Sheikh Saleh bin Abdullah Kamel was born in Makkah in 1941 (1360 AH) into a family engaged in the pilgrimage services sector. His father was the Director General of the Royal Court.
Education and Career
He completed his elementary education in Makkah, middle school in Taif, and high school in Jeddah, before earning a bachelor’s degree in commerce from King Saud University in 1963.
Sheikh Saleh began his professional career in his family’s pilgrimage service business before joining the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs, working in youth welfare management. He later moved to the Ministry of Finance, where he spent ten years before leaving the public sector to venture into private business.
Over time, he built an investment empire, managing over 300 companies, banks, and institutions in Saudi Arabia and across 45 countries, with total investments exceeding 12 billion riyals.
Institutions Founded by Sheikh Saleh Kamel
He chaired the Dallah Al Baraka Group, which includes major investment firms such as:
- Al Baraka Investment & Development
- Al Baraka Banking Group
- Al Tawfeek Financial Group
- Aseer Company
- Arab Media Corporation
- Misk Media Company
- Arab Radio and Television (ART)
- Dallah Real Estate & Tourism Development
- Durra Al Arous Company
Additionally, he served as Chairman of the Islamic Chamber of Commerce, Chairman of the Islamic Banking Fund Committee, and Chairman of the General Council for Islamic Banks and Financial Institutions.
Dallah Al Baraka Group
Founded in 1982, Dallah Al Baraka Group became one of Jeddah’s most prominent investment companies, diversifying into media, tourism, banking, real estate, and other sectors.
Through his business ventures, Sheikh Saleh amassed a significant fortune, securing major contracts with the Saudi government.
He also established Dar Okaz Publishing House and played a significant role in founding Al-Watan newspaper.
Positions Held by Sheikh Saleh Kamel
Throughout his career, Sheikh Saleh held numerous leadership roles in different sectors, including:
- Chairman of Dallah Al Baraka Group – Saudi Arabia
- Chairman of the Egyptian Saudi Finance Bank – Egypt
- Chairman of Al Baraka Bank – Lebanon
- Chairman of Arab Media Corporation – Saudi Arabia
- Chairman of Arab Radio and Television (ART) – Cayman Islands
- Vice Chairman of the Arab Investment and Agricultural Development Company – Bahrain
- Board Member of Sunny Land Company – Cyprus
- Chairman of the General Council for Islamic Banks and Financial Institutions
- Chairman of the Islamic Chamber of Commerce – Saudi Arabia
Personal Life
Sheikh Saleh Kamel was married to Egyptian actress Safaa Abu Al-Saud, with whom he had three daughters: Hadeel, Aseel, and Nadhir. He also had two sons, Abdullah Kamel and Mohyiddin Kamel, from his first wife, known as Um Abdullah.
Death
Sheikh Saleh Kamel passed away on Monday, May 18, 2020, at Dr. Samir Abbas Hospital in Jeddah. His death was officially announced on May 19, 2020, and the cause was reported as a sudden heart attack.
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