Former KT photojournalist Mohammad Shakil Qaiser passes away at 73 after battle with leukemia
He joined Khaleej Times in October 1981, just two months before Haji Raja Khan Muhammad, former editorial services executive, joined the paper. 'He was always humble and very cooperative,' remembered Haji Raja Khan. 'Shakeel was the best photographer I've known. He never shied away from assignments, even those that others were hesitant to take. He always gave his best.'
Their friendship went far beyond the newsroom. 'My office was opposite the darkroom, so he'd always stop by to greet me first before stepping in,' he said. 'During Ramadan, he would invite his colleagues over for Iftar. On Eid, we would visit each other's homes. We have lost a dear friend, a gentle soul. May Allah grant him the highest place in Jannat Al Firdous.'
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Shakil was known for his calm, cheerful nature, even as he quietly fought battles that most never knew about. When Suresh Pattali, the current executive editor, joined the newspaper in 1989, Shakil was already there and dealing with leukemia. 'He had to go to Abu Dhabi every month for blood transfusions,' said Suresh. 'But he never once showed he was sick. He always had a joke, always smiling. He was jolly, the kind of colleague you looked forward to seeing.'
The two produced some of the best front pages of Khaleej Times together. 'He would wait for me to come for the night shift so he could get a good spot on Page 1. We worked on so many memorable stories, some that only KT published. And even after I moved to Singapore, he would call from Dubai to share story ideas. We always kept in touch.'
Suresh shared one memory that had stayed with him. 'He once told me about an Indian man who helped pay for his surgery in the UK. He never forgot people who were kind to him. That was Shakeel, full of gratitude and full of heart.'
Similarly, Imtiaz Ahmed, senior editor at Khaleej Times, said that Shakeel Qaiser would always be remembered as a humble person who was always ready to help. 'He was known for his dedication and hard work while working at here. If you need any photograph at any time, he would never say 'no'. An able photographer, his professional integrity was unparalleled,' said Ahmed.
Wile remembering the special touch he added to KT, Neville Parker, former sports editor and deputy editor, said "very few photojournalists have it in them to pursue their 'hobby' to a degree that's picture-perfect".
"Shakil Qaiser epitomised that quality — his 'clicks' for KT for more than two decades embellished the newspaper's editorial credibility. The era of black-and-white photography produced some classic shots in which Shakil competed with the best of that time. And later when digital cameras came into existence he continued to stay at the top of his profession."
Parker hailed Shakil's dedication to the field and the newspaper. "He never missed an assignment in all those years and, in fact, 'scooped' pictures that reporters would put words to."
"On many occasions he would turn up at the news desk with his 'exclusive artistry' and ask us to script appropriate captions. RIP Shakil, you commanded much respect from the editorial team and earned frequent applause from KT readers," added the former editor.
Shakil's son, Shiraz Shakil, said his father's spirit never faded, not even in his final years. 'He had dementia, but his long-term memory was very sharp,' Shiraz said. 'He didn't remember short-term things, but in his mind, he was still young, still snapping pictures. His body didn't understand, but his heart never let go.'
Nineteen years ago, when doctors said Shakil had only five to six years to live after a failed treatment for leukemia, the family prepared for the worst. But his daughter Sobia launched a fundraiser in the UAE, and the community came through. A well-known Indian businessman covered much of the cost, his brother donated bone marrow, and the surgery was a success. 'He got 19 more years after that,' Shiraz said. 'We are grateful for every one of them.'
In his final two years, Shakil suffered from Alzheimer's, complete heart block, and severe lung issues. 'He couldn't breathe or swallow near the end,' said Shiraz. 'But he was surrounded by love. He had all his photos, awards, letters, everything displayed in his room like a mini museum. That was his pride.'
Shakeel was one of the standout photographers during the golden era of UAE photojournalism. He regularly won the prestigious Minolta-Cosmos awards in the 1990s, until they eventually barred three-time winners. In 1999, he received the Dubai Duty Free Award for Best Sports Photograph at the Dubai Tennis Open.
He is survived by his wife, daughter, son, son-in-law, and three beloved granddaughters, whom he never forgot, even as his memory began to fade.
Shakil Qaiser will be remembered not just for the images he captured, but for the warmth he radiated and the friendships he nurtured. His legacy lives on in the archives of Khaleej Times and in the pages of history he helped shape.
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