Juma Al Majid is Islamic Personality of the Year

Dubai - His generous support to education is recognised in the UAE as well as the Arab and Islamic worlds.

Renowned Emirati businessman, political adviser and philanthropist Juma Al Majid is the Islamic Personality of the Year of the 23rd edition of the Dubai International Holy Quran Award (DIHQA).
His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, hailed the choice of Juma Al Majid. "Brother Juma Al Majid is one of the leading UAE traders and philanthropists who have been well aware of the importance of education.
His generous support to education is recognised in the UAE as well as the Arab and Islamic worlds. He does deserve pride and honour."
Ibrahim Mohamed Bu Melha, adviser to the Ruler of Dubai for Cultural and Humanitarian Affairs and head of DIHQA Organising Committee, made the announcement at a Press conference late on Tuesday night at the Dubai Chamber as part of the global Quran competition which started the same night.
"The award has honoured a long list of esteemed Islamic characters and entities over the last 22 years with this Dh1 million award in appreciation to their shiny records in serving Islam, Muslims and holy Quran worldwide."
"This noble man's services and unlimited support to Emirati citizens and residents, and the Arab community speak volume."
He was born in 1930 at Al Shindagha area, the capital of Dubai then, he added. "He was raised in a unique environment rich in social, marine and commercial aspects."
His father, a captain of one of those ships, used to take him on long diving trips though he was still seven years old, he pointed out. "He used to spend the entire summer onboard his father's ship where he took care of the sailors' needs."
When he came back to town, he got enrolled in Quran and Arabic language classes at the Katateeb or Quran Study Centres where he memorised the Quran by heart and learnt some reading and writing skills, Bu Melha elaborated.
Al Majid went to Ahmed Al Qanbari and Al Ahlia Schools, following which he worked at his grandfather's office, but he soon started his own business and opened a small shop.
"Unable to resist his passion for charitable work, this generous philanthropist founded a local charity committee in collaboration with some friends. They managed to build and run two charity schools; one for boys in Bur Dubai and one for girls in Deira. He generously participated in the establishment of the Public Library in Dubai early in the 60s."
The more this prominent character gave for charity, the more his business boomed, Bu Melha underlined.
"Early in the 60s, he and his colleague Mohammed Abdullah Al Qaz founded the first charity association in the country which they named the 'Arab Charity Association' to help vulnerable families."
"They used to drop poor patients to the hospitals and return them home, and that was a great service at that time. He also established two private schools in support to the children of indigent families who could not afford tuition fees."
Early in the 90s, he founded the College of Islamic and Arabic Studies which was offering education for free. "He later launched Master and PhD programmes for aspirant learners, and then founded the Beit Al Khair Society to support poor Emirati nationals and cover their needs."
The man, who had a lot of cultural interests, was a big fan of books, particularly old ones, since his early life. "He established the first culture and heritage centre in Dubai which is one of the most important scientific and cultural heritage centres in the Arab world where he kept numerous rare heritage manuscripts and books."
This man's white hands have been widely acknowledged several times. "He is indeed one of the key figures in charitable, cultural and intellectual work across the UAE."
ahmedshaaban@khaleejtimes.com

• Dubai