Juma al Majid (born 1930, Dubai, United Arab Emirates) is an Emirati businessman, political adviser, and philanthropist.[5] He is the founder and chairman of Juma Al Majid Holding Group. In 2016, Al Majid was ranked among the richest Arabs in the world.[6][7][8]
Juma Al Majid held key positions including Chairman for Dubai Economic Council, Vice Chairman for the UAE Central Bank, Vice Chairman for Emirates Bank International Ltd, Director for Dubai Chamber of Commerce & Industry, and Board Member for AI Nisr Publishing (Gulf News). [9][10]
In 1950, he established the Juma Al Majid Holding Group, which later became one of the most reputed organisations in the Middle East. The group’s verticals include real estate, travel and tourism, hospitality, investments, automobiles, contracting and commercial.[11]
Early life and career
Juma Majid was born in Al Shandagah, Dubai in 1930. He was a pearl diver's son. When Juma Al Majid turned 15, his uncle, Ahmad Majid Al Ghurair, asked him to assist him at his shop in Deira, and eventually opened a second small shop for him. He opened his business in 1950 and began by selling fabric and switched to air conditioners.[12]
Juma met Mohammad Al Qaz, a trader who imported goods to Dubai from Kuwait and Bahrain, who become his associate and friend. Juma started helping Al Qaz with sales and in 1950, he established Juma Al Majid Holding Group.
In 1956, Al Qaz invited Juma to accompany him on trading trips to Kuwait. They would take tobacco and Omani dry lime to sell in Kuwait and Bahrain and return with fabric and watches from Switzerland and France to sell in Dubai. Soon after, Juma set up a home appliances division, with international brands. By 1958, he added a tire and battery division and signed an exclusive distribution agreement with Yokohama Tires.[13]
In 1962, Juma Al Majid Holding Group entered the fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG), founding Gulf Trading and Distributing Co. (GULFCO), which became the exclusive UAE distributor for several of SC Johnson’s home and personal care brands. In 1967, the group established General Navigation & Commerce Co., starting the supply of construction materials and equipment.[14]
In the late 1960s, during a visit to a Bahrain showroom, Juma observed General Electric refrigerators, which were not available in Dubai at the time. Pretending to check one of the refrigerators, he picked up the guarantee card with the company’s details. Back in Dubai, he arranged to purchase 200 air conditioners from a GE dealer in Lebanon at a reduced price to resell in Dubai. Juma also become involved in the gold trade between the UK, Switzerland, and India.[15]
By the 1970s, his company had grown to be the second largest distributor of General Electric products, selling up to 700,000 air conditioners per year.[citation needed][16][17][7]
After the UAE Federation was created in 1971, Mohammed Al Gaz and Al Majid opened a Pepsi factory in Dubai.[18] He also expanded his firm into carpentry and interior design.
Since then, the firm has expanded into automotive, heavy equipment, fast moving consumer goods, office equipment, travel, real estate, and contracting. He also founded Al Majid Investments, an international investment company. [9]
Throughout his career, Al Majid acquired the franchise rights for numerous international brands in engineering, automotive, office furniture, communication, and tyres from businesses such as Samsung, Hyundai, and Hitachi.[10]
Philanthropy
At the start of the 1950s, he collaborated with his colleagues Humaid Al Tayer, Abdullah Al Ghurair, and Nasir Rashed Loutah in establishing the first charitable society in Dubai, with the consent of Sheikh Rashed Bin Saeed Al Maktoum. They established Jamal Abdul Nasser Secondary School for boys and Amna Secondary Schools for girls. In 1983, Juma Al Majid founded the National Charity Schools to assist poor expatriate children in gaining a free education.
In 1987, Al Majid founded the Islamic and Arabic Studies College in Dubai which provides free education to all. This college, which accepts students from the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states, is accredited by Al-Azhar University, Dar Al Uloom College, and the UAE Ministry of Higher Education.
In 1989, he established a cultural organisation known as the Juma Al Majid Center for Culture and Heritage, which holds a collection of Arab and Islamic manuscripts.[19]
The Juma Al Majid Culture and Heritage Centre is considered one of the world’s most popular scientific and cultural heritage centres. He has made significant contributions as a member of the advisory committee for the Centre for The Middle Eastern Studies at the Harvard University, USA.[19]
Al Majid founded the Beit Al Khair Society in 1990 and is currently its chairman.[20] He established a public library in 1991, which later evolved into a cultural organisation known as the Juma Al Majid Center for Culture and Heritage, which holds a collection of Arab and Islamic manuscripts.[7][21]
Recognition & Awards
2022: Honorary doctorate from the University of Sharjah.[22]
2010: Honorary PhD degree from the Institute of Oriental Studies (The Russian Academy of Sciences in Moscow).[23]
2010: Award for International Commitment, The Arab American Institute, USA.
2007: Sultan Al Owais Award for Scientific and Cultural Achievement.[24]
2005: Award for The Year's Personality, The National Council for Culture and Art and Letters, Kuwait.
2005: Merit of Jerusalem honor bestowed by Mahmoud Abbas, President of the Palestinian National Authority.
2003: Voluntary Work Award from His Highness Dr. Shaikh Sultan Bin Mohammad Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah.[25]
2001: Excellence Certificate for Islamic services, Ministry of Information, Kuwait.
2001: Honoured by the Arabic Culture Society for his role in preserving Islamic and Arabic heritage, Beirut.[8]
2000: Award of the International Personality for serving Culture and Heritage, from Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs, by Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak.
1999: Honoured by the Scientific Council of St Petersburg University for preserving Islamic heritage.[26]
1999: King Faisal International Award for service to Islam, Saudi Arabia.
1998: Hamdan Bin Rashid Award for Distinguished Academic Performance.
1998: Appreciation award from Her Highness Shaikha Fatima Bint Mubarak, Wife of the late President Shaikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan, and Chairwoman of the General Women's Union.[27]
1997: Award from Ministry of Justice and Awqaf, Kuwait.
1995: Education Award, Ministry of Education, UAE[28]
1994: Dubai Quality Award for the Businessman of the Year.
1992: Sultan Al Owais Award for Cultural Personality of the Year.[29]
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