96-year-old scholar is Islamic Personality of the year

Sheikh Al Ulama, a 96-year-old Emirati has been named Dubai Quran award's Islamic personality of the year.

> Sheikh Mohammed Ali bin Al Sheikh Abdurrahman Sultan Al Ulama was born in 1920 > He completed his education from Al Azhar University in Cairo > He has been teaching Arabic and Shariah sciences at Sultan Al Ulama School for Religious Sciences for the past 40 years > He has undertaken over 200 charity projects > He has authored 70 books, including an 11-part Quran explanation > He founded the Sultan Al Ulama College for Sharia Sciences in Dubai, which will open soon

A 96-year-old Emirati scholar has bagged the Dh1 million Islamic personality of the year award. Sheikh Mohammed Ali bin Al Sheikh Abdurrahman Sultan Al Ulama was selected out of a long list of nominees. 
Ibrahim Bu Melha, Head of the Dubai International Holy Quran Award, announced Al Uluma as the winner late on Tuesday. 
"The decision is in appreciation of Sheikh Al Ulama's tireless efforts in serving Islam and the Holy Quran; and his 70 valuable Islamic books and over 200 major charity projects." 
Bu Melha, who is also Adviser to the Ruler of Dubai for Cultural and Humanitarian Affairs, said the winner had inherited the title 'Sultan Al Ulama', which means 'Sultan of scholars', from his late father. 
Sheikh Al Ulama was born in 1920. He memorised the Holy Quran in full at an early age and mastered the Arabic and Sharia sciences under the guidance of his father, renowned scholar Imam Abdurrahman bin Yusuf. 
Sheikh Al Ulama moved to India, and then to Al Azhar University in Cairo to complete his studies. "Later, he returned to the UAE where he started teaching Arabic and Sharia sciences at the Rahmaniya School that was founded by his late father." 
Following the death of his father, he took full responsibility of the school, renovated it, and taught all sciences of Sharia there for over 40 years. 
"Thousands of students have learnt at his school, which he renamed as the 'Sultan Al Ulama School for Religious Sciences'. Hundreds of them have become prominent scholars and spread religious knowledge across the globe," said Bu Melha. 
Owning to his tireless efforts, the school has become a leading hub for hundreds of students wishing to learn the Shariah. The school takes care of all their expenses, Bu Melha said. 
"Though busy teaching at the school most of the day, Sheikh Al Ulama dedicated a daily session every afternoon to meet people, answer their queries and solve their problems. 
"Equipped with a competent cadre of former students he assigned for teaching, the school turned into a benchmark for Arabic and Sharia students." 
Committed to philanthropic work, Sheikh Al Ulama has participated in 200 charity projects, spanning mosques, schools, colleges, hospitals, and Quran study centres. "He also took part in building and developing several roads, and assisted many indigent people." 
His Majlis has become a shiny minaret for religious knowledge in this country, Bu Melha said. 
"He used to give lessons at his mosque on a regular basis and founded the Sultan Al Ulama College for Sharia Sciences in Dubai, which will be opened soon." 
So far, he has authored more than 70 books, including an 11-part Quran explanation; a biography of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH); a four-part Friday sermons series; and books called Prudent Caliphates, Ethics of Reciting Quran, Sports in Islam, and Philosophy of Zakat in Islam. 
His books have been translated in many languages and distributed across the globe. His students have posted some of his works online. 
The annual award, now in its 19th edition, is awarded on the 20th of Ramadan. Last year, Shaikha Fatima bint Mubarak, Chairwoman of the General Women's Union Supreme Chairwoman of the Family Development Foundation, and President of the Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood, was named the Islamic personality of the year last year. 
ahmedshaaban@khaleejtimes.com

• UAE