H.E Dr Bandar Hajjar
Dr. Bandar Hajjar was the President of the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) Group from 2016 to 2021. The IsDB, based in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, is a multilateral development bank that works to improve people's lives by promoting social and economic development in its 57 member countries and Muslim communities worldwide. The Bank has received the highest credit rating (AAA) from the world's rating agencies.
In the same period, Dr. Bandar Hajjar also chaired the Committee for Utilization of Hady and Adahi, a joint committee comprising the Islamic Development Bank and the relevant government agencies overseeing the work of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Project for Utilization of Hady & Adahi, which has been managed by IsDB on behalf of the government of Saudi Arabia since 1403 AH to serve the pilgrims and to facilitate the performance of their rituals.
Additionally, Dr. Bandar Hajjar was the chairperson of the MDBs Presidents Meetings for 2020. The MDBs Heads forum is a regional and international dialogue platform comprising the following twelve banks: the World Bank Group (WBG), the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the International Finance Corporation (IFC), the African Development Bank (AfDB), the Asian Development Bank (ADB), the European Investment Bank (EIB), the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), the Council of Europe Development Bank (CEB), the New Development Bank (NDB), and the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB).
Academic Life
Doctor Bandar Hajjar was awarded a bachelor's degree with First-Class Honours in Economics and Political Sciences from King Saud University, Riyadh, and a master's degree in Economics from Indiana University, USA. In 1982, he returned to Saudi Arabia, where he worked as a lecturer for four years. In 1986, he received a Ph.D. in Economics from Loughborough University in the United Kingdom. In his thesis titled "Financing Small Enterprises in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia," he argued that Islamic financing is appropriate for small enterprises because they often lack collateral, administrative, and marketing expertise.
From 1994 to 1998, Dr. Hajjar occupied the posts of Deputy Dean of the College of Economy and Administration; Deputy Director of the Islamic Economics Research Center; and Head of the Committee on Curricula Taught from an Islamic Perspective. He delivered university courses on monetary issues, banks, economic development, the Islamic economic system, and macroeconomics. He integrates both theories and practices into his teachings, focusing on outlooks. In addition, he encourages his students to engage in voluntary work.
Chief Editor – Money and Markets Magazine
Dr. Hajjar believes that there is a strong connection between the economy and the media, and together they represent the pillars of community development, and that "responsible media reveals the economy's strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and challenges. It contributes to the development and enhancement of the economy through the objective interpretation of events and future foresight."
This view was the main driver behind the 1996 establishment of Money and Markets, a specialized economics magazine addressing the concerns of the Arab and Islamic worlds in line with ethical and spiritual values. The magazine provided objective insights into the events and successive developments in the international arena, highlighting their consequences for economic activities. In addition, it dedicated ample space for the Islamic economy and Islamic financing. Dr. Hajjar continued as the Chief Editor of the magazine until its discontinuation in 2006.
Member, Shura Council
In 1998, Dr. Hajjar was selected as a member of the Shura Council in its second term. He served on the Council for three consecutive terms, spanning 12 years. He was appointed Vice-Speaker of the Council, and he held that office for three years.
Dr. Hajjar chaired the Shura Council Committee on Foreign Affairs for one year during his term. He was also a member of the Council's Committee on Economic Affairs and Energy and the Committee on Social Affairs and Youth. He also served on several specialized subcommittees, including the Committee on Integrity and Combating Corruption, the Committee on University Admission, and Zakat Committee. At the international level, he represented the Council in the Arab Parliamentary Union and the Inter-Parliamentary Union for two years. He was also part of the team concerned with the accession of the Shura Council to the Inter-Parliamentary Union.
While serving on the Shura Council, Dr. Hajjar developed an interest in environmental protection and renewable energy; the relationship between the public, private and tertiary sectors; investment in education as the primary driver of development; human development with a humanitarian dimension in addition to the economic dimension; the role of the tertiary sector in economic and social development; the importance of the middle class in achieving economic, social and political stability; and endowments.
Chairman, Coordinating Council for Monitoring Municipal Elections
Dr. Hajjar formed a coordinating council of seven NGOs under the National Society for Human Rights umbrella to monitor the first municipal elections held in Saudi Arabia in 2005. The Council deployed approximately 1,500 volunteer citizens to all cities in the Kingdom and issued daily statements in both Arabic and English explaining the election instructions, regulations, and outcomes.
Chairman, National Society for Human Rights
Believing that upholding human rights and dignity is paramount, Dr. Hajjar and 40 Saudi men and women established a national non-governmental human rights society in 2004.
Under his five-year chairmanship, the Society managed to raise public awareness about the rights of citizens and residents as enshrined in Islamic Sharia, domestic laws, and international conventions and to revise regulations for alignment with international conventions. It also managed to integrate human rights into school curricula, publish a monthly newsletter, and establish an information and documentation center. The Society released the first report on human rights in the Kingdom, which was well received nationally and internationally.
Minister of Hajj
The Ministry of Hajj is the government body mandated with caring for and serving approximately three million pilgrims and seven million Umrah performers visiting the Kingdom annually. The Ministry begins to serve the visitors once they decide to perform the rituals before leaving their own countries.
Dr. Hajjar served as Minister of Hajj from 2011 to 2016. During his term, he introduced 25 initiatives to develop and enhance the services provided to the Hajj and Umrah performers. Some of those initiatives have either been fully implemented or in progress. The initiatives aim to make the Hajj journey an easier, more enjoyable, and everlasting experience for both Hajj and Umrah performers.
Chairmanship & Membership of Associations
Dr. Hajjar has served as chairman/member of several national, regional, and international societies and associations:
Chairman of the Board of Directors of Al-Madinah Al-Munawarah Society for Community Development
Vice-chairman of the Board of Trustees,of Health Endowerement fund-Al Shifa
Chariman of Board of Trustees of Taiba Endowerment for knowledge which aims to empower talented students
Member of the Board of Trustees of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud Endowment for the King Abdulaziz and His Companions Foundation for Giftedness and Creativity
Member of the Honorary Board of the Prince Muqrin Bin Abdulaziz University
Vice President of Madinah International Academy (MADAC)
Member of the Board of Trustees of the Islamic University of Niger
Member of the Board of Directors of the Regional Center of Quality and Excellence in Education–UNESCO
Member of the Board of Trustees of the International Islamic University of Islamabad–Pakistan (IIUI)
Member of the Board of Directors of the Astana International Financial Center (AIFC)
orders
Order of the Lion
The Republic of Senegal awarded Dr. Hajjar the National Order of the Lion, the highest national order awarded by the Republic, in recognition of his efforts in supporting the development projects and programs carried out by the Islamic Development Bank in Senegal.
National Order of Merit
The Republic of Tunisia awarded Dr. Hajjar the First Order of Merit.
The grand Award of Niger
The Grant Award, the country’s highest distinction as appreciation to his role in supporting socio- economic development of Niger and Africa.