Meet 'Hindu Sheikh' Who Gave Loans to Oman's Sultan: The Untold Link Between India And Oman | EXPLAINED
Kanaksi Khimji, a prominent Hindu businessman in Oman, became the world’s only Hindu to receive the honorary title of Sheikh—a distinction usually given to Arab royalty or respected Muslim leaders. Born in Muscat in 1936, he led the Khimji Ramdas Group (KR Group) for five decades, shaping Oman’s economy and fostering ties between the country and India until his death in 2021 at 85.
The Khimji family originally came from Gujarat and settled in Oman in 1870. They established the KR Group, which grew into one of the country’s largest business conglomerates. Kanaksi Khimji took over the family enterprise in 1970, guiding it through decades of expansion. Today, the group records an annual turnover of over USD 3 billion, now managed by his sons, Pankaj and Nilesh Khimji.
Beyond business, Khimji played a pivotal role in Oman’s development. During a time when the nation had yet to benefit from oil wealth, he provided financial support, including loans, to Sultan Qaboos bin Said. In recognition, the Sultan honoured him with the *Sheikh* title in the 1970s—a rare distinction for a non-Muslim. Khimji also maintained deep connections with India and his Hindu faith. He helped establish Muscat’s first Indian English-medium school in 1975 and served as chairman of the Oman Cricket Board. Despite holding Omani citizenship and the *Sheikh* title, he remained actively involved in the Indian community. Oman, where Indians make up around five percent of the population, has long offered full religious freedom, with ancient Hindu temples still standing today. His contributions extended beyond finance and education. Alongside Sir G. P. H. Menon, another influential figure, Khimji strengthened cultural and economic bridges between Oman and India.
Kanaksi Khimji’s legacy lives on through the KR Group, now a major force in Oman’s economy. His unique honour as a Hindu Sheikh reflects his extraordinary impact on the nation’s growth and its relationship with India. The business empire he built continues under his sons, while his philanthropic and cultural efforts remain influential in both countries.
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