Isobel Abulhoul

Founder, Advisor and Trustee
Emirates Literature Foundation

Isobel Abulhoul OBE arrived in Dubai in 1968 and went on to co-found Magrudy’s in 1975—a pioneering bookshop chain that remains a cornerstone of the UAE’s literary landscape, now with twenty thriving locations across the country. She also co-founded Al Ittihad Private School, built on land generously donated and funded by the late Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum.

In 2008, Isobel founded the Emirates Airline Festival of Literature, now the largest and most celebrated literary festival in the Middle East. Recognising the festival’s impact, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, issued a decree in 2013 establishing the Emirates Literature Foundation, appointing Isobel as a founding trustee. She served as CEO of the Foundation until March 2023 and continues to serve as both advisor and board trustee.

In addition to her work with the Foundation, Isobel is a trustee of the International Prize for Arabic Fiction and serves on the Board of Directors of the Mohammed Bin Rashid Library. She is also a member of the Police Advisory Council for Community Service, and in 2021 was appointed Chairperson of one of the UAE’s Global Councils, focusing on the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals.

In 2020, in response to the urgent need to reverse the decline in children’s reading habits across the Arab world, Isobel launched the Reading for Pleasure (RFP) initiative and the annual RFP Conference, providing a platform for research, advocacy, and innovative solutions.

Over the years, Isobel has received numerous accolades, including:
- Cultural Personality of the Year from His Highness Dr Sheikh Sultan Bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Ruler of Sharjah
- The prestigious Order of the British Empire (OBE) from Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II
- The UAE Pioneers Award in 2016, presented by HH Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum

Isobel Abulhoul has been honoured with the 2025 Lifetime Achievement Award in Education, presented at the Gala Dinner sponsored by Taaleem.

Isobel’s lifelong passion for education, books, and empowering future generations continues to shape her work, leaving a profound and lasting impact on the region’s cultural and literary life.

"Teachers are the most dedicated professionals, helping students find themselves and realise their potential. Teachers can change lives every day."