Noted Omani poet, businessman Qazi Yousuf laid to rest

Muscat: Many eyes were moist yesterday when a large number of Omani and Pakistani community members laid to rest Qazi Muhammed Yousuf, an Omani businessman and a leading literary figure, at the Al Amerat graveyard.
Yousuf died on Tuesday, just two days before his 98th birthday, after a prolonged illness. He was a known writer and poet, whose work was published in literary magazines in Pakistan.
He was widely respected by the Pakistani community too for his meritorious services over six decades in Oman. “It’s a great loss for us. May Allah Almighty rest his soul in eternal peace,” said Ayaz Hussain, Pakistan’s ambassador to Oman.
Yousuf was awarded the Excellence Award by the Pakistan Social Club Oman (PSC) on August 14 last year in recognition of his life-long services to the community. “We have lost a great friend and patron. Qazi Yousuf was a major inspiration for those wanting to work for others,” said Mian Mohammed Munir, chairman, PSC Oman.
“We have lost a great friend, mentor and a precious asset for the community. Qazi Yousuf will be missed by all of us for a long time to come,” commented A H Raja, PSC vice-chairman.
Commenting on Yousuf’s demise, Javed Nawaz, former PSC and PSM chairman, said: “The death of Qazi Yousuf is a great loss to his family and a wide circle of Omani and Pakistani friends. He came to Oman in the early 1950s and spent nearly 65 years here, serving the Sultanate in various capacities as an efficient and capable officer.”
“Qazi Yousuf was a pioneer member of the team that joined the Department of Manpower and Labour in Oman and retired from this office in the mid-80s and consolidated his own business through Al Qadhi Trading and Contracting. He also made a significant contribution to setting up the first Pakistani school in Oman and was always a leading supporter of the Pakistani community in Oman,” added Javed Nawaz.
“He was a noble person and a loyal Omani. I had the good fortune of knowing him well. His death is my personal loss, as much as it is of the Pakistani community in Oman. May his soul rest in peace,” said Javed Hafiz, former Pakistan ambassador to Oman, currently based in Islamabad.
“It’s a sad new for us. I was lucky to have spent a few moments in his company,” said Khayyam Akbar, a senior diplomat, who had served at the Pakistan Embassy in Oman a few years back.
“We have lost a great friend, mentor and a precious asset for the community. Qazi Yousuf will be missed by all of us for a long time to come," commented A H Raja, PSC vice-chairman.
Commenting on Yousuf’s demise, Javed Nawaz, former PSC and PSM chairman, said: "The death of Qazi Yousuf is a great loss to his family and a wide circle of Omani and Pakistani friends. He came to Oman in the early 1950s and spent nearly 65 years here, serving the Sultanate in various capacities as an efficient and capable officer."
"Qazi Yousuf was a pioneer member of the team that joined the Department of Manpower and Labour in Oman and retired from this office in the mid-80s and consolidated his own business through Al Qadhi Trading and Contracting. He also made a significant contribution to setting up the first Pakistani school in Oman and was always a leading supporter of the Pakistani community in Oman," added Javed Nawaz.
“He was a noble person and a loyal Omani. I had the good fortune of knowing him well. His death is my personal loss, as much as it is of the Pakistani community in Oman. May his soul rest in peace," said Javed Hafiz, former Pakistan ambassador to Oman, currently based in Islamabad.
"It's a sad new for us. I was lucky to have spent a few moments in his company," said Khayyam Akbar, a senior diplomat, who had served at the Pakistan Embassy in Oman a few years back.