Indian found dead in Oman was brilliant scientist: colleague

The award-winning Indian professor who was found dead in his residence on a university campus in Oman Friday, was a brilliant student, teacher and a scientist, his former colleague said.

M.Kabir, a visiting professor at the Centre for Development Studies here, told IANS that it was only last week that Hisham Abdul-Khader visited here for a day to attend his niece's wedding.

"It was about 13 years back he left the state government service here and joined at the Sultan Qaboos University (SQU) in Muscat," Kabir said.

"Two years back he got the UAE award for the best scientist. He was a brilliant student, teacher and a scientist," he added.

Hisham Abdul-Khader, an associate professor in the chemistry department, was found dead at his residence on the SQU campus Friday night. He was not keeping well, said the former colleague of the scientist.

"We spent some time together as we were former colleagues and friends and he told me that he was having some health issues. We got the sad news Friday night and his wife (a retired professor here) has reached Oman Saturday," Kabir said.

Abdul-Khader, who was in his late 50s, taught Chemistry at various State-run government colleges here before he went to Oman.

"We are expecting the body to arrive here tomorrow (Monday), or day after," Kabir said.

The scientist was staying alone at the SQU campus and people saw him last Friday evening when he was out taking a stroll in Muscat. He later also spoke to his wife, reports from Oman said

Abdul-Khader's grandfather was the legendary Vakkom Moulavi - a social reformer, teacher, Muslim scholar, journalist and a freedom fighter.