The Life Story of Haji Noori Al Handal

Haji Noori Al Handal was born in 1928 in Tikrit, Salah Al-Din Governorate, Iraq. He grew up in a humble household surrounded by faith, simplicity, and community values. His early years were shaped by the modest but tightly knit society of Tikrit — a town known for its unity, generosity, and the calm flow of the Tigris River that ran beside it.

Early Education and Determination

He began his education in Tikrit and studied until primary level, spending his childhood and youth balancing school with work. During summer breaks, young Noori and his classmates worked at construction sites carrying bricks and mixing cement to pay for their school fees. Their day began early at dawn, stopping only for short breaks for lunch. He recalls how these experiences built his endurance, discipline, and understanding of the value of hard-earned money — earning about one Iraqi dinar per day, which covered his tuition for the entire school year.

These humble beginnings planted in him a deep respect for work and persistence. Iraq at that time was under British influence, and the Iraq Petroleum Company (IPC) played a major role in the country’s development. Noori observed how foreign companies managed large operations and used that as early inspiration for his own future.

First Steps into the Working World

As a teenager, Noori joined a company called CAT, a Lebanese firm working on infrastructure and oil-related projects in Iraq. The company specialized in paving and road construction, housing, and logistics for oil workers. He started as a laborer but quickly gained the trust of his supervisors through honesty and responsibility.

He was later transferred to work on the Kirkuk–Haifa oil pipeline, which extended from Iraq to the Mediterranean Sea. The project was one of the most important infrastructure developments in the region, linking Iraq’s oil fields to international ports. Noori learned about management, safety, teamwork, and supply chain operations — experiences that became invaluable in his later business career.

His dedication caught the attention of his supervisors, and he was promoted, overseeing workers in remote desert areas — often between Haditha and the Syrian border. Despite harsh conditions, he always approached his work with patience and gratitude.

Learning and Entrepreneurship

During his time at T1 Station, one of the key oil transport hubs near the Iraqi-Syrian border, he developed a new skill: operating and maintaining project equipment. One day, he was assigned to assist in the maintenance of a mobile cinema truck used to entertain workers in the desert. Fascinated by the idea, he took the initiative to learn how to operate the cinema system. Eventually, he was entrusted to manage it fully, screening films for employees and guests across Iraq. His performance earned him extra income, and he saved around 1,000 Iraqi dinars, a large sum at the time.
This marked the beginning of his entrepreneurial mindset — seeing opportunity where others saw routine work.

Establishing His First Business

With his savings and experience, Haji Noori opened his first shop in Baiji, a local grocery and food supply store providing essential goods to residents and company employees. He worked under the mentorship of Hassan Al-Asi, a respected local merchant, from whom he learned trade principles — buying, selling, and customer care. His honesty and dedication earned him a strong reputation in the community.

Over time, he diversified into food trading and logistics, supplying groceries and meat to company camps and projects.

Growth and Success in Trade

In the 1960s and 1970s, Iraq’s oil sector expanded rapidly, creating opportunities for suppliers. A Brazilian company building a new railway line between Baghdad and the Syrian border hired Noori to supply food and fresh produce to its workers. The project became his first large-scale contract, allowing him to grow financially and employ many people.

He used the profits to buy land and build homes for his children, open new shops in Tikrit and Baiji, and even invest in poultry and butchery businesses. His work provided employment to over 150 workers.

Return to Tikrit and Community Building

Despite his success in Baiji and the western regions, Haji Noori remained deeply connected to his birthplace. He returned to Tikrit to rebuild and invest in the community, purchasing land for his family and helping others do the same. During the leadership of Governor Ubaidah Al-Shaheed, he contributed to local development, while continuing to expand his commercial activities.

Every year during Ramadan, he personally organized iftar meals for hundreds of fasting people in mosques across Baiji, Al-Siniya, and Tikrit — a tradition he never stopped, even after moving abroad.

Founding Noor Al Noor Mosque and Charity

With gratitude to God for his blessings, Haji Noori founded Noor Al Noor Mosque in the Al-Siniya area — capable of hosting up to 1,000 people — along with a charity organization, Jamiat Noor Al Noor, to serve orphans, widows, and low-income families. The mosque continues to operate to this day, offering prayers, community support, and education.

Through this charity, he established programs for orphans, the elderly, and people with disabilities, funding food, shelter, and healthcare projects. The organization became known for its sincerity, compassion, and quiet generosity — a reflection of his character.

Life Between Iraq and the UAE

Later in life, Haji Noori moved to Dubai, United Arab Emirates, where he continued his charitable work with the same dedication. In Dubai, he helped fund and organize Ramadan iftars for laborers and the less fortunate at Al Imran Mosque, with the support of his sons.

He was honored by Sheikh Shaaban Nabil, Imam of Al Imran Mosque, who praised Haji Noori and his sons for their humility, kindness, and consistency in serving others — even personally preparing and distributing meals during Ramadan.

Reflections and Legacy

Now in his later years, Haji Noori reflects on more than seven decades of work and service — from carrying bricks as a child to building a family legacy grounded in faith and humanity.

He often recalls the advice of his elders:

He remains grateful for the blessings of family, health, and prosperity, emphasizing that wealth has value only when used to serve others.

Today, his story stands as a testament to perseverance, faith, and service — values that have shaped Al Handal International Group and continue to guide the generations who carry his name.

Haji Noori Al Handal passed away in 2020, leaving behind a legacy built on faith, hard work, and service to others. His values live on through his children and grandchildren, and through the institutions and businesses he inspired — foremost among them, Al Handal International Group, which continues to embody his principles of integrity, perseverance, and generosity.