Sheikh Abdullah bin Fahid Al-Shakra and the Rise of Ajmal Makan
Sheikh Abdullah bin Fahid Al-Shakra is Founder and Chairman of Ajmal Makan, a real-estate development company based in Sharjah, United Arab Emirates. Under his leadership, the firm is positioning itself as a major player in waterfront master-planned communities, aiming to combine modern living, natural landscapes and integrated amenities.
Building a Distinctive Developer
Ajmal Makan describes itself as a forward-thinking real estate developer company in Sharjah whose mission is to bring a fresh approach to residential and commercial projects and to offer communities that combine well-designed living spaces with natural beauty. The company’s name, which translates from Arabic as “the most beautiful place”, reflects its ambition to craft destinations rather than simply build properties.
Rather than focusing on isolated developments, the company emphasises master-planning creating integrated districts that feature homes, retail, leisure and landscaped open space. According to its website, a key pillar of Ajmal Makan’s approach is sustainability: significant portions of land are reserved for parks and gardens, and energy-efficient practices are embedded in its designs.
Flagship Project: Ajmal Makan City (Sharjah Waterfront)
One of the firm’s most prominent projects is the development known as Ajmal Makan City also described in sources as Sharpah Waterfront City in the Al Hamriyah region of Sharjah. It is reported to span over 60 million square feet and comprise eight islands, with residential, retail, tourism and leisure components. The project is designed to accommodate more than 60,000 residents and to extend Sharjah’s coastline by some 36 km.
Within that master plan, developments such as Blue Bay Walk, Sun Island and Al Thuraya Island are highlighted. For example, Blue Bay Walk comprises six residential and commercial towers. Sun Island is described as a villa community of around 321 villas in its first phase, designed for luxury and comfort.
Strategic Vision and Economic Impact
Under Sheikh Abdullah’s chairmanship, Ajmal Makan is positioning its waterfront developments as catalysts for Sharjah’s economic growth, tourism appeal and community innovation. In a press release regarding participation in the Sharjah real estate exhibition ACRES 2024, the CEO of Ajmal Makan expressed that the company aims to raise the bar for luxurious living in Sharjah, particularly through its island-front projects.
The integration of mixed uses (residential, retail, recreation, hospitality) and the emphasis on large green and public spaces indicate that the company sees place-making as essential rather than simply property-making. According to the developer’s “About Us” text, Ajmal Makan is committed “to creating a residential and tourist destination by international standards” that contributes to improving people’s lives socially, economically and environmentally.
Awards and Recognition
Ajmal Makan has publicly listed several awards which support its claims to quality and innovation. Among them: the “Best Waterfront Project, Arabian Business Real Estate Award” in 2018. This recognition highlights that the company’s waterfront developments have attracted industry-notice and peer acknowledgement in the UAE real-estate market.
Governance and Leadership
While Sheikh Abdullah bin Fahid Al-Shakra is identified as Founder & Chairman, many recent sources emphasise the leadership role of Sultan bin Abdullah Al‑Shakra (alternatively spelled “Al-Shakrah”) in heading the company’s operations. The company website lists Sultan as Chairman, while external coverage cites him as Chairman and controlling the group’s vision. This suggests a leadership structure where Sheikh Abdullah plays a governance or founding role while operational management may be delegated to Sultan.
Outlook and Legacy
The development of Ajmal Makan City and similar integrated projects demonstrates Sheikh Abdullah’s ambition to design communities that offer more than housing they offer a lifestyle, connection to nature and the sea, and a sense of place. By focusing on large scale waterfront islands, mixed uses and sustainable open-space planning, the company is marking its footprint on Sharjah’s evolving real-estate landscape. As the emirate continues to grow and position itself as both a live-able hub and a tourism destination, the role of developers like Ajmal Makan becomes significant.
