Prominent Indian community leader SM Syed Khalilur Rehman, popularly known as CA Khalil, passed away in Dubai on Thursday at the age of 86 after a brief illness.
Khalil was admitted to Aster Hospital Mankhool on Tuesday after experiencing severe leg weakness. Despite the efforts of the medical team, he suffered a double heart attack, which worsened his condition. He passed away early Thursday morning, his son Rais Ahmed confirmed.
The news of his death has left the community grieving, with heartfelt tributes flooding social media. People from his hometown, Bhatkal in Karnataka, shared messages of respect and remembrance for his lasting contributions.
Khalil was a respected figure in international trade, social work, and education. He played a key role in establishing the Dubai chapter of The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI), serving as its chairman from 1987 to 1994.
A chartered accountant by profession, he worked at Mahindra Ugine Steel before joining the Galadari family. He became the group executive director of the Ilyas and Mustafa Galadari Group.
Khalil held important positions in several organisations, including vice-chairman of the Jashanmal Group of Companies, chairman of Maadhyama Communications, and chairman of Sahil Online, a digital news platform. He was also a director and trustee for multiple media companies and charitable foundations in Dubai and India.
His philanthropy was widely recognised, earning him an award from the Government of Karnataka. As president and general secretary of Anjuman Hami-e-Muslimeen, Khalil played a crucial role in developing educational institutions. He helped establish schools and colleges in Bhatkal and nearby areas, leaving a lasting impact on the community.
The Bhatkal Muslim Khaleej Council (BMKC) recently created a documentary to honor Khalil’s contributions and dedication to community service.
CA Khalil is survived by his family and a grieving community. A relative described his death as marking the end of an era for Indian expatriates in the UAE and beyond.
