Draft:Khalaf Al Habtoor

Al Habtoor was born in 1949 in Dubai, which at the time was part of the Trucial States. He began his professional career at a local engineering firm before founding Al Habtoor Engineering in 1970. The company later became part of the Al Habtoor Group, established in conjunction with the formation of the UAE in 1971.{{cite web |title=Chairman's Profile |url=https://www.habtoor.com/en/3/the-group/chairmans-profile/ |access-date=2025-04-30}}

The Al Habtoor Group has interests in multiple sectors:

• In hospitality, the group operates hotels in the UAE and abroad, including properties in Lebanon, Hungary, the UK, and the US.
• Its automotive arm, Al Habtoor Motors, distributes vehicle brands in the UAE.
• The real estate division includes developments such as the Noora, Amna, and Meera towers in Dubai.

Khalaf Al Habtoor has contributed to a number of charitable and educational causes:

• In 2022, he donated AED 10 million to the UAE's "1 Billion Meals" initiative.{{cite news |title=UAE's 1 Billion Meals drive: Khalaf Ahmad Al Habtoor donates Dh10 million |url=https://www.khaleejtimes.com/ramadan/uaes-1-billion-meals-drive-khalaf-ahmad-al-habtoor-donates-dh10-million |work=Khaleej Times |date=2022-04-08 |access-date=2025-04-30}}
• In 2011, he contributed AED 10 million to Zayed University for a business sciences research chair.{{cite news |title=Al Habtoor gives Zayed University Dh10m endowment for research |url=https://gulfnews.com/uae/education/al-habtoor-gives-zayed-university-dh10m-endowment-for-research-1.808765 |work=Gulf News |date=2011-05-11 |access-date=2025-04-30}}
• In 2021, he donated AED 1 million to Al Jalila Children’s Specialty Hospital.{{cite news |title=UAE businessman donates Dh1m to Al Jalila Children's Speciality Hospital in Dubai |url=https://gulfnews.com/uae/uae-businessman-donates-dh1m-to-al-jalila-childrens-speciality-hospital-in-dubai-1.77853930 |work=Gulf News |date=2021-03-16 |access-date=2025-04-30}}
• He established a scholarship program at the American University in Cairo to support ten students annually.{{cite web |title=Khalaf Ahmad Al Habtoor Establishes Scholarships at AUC |url=https://www.aucegypt.edu/media/media-releases/khalaf-ahmad-al-habtoor-establishes-scholarships-auc-10-students-across-egypt |website=American University in Cairo |date=2015-02-23 |access-date=2025-04-30}}

• In 2013, Al Habtoor received a Lifetime Achievement Award at the Arabian Hotel Investment Conference.{{cite news |title=Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum hands 'Lifetime Achievement Award' to Khalaf Al Habtoor |url=https://www.khaleejtimes.com/article/ahmed-bin-saeed-al-maktoum-hands-lifetime-achievement-award-to-khalaf-al-habtoor |work=Khaleej Times |date=2013-05-07 |access-date=2025-04-30}}
• In 2004, the American Biographical Institute recognised him as a "Leading Intellectual of the World".{{cite news |title=Al Habtoor 'is a leading global intellectual' |url=https://gulfnews.com/uae/al-habtoor-is-a-leading-global-intellectual-1.297928 |work=Gulf News |date=2005-07-18 |access-date=2025-04-30}}
• In 2021, he established the Khalaf Ahmad Al Habtoor Lifetime Achievement Awards to recognise individuals in media and education.{{cite news |title=Khalaf Al Habtoor awards honour exceptional personalities in media and academics |url=https://gulfnews.com/uae/khalaf-al-habtoor-awards-honour-exceptional-personalities-in-media-and-academics-1.76597736 |work=Gulf News |date=2021-01-28 |access-date=2025-04-30}}

Al Habtoor has authored two books:

• Khalaf Ahmad Al Habtoor: The Autobiography
• Is Anybody Listening?: How World Leaders Ignored Prescient Warnings on the Middle East

He also writes opinion articles published by regional outlets, including Arab News.{{cite web |title=Khalaf Ahmad Al Habtoor – Author |url=https://www.arabnews.com/authors/khalaf-ahmad-al-habtoor |website=Arab News |access-date=2025-04-30}}

In 1993, he launched Al Shindagah magazine to share perspectives on economic and social issues.{{cite web |title=Al Habtoor Group LLC |url=https://www.encyclopedia.com/books/politics-and-business-magazines/al-habtoor-group-llc |website=Encyclopedia.com |access-date=2025-04-30}}

{{reflist}}

• [https://www.habtoor.com/en/3/the-group/chairmans-profile/ Al Habtoor Group – Chairman's Profile]
• [https://www.khalafalhabtoor.net/ Official website]
• [https://www.youtube.com/user/KhalafAhmadAlHabtoor YouTube channel]
• [https://familybusinesshistories.org/spotlights/alhabtoor-group/ Family Business Histories – Al Habtoor Group]
• [https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20250130-uae-billionaire-says-he-is-afraid-to-set-foot-in-lebanon/ Middle East Monitor – Al Habtoor on Lebanon travel concerns]