Juma al Majid

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H.E. Juma Al Majid

Juma al Majid (born in Dubai, United Arab Emirates around 1930) is a businessman in the UAE.

Early life and education

Majid was born in Al Shandagah, Dubai in 1930.

Majid started his professional life with his uncle in trade, afterwards he became a trader.

At the beginning of the fifties, he participated with his colleagues: Mr. Humaid Al Tayer, Abdullah Al Ghurair, Nasir Rashed Loutah, and with consent of Sheikh Rashed Bin Saeed Al Maktoum in the establishment of the first charitable society to help the needy of Dubai, so they established two secondary schools, one for boys in Burdubai, called Jamal Abdul Nasser Secondary School, the second for girls in Deira, called Amna Secondary Schools.

Majid established the “Islamic and Arabic Studies College” in 1987 in Dubai.

In 1990, Mr. Al Majid, along with other local philanthropists, established “Beit Al Khair Society” a charitable organization aims to aid the poor citizens, needy students, as well as offering cash or commodities to the victims of disasters.

In 1991, Mr. Al Majid realized the needs of scholars and researchers, especially those who are unable to obtain the necessary books, references and manuscripts, so he established a public library, afterwards it was developed to become a cultural organization, known as "Juma Al Majid Center for Culture and Heritage".

Majid continued in the same business for another two to three years until he met Mohammad Al Qaz in 1952. Al Qaz brought goods in Dubai from Kuwait and Bahrain, and Al Majid would help with the sales. In 1956, Al Qaz asked Al Majid to travel with him to Kuwait to trade in that lucrative market. The two used to take tobacco and Omani dry lime to sell in Kuwait and Bahrain and returned with goods like fabric and watches — from Switzerland and France — to sell in Dubai. The business expanded to Pakistan, India and across the Arab world into Europe, as it began to attract the support of international brands planning to enter the then Trucial States. It was around that time that Al Majid formally launched his own companies, Mohammad & Juma Al Majid and United Arab Agency.

Over time Al Majid went on to secure franchise rights for other international brands — in engineering, automobiles, office furniture, communication and tyres — from companies like Samsung, Hyundai, Hitachi and many more.

The partnership between Al Majid and Al Qaz lasted 11 years.

After the UAE Federation was formed, Al Majid left the gold business as the trade and development projects the country offered greater opportunities.

In 1974, he began work on establishing a Pepsi factory in Dubai, the National Cement Company, and the Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry. He also diversified into the carpentry and décor business. The group has since diversified further into transport and logistics, construction, food and advertising. There is also an international investment company, Al Majid Investment.

Honours and awards

• 2010: Honorary PhD degree from the Institute of Oriental Studies (The Russian Academy of Sciences in Moscow).
• 2010: Award for International Commitment, The Arab American Institute, USA.
• 2007: Sultan Al Owais Award for Scientific and Cultural Achievement.
• 2005: Award for The Year's Personality, The National Council for Culture and Art and Letters, Kuwait.
• 2005: Merit of Jerusalem honour 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.
• 2001: Excellence Certificate for Islamic services, Ministry of Information, Kuwait.
• 2001: Honoured by the Arabic Culture Society for role in preserving Islamic and Arabic heritage, Beirut.
• 2000: Excellence certificate for supporting the Palestinian cause from the associations of The Palestinian Reform and Charitable Work.
• 2000: Excellence certificate from the Islamic Centre, Aachen, Germany.
• 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 ofSt Petersburg University for preserving Islamic heritage.
• 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.
• 1997: Award from Ministry of Justice and Awqaf, Kuwait.
• 1995: Education Award, Ministry of Education, UAE
• 1994: Dubai Quality Award for the Businessman of the Year.
• 1992: Sultan Al Owais Award for Cultural Personality of the Year.