Who Is Mahdi Amjad?
Mahdi Amjad is an Iraqi-born entrepreneur of Iranian descent and the Founder and Executive Chairman of OMNIYAT Group. He is best known for building OMNIYAT into a major Dubai luxury property company.
He founded OMNIYAT in 2005 after earlier building a career in the technology sector. His business journey also has roots in his family’s jewellery trade.
Today, he is closely associated with high-end Dubai property projects such as The Opus, One at Palm Jumeirah and The Lana Hotel & Residences.
His story is especially interesting because he did not begin his career in real estate. He first worked in his family’s jewellery business, later moved into technology, and then entered Dubai’s property market.
Readers interested in other companies, founders and entrepreneurs in the Emirates can also explore more UAE business profiles.
Mahdi Amjad Quick Facts
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full name | Mahdi Amjad |
| Profession | Entrepreneur and real estate executive |
| Known for | Founding OMNIYAT |
| Current position | Founder and Executive Chairman of OMNIYAT Group |
| Company founded | OMNIYAT |
| OMNIYAT founded | 2005 |
| Earlier business | Almasa Computers |
| Almasa Computers founded | 1995 |
| Birth origin | Iraq |
| Family heritage | Iranian descent |
| Main business location | Dubai, United Arab Emirates |
| Main industry | Luxury real estate |
| Major projects | The Opus, One at Palm Jumeirah, The Lana |
Early Life and Origin
Mahdi Amjad was born in Iraq and comes from a family of Iranian descent.
Business was already part of his surroundings when he was young. His family was involved in the jewellery industry, giving him early exposure to trading, customers and commercial decision-making.
His grandfather was also connected with jewellery-making in Iraq.
These early experiences helped introduce him to the business world long before he became known for luxury property development in Dubai.
He later moved his professional focus away from jewellery because he wanted to build a career in a different industry.
Mahdi Amjad Family Background
The publicly confirmed details about his family mainly relate to the jewellery trade.
His father has been described in established business reporting as a businessman and jewellery trader.
Amjad has also spoken publicly about working in his family’s jewellery operation when he was young.
His grandfather was a jewellery-maker in Iraq, showing that the family’s connection with the industry extended across generations.
Public information about other relatives is limited. Reliable sources do not provide enough confirmed detail to build a complete family tree, so names or relationships from unverified profile websites should not be treated as facts.
Education and Early Working Years
Mahdi Amjad has said that he was studying while working in his family’s jewellery business at the age of 18.
However, dependable public sources do not clearly identify a university, degree or formal qualification.
For that reason, claims about a specific university or academic degree should not be added unless confirmed by Amjad, OMNIYAT or another authoritative source.
His early working experience appears to have been highly practical. He was already learning about commercial operations while continuing his studies.
During this period, he realised that jewellery was not the field in which he wanted to build his long-term career.
Technology soon became his next major interest.
From Jewellery to Technology
Before becoming a property developer, Amjad entered the technology business.
In 1995, he established Almasa Computers.
The company developed into a significant technology distribution business in the Middle East.
This part of his career is important because OMNIYAT was not his first entrepreneurial project.
By the time he entered property development, he already had experience building and managing a business in another fast-moving industry.
His move from jewellery to computers and later to property also shows how his career developed across very different sectors.
Founding OMNIYAT in 2005
Mahdi Amjad founded OMNIYAT in Dubai in 2005.
Rather than focusing mainly on large numbers of standard residential units, OMNIYAT developed a strong identity around design, architecture and high-end living.
The company became particularly known for luxury and ultra-luxury developments.
Amjad’s interest in architecture played a major role in this approach. He travelled and studied buildings and design ideas as he developed his vision for the company.
OMNIYAT later became associated with internationally known architects, designers and hospitality brands.
The Opus and Zaha Hadid
One of the most recognised projects connected with OMNIYAT is The Opus in Dubai’s Business Bay.
The building was designed by the late architect Dame Zaha Hadid.
The project became important to Amjad both professionally and personally because he worked with Hadid for many years during its development.
The Opus has a distinctive cube-like outer form with a curved opening through its centre.
Its development was affected by the global financial crisis, which created delays and changes to the original plans.
OMNIYAT continued with the project, and it eventually became one of the company’s best-known architectural landmarks.
One at Palm Jumeirah
Another major development associated with the company is One at Palm Jumeirah.
The property helped strengthen OMNIYAT’s position in Dubai’s premium residential market.
Palm Jumeirah is already known worldwide for expensive waterfront homes, hotels and branded residences.
Developing a project in this location placed the company in one of Dubai’s most competitive luxury property areas.
The company’s focus on limited, high-value residences became an important part of its market identity.
The Lana Hotel and Residences
OMNIYAT also developed The Lana Hotel & Residences in partnership with Dorchester Collection.
The development is located in Dubai’s Business Bay area.
The project combines luxury residences with hospitality and became another important addition to the company’s growing portfolio.
Projects such as The Lana show how the group has expanded beyond traditional apartments into branded and hospitality-linked real estate.
Expansion of OMNIYAT Group
The business has continued to grow beyond its original property developments.
In 2024, OMNIYAT Group launched BEYOND, a property brand designed to operate in a wider premium residential segment.
This allowed the group to expand while keeping the original OMNIYAT brand strongly connected with ultra-luxury projects.
By 2026, the organisation had developed a large portfolio of projects, land and related property interests.
Forbes Middle East also included Amjad among its Most Impactful Real Estate Leaders 2026, placing him at No. 16 on the list.
Mahdi Amjad’s Current Position
As of August 2026, Mahdi Amjad serves as the Founder and Executive Chairman of OMNIYAT Group.
His responsibilities include guiding the overall direction and long-term strategy of the organisation.
The group has also announced ambitious plans for continued growth in Dubai and other parts of the United Arab Emirates.
In 2026, Amjad discussed plans to grow OMNIYAT Group’s portfolio to more than AED 200 billion by 2030.
This target relates to the value and scale of the business portfolio. It should not be confused with his personal wealth.
Business Style and Vision
A major theme throughout Amjad’s property career has been his focus on design.
He has spoken about architecture as an important part of the experience of luxury real estate.
This can be seen through OMNIYAT’s work with internationally recognised architects, hospitality companies and designers.
Instead of treating buildings only as property units, the company has often presented its developments as carefully designed lifestyle projects.
That approach helped OMNIYAT build a recognisable position in Dubai’s high-end real estate market.
Zaha Hadid/OMNIYAT Fellowship
Amjad’s professional relationship with Zaha Hadid also resulted in an education-focused initiative.
In 2016, OMNIYAT helped establish the Zaha Hadid/OMNIYAT Fellowship Fund at Harvard Graduate School of Design.
The initiative was created in Hadid’s memory.
It was designed to provide financial support for architecture master’s students from countries in the Middle East.
The fellowship connects Amjad’s interest in design with education and the development of future architects.
Why Is Mahdi Amjad Famous?
He is mainly known for three reasons.
First, he founded OMNIYAT and built it into a recognised Dubai property developer.
Second, his company has delivered high-profile luxury projects, including The Opus, One at Palm Jumeirah and The Lana.
Third, his career stretches across several industries. He moved from his family’s jewellery trade into technology before establishing a major presence in property.
This unusual career path has made him a recognised name in the UAE business and real estate sectors.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Mahdi Amjad?
He is an entrepreneur and the Founder and Executive Chairman of OMNIYAT Group, a Dubai-based property and investment organisation.
Where was Mahdi Amjad born?
He was born in Iraq and is publicly described as being of Iranian descent.
What company did Mahdi Amjad found?
He founded OMNIYAT in 2005.
What did he do before real estate?
Before entering property development, he worked in his family’s jewellery business and later established Almasa Computers in 1995.
What does Mahdi Amjad’s father do?
Established reporting has described his father as a businessman and jewellery trader.
What are some famous OMNIYAT projects?
Well-known developments include The Opus, One at Palm Jumeirah and The Lana Hotel & Residences.
What is his current role?
As of August 2026, he is the Founder and Executive Chairman of OMNIYAT Group.
Final Summary
Mahdi Amjad built his career through several stages.
He began with exposure to his family’s jewellery trade, moved into technology with Almasa Computers and later entered Dubai’s real estate industry.
After founding OMNIYAT in 2005, he developed the company around architecture, luxury property and distinctive design.
The Opus, One at Palm Jumeirah and The Lana are among the projects most closely linked with the business.
His journey from a family jewellery operation to technology and then high-end real estate has made him an established figure in Dubai’s property sector.
Only publicly confirmed personal and financial information should be used when discussing him, especially when it comes to age, education, family members and personal wealth.
