Kabeer Yousuf
Senior Journalist
Oman Observer, Muscat
Kabeer Yousuf is a much respected journalist and writer with a passion for drama, films and acting. He has been contributing richly to the cultural fabric of the city of Muscat, much renowned for fostering cultural and arts festivals. He is also been closedly associated with the activities of Indian Social Club.
Mr. Yousuf was born to the ex-soldier of the Indian Army, late Kariyaden Yousuf and Madathummal Zuhara and completed his education in Kerala and Chennai. Mr. Yousuf got his first break in 1991 during his college days when he got through the test for voice artiste at AIR Kannur joining as a B Grade artiste. During the period he was also associated with local telefilm productions.
In 1996, Mr. Yousuf was selected to be the first Correspondent for Asianet TV channel, liaising with the channel’s news offices in Kochi and Trivandrum besides its transmission centre in Singapore. Mr. Yousuf credits his MMA Hostel peers in Egmore for their constructive critiques and support, which shaped his early career.
As Asianet’s correspondent in Chennai, he interviewed prominent politicians, filmmakers, and celebrities, including Tamil Nadu’s Chief Ministers M. Karunanidhi and J. Jayalalithaa, leaders like G.K. Moopanar and M.K. Stalin (the current Chief Minister) and figures from the film industry, such as Sivaji Ganesan, Mammootty, and Mohanlal. Mr. Yousuf’s role expanded further when he joined Asianet Radio in Dubai as a news reporter and reader, voicing three daily bulletins and hosting infotainment programmes, along with other artistes.
With Indian Ambassador Amit Narang and Dr J Retnakumar, Chairman of Bhavalaya Art and Culture and Global Chairman of World Malayali Forum, after receiving the beat director award for the film ‘To Be Or Not To Be’
In 2000, Yousuf became news producer, anchor, and program director for Middle East TV (MET), the UAE’s first daytime broadcast channel. Following this, in 2008, he joined ‘Oman Observer’, the state-run newspaper under the Sultanate of Oman’s Ministry of Information, where he has since established himself as a senior journalist, covering global events and national affairs. His notable reports include coverage of the UN Conference in Doha, Singapore Energy Summit, Oman’s Shura elections, the Geneva International Motor Show, and an interview with Taiwan’s premier. He has also documented Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Oman. He has been consistently reporting visits of various leaders of nations and the interviews with them
As an author, Mr. Yousuf has authored five books on His Majesty the late Sultan Qaboos bin Said al Said in three languages. In Malayalam (A Farsighted Statesman – 2 editions), His Majesty ‘Tholainokku Deerghadarshi’ in Tamil and ‘HM- The Life and the Vision’ in English. His latest book ‘Corona Chronology’ is an attempt to document the day-to-day happenings during the pandemic over nearly three years. This has been supported by the Ministry of Information and Ministry of Health and was launched in late 2024.
Besides being an active journalist, Mr. Yousuf has been following his passion in film making and has scripted many short films, and a feature film for OTT, besides documentaries, and commercial advertisements. Mr. Yousuf has successfully scripted and directed ‘To Be Or Not To Be’, a 65-minute English movie which spoke about the plight of global children and received rave reviews from across the continents.
Another noted work, *Razan Najjar: Life Between Love and Patriotism*, explores the story of Palestine and was directed by Yousuf, who also starred in the film alongside Antara Bose. Additionally, *Avantikayude Veed*, the first full-length OTT film from Oman, tackles children’s isolation due to parental device use and is available on Saina Play, thanks to support from Dr. Geevarghese Yohannan and MGM Educational Institutions. ‘Avantikayude Veed’, the first full-length feature film on how children are isolated when parents spend much time on electronic gadgets, is the first film on OTT platform from Oman and is currently available on Saina Play OTT, thanks to Dr. Geevarghese Yohannan and MGM Educational Institutions.
Mr. Yousuf’s dedication has fetched many accolades and earned him recognition from government bodies in Oman and accolades from international platforms like the Bahrain International Film Festival. He is respected for his impactful scripts, direction, and screen presence.
Mr. Yousuf is married to Risvana Kabeer, Media Censor with the Ministry of Information. The couple has three children — Rabah Zayed, Reehath al Zahra and Rakin Zaki.
Contact Information
Kabeer Yousuf
Senior Journalist
Oman Observer Daily
Ministry of Information
PO box number 974
Postal Code 100 , Muscat , Sultanate Of Oman
President- Indian Media Forum
Call: +968 9657 1626
Whatsap: +968 9447 7210
India Mobile: +91 85899 44626
Email:
Web site: www.omanobserver.om
Twitter: @kabyousef
YouTube channel: @rabahreeha
