Well-known Doha businessman and Managing Director of Marzooq Al Shamlan & Sons, Qatar Trading Company and International Tyre Centre Mohamed Marzooq al-Shamlan (61) died yesterday following a heart attack.
He leaves behind his wife and six children.  His brothers Saif Marzooq al-Shamlan, Shmalan Marzooq al-Shamlan and Tariq Marzooq al-Shamlan are also well-known businessmen in Qatar.
Mohamed al-Shamlan who complained of some uneasiness at his home in the Al Sadd area was rushed to a hospital immediately but his life could not be saved, inquiries found. Time and date of the funeral will be decided only when his children and brothers, who are abroad, return today, said a close friend of al-Shamlan.
A popular entrepreneur who has a considerably large circle of friends from different walks of life, al-Shamlan was instrumental in organising a number of  cultural events for the country’s expatriate communities and made liberal financial contributions to humanitarian activities in different communities.
A fan of Indian playback singer K J Yesudas, al-Shamlan held two concerts in his honour in recent years and proceeds from the second event were donated to the activities of the Indian Community Benevolent Forum (ICBF)
Marzooq Al-Shamlan & Sons, a company which he inherited from his father, is one of the largest watch distributors of Qatar and is dealing in a number of widely acclaimed brands. One of the first watch companies in Qatar, the firm has completed more than 60 years.
Similarly, Qatar Trading Company is an established name in its area of business and is among the frontliners in the business of manufacturing equipment and machinery. International Tyre Centre is also dealing in a large number of brands.
Al-Shamlan was a former board member of the Qatar National Bank, Qatar Navigation and Qatar National Cement Company among other companies.
Community members expressed shock at the death of al-Shamlan. Former president of the Indian Business Promotion Network (IBPN) Azeem Abbas termed the death of al-Shamlan “as a big loss to not only the business community but to the whole of Qatar”.  Al-Shamlan was a mild-mannered and down to earth gentleman, who was a man of great integrity and innovative thinking,” said Abbas.
Indian Community Benevolent Forum chief Arvind Patil also recalled a liberal financial contribution al-Shamlan made to the organisation’s activities a few years ago.