Zuhair Al-Karmi facts for kids

Zuhair Al-Karmi (born December 7, 1921 – died November 29, 2009) was a famous TV presenter, writer, and journalist from Tulkarm, Palestine. He was well-known for hosting science shows on radio and TV, especially on Jordan TV.

He was most famous for his documentary series called "Al-`Elm Wa Al-Ḥayat" (which means "Knowledge and Life"). Zuhair Al-Karmi also founded Al-Quds University and was its very first leader.

Early Life and Learning

Zuhair Al-Karmi was born in Damascus, Syria, on December 7, 1921. He went to primary, middle, and high school in Palestine. In 1936, he joined the Arab College in Jerusalem and finished high school in 1937.

He earned his first degree in Sciences in 1941 from the American University of Beirut. He first wanted to study medicine. But after his father passed away in Beirut, Lebanon, he decided to switch to studying Sciences instead.

In 1945, he moved to Cairo, Egypt, to learn about Arabic science words. Later, he went to London. There, he earned a master's degree in Biology from Imperial College London in 1948.

The Al-Karmi family is very well-known in Tulkarm. Zuhair's father was the writer Mahmoud Al-Karmi. His uncles were also famous people, including the poet ʿAbd Al-Kareem Al-Karmi, the politician ʿAbd Al-Ghani Al-Karmi, the writer Aḥmad Shaker Al-Karmi, and the language expert Hasan Al-Karmi. His grandfather was the minister Sa`id Al-Karmi. Zuhair Al-Karmi was married and had four sons.

His Career and Achievements

Zuhair Al-Karmi started his career as a science teacher. He taught for three years at Al-Fadhiliya School in Tulkarm. After that, he became the director of the general exams department in the Ministry of Education in Jerusalem.

When he returned from London in 1948, he helped start Al-Jihad Hospital in Tulkarm. He also taught English at Al-Kadoorie Institute in Tulkarm.

In 1951, the Ministry of Education in Kuwait hired him as a school teacher. He later became an Inspector of Education and then the Director for Inspectors of Education. He often helped to improve science lessons. He later left his job in education to become a chief executive for two companies in Kuwait.

While in Kuwait, he presented many science talk shows on radio and television. In 1972, he also founded the Educational Science Museum in Kuwait.

After returning to Palestine from Kuwait in 1979, Al-Karmi founded the College of Science and Technology. He managed and directed this college. In 1984, Al-Karmi founded Al-Quds University. He did this by turning the College of Science and Technology into a university and adding more colleges. He managed the university and helped it grow. After he passed away, the university named one of its large halls after him to honor his work.

Later Life and Passing

Zuhair Al-Karmi passed away on November 29, 2009, in Amman, Jordan. He was 87 years old.