Sultan Al Hajji, the vice-president and chief strategy officer of Total E&P United Arab Emirates, can’t imagine life without books and libraries. This love of the written word was instilled in him at an early age. “All through his life, my father taught me and my brothers and sisters the importance of reading,” he says. His father, Yousif Al Hajji, learnt the Quran and Arabic grammar from his uncle and traditional teachers, before teaching himself English. Now, Al Hajji – who reads Arabic, English and French – says the first thing he does when he visits a new place, country or shopping mall is find a bookstore. “I read as much as possible whenever, wherever and however I can,” says the 57-year-old. “I share books, so if I enjoy reading one book, then I buy several copies to give them to my friends.” Al Hajji’s son recently graduated from Paris-Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi with a master’s degree in law and management. “He is also a keen reader, with vast interests,” Al Hajji says, proudly. “He continues the reading tradition in the family.”
Gandhi: His Life and Message for the World by Louis Fischer
This book reveals a great lesson that we can learn from the Father of India, Mahatma Gandhi, and his determination for truth and non-violence that changed the course of history – for his nation and for mankind. The biggest lesson I learnt from him is to stick to the truth, as it is the saviour in the end, and we become what we think.
The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen R Covey
This is a book that I can recommend to any person who is aiming to succeed in their corporate life, or in their own business. It has many great lessons and exercises that will transform your capacity to reach a higher stratum.
Moby-Dick by Herman Melville
Mad Captain Ahab’s quest for the white whale is a timeless epic, a stirring tragedy of vengeance and obsession, and a searing story about humanity lost in a universe of moral ambiguity.
The Name of the Rose by Umberto Eco
A fascinating novel that takes us back to 1327 and to a detective who investigates murders by using the logic of Aristotle and the theology of Aquinas, while briefly mentioning the contribution of Arabs in the world of medicine and chemicals. It is mix of curiosity, humour and methodical investigation.
No Excuses! The Power of Self-Discipline by Brian Tracy
This book demonstrates how self-discipline is the greatest asset we can teach ourselves to attain our goals and shape our lives.
