Biography
The Life and Career of Dr. Ali Al-Mur
A concise account of his education, professional career, and contributions to the development of nuclear-energy institutions and scientific research in Jordan.
Scientific and Professional Biography
Dr. Ali Al-Mur specializes in nuclear energy, radiation physics, and environmental health. His professional career included establishing and leading several national bodies and committees concerned with nuclear energy, radiation protection, and nuclear and radiological emergencies in Jordan. He also served as an advisor to the Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources, contributed to civilian nuclear energy projects, and prepared scientific studies, research, and feasibility studies in his areas of expertise.
Personal Information
- Name: Ali Mohammed Al-Mur.
- Year of birth: 1949.
- Marital status: Married, with six sons and four daughters.
Academic Qualifications and Professional Training
- PhD in Radiation Physics (Environmental Health): Institute of Atomic Energy, Poland, 2002.
- Diploma in Radiochemistry: One academic year of study following a master's degree, International Atomic Energy Agency, 1978.
- MSc in Nuclear Engineering (Reactor Control): Institute of Nuclear Science and Technology, Pakistan, 1976.
- BSc in Electrical Power Engineering (High-Voltage Networks): Al-Fateh University, Libya, 1974.
- Training programme in site studies for nuclear installations: Argonne National Nuclear Institute, United States, 1981.
Professional Positions and Experience
- Founder and Head of the Nuclear Energy Department in Jordan, 1980–1997.
- Founder and Secretary of the National Advisory Committee for Nuclear Energy, 1987–1997; the committee was subsequently transformed into an authority.
- Founder and Vice President of the Radiation Protection Authority, 1987–1997; the body was subsequently transformed into an authority.
- Founder and Head of the Jordanian National Nuclear and Radiological Emergency Team, 1991–1997.
- Founder and Director of the Uranium Department, 2005–2008; the department was subsequently transformed into a company.
- Advisor to the Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources, 1997–2008.
Major Achievements
- Established and followed up on 71 local and regional projects involving civilian applications of nuclear energy, covering engineering, energy, the environment, industry, medicine, pharmacy, water, and basic and applied scientific research.
- Trained and licensed 2,272 workers in the nuclear field.
- Qualified and licensed 1,130 institutions, companies, and work sites, and reviewed their designs.
- Established a system to control and monitor 2,980 radiation sources in Jordan.
- Established the Nuclear Research Center and the permanent site of the Atomic Energy Authority on a 124-dunum plot of land in Shafa Badran.
- Established a radioactive waste complex on a 30-dunum plot of land in the Suwaqa area.
Scientific and Research Activities
Dr. Al-Mur participated in approximately 100 Arab and international scientific committees and conferences addressing energy, nuclear energy, and radiation protection.
He also prepared dozens of scientific and research studies and feasibility studies that resulted in dozens of projects within his areas of expertise.
Publications
The CV states that Dr. Al-Mur authored ten books in his areas of specialization and on scientific miracles in the Holy Qur’an. It lists the following titles:
- Landmarks in the Islamic Reference Framework for Cosmic Sciences, Matter, and Life: Two volumes; forthcoming.
- The Iranian Islamic Revolution and the West: A Process of Containment under a Nuclear Cover: Published in Jordan and Türkiye.
- Environmental Radiation and Its Health Effects in Jordan: Published in Jordan and Germany.
- Nuclear Energy: Its Definition, Importance, and Uses: Published by the Arab Atomic Energy Agency, Tunisia.
- The Atom and Life: Four volumes intended for gifted students; forthcoming.
- Jordan’s Energy Issue: Published in Jordan.
- Nuclear Decline after Fukushima: Contributor.
Community Activities and Memberships
Dr. Al-Mur participated in establishing several charitable, cooperative, and cultural associations and held various administrative roles, including:
- Founding member, chair of the administrative board, secretary, and treasurer for several terms at Al-Risala Cooperative Society, concerned with investment and lending.
- Founding member and first chair of the administrative board of the Musa bin Nusayr Charitable Association, serving people from the city of Yatta.
- Founding member, chair of the administrative board, and treasurer for several terms at Taiba Cooperative Housing Society.
- Founding member of the Al-Khattab Cultural Society.
- Founding member, treasurer, and vice president of the Jordanian Society for Scientific Miracles in the Qur’an and Sunnah during different terms.
- Member of the Jordan Engineers Association.
- Member of the International League of Islamic Literature.
Administrative and Scientific Milestones
The CV highlights several administrative and scientific milestones:
- Contributing to the introduction of nuclear energy in Jordan.
- Establishing the Nuclear Energy Department in Jordan and following its institutional development: from a single-person operation in 1980, to a section in 1981, a directorate in 1987, an independent authority reporting to the Minister of Energy in 2001, and later an authority reporting to the Prime Minister in 2008.
- Developing the algorithms and data for the Jordanian Radiation Atlas during 1996–2002, described in the CV as a scientific achievement.
Milestones
1949: Ali Mohammad Abdul Rahman Al-Murr was born in Khirbet Al-Markaz, in the southern West Bank of Palestine.
1969: Left to pursue university studies in engineering in Tripoli, Libya.
1974: Earned a BSc in Electrical Power Engineering, specialising in high-voltage networks, from Al-Fateh University in Libya.
1976: Earned an MSc in Nuclear Engineering, specialising in reactor control, from the Institute of Nuclear Science and Technology in Pakistan.
1978: Completed a diploma in radiochemistry through a one-year programme following his master's degree at the International Atomic Energy Agency.
1980: Founded the Nuclear Energy Department in Jordan and served as its head until 1997.
1981: Completed a training programme concerning site studies for nuclear installations in the United States.
1987: Founded and held leadership roles in the National Advisory Committee for Nuclear Energy and the Radiation Protection Authority, as the Nuclear Energy Department developed into a directorate.
1991: Founded and headed the Jordanian National Nuclear and Radiological Emergency Team until 1997.
1996: Worked on the algorithms and data for the Jordanian Radiation Atlas during 1996–2002.
1997: Began serving as Advisor to the Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources, a role that continued until 2008.
2001: The Nuclear Energy Department's institutional development reached the establishment of an independent authority reporting to the Minister of Energy.
2002: Earned a PhD in Radiation Physics (Environmental Health) from the Institute of Atomic Energy in Poland.
2005: Founded and directed the Uranium Department, a role that continued until 2008.
2008: His advisory role ended, the Uranium Department was transformed into a company, and the nuclear energy authority later reported to the Prime Minister, according to the CV.
Selected honours
- Recognition for contributions to scholarship
- Fellowships and academic memberships
- Invited lectures across institutions