Abdul Gafoor
Managing Director
Abu Thahnoon Trading LLC
Featuring prominently in the entrepreneurial circuit of Salalah is Abdul Gafoor, Managing Director of the prestigious Abu Thahnoon Trading Company in Salalah, Oman. For the past 25 years, he has been at the helm of this company that boasts 13 outlets in Salalah. It mainly caters to garments for ladies and children and has dedicated Omani clientele.
Abdul Gafoor belongs to Kannur where he was born as the son of the late P. Mammu, a businessman, and Fathibi, a homemaker. After completing high school, he bagged a bachelor’s degree in Commerce from Sir Syed College in his hometown before taking the plunge into business. Right from school days, he used to assist his father in his building materials and timber business. The defining moment in life came in 1997 when he moved to Salalah in Oman.
Abdul Gafoor slowly built a new brand, Abu Thahnoon, that became synonymous with quality garments and accessories for the local population. Over the years, he nurtured it carefully and watched it grow and become one of the trusted brands among Omanis and NRIs when it came to clothes and cosmetics for women and children. Today, the group has 13 outlets and more than 100 employees. Abdul imports top quality products from Turkey, China, UAE and Thailand.
He is also the proud owner of Abu Thahnoon shopping mall located in the suburb of Mirbat. It offers an enticing blend of local and contemporary shopping experiences, inviting both tourists and locals alike. It is one of the best destinations for authentic souvenirs that mirror the Omani culture and they range from handicrafts and textiles to trinkets and other accessories. The shopping destination is also a hub of tantalising dining options featuring the flavours of the region as well as India and abroad. It is also the venue of several cultural events and expos that give visitors a peep into the richness of local traditions and crafts. Its central location and convenient opening hours make it a hot destination for anyone looking to explore the best of Omani shopping culture. Abdul also runs Lulu Al Jazeera, a shop selling Omani items in Salalah.
Abdul Gafoor is supported in his endeavours by his wife Shahaniya KT, a homemaker. The couple is blessed with three children. His daughter Fathima is married to Siddhique, a businessman, while his son Mohammed KT is a pilot with Air Arabia. Mohammed’s wife, Nashwah Bathool, is an architect in Dubai. Their youngest child Zenia is pursuing graduate studies in Crime and Security at the University College of London in the UK. Keenly interested in badminton, Abdul Gafoor is well known for his readiness and enthusiasm to donate to any cause. He is also a member of the Indian Social Club Malayalam Wing. He is also the convener of Leaders’ Group, a common platform of various organisations in Salalah. In 2024, he was bestowed with the Ikhra Care Award for his humanitarian activities. The Award was handed over to Abdul Gafoor by Naif bin Ahmed al Shanfari, Director of Labour Welfare in Dhofar Governorate and Faisal bin Ali Al Nahdi, Assistant Director General of the Directorate General of Culture, Sports and Youth in Dhofar Governorate.
Contact Information
Abdul Gafoor
Abu Thahnoon Trading LLC
Near Sea Pearl Jewellery, Salalah, PO Box: 2629, Postal Code 211, Sultanate of Oman
GSM: +968 9969 2964, +91 99464 66599
