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{{Short description|Indian businessman (born 1955)}}
{{Use Indian English|date=February 2016}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2023}}
{{Infobox person
| name = M. A. Yusuff Ali
| image = Yusuffali MA at his corporate office.jpg
| caption = Yusuff Ali in 2023
| birth_name = Yusuff Ali Musaliam Veettil Abdul Kader
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|df=yes|1955|11|15}}
| birth_place = [[Nattika]], [[Travancore–Cochin|State of Travancore–Cochin]] (present day [[Thrissur district|Thrissur]], [[Kerala]]), India
| relatives = [[Shamsheer Vayalil]] (son-in-law)<ref name="forbesindia.com">{{Cite web|url=https://www.forbesindia.com/article/india-rich-list-2018/yusuff-ali-a-mentor-to-his-sonsinlaw/51727/1|title=Yusuff Ali: A mentor to his sons-in-law|website=Forbes India }}</ref>
| occupation = Chairman and managing director of {{unbulleted list|[[Lulu Hypermarket|Lulu Group International]],|Y International<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://yinternational.us.com/|title=Welcome to Y International USA|website=Y International USA}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://yinternational.uk.com|title=.:: Web Site Under Construction ::.|website=yinternational.uk.com}}</ref> and|[[Lulu International Shopping Mall (disambiguation)|LuLu International Shopping Mall]]}}
| office = Y Tower, [[Abu Dhabi]]<ref>{{cite web |url=https://yusuffali.com/lulu-group-moves-to-brand-new-global-headquarters-at-y-tower/ |title=Lulu group moves|website= yusuffali.com|access-date=4 January 2020}}</ref>
| spouse = Shabira Yusuff Ali
| children = 3
| parents =
| website = {{URL|http://www.yusuffali.com/ |Website }}
}}

'''Yusuff Ali Musaliam Veettil Abdul Kader''', popularly known as '''M. A. Yusuff Ali''' (born 15 November 1955), is an Indian businessman and [[billionaire]].<ref name=":1" /> He is the chairman and managing director of [[LuLu Group International]], which owns the LuLu Hypermarket chain worldwide and [[Lulu International Shopping Mall (disambiguation)|LuLu International Shopping Mall]].<ref name=":2" /> With an annual turnover of US$8.4 billion, LuLu Group International employs the largest number of [[Indian diaspora]].<ref name="Forbes News">{{cite news|url=https://www.forbes.com/profile/ma-yusuff-ali/|title=Forbes News|date=2015|work=Forbes}}</ref><ref name="Forbes Biionaires">{{cite news|url=https://www.forbes.com/profile/ma-yusuff-ali/|title=Forbes Biionaires|date=2015|work=Forbes}}</ref> According to Forbes Middle East, Yusuff Ali was ranked No. 1 in Top 100 Indian business owners in the Arab World 2018.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web|url=http://www.forbesmiddleeast.com/list/top-100-indian-business-owners-in-the-arab-world-2018/|title=Top 100 Indian Business Owners In The Arab World 2018|first=Forbes Middle|last=East|website=Forbes ME}}</ref> As per Forbes billionaires list published in October 2023, he was ranked 27th richest Indian with net worth of US$6.9 billion.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|url=https://www.forbes.com/profile/ma-yusuff-ali/?sh=3316ec3d4b26|title=PROFILE - M.A. Yusuff Ali|website=Forbes }}</ref>

In 2006, he started his large business ventures in India, by starting a convention centre cum hotel at his native place [[Thrissur]], [[Kerala]] namely [[Lulu Convention Centre]].<ref>{{cite web |last1=Lulu |first1=Thrissur |title=Kerala tourism |url=https://www.keralatourism.org/hotels/lulu-international-convention-center-garden-hotels/2462}}</ref> In 2013, Yusuff Ali acquired 4.99% of the [[Thrissur]]-based [[CSB Bank]]<ref name="newindianexpress1">{{cite web |url=http://newindianexpress.com/cities/kochi/Yusuf-Ali-mops-up-4.99-stake-in-Catholic-Syrian-Bank/2013/04/19/article1551819.ece |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130710112734/http://newindianexpress.com/cities/kochi/Yusuf-Ali-mops-up-4.99-stake-in-Catholic-Syrian-Bank/2013/04/19/article1551819.ece |url-status=dead |archive-date=10 July 2013 |title=Yusuf Ali mops up 4.99% stake in Catholic Syrian Bank |publisher=[[The New Indian Express]] |access-date=19 April 2013}}</ref><ref name="Forbes Newcomers">{{cite news | url=https://www.forbes.com/pictures/ejel45eegh/m-a-yusuff-ali/ | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141228104019/http://www.forbes.com/pictures/ejel45eegh/m-a-yusuff-ali/ | url-status=dead | archive-date=28 December 2014 | title=Billionaires 2013 Notable Newcomers | work=Forbes | date=2013 | access-date=4 March 2013}}</ref> and 4.99% shares of Thrissur based [[Dhanlaxmi Bank]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Yousaf Ali buys shares of Dhanlaxmi bank |date=20 October 2013 |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/kerala/2013/oct/20/yousaf-ali-buys-shares-of-dhanlaxmi-bank-528245.html |publisher=Indian Express}}</ref> Also in 2013, he increased his stake in the [[Aluva]]-based [[Federal Bank]] to 4.47%.<ref name="Times of India">{{cite web |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/nri/middle-east-news/NRI-businessman-MA-Yousuf-Ali-picks-up-stake-in-Federal-Bank/articleshow/21118094.cms |title=NRI businessman MA Yousuf Ali picks up stake in Federal Bank |work=The [[Times of India]] |date=17 July 2013 |access-date=28 December 2014}}</ref> In 2014 Yusuff Ali acquired 2% stake of [[South Indian Bank]] - another Thrissur based bank.<ref>{{cite news |title=Yusuffali buys over 2 per cent stake in South Indian Bank |newspaper=Business Standard India |date=21 January 2014 |url=https://www.business-standard.com/article/finance/nri-businessman-yusuffali-buys-into-south-indian-bank-114012001077_1.html}}</ref> In 2016, Yusuff Ali purchased the [[Scotland Yard]] Building in London.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.thenationalnews.com/business/property/lulu-group-front-runner-to-buy-original-scotland-yard-premises-in-london-1.9686|title=Lulu Group front-runner to buy original Scotland Yard premises in London|website=The National|date=12 April 2015 }}</ref> {{as of|2013}}, he held a 9.37% share in [[Cochin International Airport]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kochi/Yusuff-Ali-lifts-stake-in-Cochin-International-Airport/articleshow/19249931.cms|title=Yusuff Ali lifts stake in Cochin International Airport | Kochi News - Times of India|website=The Times of India|date=28 March 2013 }}</ref> He has bought a 10% stake in the UK-based trading firm, [[Sanjiv Mehta (British businessman)|East India Company]], and a 40% stake in its fine foods subsidiary for around $85 million in total.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://gulfnews.com/business/markets/lulu-group-makes-85m-investment-in-east-india-company-1.1396574|title=Lulu Group makes $85m investment in East India Company|website=gulfnews.com|date=16 September 2018 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://yusuffali.com/lulu-invests-82-million-in-uk-s-east-india-company/|title=LuLu invests $82 million in UK's East India Company|website=yusuffali.com|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180226092009/https://yusuffali.com/lulu-invests-82-million-in-uk-s-east-india-company/ |archive-date=26 February 2018 |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.thenationalnews.com/business/lulu-launches-into-luxury-sector-with-investment-in-uk-s-east-india-company-1.281861|title=Lulu launches into luxury sector with investment in UK's East India Company|website=The National|date=9 October 2014 }}</ref>

The Lulu Bolgatty International Convention Centre on [[Bolghatty Island]] in [[Kochi]] is one of the largest convention centres in South Asia,<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.ritzmagazine.in/the-lulu-bolgatty-international-convention-centre/|title=The Lulu Bolgatty International Convention Centre! | RITZ|date=2 May 2018}}</ref> along with [[Grand Hyatt]] hotel<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://newsroom.hyatt.com/news-releases?item=123665|title=Hyatt Newsroom - News Releases|website=Hyatt Newsroom}}</ref> in the same campus. Lulu group's First Mall in India was [[Lulu International Shopping Mall, Kochi|LuLu International Shopping Mall, Kochi]] started in 2013, then in 2019, he started shopping mall in India at [[Triprayar]], Thrissur, the Y Mall.<ref>{{Cite web |date=1 January 2019 |title=Lulu Group opens Y Mall at Thrissur |url=https://www.indiaretailing.com/2019/01/01/lulu-group-opens-y-mall-at-thrissur/ |website=IndiaRetailing.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://ymalls.in/|title=Y Mall Shopping Mall in Thrissur|website=Y Mall}}</ref> In October 2021, Lulu group opened their second mall in India, Global Mall, at Rajaji Nagar, [[Bengaluru]], [[Karnataka]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://bangaloremirror.indiatimes.com/bangalore/others/global-mall-inaugurated/articleshow/86947491.cms|title=Global mall inaugurated|website=Bangalore Mirror}}</ref> In December 2021, Lulu group opened their third mall in India at [[Thiruvanathapuram|Thiruvananthapuram]], Kerala.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/thiruvananthapuram/2021/nov/09/biggest-mall-in-capital-to-open-in-dec-2381145.html|title=Biggest mall in Capital to open in Dec|website=The New Indian Express|date=9 November 2021 }}</ref> In July 2022, Lulu group opened their fourth mall in India at [[Lucknow]], Uttar Pradesh.<ref name=":0" /> And in 2023, LuLu Group launched a new hypermarket and mall in Hyderabad, Palakkad and Coimbatore.<ref>{{Cite web|url= https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Coimbatore/coimbatore-gets-lulus-first-hypermarket-in-tamil-nadu/article66975418.ece|title=Coimbatore gets LuLu's first hypermarket in Tamil Nadu|website=The Hindu|date=21 June 2023 |last1=Jeshi |first1=K. }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url= https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/hyderabad/lulu-group-launches-first-hypermarket-mega-mall-8959173/|title=LuLu Group launches its first hypermarket, mega mall in Hyderabad|website=The Indian Express|date=27 September 2023 }}</ref>

As per Forbes list of India’s 100 richest tycoons, in October 2024 Yusuff Ali was ranked 39th with a net worth of $7.4 billion.<ref>{{Cite web |date=9 Oct 2024 |title=India's 100 Richest |url=https://www.forbes.com/lists/india-billionaires/ |website=India’s 100 Richest}}</ref>

==Early life==
Yusuff Ali was born on 15th November 1955 at [[Nattika]], [[Thrissur]], in the erstwhile [[Travancore–Cochin|State of Travancore–Cochin]]. He studied at St. Xavier's High School in Karanchira.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://keralakaumudi.com/en/news/news.php?id=716186&u=yusuff-ali-visits-school-where-he-studied-51-years-ago-spends-quality-time-with-friends-716186| title=Yusuff Ali visits school where he studied 51 years ago, spends quality time with friends }}</ref> He holds a diploma in Business Management and Administration.<ref>{{cite news |title=Meet M.A. Yusuff Ali, MD of Lulu Group; Know about his lifestyle, journey & net worth |url=https://www.financialexpress.com/life/lifestyle-meet-m-a-yusuff-ali-md-of-lulu-group-know-about-his-lifestyle-journey-net-worth-3080958/ |work=The Financial Express |date=10 May 2023 |language=en}}</ref>

After his studies, he left India in 1973 for [[Abu Dhabi]], where his paternal uncle, M. K. Abdullah, the chairman and the founder of the LuLu Group of Companies, was doing business. He developed the import and wholesale distribution of the group and ventured into the supermarket business by launching the Lulu Hypermarket.

Yusuff Ali started his first LuLu Hypermarket in the 1990s, a time when the [[United Arab Emirates|UAE]]'s retail sector witnessed a major change, with the traditional groceries and supermarkets yielding place to large neighbourhood stores and hypermarkets. While the entry of Continent (now [[Carrefour]]) in 1995 changed the face of retail business in [[Dubai]], Yusuff Ali took charge of Abu Dhabi's retail sector by rolling out LuLu Hypermarket.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.saudigazette.com.sa/index.cfm?method=home.regcon&contentid=20130130151153 |title=LuLu named fastest-growing retailer by audit firm Deloitte |publisher=Saudi Gazette.com |access-date=30 January 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ameinfo.com/hrh-crown-prince-leads-bahrain-business-333960 |title=HRH the Crown Prince leads Bahrain business delegation to India |publisher=AMEinfo.com |access-date=19 March 2013}}</ref>

==LuLu Group International==
LuLu Group International commenced its operations as a family business venture. After joining the business, Yusuff Ali diversified the business to include the import and distribution of frozen products from Europe and the United States. The products were available not only in Abu Dhabi but also in other [[Emirates of the United Arab Emirates|Emirates]]. The business was soon expanded to include both food and non-food categories. The group also started cold storage, meat, and food processing plants, large-scale import and distribution to hotel groups, catering companies, and shipping services. By the 1980s, the group had a sizable share of the wholesale and retail food market in the UAE.

The group has grown into an international group with operations spread over three continents. The group's flagship retail chain of LuLu Hypermarkets and Supermarkets is currently rated as one of the major players in the Middle East retail sector with more than 100 stores in [[Arab states of the Persian Gulf]]. Apart from the hypermarkets, supermarkets and department stores, the group also owns several shopping malls, namely, [[Khalidiyah Mall]], Al Raha Mall, [[Al Wahda Mall]], [[ Mushriff Mall]], Madinat Zayed Mall, Mazyad Mall, Ramli Mall, RAK Mall, Dana Mall, Al Foah Mall, Al Khor Mall, Riyadh Avenue Mall in Saudi Arabia and Oman Avenues Mall spread across nations of the [[Gulf Cooperation Council|GCC]].

[[Lulu International Shopping Mall, Kochi|LuLu International Shopping Mall]] in [[Kochi]], Kerala was opened on 10 March 2013. It is the group's first retail venture in India. LuLu International Shopping Mall in Thiruvananthapuram was opened in 2021 & is the largest mall in India. LuLu also has malls in Palakkad, Bengaluru, Lucknow, Kottayam & so on. The group has a vast organizational structure of over 65,000 employees, representing 42 different nationalities, out of which more than 30,000 are Indians. Retail business is the mainstay of the Group with operations in major Middle Eastern and African countries like UAE, Oman, Qatar, Kuwait, Yemen, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Egypt and Kenya, having Retail Sourcing and manufacturing bases located in the Far East, India, Africa and [[Guangzhou]] in China. Indian operations mainly include Food Processing, Export of Food & Non food products and convention center with bases in Delhi, Mumbai, [[Kochi]], [[Thiruvananthapuram]], [[Chennai]], [[ Lucknow ]] and [[Thrissur]]. [[Deloitte]] has ranked the Group as one of the fastest-growing retailers in the world.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.business-standard.com/article/companies/emke-group-to-invest-rs-600-cr-in-kerala-111020300212_1.html |title=Emke group to invest Rs 600 cr in Kerala |newspaper=Business Standard India |date=3 February 2011 |publisher=[[Business Standard]] |access-date=3 February 2011|agency=Press Trust of India }}</ref><ref name="CIAL">{{cite news |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kochi/Yusuff-Ali-lifts-stake-in-Cochin-International-Airport/articleshow/19249931.cms |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130710112723/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2013-03-28/kochi/38098656_1_cial-5-lakh-shares-cochin-international-airport-ltd |url-status=live |archive-date=10 July 2013 |title= Yusuff Ali lifts stake in Cochin International Airport |work=[[The Times of India]] |date=2013 |access-date=28 March 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.internationalsupermarketnews.com/news/11397 |title= LuLu Mall together with LuLu Hypermarket opens in Kochi |publisher=International Supermarket News |access-date=2 April 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://gulfnews.com/business/retail/spearheading-a-retail-revolution-1.1111007 |title=Spearheading a retail revolution |publisher=[[Gulf News]] |access-date=27 November 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://gulfnews.com/business/investment/emke-will-invest-dh4-3b-to-expand-retail-chain-1.536852 |title=Emke will invest Dh4.3b to expand retail chain |publisher=[[Gulf News]] |access-date=25 August 2009}}</ref>

In 2025, LuLu Group inaugurated Kerala's tallest twin IT towers in Kochi's Smart City, spanning 3.4 million sq ft and accommodating 25,000 professionals.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Lulu IT Infrabuild Private Limited |url=https://smartcity-kochi.in/co-developers/lulu-it-infrabuild-private-limited/ |access-date=2025-05-04 |website= Smart City Kochi |language=en-US}}</ref>

==Philanthropy==
Yusuff Ali is involved in many social, charitable and humanitarian activities both in India as well as in the Arab states of the Gulf. He has done various philanthropic activities. As part of its Global CSR policy, the LuLu Group joined hands with Dubai Cares and adopted schools in [[Gaza Strip|Gaza]] and Nepal.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://gulftoday.ae/portal/91fc101c-1012-4b82-8640-51cdbb6c9ea1.aspx |title=Lulu Group teams up with Dubai Cares |publisher=gulftoday.ae |date=11 February 2013 |access-date=19 July 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140202000350/http://gulftoday.ae/portal/91fc101c-1012-4b82-8640-51cdbb6c9ea1.aspx |archive-date=2 February 2014 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pressdisplay.com/pressdisplay/ar/viewer.aspx |title=Newspapers From Around the World |publisher=PressDisplay.com |access-date=19 July 2013}}</ref> Yusuff Ali contributed and took initiative to open a multi-faith funeral centre for the Indian community in [[Sharjah]] that spread across 8.3 acres.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.khaleejtimes.com/kt-article-display-1.asp?xfile=data%2Fnationgeneral%2F2013%2FFebruary%2Fnationgeneral_February402.xml&section=nationgeneral |title=Funeral centre for Indians opens in Sharjah |publisher=Khaleej Times |date=21 February 2013 |access-date=19 July 2013}}</ref> He also took initiative to sell and promote organic products grown by the special needs community in UAE through [[LuLu Hypermarket]]s<ref>{{cite web|url=http://gulfnews.com/news/gulf/uae/general/organic-vegetables-grown-by-special-needs-community-in-uae-to-be-sold-in-lulu-hypermarkets-1.1173728 |title=Organic vegetables grown by special needs community in UAE to be sold in Lulu hypermarkets |publisher=GulfNews.com |date=22 April 2013 |access-date=19 July 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://gulfnews.com/news/gulf/uae/society/people-with-special-needs-grow-organic-vegetables-in-35-hectare-farm-1.1178040 |title=People with special needs grow organic vegetables in 35-hectare farm |publisher=GulfNews.com |date=1 May 2013 |access-date=19 July 2013}}</ref> Yusuff Ali donated to the [[2001 Gujarat earthquake|Gujarat earthquake]], [[Tsunami]] Relief Fund in Asia, and [[Typhoon]] and flood relief in other parts of the world. He also donated {{currency|9.5|INR}} [[crore]]s for relief and rehabilitation of [[2018 Kerala floods|Kerala flood]] victims in August 2018.{{cn|date=July 2025}} He is also actively involved in ensuring the social, economic and religious welfare of [[Non-resident Indian and person of Indian origin|expatriate Indians]] in the [[Persian Gulf]] region. He played a major role in finding land for the [[Christianity in the United Arab Emirates|Christian community in the region]] to build churches, and secure cremation grounds for the [[Hinduism in the United Arab Emirates|Hindu populace in the Gulf region]]. Yusuff Ali also extended help to Indians during the amnesty period in the Persian Gulf when hundreds of Indians lost their livelihood. He helped rehabilitate people who lost their livelihood in the [[Kozhikode]] market fire as well.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://gulfnews.com/business/investment/work-begins-on-dh1-6b-smartcity-kochi-project-1.888111 |title=Work begins on Dh1.6b SmartCity Kochi project |publisher=[[Gulf News]] |access-date=9 October 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://gulfnews.com/business/general/yousuf-ali-comes-out-with-flying-colours-1.556963 |title=Yousuf Ali comes out with flying colours |publisher=[[Gulf News]] |access-date=23 December 2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ameinfo.com/global-arab-business-meeting-held-ras-316323 |title=Global Arab Business Meeting to be held in Ras Al Khaimah, UAE, 9-10 December 2012 |publisher=AMEinfo.com |access-date=22 October 2012}}</ref> Yusuff Ali had pledged to donate [[Indian rupee|Rs]] 50 million for the flood-hit south Indian state of Kerala in the event of the [[2019 Kerala floods]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://gulfnews.com/uae/uae-based-indian-retail-tycoon-ma-yusuffali-of-lulu-group-pledges-rs-50-million-for-flood-hit-kerala-1.65812279|title=UAE based Indian retail tycoon MA Yusuffali of Lulu Group pledges Rs 50 million for flood-hit Kerala|website=gulfnews.com|date=14 August 2019 |language=en|access-date=17 August 2019}}</ref>

==Personal life==
He is married, with three children, and lives in [[Abu Dhabi]].<ref name="Forbes profile">{{cite web |title=Forbes profile: M.A. Yusuff Ali |url=https://www.forbes.com/profile/ma-yusuff-ali/ |website=Forbes |access-date=7 December 2020}}</ref> His elder daughter Shabeena is married to billionaire businessman [[Shamsheer Vayalil]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.forbes.com/profile/shamsheer-vayalil/|title=Shamsheer Vayalil|website=Forbes}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://glasspockets.org/philanthropy-in-focus/eye-on-the-giving-pledge/profiles/shamsheer-and-shabeena-vayalil|title=Shamsheer and Shabeena Vayalil|website=GlassPockets|access-date=10 February 2020|archive-date=24 October 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181024063233/http://glasspockets.org/philanthropy-in-focus/eye-on-the-giving-pledge/profiles/shamsheer-and-shabeena-vayalil|url-status=dead}}</ref> His second daughter Shafeena is married to Adeeb Ahamed who runs Lulu Financial Holdings and Twenty14 Holdings, a hospitality investment firm.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.forbesindia.com/article/india-rich-list-2018/yusuff-ali-a-mentor-to-his-sonsinlaw/51727/1|title=Yusuff Ali: A mentor to his sons-in-law|work=Forbes}}</ref> Youngest daughter Shifa is married to Sharoon Shamsudheen who is into successful IT businesses.<ref name="forbesindia.com">{{Cite web|url=https://www.forbesindia.com/article/india-rich-list-2018/yusuff-ali-a-mentor-to-his-sonsinlaw/51727/1|title=Yusuff Ali: A mentor to his sons-in-law|website=Forbes India }}</ref>

In April 2021 the helicopter in which Yusuff Ali, his wife and three others (including the pilots), were travelling, crash landed in a swamp near [[Panangad, Kochi|Panangad]] (in [[Kochi]]). Ali and his wife were uninjured and were taken to a nearby hospital for first aid. The private helicopter owned by Ali had suffered a technical glitch due to adverse weather.<ref>{{Cite news|date=11 April 2021|title='Helicopter carrying M.A. Yusuff Ali crash landes'|work=The Hindu|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Kochi/helicopter-carrying-yusuf-ali-ma-crash-lands-in-kochi/article34294379.ece|access-date=12 April 2021}}</ref>

==Recognition and awards==
* 2004 – "Commander" title & St. Ephraim Medal by the Patriarch [[Ignatius Zakka I Iwas]] of Universal [[Syriac Orthodox Church]].{{cn|date=July 2025}}
* 2005 – [[Pravasi Bharatiya Samman]] in 2005; the highest Indian government award given to non-resident Indians.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.hindu.com/2005/01/05/stories/2005010505261100.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050112005450/http://www.hindu.com/2005/01/05/stories/2005010505261100.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=12 January 2005 |title=Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Divas awards announced |work=[[The Hindu]] |access-date=5 January 2005 |location=[[Chennai]], India |date=5 January 2005}}</ref>
* 2008 – [[Padma Shri]] from the [[Government of India]].<ref name="Padma Awards">{{cite web | url=http://mha.nic.in/sites/upload_files/mha/files/LST-PDAWD-2013.pdf | title=Padma Awards | publisher=Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India | date=2015 | access-date=21 July 2015 | archive-date=15 October 2015 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151015193758/http://mha.nic.in/sites/upload_files/mha/files/LST-PDAWD-2013.pdf | url-status=dead }}</ref>
* 2010 – "Business Man of the Year 2009-10" award instituted by the Kerala State Forum of Bankers' Clubs.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.business-standard.com/article/economy-policy/award-for-emke-group-ceo-110110500084_1.html |title=Award for Emke group CEO |newspaper=Business Standard India |date=5 November 2010 |publisher=[[Business Standard]] |access-date=5 November 2010}}</ref>
* 2012 – Lifetime Achievement Award at the inaugural Indian CEO Awards held in February.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.arabianbusiness.com/yusuffali-scoops-top-prize-at-indian-ceo-awards-445132.html
|title=Yusuff Ali scoops top prize at Indian CEO Awards |date=13 February 2012 |publisher=[[Arabian Business]] |access-date=13 February 2012}}</ref>
* 2012 – Swiss Ambassador's Award 2012 for outstanding efforts in promoting Swiss-UAE relations.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.khaleejtimes.com/kt-article-display-1.asp?xfile=/data/uaebusiness/2012/May/uaebusiness_May97.xml&section=uaebusiness |title=Swiss Ambassador's Award recognises notable efforts |publisher=[[Khaleej Times]] |access-date=5 May 2012}}</ref>
* 2012 – "Most Influential Asian Business Leader in the [[MENA]] region" award by [[Forbes]] Middle East.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gulf-times.com/qatar/178/details/37691/LuLu-head-%E2%80%98most-influential-asian-business-leader%E2%80%99 |title=LuLu head 'most influential Asian business leader' |date=7 November 2012 |publisher=[[Gulf Times]] |access-date=7 November 2012}}</ref>
* 2012 – "Arab Business Leader of the Year 2012" during the third edition of the Global Arab Business Meeting held in [[Ras Al Khaimah (city)|Ras Al Khaimah]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.horasis.org/event_Arab_2012.php |title=Global Arab Business Meeting |publisher=[[Horasis]] |access-date=10 July 2013 |archive-date=12 September 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170912191557/http://www.horasis.org/event_Arab_2012.php |url-status=dead }}</ref>
*2014 – Honorary D.Litt. by [[Aligarh Muslim University]].<ref>{{Cite web|last=|date=31 March 2014|title=Mr. Yusuffali lays down foundation of Sports Complex at AMU|url=http://twocircles.net/2014mar31/mr_yusuffali_lays_down_foundation_sports_complex_amu.html|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210903110643/https://twocircles.net/2014mar31/mr_yusuffali_lays_down_foundation_sports_complex_amu.html|archive-date=3 September 2021|access-date=3 September 2021|website=[[Two Circles]]|language=en-US}}</ref>
* 2016 – Was honoured with the [[archbishop]] Mar Gregorios Award instituted by the alumni association of [[Mar Ivanios College]], Amicos, for his contribution to the industrial sector in 2016.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kochi/Mar-Gregorios-award-to-Yousuf-Ali/articleshow/56263090.cms|title=M A Yousuf Ali: Mar Gregorios award to Yousuf Ali | Kochi News - Times of India|website=The Times of India|date=31 December 2016 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/thiruvananthapuram/yousuf-ali-receives-mar-gregorios-award/articleshow/56300712.cms|title=M A Yousuf Ali: M A Yousuf Ali receives Mar Gregorios award | Thiruvananthapuram News - Times of India|website=The Times of India|date=3 January 2017 }}</ref>
* 2018 – [[Honorary doctorate]] from [[Middlesex University]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.arabnews.com/node/1408186/corporate-news|title=Middlesex University Dubai doctorate for LuLu chairman|date=20 November 2018|website=Arab News}}</ref>
* 2018 – Honorary doctorate from [[Mahatma Gandhi University, Kerala]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=14 December 2018 |title=Mahatma Gandhi University honours T Padmanabhan, MA Yusuff Ali |url=https://www.deccanchronicle.com/nation/current-affairs/141218/mahatma-gandhi-university-honours-t-padmanabhan-ma-yusuff-ali.html |access-date=5 November 2020 |website=[[Deccan Chronicle]]}}</ref>
*2021 - Was honoured with Abu Dhabi's highest civilian award, Abu Dhabi Award 2021 by HH Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan,Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi.<ref>{{Cite news|date=11 April 2021|title='M.A. Yusuff Ali gets the highest civilian award of Abu Dhabi'|work=Times Of India|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kochi/abu-dhabis-highest-civilian-award-conferred-on-yusuff-ali/articleshow/82009925.cms#:~:text=The%20prestigious%20Abu%20Dhabi%20Award%20was%20given%20to,business%2C%20industry%20and%20support%20to%20various%20philanthropic%20initiatives.|access-date=13 April 2021}}</ref>
*2021 - Yusuff Ali was granted a long-term residential visa by Qais bin Mohammed Al Yousaf, Oman's Minister of Commerce, Industry, and Investment Promotion (MOCIIP).<ref>{{Cite web|date=29 September 2021|title=M.A. Yusuff Ali - LuLu Group's journey into an Emirati multinational conglomerate company|url=https://www.brandzwatch.com/m-a-yusuff-ali-lulu-groups-journey-into-an-emirati-multinational-conglomerate-company/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210929070419/https://www.brandzwatch.com/m-a-yusuff-ali-lulu-groups-journey-into-an-emirati-multinational-conglomerate-company/|url-status=usurped|archive-date=29 September 2021|access-date=1 October 2021|website=Brandzwatch|language=en}}</ref>
*2022 - Yusuff Ali, chairman of Lulu Group, has become the first Bahrain golden residency visa recipient.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Gokulan |first=Dhanusha |title=Lulu Group head MA Yusuff Ali is the first recipient of Bahrain Golden Visa |url=https://www.khaleejtimes.com/gulf/lulu-group-head-ma-yusuff-ali-is-the-first-recipient-of-bahrain-golden-visa |access-date=20 May 2022 |website=Khaleej Times |language=en}}</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist}}

{{Padma Shri Award Recipients in Social Work}}
{{Padma Award winners of Kerala}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Yusuff Ali M.A}}
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:1955 births]]
[[Category:Indian Muslims]]
[[Category:20th-century Indian Muslims]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Padma Shri in social work]]
[[Category:Businesspeople from Thrissur]]
[[Category:Indian expatriates in the United Arab Emirates]]
[[Category:Recipients of Pravasi Bharatiya Samman]]
[[Category:Indian billionaires]]
[[Category:People from Abu Dhabi]]
[[Category:LuLu Group]]

M. A. Yusuff Ali - Revision history

PriscillaNair10 at 15:20, 27 March 2026