JEDDAH, 1 May 2004 — Sheikh Muhammad Al-Abdullah Aljomaih, chairman of Aljomaih Group, died at King Faisal Specialist Hospital in Riyadh on Wednesday at the age of 90. A noted business personality, he was also a great philanthropist and a supporter of educational and social projects.
Aljomaih had received many awards from countries such as the United States, Britain, Germany and Italy in appreciation of his services in promoting business and industrial relations.
Born in Shaqra in 1915, Aljomaih received his early education and learned the Qur’an from his father. He showed interest in business as early as the age of 15. He frequently accompanied his father with his brother Abdul Aziz on his business trips.
The family’s business, which had a humble beginning, progressed gradually. Aljomaih established the company in 1936 with his brother Abdul Aziz. After the death of his father, Aljomaih opened its first branch in Makkah for trade in foodstuffs and textiles. The business later expanded to Jeddah, Al-Ahsa and Riyadh.
The company quickly won the confidence and appreciation of international firms, and Aljomaih’s name became connected with a number of foreign companies, trademarks and products including General Motors, Pepsi Cola, Shell Lubricants and Yokohama Tires.
The company developed healthily under the leadership of Aljomaih assisted by his nephews Muhammad, Abdul Rahman and Hamad. It has now become one of the leading international companies and plays a major role in boosting Saudi economy.
Aljomaih was a member of the council advising the General Motors chairman. He was a founding member of Riyadh Electricity Company and Yamamah Cement Company, chairman of Aljomaih and Shell Lubricating Oil Company.
His board memberships included several companies and organizations including National Agricultural Development Company and Saudi Arabian Standards Organization.
He had won the King Abdul Aziz Medal of the First Order and Prince Muhammad ibn Fahd Prize for Charity and carried out a large number of philanthropic projects in various parts of the Kingdom and extended support for orphans and the handicapped. He also financed medical research centers and kidney centers.
His family supplied potable water to all houses in Shaqra for 25 years free of charge before the government implemented a water project for the town.
Education benefited from his generosity as well, for he helped establish a number of private colleges and universities and supported Qur’an memorization societies. He instituted a prize for scientific excellence in Shaqra and supported King Abdul Aziz Society for the Talented.
Funeral prayers for Aljomaih were held at Imam Turki ibn Abdullah Mosque in Riyadh on Thursday and his body was buried in the capital’s Al-Oud Graveyard. Riyadh Governor Prince Salman and a number of senior officials attended the funeral.
Aljomaih is survived by 17 children including Abdullah, Ibrahim, Abdul Aziz, Abdul Rahman, Muhammad and Mansour.
