His Excellency Juma Al Majid, Chairman of the Board of Trustees

Mr. Juma Al Majid was born in 1930 AD in the Shindagha area. His educational journey began with acquiring reading, writing, and religious knowledge from primitive teaching bodies (katateeb). He has deeply appreciated books, especially during a time when they were not readily accessible.

Embarking on his career alongside his uncle, he later transitioned into the realm of commerce. In the early 1950s, he, along with his colleagues — Humaid Al Tayer, Abdullah Al Ghurair, and Nasser Lootah — formed a committee with the approval of His Highness Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum. This committee successfully gathered donations from Dubai’s philanthropists, leading to the establishment of two secondary schools. Simultaneously, Mr. Juma Al Majid aspired to establish the National Library in Dubai.

In 1983, he took a significant step by founding charitable private schools, dedicated to providing free education to underprivileged foreign students. Despite a surge in the number of students, education remained free for the economically disadvantaged, while others were charged at cost.

Recognizing the educational needs of women, Mr. Juma Al Majid established the College of Islamic and Arab Studies in 1987, addressing the challenges faced by women seeking education in Al Ain or abroad. This institution later evolved into Al Wasl University.

In 1990, he co-founded the Beit Al Khair Association alongside like-minded philanthropists, aiming to offer financial and in-kind assistance to the needy and citizens of the United Arab Emirates. The association extends support to impoverished students and aids those affected by disasters. Collaborating with colleagues, Mr. Juma Al Majid also played a role in establishing schools in various Arab and Islamic countries, contributing to education on a broader scale.

 

Driven by the belief that knowledge enhances an individual’s capabilities, he initiated the establishment of a public library in 1991. This endeavor evolved into a cultural centre, providing convenient services to science students.

 

Roles and Responsibilities:

Mr. Juma Al Majid, may he be protected by God, has made numerous significant contributions and accomplishments in serving the nation and the global community at large. He played a pivotal role in establishing various institutions and assumed diverse roles, including:

  • Serving as the Chairman of the Dubai Economic Council.

  • Formerly holding the position of Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Central Bank of the United Arab Emirates.

  • Founding Juma Al Majid Group and serving as the Chairman of its Board of Directors.

  • Previously holding the position of Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors of Emirates Bank.

  • Founding and presiding over the Juma Al Majid Centre for Culture and Heritage in Dubai.

  • Establishing Al Wasl University and chairing its Board of Trustees.

  • Founding Private Charitable Schools in Dubai.

  • Founding Beit Al Khair Society in Dubai and serving as the Chairman of its Board of Directors.

  • Serving as a Member of the Supreme Council of the United Arab Emirates University (previously).

  • Being a Member of the Board of Trustees of the Arab Thought Foundation in Beirut, Lebanon.

  • Serving on the Board of Directors of the Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry (previously).

  • Chairing the Parents Council of the Dubai Educational District (previously).

  • Being a Member of the Advisory Committee of the Centre for Middle East Studies at Harvard University (previously).

  • Holding the position of Partner and Member of the Board of Directors of Al-Nisr Publishing Company (Gulf News).

    Awards and Recognitions

    Mr. Juma Al Majid has been acknowledged for his dedicated efforts and significant contributions to humanity, receiving numerous awards and certificates, including:

    • In 2022, His Highness Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed Al Qasimi bestowed upon him an honorary doctorate in recognition of his exceptional efforts.

    • The League of Arab States honoured him in Cairo in 2020 with the Excellence Award for Supporting Arab Heritage.

    • The Mohammed bin Rashid Award for the Holy Quran awarded him the Islamic Personality Award in 2019.

    • His Highness Sheikh Isa bin Ali Al Khalifa presented him with an award in the Kingdom of Bahrain.

    • In 2016, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees recognized him as a humanitarian hero.

    • He received the Emirates Social Award, First Class in the category of individuals who won the Emirates Award for Social Work in 2015.

    • The Gulf Cooperation Council awarded him in 2015 for his charitable work.

    • The UAE Pioneers Award was conferred upon him in 2015.

    • In 2014, he received the Khalifa Educational Award for his contributions to education and culture in the UAE.

    • The Emirates Identity Authority honoured him in 2014 as the Person of the Year for Institutional Learning.

    • The Arab Federation for Libraries and Information recognized him in 2014 with the Personality of the Year Award for Supporting Libraries and Arab Cultural Activity.

    • In 2014, the UAE National Award for Humanitarian Work acknowledged him in the “Imprint of Thought” category.

    • The President of Turkmenistan awarded him the Order (Turkmenistan Makhdoom Guly Fraghi) in 2014.

    • In November 2012, he was honoured by the Faculty of Arts at Kuwait University during the conference “Non-Arab Asia and the Transformations of Modern Arab Culture.”

    • Sheikha Shamsa bint Suhail presented him with an award in 2012 for his pioneering volunteer work.

    • Lawrence Tech University conferred upon him an honorary doctorate in humanities in 2012.

    • His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed awarded him the President’s Appreciation Award in 2011 for shaping the country’s positive image.

    • In 2010, the Swiss Embassy in Abu Dhabi honoured him with the Swiss Ambassador Award for his role in developing relations between Switzerland and the UAE.

    • The Arab American Institute awarded him the Gibran Khalil Gibran Award in the International Commitment Category in 2010.

    • In March 2010, the Syrian Ministry of Culture acknowledged his efforts in developing cultural relations between Syria and the UAE.

    • The Kuwait Chamber of Commerce and Industry honoured him in November 2009 for his contributions to trade and fraternal relations between Kuwait and the UAE.

    • Al Owais Award for Scientific and Cultural Achievement recognized him in 2006-2007.

    • In December 2005, the National Council for Culture, Arts and Literature of the Kuwaiti Ministry of Culture named him “Personality of the Year.”

    • In 2003, he received the Sharjah Award for Voluntary Work from His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi.

    • The Kuwaiti Ministry of Information appreciated his efforts in serving Islam in 2001.

    • In 2001, the Arab Cultural Foundation in Beirut honoured him for protecting Arab and Islamic heritage.

    • The Islamic Centre in Aachen, Germany, presented him with a certificate of appreciation in 2000.

    • Former Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak awarded him the International Personality Award for Service to Culture and Heritage in 2000.

    • Saint Petersburg University granted him an honorary degree in 1999 for preserving Islamic heritage.

    • He won the Hamdan Bin Rashid Award for Distinguished Academic Performance in 1998.

    • Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak awarded him the Righteousness Award in 1998.

    • In 1999, he received King Faisal International Award for Service to Islam.

    • The Association of Moroccan Historians awarded him a certificate of appreciation in 1996 for his contributions to culture and heritage.

    • In 1995, the Ministry of Education recognized his efforts with the Contributors to Literacy and Adult Education Award.

    • Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum honoured him with the Dubai Quality Award “Businessman of the Year” in 1994.

    • In 1992, he won the Sultan Bin Ali Al Owais Award for “Cultural Personality of the Year” for the United Arab Emirates.

    • In 1990, the Kuwaiti Ministry of Justice acknowledged him for hosting Kuwaiti families, and in 1988, he was honoured for his role in establishing the Emirati-Kuwaiti Fraternity Committee.

    Scientific and cultural charitable institutions that he founded:

    • National Charity Schools

    • Al Wasl University

    • Juma Al Majid Centre for Culture and Heritage

    • Beit Al Khair Society