Ala’ Alsallal: The Visionary Behind Jamalon and the Revolution of Arabic Online Publishing
In a region with a rich literary tradition but limited access to books, Ala’ Alsallal stands out as a pioneer who redefined how Arabic readers and publishers connect. As the founder and CEO of Jamalon, the largest online bookstore in the Arab world, Alsallal has played a crucial role in bridging the gap between modern e-commerce and traditional Arabic publishing. His vision has not only transformed the availability of books in the region but has also contributed to the cultural and educational empowerment of millions of readers.
Early Life and Education
Ala’ Alsallal was born and raised in Jordan, a country known for its intellectual heritage and growing entrepreneurial spirit. From a young age, he was passionate about technology, reading, and education. Growing up, Ala’ noticed a recurring problem in his community — despite the Middle East’s long literary history, access to books, especially Arabic titles, was often limited. Bookstores had small inventories, distribution networks were weak, and many readers struggled to find the books they wanted.
Alsallal pursued his higher education in Computer Engineering at the Princess Sumaya University for Technology in Amman. During his university years, he developed strong programming skills and a deep curiosity about how technology could solve real-world problems. This blend of technical ability and cultural awareness would later become the foundation of his entrepreneurial journey.
The Birth of Jamalon
In 2010, at just 25 years old, Ala’ Alsallal founded Jamalon.com, a startup born out of a simple yet powerful idea: to make every Arabic and English book accessible to readers across the Middle East and beyond.
The name “Jamalon” is derived from an Arabic word meaning “the top of a pyramid,” symbolizing ambition and excellence. At the time, e-commerce was still in its early stages in the Arab world. Online shopping was rare, payment infrastructure was underdeveloped, and many publishers were skeptical of selling books online.
Ala’ saw this challenge as an opportunity. He started Jamalon with a small team in Amman and an initial catalog of only a few thousand books. The company’s mission was twofold:
- Empower readers by giving them access to millions of titles, including Arabic and international books.
- Support regional publishers and authors by providing a digital platform to distribute their works globally.
Within a few years, Jamalon’s catalog expanded to include over 10 million titles in both Arabic and English, sourced from thousands of publishers worldwide.
Disrupting the Publishing Industry
Ala’ Alsallal’s innovation went beyond creating an online bookstore — he introduced a new ecosystem for Arabic publishing. One of his most notable initiatives was “Jamalon Print on Demand”, launched in 2016.
Traditionally, Arabic publishers faced significant challenges: high printing costs, limited distribution, and unsold inventory. Many books went out of print quickly or never reached international readers. Jamalon’s Print on Demand (POD) model changed that completely.
The technology allowed books to be printed only when ordered, reducing costs, minimizing waste, and enabling even small publishers to reach global markets. As a result, thousands of out-of-print Arabic titles became available again.
This innovation positioned Jamalon as a leader in digital publishing transformation in the region — a company that wasn’t just selling books but reshaping an entire industry.
Growth and Global Reach
Under Alsallal’s leadership, Jamalon grew from a Jordanian startup to a regional powerhouse with operations spanning across the Middle East, North Africa, Europe, and North America.
The platform attracted over 3 million users and built partnerships with major international publishers like Penguin Random House and HarperCollins, as well as with local Arabic publishers from Egypt, Lebanon, and Saudi Arabia.
To support this rapid growth, Jamalon raised millions of dollars in funding from prominent investors, including:
- Wamda Capital (UAE)
- Aramex Founder Fadi Ghandour (Jordan)
- UK-based tech investors
These partnerships not only provided financial support but also strategic mentorship to scale the company internationally.
Entrepreneurial Vision and Challenges
Like many successful entrepreneurs, Ala’ Alsallal’s journey was not without challenges. Building an e-commerce platform for books in the Arab world required overcoming multiple barriers — logistical, cultural, and technological.
- Logistics: The region’s fragmented postal systems made shipping books across borders difficult and expensive. Jamalon had to build its own logistics network and integrate with global couriers to ensure timely delivery.
- Payment Infrastructure: Many Middle Eastern consumers were hesitant to use credit cards online. Jamalon introduced alternative payment methods, such as cash on delivery, to encourage adoption.
- Cultural Awareness: Convincing traditional publishers to join a digital platform required trust-building and education about e-commerce’s potential.
Through persistence, innovation, and collaboration, Ala’ overcame these challenges. His ability to balance modern technology with respect for Arabic culture made Jamalon a trusted name in the industry.
Recognition and Influence
Ala’ Alsallal’s contributions to entrepreneurship and cultural innovation have earned him significant recognition.
He has been featured on:
- Forbes Middle East’s list of Top Entrepreneurs Shaping the Region
- Arabian Business’s 100 Most Powerful Arabs Under 40
- World Economic Forum’s Young Global Leaders Community
Alsallal has spoken at major international conferences about innovation, publishing, and Arab entrepreneurship, including the World Economic Forum, ArabNet, and Step Conference Dubai.
His insights have inspired countless young entrepreneurs across the Middle East to build businesses that combine technology and culture.
Contribution to Arabic Culture and Literacy
Beyond business success, Ala’ Alsallal’s impact is deeply cultural. Through Jamalon, he has helped revive reading culture in the Arab world, particularly among youth.
The platform’s extensive Arabic catalog has made literature more accessible than ever before. Books from independent writers and small publishers are now reaching readers in remote regions where bookstores barely exist.
Ala’ believes that knowledge and reading are central to progress. By democratizing access to books, he has indirectly supported education, literacy, and cultural preservation — causes that have long struggled for attention in the digital age.
He once stated in an interview:
“Our mission is not only to sell books. It’s to build bridges of knowledge between readers, authors, and cultures.”
Personal Philosophy and Leadership Style
Ala’ Alsallal is often described as a humble, visionary, and values-driven leader. He attributes much of his success to resilience and lifelong learning. His leadership style emphasizes collaboration, inclusivity, and adaptability — qualities that have helped Jamalon thrive despite regional instability and economic uncertainty.
He is also a strong advocate for entrepreneurship education in the Arab world. Ala’ frequently mentors young founders and supports initiatives that encourage innovation among Arab youth.
The Future of Jamalon and Beyond
Under Alsallal’s guidance, Jamalon continues to evolve. With the rise of digital publishing, audiobooks, and e-learning platforms, Jamalon is expanding into new areas that integrate technology with cultural content.
Ala’ envisions a future where Arabic literature stands on equal footing with other global languages in the digital realm. His long-term goal is to make Arabic knowledge globally accessible, ensuring that readers from any country can access books in their native language with ease.
Conclusion
Ala’ Alsallal’s story is a testament to how vision, innovation, and determination can drive meaningful change. From a small office in Amman to a pan-Arab e-commerce empire, he has shown that entrepreneurship in the Middle East is not only about profit but also about purpose.
Through Jamalon, he has empowered readers, revived publishing, and preserved the cultural heritage of the Arabic language in the digital age. Ala’ Alsallal is more than an entrepreneur — he is a cultural innovator and a modern-day reformer of knowledge accessibility in the Arab world.
Published: 4th December 2025
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