| Bio/Wiki | |
|---|---|
| Birth Name | Habib Ghuloom Hussain Al Attar |
| Full Name | Habib Ghuloom AlAttar |
| Other Name | Dr. Habib Ghuloom |
| Profession(s) | author, playwright, director, producer, actor and adviser to the Undersecretary of the Ministry of Culture |
| Physical Stats | |
| Height (approx.) | 5' 10" (177 cm) |
| Eye Colour | Brown |
| Hair Colour | Salt & Pepper |
| Career | |
| Debut | Film: Eqaab (2006) Short Film: Tenbak (2008) TV: Marmar Zamany (1996) as Khalil |
| Personal Life | |
| Date of Birth | 19 November 1963 (Tuesday) |
| Age (as of 2024) | 61 Years |
| Birthplace | Ras Al Khaimah, United Arab Emirates |
| Zodiac sign | Scorpio |
| Nationality | Emirati |
| Hometown | Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates |
| College/University | • Higher Institute of Theatrical Arts, Kuwait (1987) • Academy of Arts, Cairo (1993) • University of Manchester, UK (1999) |
| Educational Qualification(s) | • A Bachelor's degree in Acting and Directing from the Higher Institute of Theatrical Arts, Kuwait • A Postgraduate Diploma in directing and dramatic acting with distinction from the Academy of Arts, Cairo • A master’s degree in Theatre Sciences from the Academy of Arts, Cairo • PhD in Theatrical Literature from the University of Manchester, UK |
| Religion | Islam |
| Food Habit | Non-vegetarian |
| Social Media | • Instagram |
| Relationships & More | |
| Marital Status | Married |
| Family | |
| Wife/Spouse | Second Wife: Haifaa Hussein (Bahraini Actress) (m. 2010) |
| Children | Son(s)- Khaled Habeb AlAttar (Entrepreneur), Yousef Alattar (Cardiologist) (both from his first wife), Sultan (From his second wife Haifaa Hussein)  Daughter: Jawaher (From his second wife Haifaa Hussein)  Note: He also has two daughters from his first wife. |
| Siblings | Brother(s)- 2 |
| Favourites | |
| Food | White Rice with Fried Fish and Tomato |
| Travel Destination(s) | Bulgaria, Romania, Poland |
| Play | The Tragedy of Al-Hallaj (1965) |
| Film | Notting Hill (1999) |
| Actor(s) | Adel Adham, Ahmed Zaki, Al Pacino |
Some Lesser Known Facts About Habib Ghuloom
- Dr. Habib Ghuloom grew up in a middle-class family in Ras Al Khaimah, United Arab Emirates.
- Since childhood, Habib was in love with the performing arts.
- While he was studying in school, he discovered his acting talent and took part in various school plays.
- When he decided to study drama at a university in Kuwait, his parents were not happy with his decision. In an interview, while talking about it, Habib said, “People back then used to think that actors in the theatre were like court jesters – it wasn’t a respectable profession.”
- His elder brother wanted him to join the air force and registered him for that. However, on the same day, he got a call from the university in Kuwait, where he had applied for an acting course, and he relocated to Kuwait to pursue the course.
- As Habib refused to join the air force, his elder brother stopped talking to him. They didn’t talk to each other for about four years.
- In his PhD, Dr. Habib Ghuloom documented the monumental changes in the realm of Emirati drama.
- After pursuing a PhD in drama from Manchester University in the United Kingdom, Habib returned to the UAE and was offered a position with the Ministry of Culture, where he has worked ever since.
- Habib has acted in various plays, including Wa Qudsah, Al Harajoon, Al Khawf, Al Tufa, Ma Kan Bint Sulaiman, and A Tale Not Told by Scheherazade.
- Before the discovery of oil in the United Arab Emirates, Al Attar wrote a play Al Ma’seer (Destiny) in 1985. The play revolves around a guy who lives by the sea and is afraid of water. However, once he fells into the sea and comes up on the surface with a huge pearl and becomes rich instantly.
- He later moved to television drama, appearing in several series including Al Raha, Luck (Ya Naseeb), and The Sun Dress. His film work includes a role in Punishment.
- He is an actor recognised for his roles in The Worthy (2016), City of Life – Continuum (2018), and Behind the Wall of Silence (2021).
- A founding member of the Ras Al Khaimah National Theatre, he has also led numerous theater training programs as both a supervisor and lecturer. As of 2025, he serves as the Director of Cultural Centres at the Ministry of Information and Culture in the United Arab Emirates.
Habib Ghuloom addressing the audience at a theatre festival
- Habib has also served as the Culture Advisor at the Ministry of Culture.
- He is fluent in two languages- Arabic and English.
- Al Attar has authored several books on the themes of theatre, music, and the Arabic language. Some of his publications include The Efforts of Directors in Establishing and Developing Theatre in the Emirates; Music of Language; The Indigenous Elements in Arab theatre; The Impact of Economic and Social Variables on Gulf Theatre, and A Study of Theatre in the Emirates. He has also written several theatrical scripts, such as Humoom Sagheerah; Oghneiat AlAkhras; Al Maseer; Ayshah, and Matha Ba’d.
- He worked alongside his second wife, Bahraini actress Haifa Hussein in the TV drama Khiyanat Watan Min Riwayat Ritaj (The Betrayal of a Country).
- Habib is also an expert in Culture and Arts for GADHA, and has held various roles in the Ministry of Culture and Knowledge Development.
- He is also the Secretary General of Theatrical Association and a founding member of the Ras Al Khaimah National Theatre, according to GADHA.
- For many years, Dr. Habib Ghuloom has been a noteworthy figure in the GCC Arab film industry.
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