Hyder Haji: A life devoted to community and philanthropy

The decades-long life of Hyder Haji in Doha, a leading entrepreneur and philanthropist who passed away here yesterday, was devoted to community and humanitarian services.A visionary and a social activist, Haji is often remembered by his friends and community leaders as a man of dignity, who always inspired people around him with a positive attitude, meaningful connections and a commitment to making a difference."Haji was a man of honesty and integrity. His legacy extends beyond entrepreneurship and business. He was a community leader, who initiated efforts for the welfare of expatriates. An ardent social worker and educationist, Haji catalysed education and empowerment to shape the expatriate community’s growth in multiple sectors,” said Indian Cultural Centre (ICC) president A P Manikantan.Born in 1935 at Thozhiyur in Thrissur district of the southern Indian state of Kerala, Haji reached Qatar in 1962.He was the founder and driving force behind the impressive success story scripted by Family Food Centre (FFC), which is among the first supermarkets in Qatar.Haji founded FFC in 1978 at Fereej Al Nasr. Much of his life, Haji worked to expand FFC from a humble beginning with three employees. The retail brand began direct importing of products and in 1988 the FFC food service division was started.Currently, FFC is one of the leading food retail organisations in Qatar and an ISO certified company with three main branches across Qatar. He was also the founder of the Hyson Group in India, further expanding his entrepreneurial vision and contributing to sectors beyond retail."The community has lost a visionary with virtues and determination. He initiated several measures for the upliftment of the community. An educationist, Haji will be remembered for his contributions to community building. His demise is a loss to the Indian community in Qatar,” said Indian Community Benevolent Forum (ICBF) president, Shanavas Bava.Haji was a founding member and former president of MES Indian School, the first Indian school in Qatar. He also co-founded the Indian Community Benevolent Forum (ICBF). "By playing a pivotal role in establishing MES Indian School, Haji paved the way for opening the doors of systematic education to Indian students. The opening of FFC also drew several Indians towards starting new business ventures in the retail industry,” Manikantan said.His influence extended to the creation and support of multiple humanitarian and charitable institutions, including Ansari Orphanage and Al Islam Charitable Trust."While these initiatives were rooted in Kerala, their inspiration and continued support were closely tied to his decades of service and leadership from Qatar,” a statement from FFC noted."Hyder Haji’s life reflected a rare combination of entrepreneurial acumen and deep social consciousness. He will be remembered not only as a pioneer in organised retail in Qatar, but as a social leader, philanthropist, and community builder whose legacy will endure across generations,” it said.