Khadlaj Perfumes is a UAE perfume house that straddles two worlds: the rich Arabian tradition of oud, musk, rose and bakhoor, and the polished formats of Western perfumery. Founded in January 1997, the brand describes itself as the creation of founder and Master Perfumer Mohamed Iqbal Abdul Sattar, whose stated 45+ years in perfumery are presented by the brand as the foundation of a catalogue that runs from concentrated dehn al oud oils to French-style eau de parfum sprays.
The Brand’s Story
Khadlaj traces its origins to January 1997 in the United Arab Emirates, when Mohamed Iqbal Abdul Sattar — described by the brand as its Founder & Master Perfumer — set out to create fragrances rooted in Arabian heritage. The brand’s own account says this was driven by the founder’s long-standing passion for classic natural materials: musk, ruh gulaab (rose essence), oud and vetiver, and an ambition to make scents tied to memory, identity and the region’s perfumery tradition. No independent profile or founder interview was found during research, so this account should be read as the brand’s own telling of its beginnings.
The company’s records place its head office at Industrial Area 11 in Sharjah, with in-house manufacturing in Ras Al Khaimah under an ISO 9001:2015-certified operation — the brand presents itself as making, not merely bottling, its fragrances. Leadership, according to the brand, now sits with Managing Director Asif Mohamed Iqbal Katchi, described as the founder’s son. The house presents itself as a family-run concern, though “family-owned” wording appears only in marketing copy rather than corporate records, and no parent company has been documented.
Growth over nearly three decades has taken the house well beyond the Gulf: the company reports a presence in 80+ countries through the figures on its official About page, while a company-issued May 2025 press release put the figure at 83+ countries with 20 showrooms. Recent years have brought a 25th-anniversary jubilee line, an expansion into the Indian market announced in 2025, a Las Vegas launch event for new fragrances, and a wave of social-media visibility driven largely by TikTok.
What Distinguishes the Brand
Khadlaj’s identity is deliberately dual-track. On one side sit bespoke Arabian styles — oud and musk oils, dehn al oud, attars, bakhoor and oud muattar — the formats of Middle Eastern perfumery heritage. On the other sit Western and French-style eau de parfum sprays, built for a global audience. Few houses carry both tracks with this much range.
The brand names dehn al oud, rose and musk as its signature materials, and its flagship creations — Hareem Al Sultan, Oud Pure, Musk Pure and Bukhoor Al Bahaar — are cited repeatedly as the scents that made its name. Recent collections show the house leaning into gourmand and niche-leaning Western trends, notably a coffee-gourmand extrait family (Caffe, Biscotti, Patisseries) and velvet-style collections, while keeping its heritage oud lines intact. Named collections on the official store include La Fede, Nuha, Shiyaaka, Oud Pour, Velvet, Empire, Cashmere, Karus, Celeste, Fursan, Le Prestige, the Khadlaj 25 jubilee line and a Master Perfumer creation line.
A note on geography: some retailer copy calls the brand “Dubai-based”, but the company’s own records give Sharjah as its head office and Ras Al Khaimah as its manufacturing base — Dubai references appear to be retail shorthand.
Find a Fragrance to Suit You
- For heritage Arabian profiles — oud, musk and rose oils, dehn al oud, attars and bakhoor for burning or wardrobe scenting: the house’s traditional core.
- For everyday Western-style wear — French-format eau de parfum and extrait sprays across the named collections, from La Fede and Shiyaaka to the Velvet and Le Prestige lines.
- For gourmand lovers — the Caffe / Biscotti / Patisseries coffee-gourmand family, one of the brand’s most talked-about recent directions.
- For home and ambiance — bakhoor, oud muattar, air fresheners and home & ambiance ranges alongside gift sets.
Frequently Asked Questions
When and where was Khadlaj founded?
Khadlaj was founded in January 1997 in the United Arab Emirates, per the brand’s own About page — a date corroborated by third-party coverage of its 28th anniversary in May 2025.
Where is Khadlaj perfume made?
According to the brand, its fragrances are produced in-house at its own manufacturing unit in Ras Al Khaimah, UAE, which the company states is certified to ISO 9001:2015. Its head office is in Sharjah, not Dubai, despite some retailer descriptions.
What is the difference between Khadlaj’s Arabian and Western-style lines?
The Arabian track covers traditional formats and materials — oud, musk and rose oils, dehn al oud, attars, bakhoor and oud muattar. The Western track covers French-style eau de parfum and extrait sprays sold under named collections. Both are sold through the brand’s official channels.
What are Khadlaj’s official websites?
The brand operates two verified official domains: khadlaj.com (brand homepage) and khadlaj-perfumes.com (official e-store). Both list the same Sharjah company details and customer-care contacts.
Is Khadlaj an independent company?
No parent company has been documented in corporate records. The brand presents itself as a family-run house, with day-to-day leadership under Managing Director Asif Mohamed Iqbal Katchi, described by the brand as the founder’s son — but “family-owned” claims appear only in marketing copy, not in official corporate filings.