Landmark

Diary Khan tells you why UAE loves Juma Al Majid.

One of the most interesting things about daily life in Dubai is the way you receive directions to a particular address. It involves alot of landmarks. In my case , it was Juma Al Majid Centre that was supposed to appear on the right when I took my first left on the main road that began where the Old Dubai Cinema used to exist once and which is just across the Naif Police Station. Thats how my would be land lady described to me the apartment block's precise location.

So, there is little chance ever to get lost on the streets of Dubai.

For me, Juma Al Majid has become more special. Not only because it helped me reach home every evening from work but also because he has made tremendous contribution towards preservation of Islamic culture .

And this week, the Arab American Institute (AAI) is giving its annual Kahlil Gibran “Spirit of Humanity” Awards in Washington, DC to him .

Named for the world renowned Lebanese poet and philosopher, Kahlil Gibran, the awards recognize individuals and institutions, who by the work they do, the values they project, or the challenges they issue forth, exemplify the “Spirit of Humanity”.

UAE businessman and philanthropist, Juma al Majid is being honored for his extraordinary efforts to preserve Arab and Islamic culture. Through his efforts, thousands of books and manuscripts have been saved. What a gift to give!

Juma Al Majid

Juma Al Majid was born in 1930, in the Al Shindagha area in Dubai. From a young age he understood the value of books which were not readily available at that time.From the early fifties he sought to open a number of private charity schools and went on to open two schools in Dubai.He himself took several trips to a number of countries worldwide in an effort to collect rare manuscripts. In 1990 he founded Beit Al Khair with a few of his benevolent peers, with the aim of providing financial and in-kind assistance to the needy and the poor.

These are just some of the reasons why Al Majid is revered in his own country for his philanthropy. So, when Arabs in nine countries were asked to name their favorite personality in the region, in most countries the winners were athletes or entertainers. Emiratis chose Juma al Majid.Nice choice!