Dubai – Prominent UAE businessman Majid al Futtaim, who founded retailing and entertainment giant MAF, has died, Dubai’s ruler said on Friday in a Twitter post paying tribute to one of the emirate’s pioneers “who gave back to the nation.” Al Futtaim, who was born in the 1930s according to local media, in 1992 established Majid al Futtaim (MAF), a conglomerate that develops shopping malls across the Middle East and North Africa.
In 2018, Late His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said conferred the Royal Commendation Order (first class) on the businessman Majid Mohammed Majid al Futtaim. The order was handed over by Sayyid Khalid bin Hilal bin Saud al Busaidi, Minister of the Diwan of Royal Court.
It may be noted that some of the biggest real estate and tourism projects in the Sultanate over the last decade – Al Mouj, Al Mouj Golf, Muscat City Centre (MCC), Qurm City Centre (QCC), Mall of Oman and the futuristic city of Tilal Madinat al Irfan have been developed by the UAE’s Majid Futtaim.
He was ranked the third-richest Arab businessman by Forbes Magazine this year with a family fortune of $3.6 billion.
“May God have mercy on our brother Majid Al Futtaim, a pioneering businessman and one of the most important in Dubai and among its greatest men who gave back to the nation,” Dubai ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum tweeted.
“We are deeply saddened to announce that our beloved founder, Majid al Futtaim, passed away on December 17, 2021,” the company said in a statement.
“Majid Al Futtaim was a visionary entrepreneur who transformed the face of business in the entire region and his lifetime achievements have been an inspiration for many and particularly for us at the Majid Al Futtaim group of companies, which was built around his clear sense of purpose and an unwavering vision. He worked tirelessly on turning this purpose and vision into a reality that acts as a role model for others. His legacy lives on in Majid Al Futtaim’s business and culture, which shall continue to create outstanding businesses, innovative brands, and exceptional destinations and spaces that incubate happiness for our people and our customers. ”
The company’s presence in Oman is also through VOX Cinemas with 13 cinema complexes.
The company’s upcoming projects include the Tilal al Irfan, one of the largest integrated lifestyle destinations in Muscat.
