Indian businessman Mohamed Easa leaves legacy of community spirit, compassion

Prominent Indian businessman and long-time Qatar resident K Mohamed Easa, who passed away in Doha Wednesday, was an elegant presence in the community circles.With his trademark Safari suit and gentle smile, Easakka, as he was fondly called, could impress the crowd and lead it, be sport or cultural gatherings or charity events, his friends remember.As an exemplary organiser, leader, businessman and art buff, Easa, in Qatar and his home country, always enjoyed a special privilege which he earned through compassion and hard work.Easa, 70, breathed his last at Hamad General Hospital, where he was under treatment. "He will be sorely missed at the arts and sports events in Doha. Everyone is shocked to learn that Easakka is no more," Indian Cultural Centre (ICC) president A P Manikantan told Gulf Times."An organiser and leader, he was a benefactor of many underprivileged persons and a well wisher of several collectives in Qatar and Kerala. His unexpected demise is a great loss to the Indian community in Qatar,” Manikantan stated.Easa, was born to the late Kunju Marakkar and Maryam Beevi in 1955 in the southern Indian state of Kerala. He completed his education at Nallamuthu Gounder Mahalingam College in Pollachi in neighbouring state of Tamil Nadu.Easa reached Qatar in the late 1970s and started his career as a supervisor of cleaning workers at Khalifa International Stadium. Later he joined the Ministry of Municipality and subsequently ventured into business with Ali International in 1992."Easa has left a vacuum that will remain unfilled for long. A father like figure, he inspired everyone and left an expansive legacy. He will be remembered for his compassion and dedication to humanitarian activities and his bond with art and culture. His demise is a loss,” said Kerala Muslim Cultural Centre (Qatar KMCC) state committee president Dr Abdul Samad in a statement.While assessing the needs of the marginalised, Easa saw gaps in meeting them and therefore devoted himself to uplifting them and securing a future. Up until his demise, he shouldered several responsibilities and engaged with the community that acted under his direction to make the world a better place.Easa handled several roles and worked as the functionary of many Indian community organisations in Doha. He was a senior vice president of Qatar KMCC State Committee and chief coordinator of the Qatar Indian Football Forum, at the time of his demise.Easa was laid to rest in Mesaimeer Graveyard where hundreds attended the funeral prayer. Dignitaries including Indian Parliament member E T Muhammed Basheer, Kerala Legislative Assembly member T V Ibrahim, and Muslim Youth League Kerala president Sayyid Munavvar Ali Shihab Thangal, along with representatives of various community organisations paid homage to him.Easa is survived by his wife Naseema, sons Noufal, Nadir, Nameer and daughter Najla.