Abu Dhabi social worker, who repatriated hundreds of bodies, dies at 47

M.M. Nasar Kanhangad, who suffered from an advanced stage of cancer, passed away in his home state of Kerala

Abu Dhabi resident and social worker M.M. Nasar Kanhangad, who helped with repatriation of hundreds of bodies, has passed away in his home state of Kerala in India.

The 47-year-old socially active expat died of cancer. He was undergoing treatment at a private hospital in Abu Dhabi City. However, three months back, the father of four kids, returned home for advanced care.

“This comes as a shock. It is unexpected and untimely. He was suffering from an ulcer for a while. It turned into cancer. He used to help people in distress and may have never really cared about his own health. And by the time he did, I think, it was too late. We had to actually compel him to seek treatment,” said Abdusalam T.K., general secretary, Indian Islamic Centre in Abu Dhabi.

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Nasar came to the UAE in 1993 and assisted with transportation of mortal remains to India. In 2018, he was officially tasked by the Indian Embassy to follow-up repatriation cases with the local authorities in Abu Dhabi. Nasar was also a former relief secretary at the Indian Islamic Centre.

Nasar, in an earlier interview to Khaleej Times, had said: “If I can't help those in need, then how can I consider myself a human being? For expats, the worst travel back home is returning as a dead body. There is no greater agony for a family than the wait for their loved one who is no more. I try my best to ease their pain.”