qualify for inclusion. This is not about excluding certain geographies; it is about upholding consistent, global standards for verifiability and neutrality. Without genuinely independent, in-depth coverage, an article cannot meet Wikipedia’s inclusion criteria, no matter where the subject is based.Thilsebatti (talk) 11:08, 15 August 2025 (UTC)[reply]
I acknowledge that WP:GNG applies equally regardless of geography and agree that standards should not be lowered. My position is that Adeeb Ahamed does meet those standards based on existing coverage. Multiple independent and reliable outlets have provided in-depth reporting on his professional work, including Gulf Business, Arabian Business, Forbes Middle East, and The Hindu Business Line. These pieces go beyond routine event coverage or press releases, featuring interviews, industry analysis, and context on his influence in the finance and hospitality sectors.
WP:SIGCOV specifies that significant coverage addresses the subject directly and in detail. The cited sources meet that threshold, offering enough substance to write an article without relying on primary or affiliated material. While WP:CORP and WP:BIO do not override GNG, they support the case here: both guidelines accept notability demonstrated through substantial coverage in multiple independent sources and significant, reliably documented achievements.
Awards and roles, such as being named a Travel & Tourism Leader by Forbes Middle East and serving on the World Economic Forum and FICCI Middle East Council, have been reported with context by independent publications, making them notable rather than promotional. In sum, this is not an argument for relaxing notability criteria; it is a demonstration that the subject already satisfies them through multiple non-trivial, independent, and reliable sources that document his career in depth. Trenton215 (talk) 13:57, 15 August 2025 (UTC)[reply]
For the closer’s consideration
A review of independent, reliable coverage shows that there is a credible basis to retain and improve this article under WP:GNG, WP:SIGCOV, WP:BIO, and WP:CORP. The following sources are from established publications with editorial oversight and go well beyond trivial or routine mentions:
The Economic Times – “Turning Tables: How Adeeb Ahamed of the LuLu Group is Foraying Further with Food, Toys and Fashion” (Aug 20, 2017) – Link
A full-length profile detailing business strategy, market expansion, turnover figures, and multi-sector operations, with third-party analysis from industry consultants.
Arabian Business – “Turning Tablez” (June 3, 2019) – Link
Focused feature on a $75 million retail expansion strategy into India, including independent commentary from Technopak and broader market context.
Economic Times – HospitalityWorld – “The demand for iconic hospitality products won’t be eclipsed” (Jan 12, 2021) – Link
Exclusive interview in a reputable outlet, with quantitative portfolio details, property names, and strategic positioning within the hospitality sector.
The Hindu – “Hospitality sector needs low-cost funds” (Feb 4, 2019)'' – Link
Coverage in a national newspaper quoting the subject as an industry voice on financing, situating him in the broader economic discussion of the hospitality sector.
These examples, spanning several years and different industries, demonstrate significant, independent coverage sufficient to write an encyclopedic biography without relying on primary sources. Under WP:PRESERVE, where such sourcing exists, the article should be improved and expanded with this material rather than deleted. Trenton215 (talk) 18:26, 15 August 2025 (UTC)[reply]
Most of the cited sources primarily focus on the company or organisations the subject is associated with, rather than providing in-depth coverage of the subject himself. Under WP:GNG, notability must be established through multiple independent, reliable secondary sources that discuss the subject in significant detail, not merely the entities he is affiliated with. Additionally, The Times of India is generally not considered a strong source for establishing biographical notability due to its history of paid content and advertorials. The Hindu source is reliabe but it is an interview which is a primary sources. We cannot also use paid sources to establish someone's notability. Thilsebatti (talk) 19:25, 15 August 2025 (UTC)[reply]
While the editor asserts that most sources “focus on the company rather than the subject,” this is an interpretation rather than an objective application of WP:GNG. Notability does not require that every article be strictly biographical in format — significant coverage can be established when reliable secondary sources discuss the subject in the context of their professional impact and role. Multiple national and international outlets have featured Adeeb Ahamed in substantive economic and industry discussions, well beyond routine announcements, including independent analyses of his leadership in the remittances sector and profiles contextualized within broader financial trends.
The statement that The Times of India is “generally not considered a strong source” is not supported by Wikipedia policy. TOI is one of India’s largest and oldest national dailies, used extensively across Wikipedia for biographical and business coverage. While it carries advertorial content, its standard news reporting remains subject to editorial oversight and is considered reliable under WP:RS. The specific TOI coverage cited here is news reporting, not paid content, and should be evaluated on its merits rather than dismissed wholesale.
Under WP:PRESERVE, the presence of significant, independent coverage in multiple reputable sources indicates the article can be improved and expanded rather than deleted. Trenton215 (talk) 20:20, 15 August 2025 (UTC)[reply]
Introducing a Further Source Supporting WP:GNG, WP:SIGCOV, WP:NNC
Introducing a further source: the 2014 Arabian Business feature “Show me the money: LuLu CEO Adeeb Ahamed” (link). Arabian Business is a reputable regional business publication with established editorial oversight, meeting the reliability standards of WP:RS and comfortably clearing even the unnaturally high threshold applied in this discussion. The article satisfies WP:SIGCOV by offering significant, non-trivial coverage that discusses the subject directly and in detail, placing him at the centre of the narrative and charting his professional journey, leadership approach, and strategic decisions in transforming LuLu International Exchange from a single branch into a multi-country network. It situates these actions within broader market analysis and industry context, making it a clear example of the kind of in-depth, independent reporting that establishes notability. While the piece incorporates interview content, WP:INTERVIEW makes clear that such material, when framed with independent editorial analysis in a reputable outlet, is treated as secondary. As part of a pattern of similar substantive coverage across more than a decade, it supports WP:NNC by demonstrating enduring public prominence rather than one-off or event-based attention, reinforcing that the subject meets the WP:GNG threshold for inclusion. Trenton215 (talk) 22:25, 15 August 2025 (UTC)[reply]
. quick search reveals that this person is the founder of the largest remittances business in the middle eastWand does not fail GNG. The article can be improved though.
If someone who founded a business worth billions is not notable enough to be in the businessmen section, then who is?
A couple of editors (one now banned) has questioned the references all from prominent Middle Eastern news outlets. I believe this boils down to a lack of understanding of the media scene here and/or the style of reporting.
The editor who marked it makes this argument: There are no substantial independent profiles that provide in-depth coverage of the subject's life or career outside his corporate roles. How does this make sense? You want an article about a businessman to have details other than his business?
In conclusion, the subject is a notable personality in the middle east and there are sources from multiple Indian and Middle Eastern news outlets whose reputations survive scrutiny. The argument that everyone with a page needs stories scrutinizing their personal lives is absurd. This should not be deleted. Fintechtri (talk) 10:46, 15 August 2025 (UTC)[reply]
Your argument appears to fundamentally misunderstand Wikipedia’s notability requirements. WP:GNG is not region-specific; it requires significant coverage in reliable, independent sources—regardless of geography. “All media is essentially paid” is not an acceptable justification for lowering standards. If independent, in-depth coverage cannot be demonstrated, then the subject does not meet GNG, whether they operate in the Middle East, Europe, or anywhere else. Being the founder of a large or valuable company does not automatically confer notability under WP:CORP or WP:BIO; what matters is the depth and independence of sourcing. Business articles that consist primarily of routine event coverage, press releases, or awards without independent analysis are promotional by nature and unsuitable for Wikipedia. This is not about scrutinizing personal lives—it is about whether there is verifiable, independent documentation of the subject’s career that goes beyond routine announcements. Without that, the article fails GNG.Thilsebatti (talk) 10:54, 15 August 2025 (UTC)[reply]
While I agree that WP:GNG requires significant coverage in independent, reliable sources, I believe the interpretation of “independent” and “in-depth” in this discussion has been applied too narrowly. WP:SIGCOV specifies that significant coverage means the subject is discussed “directly and in detail” — it does not require exhaustive biographical treatment or coverage outside their primary field. For businesspeople, coverage that focuses on their business activities, leadership decisions, and industry influence is considered directly relevant under WP:BIO and WP:CORP, provided it is not limited to trivial mentions or mere listings.
Several cited sources — including Gulf Business, Arabian Business, The Hindu Business Line, and Forbes Middle East — meet the WP:RS standard and go beyond routine announcements. These publications provide industry context, analysis of the subject’s strategies, and commentary on his market impact, which aligns with what WP:SIGCOV considers “significant” coverage. Interviews are not inherently non-independent if they are published in editorially controlled, reputable outlets with accompanying analysis or framing by journalists (per WP:INTERVIEW).
WP:ROUTINE cautions against relying solely on awards or event coverage, but it does not exclude such coverage when it is accompanied by independent context and analysis. Here, several awards and recognitions have been reported in a way that places them within a broader narrative of industry standing and market influence, meeting the threshold for substantive, non-trivial documentation.
In short, the article can be improved by trimming primary-source material and ensuring every claim is supported by secondary, independent reporting. However, the existence of multiple reliable, independent sources providing detailed coverage on the subject’s role, achievements, and impact indicates that WP:GNG, WP:BIO, and WP:CORP are already satisfied. The appropriate course per WP:PRESERVE is to improve the sourcing and content, not to delete. Fintechtri (talk) 14:55, 15 August 2025 (UTC)[reply]
Keep – Following up on my earlier comment to address the concerns raised and provide additional independent, reliable sources that meet WP:SIGCOV. These sources go beyond routine announcements or press releases and provide significant coverage of the subject’s work, strategies, and impact within his industry.
Examples of independent, in-depth coverage:
1. Gulf Business – “Driving Innovation in Middle East Payments” (2022) – Feature article analyzing leadership approach, industry trends, and market influence in building one of the region’s largest remittance networks.
2. Arabian Business – “The Financier Connecting GCC Economies” (2021) – Profile connecting finance and hospitality activities with editorial narrative and analysis.
3. The Hindu Business Line – Coverage of strategic market expansions with industry commentary and contextual framing beyond basic announcements.
4. Forbes Middle East – “Top Travel & Tourism Leaders” (2020) – Editorial recognition placing achievements within wider economic developments.
Why these meet WP:SIGCOV:
Significant coverage per WP:SIGCOV means direct, detailed discussion; for business figures, industry-specific analysis qualifies. WP:INTERVIEW allows inclusion of interviews in reputable editorial contexts, especially when accompanied by journalist framing. While WP:ROUTINE excludes trivial mentions, these sources include industry context and critical analysis, meeting the substantive coverage threshold.
Policy considerations:
WP:GNG applies globally, and the above sources meet the independence and reliability requirements to satisfy it. WP:PRESERVE directs us to improve and re-source rather than delete when substantive independent coverage exists. WP:BIO and WP:CORP support notability when there is significant coverage in multiple independent, reliable sources over time.
In light of these sources and policies, the article meets inclusion criteria and should be retained with sourcing improvements as needed. Fintechtri (talk) 15:32, 15 August 2025 (UTC)[reply]
The four sources listed here do not demonstrate the kind of significant coverage required by WP:GNG.
1. Gulf Business – an interview, making it a primary source.
2. Arabian Business – a short bio/profile with no real depth, routine coverage.
3. The Hindu Business Line – routine news about an appointment, not lasting analysis.
4. Forbes Middle East – a passing mention in a list, nothing more.
None of these provide sustained, independent, in-depth coverage. Please review WP:GNG carefully — notability is based on the quality and depth of sourcing, not on wealth or business ownership. If needed, I can provide a full source-by-source analysis, but as it stands, the subject does not meet inclusion criteria. Thilsebatti (talk) 15:58, 15 August 2025 (UTC)[reply]
I appreciate the detailed review, but I believe the classification of these sources requires closer alignment with policy.
1. Gulf Business – While it includes interview content, WP:INTERVIEW and WP:RS note that interviews published in reputable outlets with editorial framing can be considered secondary when they offer analysis, context, and narrative from the publication itself. This piece does not merely transcribe answers; it frames the subject’s role in market trends, fulfilling WP:SIGCOV.
2. Arabian Business – The profile is more than a directory entry; it provides contextual background on the subject’s cross-sector activities and is consistent with coverage used in other retained biographies of businesspeople.
3. The Hindu Business Line – The article includes industry commentary around the appointment, explaining its relevance in market context. WP:ROUTINE excludes trivial mentions, but here the coverage situates the role within broader industry developments.
4. Forbes Middle East – While part of a list, the entry contains narrative framing and independent editorial judgement, placing the subject within a ranked cohort. WP:SIGCOV does not exclude list-format coverage when substantive context is provided.
Notability for business figures under WP:BIO and WP:CORP is frequently established through industry-specific analysis of their professional roles. It is neither unusual nor against policy for most significant coverage to focus on their business activities. Fintechtri (talk) 17:11, 15 August 2025 (UTC)[reply]
  • Note to closer: Fintechtri has only made 5 edits in total. All of them are related to Adeeb Ahamed. Thilsebatti (talk) 16:11, 15 August 2025 (UTC)[reply]
    While my edit history is limited, the AfD process is about whether the subject meets Wikipedia’s inclusion criteria, not the contributor’s edit count. WP:NOTVOTE and WP:CONSENSUS make it clear that arguments are assessed on their merits and policy grounding, regardless of who makes them.
    I have disclosed all relevant sources and grounded my comments in WP:GNG, WP:SIGCOV, WP:BIO, and WP:CORP. The independent coverage provided stands on its own and can be verified by any editor. I encourage the discussion to remain focused on the quality and depth of sourcing, per AfD norms, rather than on participants. Fintechtri (talk) 17:14, 15 August 2025 (UTC)[reply]
  • Source analysis as follows.
# Title of Source Reliability Status Type of Coverage Notes
1 Adeeb Ahamed of Lulu Financial Holdings nominated to Emirates Board of Directors for Overseas Investors at IIC ✅🟩 (Gulf News – generally reliable) Primary (Interview) Self-sourced, promotional tone, about nomination.
2 Lulu Financial Group’s Adeeb Ahamed granted Bahraini golden visa ✅🟩 (Arabian Business – generally reliable) Routine coverage Focuses on golden visa, not significant profile.
3 Lulu Financial Holdings MD Adeeb Ahamed on the Covid crisis, remittances and plans ahead ✅🟩 (Gulf Business – generally reliable) Primary (Interview) Self-sourced, promotional tone.
4 Lulu Group to build a hotel in Amsterdam ⚠️🟨 (TOI – sometimes paid/promotional) About Lulu Group Not about subject, possible promotional.
5 Vaccination must take the centre stage ✅🟩 (New Indian Express – reliable) Routine coverage Quote on COVID vaccination, non-significant.
6 Kochi Biennale Foundation appoints UAE businessman as trustee ✅🟩 (The Hindu Business Line – reliable) Routine coverage Appointment news only.
7 Indian Rich List 2018 – #14 Adeeb Ahamed ✅🟩 (Arabian Business) Routine coverage Portfolio/listicle style, no depth.
8 Al Maryah Community Bank appoints Adeeb Ahamed as advisor to board members ✅🟩 (Gulf Times – reliable) Routine coverage Appointment news.
9 Gold card granted to Adeeb Ahamed, MD of Lulu Financial Group ⚠️🟨 (Times Kuwait – not a major reliable source) Routine coverage Appointment/award style, no depth.
10 Constantly challenging the status quo ❌🟥 (Gray Matter Dubai – unreliable/promotional) Promotional Likely paid, lacks editorial oversight.
11 Innovating value and inspiring experiences to improve people’s lives ✅🟩 (Gulf News) Primary (Interview) Promotional, self-sourced.
12 Adeeb Ahamed – World Economic Forum author page ✅🟩 (WEF site) Routine portfolio Not independent coverage.
13 Upbeat on growth prospects, Lulu Financial Holdings to expand NBFC business in India ⚠️🟨 (TOI) About Lulu Group Routine corporate news, not subject-specific.
14 Lulu opens the iconic Great Scotland Yard Hotel in London ⚠️🟨 (TOI) About Lulu Group No personal coverage.
15 Lulu Group’s Twenty14 Holdings to enter Swiss hospitality market ✅🟩 (Arabian Business) About Lulu Group Not subject-focused.
16 Lulu Financial Group MD Adeeb Ahamed in WEF regional strategy group ✅🟩 (Gulf Times) Routine coverage Appointment news.
17 UAE bizman Adeeb Ahamed appointed trustee of Kochi Biennale Foundation ✅🟩 (New Indian Express) Routine coverage Appointment news.
18 Corporate News – Arab News ✅🟩 (Arab News) Routine coverage Appointment news.
19 Al Maryah Community Bank appoints Adeeb Ahamed as board advisor ✅🟩 (Arabian Business) Routine coverage Appointment news.
20 Adeeb Ahamed appointed chair of FICCI Middle East Council ✅🟩 (UNI India) Routine coverage Appointment news.
21 Travel and Tourism Leaders 2024 – Forbes Middle East ⚠️🟨 (Forbes ME – partly reliable) Trivial mention No depth, listicle.
22 20 Global Asian Leaders felicitated with ABLF Awards 2022 ✅🟩 (Khaleej Times) Trivial mention Mostly about award event.
23 Adeeb Ahamed honoured as NRI Businessman of the Year ✅🟩 (Gulf Times) Award coverage Brief profile, insufficient depth.
24 NDTV honours Indian business leaders in UAE ✅🟩 (Khaleej Times) Award event Trivial mention.
25 Lulu Exchange MD honoured with Global Businessman Award at Brand Icons 2016 ⚠️🟨 (The Peninsula Qatar – mixed reliability) Award coverage Some coverage, still insufficient for GNG/NBIO.
26 Lulu Exchange CEO named Indian CEO of the Year 2014 in Financial Services category ⚠️🟨 (Indians in Kuwait – local expat site) Award coverage Minor local source, low depth.

The vast majority of sources are either routine announcements, trivial mentions, primary interviews, or promotional material, with no significant independent, in-depth coverage. There are no multiple reliable secondary sources providing substantial analysis of the subject’s life or career to meet WP:NBIO or WP:GNG. Thilsebatti (talk) 19:15, 15 August 2025 (UTC)[reply]

While each source should be assessed on its own merits, the near-blanket dismissal of 26 separate references as inadequate raises concerns about whether the evaluation is setting an unreasonably high threshold for WP:GNG. The repeated downgrading of reliable national and international coverage to “routine” or “promotional” risks introducing a selective assessment of evidence rather than the neutral, policy-based evaluation expected in AfD discussions.
The breakdown provided is a subjective classification of sources, not an objective application of WP:GNG. Significant coverage is assessed in aggregate, and WP:GNG does not require every source to be an in-depth biographical feature and requires only that there be multiple independent, reliable secondary sources covering the subject in detail beyond trivial mentions.
Several items on this list (e.g., Gulf News, Gulf Business, Arabian Business, New Indian Express, The Hindu Business Line) are established, independent outlets with strong editorial oversight. The flagging of outlets such as The Times of India, Forbes, Times Kuwait, and The Peninsula Qatar as only “partly reliable” is arbitrary and does not reflect Wikipedia policy; reliability should be assessed on the basis of individual articles, not blanket labels. Articles such as the Gulf Business feature on the Covid crisis and remittances, the Gulf News and Arabian Business profiles, and The Hindu Business Line coverage provide substantive context on the subject’s professional role, industry influence, and economic contributions and go far beyond a passing mention.
The portrayal of awards, appointments, and industry roles as “routine coverage” flattens meaningful distinctions between minor, everyday roles and appointments to globally respected bodies. Positions with organisations such as the World Economic Forum and the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry are not routine in nature; they reflect recognition at the highest national and international levels. When such appointments are reported by independent, reputable outlets, they are inherently significant and contribute directly to establishing the subject’s notability under WP:GNG.
Taken together, the breadth of coverage across multiple independent, reputable outlets meets WP:GNG’s requirement for significant coverage in reliable secondary sources. Fintechtri (talk) 20:53, 15 August 2025 (UTC)[reply]
I won’t be arguing this further to you or Trenton215 . At this point the both of you are repeating same points (see WP:REPEAT), which will make this discussion very huge and only makes harder for admins to determine consensus. I'll step back here and will only respond further if something new and substantive is raised. Thilsebatti (talk) 03:24, 16 August 2025 (UTC)[reply]
The above discussion is preserved as an archive of the debate. Please do not modify it. Subsequent comments should be made on the appropriate discussion page (such as the article's talk page or in a deletion review). No further edits should be made to this page.
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