RIYADH: Just as Walt Disney founded one of the world's largest and most influential entertainment conglomerates, an Egyptian journalist is being hailed as the “Walt Disney of the UAE” for his pivotal role in shaping the region's media landscape with Majid Magazine.
For many Arab adults now in their 50s, the magazine and its beloved characters, such as Majid, Kaslan Jiddan and Captain Khalfan, are cherished symbols of childhood joy. Yet few recognize the creative genius behind these precious memories: Ahmed Omar, who passed away on August 9 at the age of 85.
His vision and storytelling skills were crucial in shaping the magazine's lasting legacy.
Omar was born in Egypt in September 1939 and embarked on a lifelong journey of words and stories.
His passion for reading flourished at a young age, and school and public libraries became his sanctuary, where he delved into a world of diverse books and nurtured a deep love of literature.
Omar's frequent visits to Cairo's Azbakeya book market, where he discovered affordable used books, helped him build a personal library filled with various titles. His extensive reading played a crucial role in shaping his vision and enriching his ideas, which later shone through in his literary works.
He read to build a deep reservoir of knowledge, with classical literature captivating him from an early age. Naguib Mahfouz's novels, which delve into the intricacies of life in Egyptian neighborhoods, had a profound impact on him. Omar was also shaped by the works of famous Egyptian writers such as Yusuf Idris, Gamal El-Ghitani, Mohamed Hassanein Heikal and other prominent writers.
He began his professional career at Al-Etihad newspaper in the United Arab Emirates, where he was one of the founders and helped lay the foundations. He later led the local news section.
The most important achievement in his career was establishing Majid Magazine for children and becoming its editor-in-chief in 1979. The idea for the magazine was born within Al-Etihad daily and eventually turned into one of the most important children's magazines in the Arab world.
Omar recognized the need for Arab children to have a publication that represented them, stimulated their imaginations and nourished their minds. Together with a talented team of journalists and illustrators, he made the magazine a platform to express the thoughts and feelings of Arab children through words and drawings.
Through his tireless efforts, Omar made the newspaper a symbol of Arab childhood and a cherished part of the memories of successive generations.
He spent most of his time in the magazine's office, creating, planning, supervising writers and content, and preparing issues. When a new issue was printed, he had several weeks' issues ready in advance.
The first issue of the magazine was published on February 28, 1979, with 5,000 free copies quickly disappearing from the shelves. Majid, a character who represents human values rather than superpowers, struck a chord with children. Majid Magazine maintained a weekly publishing schedule every Wednesday without fail, gaining considerable popularity throughout the region.
Omar supervised and managed the paper with utmost care and interest for almost 30 years. He provided guidance articles for children and scripted comic books, enriching each issue with beloved characters such as Zaki the Smart and Captain Khalfan, among others.
His editorials in Majid Magazine served as weekly lessons for children and adults alike, filled with educational messages and moral guidance. His contributions established him as an educational pioneer, as he devoted his knowledge to serving the younger generation and imparting valuable lessons.
Through his deep understanding of the nuances and secrets of childhood, Omar managed to capture the attention of children from all over the Arab world. The newspaper's readership grew to hundreds of thousands of young readers.
The late journalist believed that it is a collective duty for families, schools and newspapers alike to nurture a love of reading in children. He famously pointed out: “Inculcating a reading habit early in life is crucial, as it is difficult to cultivate later. Introducing a child to a newspaper is not just about providing entertainment – it is a crucial step towards fostering a lifelong passion for reading .”
Since the magazine's inception, Omar has dedicated himself to imbuing it with a distinct Gulf Arab flavor, which is reflected in its content, stories and characters. He attracted leading children's writers and cartoonists, ensuring that the magazine resonated with young readers across the Arab world by preserving the unique identity of the Gulf children.
Notable characters such as Kaslan Jiddan, Fadooli, Abu Al-Dhurfaa, Zakiyah Al-Zakiyah, Shamsa and Dana, and Captain Khalfan and his assistant Fahman became beloved figures among the magazine's young audience.
Omar emphasized that his magazine was designed to appeal to children growing up in a traditional environment, instilling religious values, cultural awareness and pride in their Arab heritage.
As a testament to his magazine's success, mail subscriptions to Majid flourished throughout the Arab world as fans eagerly awaited each issue every Wednesday. For decades it managed to compete with translated comic books such as Mickey (licensed from Disney and translated in Egypt) and Little Lulu (licensed and translated in Lebanon).
Consequently, the magazine evolved alongside the UAE's social progress and embraced digital advancements with a YouTube channel and website, although critics would argue that it is not as influential today – despite the added reach provided by modern technology – as it once was in the 1990s and 1980s.
