Meet the little ‘Sheikh of Happiness’ spreading smiles across UAE

SARA ALZAABI (ABU DHABI)

Happiness comes in many forms — and in the UAE, it might arrive in a tiny black “Mercedes-Benz” driven by an eight-year-old boy from Sharjah. Meet Majed Omar, the country’s adorable “Sheikh of Happiness.”

Majed has made it his mission to bring joy to others. He drives his shiny ride-on toy car around, handing out roses to strangers he meets along the way.

“Can I see your smile?” he asks before giving a flower. “Smile some more,” he sometimes says.

While many spend their lives chasing happiness, Majed — at such a young age — seems to have a firm grasp of what it truly means.

“The day you make someone else happy, you will be the first one to be happy,” he told Aletihad with a smile. 

The idea of spreading happiness started when Majed’s older brother, Khalid, encouraged him to do something meaningful during a community event. The duo wanted to pay tribute to their late father, who loved putting a smile on people’s faces.  

“My brother Khalid and I attended an exhibition and he told me that we should do something different,” Majed said.

“He used to always say, ‘Our father — may God have mercy on him — loved spreading happiness, and we should share a little of it in our own way.’ Last Ramadan, we kicked off our flower-giving initiative at the Bawwabah Majlis in Sharjah.”

Since then, Majed has become the roving “Sheikh Al Saada” or “Sheikh of Happiness” at ministry offices, government departments, private companies, hospitals, malls, and sports clubs — offering passersby roses, along with kind words and a heartfelt smile. 

“Whenever I see people smile after receiving a rose, I feel indescribable happiness — as if I was the one who received the gift,” he said. 

Learning Life Lessons

Majed has always known it was more than just a flower. 

“Happiness is not just a rose. It can be a simple reason that opens a big door to joy. Sometimes, a small gesture shows someone they are cared for, and that is enough to make a difference,” he said. 

Majed is learning a lot about life as he creates ripples of kindness in the community. There was one encounter he wouldn’t forget, he said.

“Someone once said, ‘You made me feel hopeful again after I had lost hope.’ It made me realise how something simple can truly make a difference.”

The community needs rays of sunshine and reminders of joy, especially during rough days, he said. 

“People get so caught up in their worries that they forget to smile. A kind word or a simple act can change their whole day, or even their life.”

Over time, Majed has discovered that behind every face is a story.

“Even a flower or a kind word can transform someone. People just need to feel seen.”

“I also learnt that kindness exists, but sometimes it just needs someone to awaken it — and that might be my mission,” he said. 

Despite his popularity and a relatively busy schedule, Majed remains committed to his studies. 

“I finish my homework first; then, when I have time, I go out and spread happiness,” he said.  Majed is determined to live up to his title as he grows up.

“I want to be an ambassador of happiness — spread happiness among people,” he said.  Sharing some advice to children everywhere, he said, “Do not wait for happiness … create it. Even if you are young, a kind word or a smile can change someone’s day. Kindness knows no age.”