On March 25, 2020, corresponding to the 5th of Sha’ban 1441 AH, the Islamic world lost one of its most distinguished figures in charitable work: The Revered Philanthropist Yousef Jassim Al-Hajji, known as “Abu Ya‘qoob.” He passed away at the age of 97, leaving behind a charitable and humanitarian legacy truly worthy of emulation, documentation, and preservation.
Throughout his professional journey, the late Al-Hajji charted a long path filled with generosity and dedication to serving the nation and those in need, spreading the values of goodness and cooperation across the world. His life embodied an inspiring humanitarian journey for generations to come, during which he led charitable and Islamic work for nearly half a century, carrying its banner high.
He was known for his noble qualities — calmness, composure, humility toward those who loved him, piety, asceticism, modesty, and gentle speech. He was deeply passionate about charitable work and tireless in advocating for Muslims everywhere.
He stood as a symbol of moderation, wisdom, and kind counsel. Throughout his life, he worked quietly, far from the noise of fame, and was always guided by the principles of Islamic law in his decisions.
Birth and Early Life of Yousef Al-Hajji
Al-Hajji was born on August 21, 1923 (1341 AH) in Fereej Al-Ateeqi, near Al-Mubarakiya School in Kuwait’s old city center. His family traces its origins to the town of Isleel in Wadi Al-Dawasir in southern Saudi Arabia.
He grew up in a scholarly home frequented by scholars and dignitaries. He accompanied his father to scholarly gatherings and studied under many teachers, including Sheikh Abdullah Al-Noori and Abdulrahman Al-Roweih, who taught him English at Mulla Othman & Brothers School. He also studied at Hashim Al-Badr Al-Qanai School, and among his teachers were Sheikh Abdullah Al-Khallaf Al-Deehan, Sheikh Ahmad Al-Khamees, Sheikh Abdulwahab Al-Faris, and Sheikh Muhammad Al-Farsi. Attending their circles and learning in mosques had a formative impact on his character and direction.
Career Progression
Al-Hajji represented a generation of pioneers in national and charitable work whose achievements are firmly etched in the nation’s contemporary history.
He started his career at the Ministry of Health, where he was appointed supervisor of the medical supplies warehouse from 1944 to 1960. He was later promoted to Director of Transport and Procurement for two years. Among his notable achievements was establishing the first official Kuwaiti medical mission for Hajj in 1956, and in 1960 he joined the mission as its secretary.
In 1963, he was promoted to become the first Undersecretary of the Ministry of Public Health, during the tenure of the late Abdulaziz Hamad Al-Saqr, the first Minister of Health, who presented several candidates to Sheikh Abdullah Al-Salem, who personally selected Al-Hajji for the post. He was known for his integrity and strict protection of public funds, and he played a key role in developing health services and extending them to villages beyond Kuwait City.
His Leadership of the International Islamic Charitable Organization (IICO)
The late Al-Hajji devoted decades of sacrifice, selflessness, and sincere service to charitable work, during which he chaired the IICO Board of Directors for a full quarter-century, unanimously elected to lead this distinguished institution.
The idea of the organization was born during the Conference of Islamic Banks in Kuwait on June 17, 1984, following determined efforts by a distinguished group of scholars and philanthropists in Kuwait and abroad, who believed in the necessity of establishing an institution capable of mobilizing one billion dollars to fund programs aimed at building human capacity.
Al-Hajji continued working with the founding members until the organization was officially registered in Kuwait by Law No. 64/1986. Later, the late Amir Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah issued the Amiri Decree approving its statute on February 3, 1987 — a major boost that strengthened its presence in humanitarian work. Al-Hajji enjoyed a good relationship with the late Amir, which reinforced the organization’s role and reach.
Alongside nearly 160 prominent scholars, thinkers, and philanthropists, he led the organization to expand its activities and achieve its noble mission. Under his leadership, the IICO grew into one of the largest charitable institutions in the Islamic world, delivering humanitarian, developmental, educational, and health projects across the globe. He remained keen on advancing charitable work until his final days.
In 2010, he handed the leadership to Dr. Abdullah Al-Matouq and was granted the title of Honorary President in recognition of his immense contributions.
Dr. Al-Matouq said upon his succession: “The Revered Philanthropist Yousef Jassim Al-Hajji has every right to take pride in his journey and contributions as he steps down after being one of its founders and leading its successful march for 25 years, until the organization became widely recognized and a beacon of charitable work.”
His Major Contributions
Along with chairing the IICO, the late Al-Hajji also chaired the Kuwaiti Joint Relief Committee (now the Kuwait Relief Society), which played a vital role in assisting disaster-stricken regions such as Bangladesh, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Somalia, Lebanon, Sudan, Iraq, and others.
He also headed the Social Reform Society and the Abdullah Al-Noori Charity, served as Deputy of the International Islamic Council for Da‘wah and Relief chaired by the Sheikh of Al-Azhar, and participated in establishing Kuwait Finance House. He was a member of the boards of trustees of the Islamic Da‘wah Organization in Sudan, the Islamic Foundation in Leicester (UK), and various Islamic universities in Islamabad, Chittagong, Congo, and Niger.
He also served on the Supreme Council for Mosques under the Muslim World League in Makkah and on the Board of Directors of Dubai Islamic Bank. He took part in many Islamic conferences worldwide and made significant contributions to numerous charitable and educational institutions.
Awards and Honors
For his pioneering role in charitable and Islamic work, Al-Hajji received numerous awards and honors across Kuwait, the region, and the Islamic world, including:
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The Kuwait Pioneers of Charity Medal (1980)
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The Golden Medal for Charitable Work from Bosnia’s presidency (1996)
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The King Faisal Prize for Service to Islam (2006), which he donated entirely to the poor, needy, and orphans during the award ceremony
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Kuwait’s Pioneers of Charity Medal (1988)
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The Golden Medal for Charitable Work from Bosnia (1996)
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An Honorary Doctorate from Uganda University (2004)
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The GCC Humanitarian Work Award (2009)
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The Order of Kuwait – First Class awarded by the late Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah (2011)
These honors reflect the deep appreciation for his lifelong contributions to charitable, humanitarian, educational, and Islamic service.
A Leader of Charity and a Model for the Righteous
Much can be said about his energy, humility, constant field visits to impoverished communities, selflessness, noble character, personal contributions, steadfast support for Palestine and Al-Aqsa, hospitality toward Kuwait’s guests, and belief in joint humanitarian action — all of which earned him immense respect throughout the Islamic world.
After his passing, he was described as “The Imam of Charitable Work,”, “A Role Model for the Righteous,”, “A Reviver of Charitable Work,”, and “A Pioneer of Humanitarian Service.”
Charitable Work as an Islamic Act of Worship
For The Revered Philanthropist Yousef Jassim Al-Hajji, serving vulnerable groups in the Islamic world was not merely a good deed — he saw it as an Islamic act of worship, and in some cases, an obligation upon those capable of fulfilling it, aiming to close the gaps of weakness within the Islamic nation and uplift the poor and afflicted to a dignified, humane life that enables them to rejoin productive society.
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