[4] Born and raised in Kuwait, Al-Sumait was a doctor specializing in internal medicine and gastroenterology before becoming involved in charity work.

He completed his postgraduate from McGill University in Canada, specializing in internal medicine and digestive systems.

[6] Abdul Rahman Al Sumait was the founder of the Africa Muslims Agency (new name, Direct Aid), and worked as its secretary-general from 1987 until he died in 2013.

The society has also established two colleges in Kenya and Zanzibar, offered 200 scholarships to Muslim African students to pursue higher studies in medicine, engineering, and technology.

Later in his life when looking back at this terrible ordeal he stated: I had no doubt whatsoever that I would not die except at the moment Allah had ordained for me.