Born in the Royal House of Arcot, on the 9th August, 1951, Nawab Mohammed Abdul Ali Azim Jah is the eldest son of the Nawab Ghulam Mohammed Abdul Khader Azim Jah, the late Prince of Arcot and lives in the historic palace of his ancestors, 'Amir Mahal', in Royapettah in the city of Chennai (Madras), India.

His Highness, the Prince of Arcot, Nawab Mohammed Abdul Ali Azim Jah, is one of the premier citizens of our country. Carrying on his family tradition, The Prince of Arcot enjoys more than a title and enormous prestige. He was the Sherriff of Chennai (then Madras) for two terms, from 1984-1985 and again from 1988-1989. He is recognised by the Government as the 'First Nobleman' in the Muslim community of south India.

His Highness is decendant of second Caliph of Islam, Hazrath Umar ibnu Khathab (Ral) and bears noble character and pleasant disposition. Our Prince is a man with sympathetic attitude who strives hard in the upliftment of the downtrodden, disabled, sick, illiterate, destitute and needy people in Tamil Nadu and elsewhere by associating himself in various service organizations like Lions Club, Red Cross Society & Anjuman etc.

He is a well known committed social activist, involved in many social, cultural and religious institutions in the country. He is a non-political and non-communal person like his forefathers.

He is the founder secretary-general of Harmony India, (founded-1990) an association to promote communal amity, secularism and National Integration. Through this organization His Highness and other members brought considerable attitudinal changes among the people of different community in Tamil Nadu. They helped to wipe off ill feelings, hatred and misunderstanding among them and succeeded considerably in bringing about better understanding and cordial relationship between them by conducting meetings, seminars and get-together etc. Thus they achieved the aim of our nation, �Unity In Diversity�. In short we may proudly call our Nawab Sahib as the Champion of Communal Harmony.

The Hon'ble Prime Minister of India had nominated His Highness Nawab Mohammed Abdul Ali as a Jury Member of the National Foundation for Communal Harmony, an organisation established by the Central Government, Ministry of Home Affairs.

His tireless efforts, energetic actions and positive thinking brought many changes for the betterment in the life of poor and helpless people whenever and wherever any natural calamity occurs and shatters their normal life miserably. Unlike others His Highness participate actively in the projects, seminars and all kind of social activities conducted or convened by the organizations in which he is a member.

Through the Arcot Wakf at Makkah, His Highness is doing yeomen service to the Haj Pilgrims in many a way. It is a pleasure to note that Arcot Wakf is a house hold name among the people of Tamil Nadu. Every Haji who stays there feels homely and comfortable. Though it is a bit far, it is a pleasure to walk through the tunnel from Wakf to Haram and always have the satisfaction of entering Haram by Babussalaam Gate.

When the Saudi Government took over all the Wakfs of India at Makkah and Madhina, our Prince took pain, effort and used his good rapport with the King of Saudi Arabia to retain the Wakf. Alhamdulillah.

On many occasions, the Prince was the Royal Guest of His Majesty the King of Saudi Arabia, during his visits to the kingdom. He was nominated as the Deputy Leader of the Indian Goodwill Haj Delegation by the Hon'ble Prime Minister, in the year 1997 and 1998.

He enjoys a rank equivalent to that of state cabinet ministers and is officially recognised by His Excellency 'The President of India' as The "His Highness The Prince of Arcot".

The State Governor and the Tamil Nadu Government have nominated His Highness Nawab Mohammed Abdul Ali as a member in many high-level State committees. He is the Vice-Chairman, Tamil Nadu Government Urdu Academy. He is the State Chief Scout for Tamil Nadu Branch of the All India Boys Scouts Association and an active member of the Lions Club of Marina Beach, Lion's International District 324-AI. The Prince has been the recipient of many awards for this social service, including the National Unity Award from His Excellency the Governor of Tamil Nadu on many occasions. He was the recipient of "For the Sake of Honour" award from the Rotary Club.