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B.S. Abdur Rahman – A Pioneer and A Visionary

B.S. Abdur Rahman, also known as “Sena Aana” to his friends, was a visionary Indian entrepreneur, philanthropist and educationist who rose from humble beginnings in coastal Tamil Nadu to build a global business empire. His ventures spanned construction, shipping, real estate and other industries, a testament to his business acumen, integrity and foresight. Despite his limited formal education, Abdur Rahman’s unwavering commitment to education and social welfare, as well as his significant contributions to preserving Islamic and Tamil culture, has left a lasting impact on society. His life is a powerful example of how one’s early life and background can shape their entrepreneurial journey and how vision, hard work and ethical business practices can lead to extraordinary success and social impact.

Early Life and Background

Kilakarai is a coastal medieval town with a rich history of maritime trade, philanthropy and is adorned with beautiful centuries-old mosques built in Dravidian Islamic architecture. B. S. Abdur Rahman was born on October 15, 1927, in Kilakarai, Tamil Nadu, into a middle-class Lebbai family with a rich spiritual legacy leading up to the revered Sadakthullah Appa of the 17^th Century. Sathakathullah’s contemporary was Seethakathi Marakkayar, a legend of his time who was known for his philanthropy. Abdur Rahman’s father, Seyad Muhammad Buhari Aalim, was a prominent pearl Trader who embodied entrepreneurial spirit and dedication and was known for his expertise in assessing pearl quality. This expertise would later influence Abdur Rahman’s own skills and business acumen, highlighting the significant role of the family in shaping his entrepreneurial journey. Buhari Aalim was also a renowned religious scholar. Abdur Rahman’s mother, Yusuf Zulaiha, also played a significant role in his life, supporting the family’s ambitions and values. This rich family background influenced Abdur Rahman’s future endeavours in business, philanthropy, and education, establishing a legacy that prioritised community upliftment and educational development, which he carried forward through various initiatives in his lifetime.  

Abdur Rahman’s early education was a blend of Islamic scriptures and Western education. He studied at the Madrasa in Kilakarai, where he learned Islamic scriptures, then moved to the Schwartz School in Ramanathapuram, run by Christian missionaries, before returning to the Hameedia School in Kilakarai. Even as a young student, he displayed his entrepreneurial skills by selling snacks to his classmates, a sign of his natural business instincts.

Growing up in Kilakarai exposed Abdur Rahman to the rich maritime trading heritage of Tamil Muslims. For centuries, the pearl fisheries coast of Tamil Nadu had been a hub of pearl diving and trading. Though the industry had declined by Abdur Rahman’s time, it left a lasting influence on the community’s business acumen and global outlook.

Early Business Ventures

As a teenager, Abdur Rahman was sent to Colombo, the vibrant capital of Ceylon (Sri Lanka), to learn business, as was customary for youth from southern Tamil Nadu trading families. He gained experience in the gems trade, especially an expertise in valuing precious stones.

In the early 1950s, Abdur Rahman joined his elder brother K.T.M.S. Abdul Cader’s trading company in Colombo. He diversified the business into new areas like plastic chairs and textiles. The company soon expanded to India, opening branches in Bombay (Mumbai) and Calcutta (Kolkata).

Expansion to Southeast Asia

In 1954, Abdur Rahman set his sights on expanding to Southeast Asia, traditionally considered the backyard of Tamil enterprise for more than a millennium. He established a gem trading business in Penang, before moving to Singapore and finally to Hong Kong in the late 1950s. Hong Kong became a key base for Abdur Rahman’s growing business empire over the next two decades.

In Hong Kong, he founded Precious Trading Corporation for gems trading. He also ventured into the movie distribution business, establishing Far East Film Distributions to import and distribute Tamil and other Indian films in Southeast Asia. This led to his involvement in film financing, production and distribution through Sembi Traders, Crescent Films, Sethu Films and Valanadu Cine Corporation.

Abdur Rahman’s business interests soon expanded to include shipping, construction, and other industries. He established strong networks and partnerships across the region. Rahman’s diverse business portfolio in Tamil Nadu demonstrated his ability to identify and capitalise on emerging opportunities across various sectors.

When the Madras State decided in the early 1960’s to build an overbridge linking T Nagar with Kodambakkam, Abdur Rahman’s ECCI roped in Engineer Meeran, who had just retired from the Corporation of Madras to bid for the project. Its successful execution led to several projects that have become landmarks of Chennai. Like Namperumal Chetty of the Colonial era, who was known for building some of the iconic landmarks of Madras, Abdur Rahman’s ECCI built some of the finest landmarks, post-Indian independence, in Madras that became Chennai in 1996.  The Viswesaraya Tower, also known as Anna Nagar Tower, The Anna Flyover, Lighthouse on Marina, Chepauk Cricket Stadium, Spic Buildings, Buharia Tower, Raheja Towers, Omandurar Legislative Assembly (later converted to Tamil Nadu Government Multi Super Speciality Hospital) and Anna Centenary Library in Kotturpuram are some of the iconic landmarks associated with Abdur Rahman’s ECCI. His success in Hong Kong and other parts of Southeast Asia provided the capital and experience for his next big move—to the Middle East.

Dubai and Middle East Expansion

In the early 1970s, Abdur Rahman recognised the immense potential in the oil-rich Gulf states as they sought to develop infrastructure rapidly. He partnered with the Al Ghurair family of Dubai to establish construction and real estate companies.

The joint venture, which came to be known as the ETA-Ascon group, started with small residential projects but quickly grew as Dubai’s construction boom took off. Abdur Rahman’s companies built many of Dubai’s landmarks and infrastructure over the following decades.

From its base in Dubai, the ETA group expanded across the Middle East and beyond. At its peak in the 2000s, the group operated in over 20 countries across 16 industrial sectors, employing over 85,000 people. It became one of the largest Indian-owned conglomerates in the Gulf region. Abdur Rahman’s companies employed tens of thousands of Indians, particularly from Tamil Nadu. Over the years, the remittances from these workers amounted to billions of rupees, having a significant economic impact in India.

Business Philosophy and Approach

Abdur Rahman built his business empire on the foundations of integrity, hard work and seizing opportunities. He had an uncanny ability to foresee market trends and was willing to venture into new geographic areas and industries.

He believed in empowering employees and often elevated talented staff to leadership positions. Abdur Rahman was known for sharing profits with employees and treating them like family. He maintained strong relationships with business partners and political leaders across countries.

Despite his wealth and success, Abdur Rahman maintained humility and frugality in his personal life. He continued to look for new business opportunities even in his later years, entering markets like Russia and China as they opened up.

​Philanthropy and Social Impact

Even as his business flourished, Abdur Rahman remained committed to social causes, especially education. He was passionate about providing quality education and opportunities to underprivileged students, especially from the Muslim community.  He founded the Seethakathi Trust in 1967 and the All India Islamic Foundation in 1979, leading to the establishment of several educational institutions in Chennai and other parts of the state. The first academic institution to be established was the Crescent School for Boys in the year 1968, followed by a Girl’s school (Crescent Matriculation Higher Secondary School for Girls) in 1976.  The crown jewel of these efforts was the B.S. Abdur Rahman Crescent Institute of Science and Technology (formerly B.S. Abdur Rahman University) in Vandalur, Chennai. This institution, founded in 1984, grew to become a respected centre of higher learning, offering a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate programs.

Abdur Rahman, who strongly believed in women’s empowerment through education, established the Thassim Beevi Abdul Kader College for Women in 1988, in his hometown of Kilakarai, in memory of his late sister. In addition to the college, Girl’s Schools were established in Madurai and Nagore.

While Abdur Rahman was dedicated to establishing institutions for contemporary education, he was equally passionate about creating a spiritual equivalent, an Arabic College that would train religious scholars, known as Aalims, and equip them with an Afzal Ulama degree.  With a curriculum drawn from the best Madrasas across the Muslim world, the Kilakarai Bukhari Aalim Arabic College was established within the Vandalur complex and is now a constituent of B.S. Abdur Rahman Crescent Institute of Science and Technology.  

Over the years, his institutions offered free education and scholarships to thousands of deserving students. Abdur Rahman also supported numerous educational institutions that sought his help.

Beyond education, Abdur Rahman supported healthcare initiatives, building hospitals and clinics in Tamil Nadu. He also funded the construction and renovation of mosques, including a grand mosque in his hometown of Kilakarai and the Kowloon Mosque in Hong Kong.

United Economic Forum

The United Economic Forum (UEF) was founded by B.S. Abdur Rahman in 1979 as a platform to improve the socioeconomic status of the Muslim community in India.​ Recognising the need for collective action, Rahman envisioned the UEF as a means to bring together industrialists, businesspeople, technocrats, professionals, and intellectuals. The organisation’s primary focus was on uplifting the community through entrepreneurship, business opportunities, education, and health services. Rahman established UEF chapters across Tamil Nadu, with a federal unit in Delhi. The UEF’s approach was inclusive, aiming to benefit not only Muslims but all backward communities. Rahman emphasised the importance of education and training as vital routes for economic upliftment, steering clear of political or religious propaganda in the forum’s activities. Through the UEF Charitable Trust formed in 1994, Abdur Rahman established several orphanages specifically for Muslim boys and girls across Tamil Nadu.

Cultural and Literary Contributions

Despite his limited formal education, Abdur Rahman was a patron of Tamil and Islamic literature. He organised the World Islamic Tamil Conference to promote Islamic literature in Tamil. Through his support for education, literature, and cultural activities, Abdur Rahman played an important role in preserving and promoting Tamil Muslim heritage and identity.

Family Life

Abdur Rahman married Muthu Zulaikha in 1953 at the age of 26. They had six children—two daughters and four sons: Qurrath Jameela, Arif Buhari, Mariam, Abdul Qadir, Ahmed Buhari and Ashraf Buhari.

He later took a second wife, Dr. Rahmathunnisa, in 1971. Despite his busy schedule, Abdur Rahman was known to be a loving family man who made time for his wife, children, and later grandchildren. He would regularly take the family on picnics and vacations. When his sister Thassim Beevi, along with her husband, died in an accident in 1977, he took in her five children and raised them as his own.

Abdur Rahman involved his family members in the business, with his sons and nephews taking on leadership roles in various group companies. He eventually groomed them to take over the management of his business empire.

Stellar Friendships

B.S. Abdur Rahman had a remarkable ability to forge and maintain friendships across various social strata, from common people to influential figures. His charisma and genuine interest in people allowed him to cultivate relationships with individuals from diverse backgrounds.

One touching example of his enduring connections was an encounter with a former schoolmate, Velu, who was working as a porter at Manamadurai junction. Despite the years and differences in their social status, Abdur Rahman warmly embraced Velu, demonstrating his ability to value old friendships regardless of social standing.

Abdur Rahman’s film ventures brought him close to Kalaignar Karunanidhi and MG Ramachandran, as both were making their mark in the Tamil Film industry and politics. Their relationship began when Abdur Rahman financed one of MGR’s films, impressing the actor with his frankness and trust. MGR affectionately called Rahman “Baby” or “Muthalali” (Boss), and their friendship endured for years. At the movie launch of “Kanchi Thalaivan”, Abdur Rahman met CN Anna Durai and Mu Karunanidhi along with MGR, all three of them would become Chief Ministers of Tamil Nadu. 

Final Years

In his later years, Abdur Rahman gradually withdrew from active management of his businesses, handing over responsibilities to his sons and other family members. He focused more on his philanthropic and educational initiatives.

B.S. Abdur Rahman passed away on January 7, 2015, at the age of 87 in Chennai. His death was mourned by political leaders, business associates and thousands of beneficiaries of his philanthropic work. He left behind a complex legacy as a visionary entrepreneur, generous philanthropist and patron of education and culture.

Legacy and Impact

​B.S. Abdur Rahman’s life journey from a small coastal town in Tamil Nadu to building a global business empire is a testament to his vision, hard work and business acumen.​ Beyond his business success, his philanthropic initiatives in education and social welfare left a lasting impact, especially on the Muslim community in Tamil Nadu.

The educational institutions he established continue to provide quality education to thousands of students. At its peak, the ETA group he cofounded was one of the largest Indian-owned conglomerates in the Middle East.

Abdur Rahman’s life embodied the entrepreneurial spirit and global outlook of the Tamil Muslim trading community. He showed how ethical business practices and social responsibility could go hand in hand with wealth creation.

His commitment to preserving Tamil Muslim cultural heritage while embracing modern education and business practices provides a model for minority communities to progress while retaining their identity.

Though he achieved great wealth and success, Abdur Rahman remained connected to his roots and was known for his humility, generosity and commitment to social causes. His life serves as an inspiration for future generations of entrepreneurs and philanthropists.

Destiny is not a matter of chance, but of choice. The man who changed his destiny hailed from a middle-class family at Kilakarai, Ramanathapuram District, Tamil Nadu, reaching the pinnacle of success by his ultimate choice of perseverance and elegance. Dr. Buhari Syed Abdur Rahman, a well known personality in the field of Education, Economy and Industry and was also a Philanthropist par excellence. He was an ardent lover of the welfare of society who believed that “the world is for the winner when business is not just about self but also about society”. Dr. Abdur Rahman felt education to be the key to solve socio-economic problems of the society. Hence he founded a number of educational institutions through which a multitude of students have been benefitted.

Amidst his numerous achievements as an entrepreneur and educationist, B.S. Abdur Rahman Crescent Institute of Science & Technology has always been his very special brainchild that has been providing unparalleled quality education until now and in the future. Deep-rooted in his values, this institution is growing stronger each day with its aspiration to evolve as a world premier institution.

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AWARDS

In recognition of his services in the field of education

• • • Aligarh Muslim University students union conferred in the Honorary Life Membership in the presence of Prof. Fariqui, Vice Chancellor and Prof. Abdul Hassan Siddique, the Pro. Vice Chancellor of the Institute.
    • Sathyabama University awarded Honorary Doctorate

CONTRIBUTION

• • • He feels that education is the key that opens the solutions to the socio economic problems pf the society. Hence he founded the following institutions through which all his educational and literacy activities are carried out.
    • The Seethakathi Trust
    • All India Islamic Foundation
    • Islamic Studies & Cultural Centre

SCHOOLS

• • • Crescent Residential Matriculation Higher Secondary School Vandalur, Chennai 600 048 (1968) A fully residential school that caters to the needs of children from India & abroad. The first educational institution started by him.
    • Crescent Matriculation Higher Secondary School for Girls, Chennai 600 006 (1976).
    • Nagore Crescent Matriculation Higher Secondary School for Girls, Nagore 611 002 (1992).
    • Madurai Crescent Matriculation School for Girls, Madurai 625 014 (1994)

COLLEGES

Thassim Beevi Abdul Kader College for Women, Kilakarai.

FINANCIAL

For betterment of education, he has extended financial assistance to a number of schools, training institutes and Colleges. The names of few such institutions:

1.Schools

• • • Hyrathul Jalalia Higher Secondary School, Paramakudi
    • Mela Pallivasah Girls Higher Secondary School, Ilayangudi
    • Al-Hilal Matriculation School, Thondi, Ramnad District
    • Colombo Alim High School, Ramnad
    • Syed Ammal Higher Secondary School, Ramnad
    • Muslim Higher Secondary School, peraiyur, Madurai District
    • Crown Matricuation School, Madurai
    • Seethakathi Matriculation School, Nethaji Nagar. Chennai
    • Muslim Women’s Association Matriculation School, Chennai
    • Muslim Higher Secondary School, Melapalayam, Tirunelveli – 5
    • Adi-Dravida Primary School, Melapalayam, Tirunelveli
    • Rajah’s Higher Secondary School, Ramanathapuram
    • Quide-Millet Memorial School, Puliangudi
    • Swartz Higher Secondary School, Tiruppattur, Ramnad District

2.Training Institutes and Polytechnics

• • • Mohd Ismail Polytechnic and Technical Training Institute, Tirunelveli
    • Al-Ameen Khajamian Industrial Training Institute, Trichy
    • Al-Ameen Buhari Alim Technical Institute, Ilayangudi
    • Al-Ameen Polytechnic, Erode

3.Colleges

• • • Sadakathullah Appa College, Palayamkottai
    • Dr. Zakir Hussain College, Ilayangudi
    • The Muslim Arts College, Thiruvithancode
    • Justice Basheer Ahmed Sayeed College for Women, Chennai
    • The New College, Chennai
    • Wakf Board College, Madurai
    • Jamal Mohamed College, Trichy
    • Quide-Millet College for Men, Chennai
    • Sethupathy Govt. Arts College, Ramanathapuram
    • Syed Mahmood Hassan Memorial Muslim Girls College, Bharaich
    • Law College, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh

4.Other Institutions

• • • Bazam-e-Niswan Charitable Trust, Bangalore
    • Cancer Care Trust, Research Foundation, Indore
    • Indian Publications Ltd., New Delhi.

RURAL DEVELOPMENT

MEDICAL CARE

To provide better medical facilities to the rural masses at their doorstep, he started a well-equipped hospital at Kilakarai, which was inaugurated by Mr. R Venkataraman the then President of India. Besides he has assisted many such hospitals in various other villages.

a.HOSPITAL

Yousuf Zulaikha Medical Centre, Kilakarai, Ramanathapuram District
This hospital has out-patient and in-patient facilities, clinical lab with all diagnostic equipment. The hospital is conducting regular medical camps in rural and remote villages, to provide easy accessibility to the medical facilities available in towns and cities.

b.Assisted with Funds

Primary Health Centre, Velanoor

c.Motivated

• • • Shifa Hospital, Adirampattinam, Thanjavur, District
    • K.M.T. Hospital, Kayalpatnam, V.O.C. District
    • The Crescent Hospital, Chennai

YOUTH WELFARE ACTIVITIES

He feels that a sound mind in a sound body is a healthy trend of development of the youth in this country. Hence much importance is being given to NSS, NCC, Scouts and other youth activities in all his institutions. Hence to promote sports activities and to imbibe sports culture in the minds of youngsters, he constructed and donated a stadium with all facilities for indoor games, gymnasium and a gallery to Tamil Nadu Govt. under the purview of Sports Authority of Tamil Nadu during 1997. The stadium was inaugurated by Prof. A Anbazhagan, Hon’ble Minister of Education, Govt. of Tamil Nadu, in the presence of Shri. Dhanushkodi Athithan R, Minister of State, (Department of Youth Affairs & Sports ), Government of India. The stadium was named as Seethakathi Sethupathi Stadium, which depicted a touch of communal harmony in the minds of the people.

SOCIAL WORK

He is the founder of UNITED ECONOMIC FORUM through which he has organized a number of economic development activities and encouraged social work.

ORPHANAGES

He has founded and financially aided the following Orphanages:

A.FOUNDED

• • • Al-Mumin Seethakathi Children Home, Sakkaraikottai, Ramanathapuram District
    • Al-Mumin Umar Pulavar Children Home, Ottapidaram, V.O.C. District
    • Al-Mumin Shahul Hameed (Wali) Children Home, Thanjavur, Thanjavur District
  • • Al-Mumin K.T.M.S. Hamid Children Home (Girls), Kilakarai, Ramnad District.
    • Al-Mumin Malik Dinar Children Home (Girls), Thiruvithancode.

B.FINANCIALLY AIDED

• • • Muslim Orphanage Committee, Tirunelveli
    • Munavara Mahalir Mandram, Pudur, Madurai
    • Al-Ameen Orphanage (Boys), Erode
    • Al-Ameen Orphanage (Boys), Pudur, Madurai
    • Al-mumin Children Home, Gingee

OTHER ACTIVITIES

A. FIFTH INTERNATIONAL ISLAMIC TAMIL LITERARY CONFERENCE

Sponsored by the Seethakathi Trust founded by him. This conference was held at Kilakarai from 30th December 1990 to 1st January 1991.
The conference inaugurated by Dato Samivelu, Minister of Malaysia was well attended by Tamil Scholars from different of the world, namely Srilanka, Singapore, Malaysia, Hongkong and U A E. The three-day conference had different sessions on various aspects of Tamil Literature and nearly 24 books were released. The valedictory function was presided over by Dr. Kalaingar M Karunanidhi, the then Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu.

B. ALL INDIA MUSLIM WOMEN’S EDUCATION CONFERENCE

Sponsored by the Seethakathi Trust and All India Islamic Foundation founded by him. This conference was conducted at Cresent School Campus, Vandalur, Chennai – 48, from 21 to 23 December 1996. It was inaugurated by Prof. K Anbazhagan under the Presidentship of Justice Fathima Beevi, former Governor of Tamil Nadu.

The conference concentrated on the topic namely “Education, Employment and Entrepreneurship of Muslim Women”. This conference was well attended by Muslim women from India and abroad. The valedictory session was presided over by late Thiru G K Moopanar, M.P., Dr. Thahir Mahmood, Chairman, National Minorities Commission gave the valedictory address.

C.NATION & THE WORLD

A Bi-monthly magazine in English, published from New Delhi being promoted by Mr. B.S. Abdur Rahman Serving the cause of our nation in general and weaker sections in particular.