About
I'm Umar Yoosuf, a Muslim entrepreneur and builder based in Dubai, and the founder of North House.
My path ran through years of Islamic study, law, community work, media and business. Every part of it came back to one question: how do you build something that matters without losing yourself in the process?
North House is my answer. It rests on three ideas: think deeply, build intentionally, and live with barakah.
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My Story
The long way here
1996 — 2010
Growing Up
I was born in Kandy, Sri Lanka, in 1996, and moved to Colombo with my family in 2007. I grew up there with my three brothers, surrounded by family, friends, and the Muslim community around me.
2010 — 2018
Study & Education
At fourteen, I entered a traditional Islamic seminary in Colombo, where I spent several years studying classical Arabic, Fiqh, Hadith, Aqeedah, and Islamic thought. Alongside my Islamic education, I later pursued formal studies in Law and continued developing my academic and professional interests. During these years, I also began teaching and speaking publicly, with my first public lecture taking place in Bangkok, Thailand.
2018 — 2022
Family, Service & Community
These years brought together family life, service, and community work. I became increasingly involved in teaching, speaking, youth development, media, and charitable initiatives through Zamzam Foundation. I founded a youth community centre, organised two major Muslim youth conferences through Revive Yourself, and worked on initiatives addressing issues young people were facing. In 2019, I got married, and over the following years we welcomed our two children.
2022 — Present
Building in a Changing World
In 2022 I moved to Dubai with my family and started building businesses with founders, creators and brands. Along the way I saw a pattern. Muslim builders were moving fast with AI and technology, but many were losing their footing, their focus and their faith in the process. North House grew out of that: a home for Muslim builders who want to grow without losing their soul.
The Journey So Far
Places, people, moments
A curated frame of the life behind the work — stages, studios, cities and the people in them.
"A meaningful life begins with how we think, is expressed in what we build, and is measured by the Barakah it leaves behind."
Let's be part of the same conversation.
Collaborations, speaking invitations, conversations around brand — or simply getting in touch. Two ways to reach me:
I read every message on Instagram — though it is a bit crowded.