RIYADH: Just as Walt Disney founded one of the world's largest and most influential entertainment conglomerates, an Egyptian journalist has been dubbed the “Walt Disney of the UAE” for his key 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 Jidan and Captain Halfan are beloved symbols of childhood joy. However, few recognize the creative genius behind these precious memories: Ahmed Omar, who died on August 9 at the age of 85.
His vision and storytelling skills were critical in shaping the magazine's enduring legacy.
Born in Egypt in September 1939, Omar began life's journey with words and stories.
His passion for reading blossomed at a young age, and school and public libraries became his refuge, where he immersed himself in the world of various books and nurtured a deep love for literature.
Omar's frequent visits to Cairo's Azbakeya book market, where he found affordable second-hand books, helped him build a personal library filled with a variety of titles. His extensive reading played a crucial role in shaping his vision and enriching his ideas, which later manifested in his literary works.
He read to build a deep reservoir of knowledge, classical literature fascinated him from an early age. Naguib Mahfouz's novels, which delve into the intricacies of life in the Egyptian districts, had a profound effect on him. Omar was also shaped by the works of famous Egyptian writers such as Yusuf Idris, Gamal El-Ghitani, Mohammed Hassanein Heikal and other prominent authors.
He began his professional career at the UAE newspaper Al-Etihad, where he was one of the founders and contributed to its foundation. Later he managed the local news department.
The most significant achievement in his career was the establishment of the children's magazine Majid and his appointment as its editor-in-chief in 1979. The idea of the magazine was born in Al-Etihad daily and over time turned into one of the most important children's magazines in Arab countries. the world
Omar recognized that Arab children needed a publication that represented them, stimulated their imaginations, and nurtured their minds. Working together with a talented team of journalists and illustrators, he turned the magazine into a platform to express the thoughts and emotions of Arab children through words and pictures.
With his tireless efforts, Omar made the magazine a symbol of Arab childhood and a cherished part of the memories of generations to come.
He spent most of his time in the magazine's offices creating, planning, supervising writers and content, and preparing issues. When a new issue was printed, he had weeks' worth of issues ready in advance.
The first issue of the magazine was published on February 28, 1979 with a circulation of 5,000 free copies, which quickly disappeared from the shelves. Majeed, a character who represents human values rather than superpowers, impressed the children. Majid magazine maintained a weekly publication schedule every Wednesday, gaining considerable popularity throughout the region.
Omar observed and managed the magazine with special care and interest for almost 30 years. He has produced lead articles for children and written scripts for comic books, enriching each issue with beloved characters such as Zacky the Smart and Captain Halfan, among others.
His editorials in Majid magazine served as weekly lessons for children and adults, filled with educational messages and moral advice. His contribution made him a pioneer in education as he dedicated his knowledge to serving the younger generation and imparting valuable lessons.
With a deep understanding of the nuances and secrets of childhood, Omar managed to attract the attention of children from all over the Arab world. The magazine's readership grew to hundreds of thousands of young readers.
The late journalist believed that instilling a love of reading in children is a collective responsibility of the family, school and magazines. He noted: “It is important to inculcate the habit of reading at an early age, because it is difficult to cultivate it later. Introducing your child to a magazine isn't just fun—it's an important step toward fostering a lifelong passion for reading.”
From the very beginning of the magazine, Omar strove to give it a distinctly Arab flavor of the Persian Gulf, which was reflected in its content, stories and characters. It attracted leading children's writers and cartoonists, making the magazine resonate deeply with young readers across the Arab world, preserving the unique identity of Gulf children.
Famous characters such as Kaslan Jidan, Faduli, Abu Al-Durfaa, Zakia Az-Zakia, Shamsa and Dana, as well as Captain Halfan and his assistant Fahman, became favorites among the magazine's young audience.
Omar stressed that his magazine is aimed at children growing up in a traditional environment, instilling religious values, cultural awareness and pride in their Arab heritage.
As a testament to the success of his magazine, Majid's mail subscriptions increased throughout the Arab world as fans eagerly awaited each issue every Wednesday. For decades it has managed to compete with translated comic magazines such as Mickey (licensed by Disney and translated in Egypt) and Little Lulu (licensed and translated in Lebanon).
As such, the magazine has evolved with the UAE's social progress and embraced digital progress with a YouTube channel and website, although critics argue that it is nowhere near as influential today—despite the added reach afforded by modern technology—as it was in the 1990s. and the 1980s.
