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Mr. Abdul Sattar Edhi is a social
worker unmatched with any other individual, group or welfare organization. His
sole aim is to offer dedicated and unconditional service to the ailing and
distressed humanity.
Born on the 28th
of February, 1928 in Bantva, Kathiawad, he completed 5 classes of education
there. In 1948, he migrated to Karachi, Pakistan. In the beginning he worked as
a cloth broker and later joined Bantva Memon Khidmat Committee where he worked
for two years.
In 1954, Mr. Sattar Edhi established
Bantva Memon Volunteer Corps with the help of his associates and became its
Captain. Later, he obtained a piece of land for Rs. 2,200/= in Mithadar. In
1973, the Adbul Sattar Edhi Trust was registered. Today, a five storey building
stands at this very place and serves as the head office of the Abdul Sattar Edhi
Trust. Here a maternity home, E.N.T. and Dispensary is run.
The Abdul Sattar Edhi Trust has spread
its services not only all over Karachi but all over Pakistan. Edhi reaches first
wherever there is an accident or any other calamity. The Trust has rendered aid
to victims of earthquake, floods, volcanoes, war and other disasters all over
the world.
Further, the Trust runs many
orphanages, hospitals, homes for the disabled and the old-aged, many
dispensaries and the largest network of ambulance services in the world. Edhi
picks up unclaimed dead bodies and offers them a decent Muslim burial. Till
date, he has buried more than 17,000 dead bodies.
Mr. Abdul Sattar Edhi has been
recognized by the world community for his exceptional services and has been
honoured time and again by Local, National and International Bodies including
the Human Rights Award (1983), the Ramon Magsaysay Award (1986 Philippines) and
the
He leads a simple life and dresses very
modestly. He lives in Karachi with his wife, Mrs. Bilquis Edhi who has always
stood by her husband in serving mankind.
Bilquis Edhi, wife of Abdul Sattar Edhi,
is a social worker in her own right. Mr. Abdul Sattar Edhi, a unique social
worker, who needs no introduction has always been supported by his wife Bilquis
Edhi.
Born on the same day as Pakistan, 14th
August, 1947 in the village of Bantva, Gujrat State, India, Bilquis’ family
migrated to Pakistan. Bilquis used to attend school in the day time and work at
the Edhi Centre by night as a nurse. In due course, she married Abdul Sattar
Edhi who was fascinated by her devotion to her work. All these years, Bilquis
Edhi has stood by her husband in his mission to help the ailing humanity. Among
the many activities of the Trust, she looks after the many orphanages and Nurses’
Training Centres.
Honorary Editor
, Memon Alam (Monthly)
Mr. Umer A. Rehman is a
veteran social worker, writer, journalist, editor and humanitarian of the Memon
Community. His contribution to the field of education and literacy, journalism
and editorship, community welfare work and upliftment of the society,
particularly the Memon Community, has been remarkable and highly commendable and
is spread over a long period of 40 years. Mr. Umer A. Rehman comes from a family
where three generations have contributed to the field of Journalism and Social
Service. He has been awarded with numerous honours, medals, certificates and
shields for his laudable efforts.
Mr.
Umer A. Rehman, among his varied activities, is the Honorary Editor of MEMON
ALAM, a non-profit Monthly Magazine containing English, Urdu and Gujarati
sections He has been associated with this magazine for the past 41 years since
its inception in July 1958 and his contribution to the development and growth of
this magazine has been overwhelming. He has written innumerable articles and
editorials for MEMON ALAM and other magazines and newspapers. His views,
comments and ideas have always been highly appreciated and respected. He holds
the record for the longest period of Honorary Editorship of any Memon Magazine
which is over 41 years. He also holds a unique record of being an editor in the
third generation after his father and grandfather. MEMON ALAM has a wide
circulation and is read with enthusiasm every month by its readers in Pakistan
as well as in many other countries. Articles and extracts from MEMON ALAM
and those written by Mr. Umer A. Rehman are now being featured on the Internet
by various Memon Websites.
He
has traveled to countries such as India, Sri Lanka, the Emirates, the United
Kingdom where several receptions were hosted to honour him. On his visit to Abu
Dhabi, Radio Abu Dhabi broadcasted an Interview with him wherein Mr. Umer A.
Rehman highlighted the social, political and religious activities of Halai,
Cutchi and Sindhi Memons.
His
contribution to the field of Journalism, spreading over five decades, consists
of countless articles, reports, reviews, comments, editorials and biographies.
Some books worth mentioning are Memon Shakshiat, a collection of
Biographies of well-known memon personalities and philanthropists and Maari
Mulakat, interviews of renowned personalities. He has been honoured
specifically by Umer Samman Samiti (Reception Committee for Umer A.
Rehman) comprising of well-known personalities and his biography has been
published in the form of a booklet as well as in MEMON ALAM and other
magazines and publications. Memon Youth Organization recognized Umer A.
Rehman’s services to their organization and awarded him a shield. The United
Memon Jamat of Pakistan awarded Umer A. Rehman with a Shield, Sindhi Cap and a
Cash Prize in recognition of his
contribution to community journalism. He won the second prize in the Essay
Competition organized by World Memon Foundation.
Mr.
Umer A. Rehman is the Proprietor and Editor of MARKET BULLETIN, a
commercial bi-weekly, which enjoys a wide circulation among the business
community. MARKET BULLETIN, which was started in 1952 by Mr. A. Rehman
Dawood, father of Mr. Umer A. Rehman, provides latest updates on Commerce,
Economy, Shipping News, Commodity and Currency Rates.
Sir Abdul Karim Jamal Abdul Shakoor Jamal was
undoubtedly the greatest Memon businessman of his time.
Sir Jamal was born in Jamnagar, Kathiawar, India in
1862. When he was six years old, his father took him to Rangoon, Burma and
settled there. After acquiring the traditional Islamic education, he got
admission into the Rangoon College for higher education. During this period, he
used to take interest in his father's business and acquired necessary business
acumen. At that time, their family business was of general merchants and
commission agents under the name of Jamal Bros & Co. Their business was in
piece goods and silk. In those days Memon firms mostly limited their business
activities to their traditional lines only.
Sir Jamal's father retired from business in 1884 and
Sir Jamal assumed charged of the entire business and by 1886 he, after getting a
firm hold over the reigns of business, started an expansion of activities, with
very positive results. The example of which is no where to be found in the
business history of the Memon Community.
Sir Jamal embarked on adding new lines of
business. And within a short period of time, his activities consisted of cotton,
petroleum drilling, oil wells, rubber plantation, refineries, tea
plantation, timber, sugar, iron foundries, ginning, mining, rice mills and many
other lines.
The Jamal Bros. Co. Limited was formed with a capital
of Rupees one crore. Consequently, The Indo-Burma Petroleum Company
Limited was started with a capital of another Rupees one crore and The Jamal
Cotton Produce Company Limited with a capital of Rupees thirty lacs. Further,
Sir Jamal was a Director or Managing Director of several companies including
many British companies. Comparing these amounts with the present day value, they
would be in millions and billions.
Sir Jamal was endowed with unusual qualities. He was a
man with shrewd intelligence, great farsightedness, extraordinary business
acumen coupled with a benevolent heart and a towering personality. He achieved
all round success in every field he entered. His establishments spread
over different parts/ districts of Burma and provided employment to thousands of
people.
The height of eminence, popularity and fame Sir Jamal
had achieved within a short period of time was unheard of in the business world
in the Indian sub-continent. The Jamals were famous throughout India apart from
Burma.
In the matter of philanthropic acts Sir Jamal had a
benevolent heart. He helped educational institutions, medical centers,
industrial homes, etc. very generously. His annual donations those days was a
million rupees.
The spread of his business empire and his philanthropy
made the people call him "The Merchant Prince", "The King of
Rice", "The Oil King", etc. The British Government conferred on
him the knighthood in 1920. Earlier, he had received the coveted "C.I.E."
(Companion of the Indian Government) in 1915. This was in acknowledgement of his
contribution to the War Fund and his humanitarian services.
Sir Jamal's palacial bungalow "Jamal Villa"
was situated among beautiful surroundings. Many Indian and foreign dignitaries
visited the Jamal Villa. The most eminent personalities who stayed at the Jamal
Villa as guests of Sir Jamal included King Carrol of Rumania, Sir Sultan
Muhammad Shah Aga Khan, Members of the Royal Commission, The Earl of Ronaldshay,
Moulana Muhammmad Ali, Moulana Shoukat Ali, Mahatma Gandhi, Hakim Ajmal Khan,
Sir Alexander Cardogan, Shahibzada Aftab Khan of Aligarh, Justice Suhrawardy,
Sir Robert Brooks, the Raja of Sarawak, Prince Aly Khan, Sir Harcourt Butler,
Lord Inchcape, Sir John Simor, Mr. Clement Attlee and Sir Benegal Rao. All the
rulers of the princely states counted themselves amongst his friends.
Sir Jamal travelled in a personal railway
saloon with full entourage. When he visited Calcutta, the governor received him
at the fully decorated jetty attended by a military band. When he went to
Jamnagar, his home town, the Maharaja Ranjit Singh received him at the Railway
Station with full honor.
Although Sir Jamal owned a vast and
maganimous business empire, his personal life was very simple. He was polite and
humble and was very religious. He favoured observance of purdah by women.
He was of medium built with an impressive
personality. His usual dress consisted of kurta-pajama and black achkan and a
turban round his head. He carried a stick in his hand and smoked a manila cigar.
In this attire, he would receive world dignitories, attend meetings even the
senate and legislative council meetings.
In 1911, King George V came to India in
connection with his coronation and on hearing about Sir Jamal wanted to meet
him. Sir Jamal attended the ceremony held at the gayful Darbar Hall in
Delhi in his usual dress.
King George V had brought a special car
with him on his visit to India which Sir Jamal purchased after the King's
departure.
Sir Jamal's main business was export of
rice. This commodity was shipped on vessels of a British Shipping Company. In
1921, the Scindia Steamship Company of India started operation in Burmese
waters. Sir Jamal decided to support this national company and once shipped a
record 6400 tons of rice in three days which was a very big quantity in those
days.
The British Government on seeing that the
British Company was losing its business in Burma issued a warning against
shippers against supporting the Indian Shipping Line.
Consequently, the shippers stopped
supporting the Indian Shipping Line. But Sir Jamal was unmoved by this threat
and continued to support Scindia Steamship Company. In one year (1921) he
shipped one lac tons of rices on Indian Vessels. The British did not
expect such an act against the British interest from a man whom the Government
had adorned with high honors just a year ago in 1920. It warned Sir
Jamal of dire consequences. On the other hand, the Scindia Steamship Company was
placed in a difficult position and looked to Sir Jamal for support to save the
company. In spite of the warnings and threats of the British, Sir Jamal
continued to support the Indian line.
Finally, a historic meeting was held in
the British Parliament wherein it was finally decided to bring about the
downfall of Sir Jamal. Being the rulers of Burma, the British imposed a ban of
the export of rice from Burma at a time when the newly harvested crop had
started arriving in the market. This caused a very heavy loss to Sir Jamal and
incur a lot of debts. Consequently he had to succumb to the ploys of the
mighty British Empire and had to wind up all his concerns.
However, he cleared all his debts and dues
amounting to eight crore rupees. Thus leaving behind for the family only a small
portion of his vast wealth. Sir Jamal passed away in 1924.
The father of the Nation, Quaid-e-Azam,
Muhammad Ali Jinnah, in his condolence message on Sir Adamjee's death said,
"He was a very loyal Muslim and rendered great services in our struggle and
the fight for Pakistan. His loss will be felt all the more, now, when having
achieved our goal we need his services for building up of Pakistan. His death
will leave a gap in the Muslim business community which will be difficult to
fill. His death is really a national loss to Pakistan".
Sir Adamjee Haji Dawood devoted his
entire life to the service of the memon community in particular and to the
service of Pakistan in general.
Born on 30th June, 1880 at Jetpur,
Kathiawad in India, Adamjee went to offer his services in a firm in
Rangoon in 1895 at the age of 15. A year later, he joined his family business
which was also in Rangoon. He got married at the young age of 18 to Mariam Bai.
In 1901, he established his own
business (dealing in Jute gunny bags) and expanded it. In due course, he became
one of the largest exporter of rice, jute and jute products.
He opened a branch in Calcutta
(1904), established a rice mill at Rangoon (1916), a match factory at Rangoon
(1923), Adamjee Jute Mills near Calcutta (1928). He established an Insurance
Company in the name of Burma Fire and Marine Insurance Company. In 1920, he was
appointed as Member of Advisory Committee of Central Bank of India (Burma
Branch). He founded the
Burma-India Chamber of Commerce
and the Burma Muslim Chamber of Commerce in 1925. In the same year, he was
appointed as Director, Rangoon Electric Tramways.
Besides, his business Adamjee took
active part in social and welfare activities. In 1925, he was elected president
of Rangoon Memon Jamat. He established Adamjee Muslim High School and Haji
Dawood Hospital in 1926. He also donated huge amounts to Muslim Aligarh
University and Tibbia College, Delhi.
During his indulgence in social
activities, Adamjee realized that the Memon Community cannot achieve true
success in business or any other field without obtaining higher education. He
also felt that the Memon should take active part in politics and welfare/ social
activities.
On 10th October, 1931 a Memon
Conference was held at Rajkot, Kathiawar under the chairmanship of Sir Adamjee
and a resolution was passed to establish an organization which would
provide help to poor and needy students. Consequently, the Memon Educational and
Welfare Society was established at Calcutta in 1933. The society has helped
huundreds who have become engineers, doctors, advocates and graduates.
Under the leadership of Adamjee, relief
operations were carried out for the victims of earthquakes in Bihar and Quetta
in 1934 and 1935 respectively.
The British Government awarded him
knighthood in recognition of his services to humanitarian causes as well as to
business and industry on the birthday of King George VI on 21st June, 1938.
Adamjee took active part in politics
too. He joined the Muslim League and worked from 1937 to 1947 and donated huge
amounts.
At the time of partition, Adamjee
transferred all his assets to Pakistan and established Industries both in East
and West Pakistan. He founded Adamjee Jute Mills in Dacca and a Textile Mill at
Karachi. He established Muslim Commercial Bank, Orient Airways and Adamjee
Insurance Company.
In Pakistan, he established Pakistan
Memon Education and Welfare Society, Adamjee Boarding House and Adamjee Science
College.
Adamjee co-operated with Quaid-e-Azam
whenever called for. Soon after independence of Pakistan, it was necessary to
establish State Bank of Pakistan. For this work, huge amount and co-operation of
prominent industrialists and businessmen was needed. A meeting was called for in
this regard on 26th January, 1948 in which Sir Adamjee too attended. During the
meeting, Sir Adamjee collapsed due to a heart attack.
Sir Adamjee Haji Dawood passed away the
next day on 27th January, 1948.
Even to this day, Adamjee's services
and achievements are remember and cherished by all.
Ex-Governor, State Bank of Pakistan
Mr. Kassim Parekh is the first Memon to
be appointed on the high post of the Governor of the State Bank of Pakistan. He
served on this post from September 1989 to August, 1990. During his tenure,
currency notes of various denominations were circulated with his signature. In
this way, Mr. Kassim Parekh retains an unique significance in the History of
Memons.
Mr. Kassim Parekh was born in 1931 in the township of
Bantva, Gujarat, India. In 1948, he joined Habib Bank and continued to advance
to higher posts. He was appointed as the President and then Chief Executive of
Habib Bank Limited in the year 1984 and was retired in 1988. In the same year,
he became the Chairman of Pakistan Banking Council and retired from this post in
August 1989. He was appointed as Governor of State Bank of Pakistan in
September, 1989 and remained on this post for one year. Since 1992, he is the
Founder-Chairman of the Metropolitan Bank Limited.
Mr.
Justice Ismail Mahomed
South Africa’s First non-white Chief Justice
South
Africa’s top judge, Chief Justice Ismail Mahomed who was the first black South
African to be appointed Judge and the country’s First black Chief Justice
died, of pancreatic cancer, at Linksfield Clinic in Johannesburg on Saturday
evening, the 17th of June, 2000. He was 68 years old and hailed from the Ranawav
Memon Community,
Mr.
Justice Mahomed was born in Laudium in 1931 in a Memon family who migrated from
Ranavav and were traders in the then Transvaal. He matriculated in Pretoria in
1950, completed his B.A. at the University of Witwatersrand in 1953 and a year
later B.A. (Hons) in Political Science with distinction.
On
completion of his L.L.B. in 1957, he was admitted to the Johannesburg Bar,
because the Pretoria Bar where he lived was reserved for Whites. He was not
allowed to occupy an office at the Johannesburg Bar for some 12 years because
the area in which the Chambers were situated was reserved for Whites. He built
an extensive litigation practice and in 1974 became the country’s first
Black Silk from whose ranks judges of the Supreme Court were traditionally
chosen. His 35 year practice at the Bar included considerable civil and criminal
litigation although he concentrated on human rights and appeared in numerous
trials on behalf of leading anti-apartheid activists.
Mr.
Justice Mahomed, who despite his seniority at the Bar, was passed over on
several occasions for judicial appointment by the apartheid government, served
as a Judge in neighbouring countries instead. He was appointed to the
Appeal Court in Swaziland in 1979 and as Judge of Appeal in Lesotho in 1982. He
later became the Chief Justice of Namibia and President of the Lesotho
Court of Appeal. He also co-chaired the Conference for a Democratic South
Africa (CODESA) and the subsequent Conferences, which eventually negotiated
a democratic constitution for the country.
After
the withdrawal of the ban on the African National Congress (A.N.C.), he was
appointed in 1991 as permanent Judge in South Africa. Two years later, he was
appointed as Acting Judge of the Appellate Division. In 1994, he was appointed
by President Mandela to serve on the country’s first
Constitutional Court as Deputy President.
Mr.
Justice Mahomed has published many articles in Law Journals and lectured on
Human Rights Jurisprudence at several Institutions and Universities abroad. He
was made an Honorary Professor of Law at Wits University in 1990 and
received Honorary Doctorates in Law from the Universities of Delhi and
Natal. He presented with an honorary degree of Doctor of Laws by the
University of Pennsylvania on May 18, 1992.
In
1996, he was appointed the Chairman of the South Africa Law Commission,
the statutory body which reviews and initiates legislation in the country. In
the same year, the Judicial Services Commission (JSC) of South Africa voted in
favour of Judge Mahomed to be the next Chief Justice of South Africa.
Although, Justice Mahomed was not the senior Judge in line of succession to the
office, his legal and humane qualifications, his political insight, experience
and credibility for the job were beyond dispute.
Minister of State, Maharashtra, India
Mr. Anees Ahmad, a reputed Cutchi Memon
of Nagpur, has recently been sworn-in as Minister of State for Higher and
Technical Education, State of Maharashtra, India.
Born on the 20th
of June, 1962 in Bangalore, Mr. Anees Ahmed completed his B.Com, M.B.A. LL.B.
and M.A. (Political Science & Administration). From the very beginning he
demonstrated his leadership qualities as is evident from his college and early
life participation. He was the Vice President of Hislop College, Nagpur and as
University Representative of the same college. Later, he became the President of
National Students Union of Maharastra and the President of the Maharashtra
Pradesh Youth Congress and as a Member of the Maharashtra Central and State
Committee. Mr. Anees Ahmed resides in Nagpur, India.
Chairman, Quota Supervisory Council, Export Promotion Bureau of Pakistan
Mr. Abdul Razzak Teli is the Chairman,
Quota Supervisory Council of the Export Promotion Bureau of Pakistan. He is the
Chief Executive of Nakshbandi Industries Limited which deals mainly in Towels
and Cloth.
Among his many activities, he is also
the Vice Chairman of Towel Manufacturers Association of Pakistan CEC, Member of
the Managing Committee of the Towel Manufacturers Association of Pakistan. He
has been the Member of FPCCI Trade Committee from 1989-1993. Further, he taken
part as a member of the Pak-Sweden Trade & Industry Committee, Pak-Canada
Trade & Industry Committee, Pak-USA Trade & Industry Committee, Pak-USSR
Trade & Industry Committee and the Pak-UK Trade & Industry Committee.
Mr. Abdul Razzak Teli had visited various parts of the world on behalf of the
Company and also attended many international exhibitions. He visited Korea,
Japan, Taiwan and Hong Kong as leader of delegation. And represented the Towel
Manufacturers Association of Pakistan in USA and Canada for bilateral
discussion.
First Memon & Muslim Women Minister in Karnataka, India
Mrs. Nafees Fazal, member of the
Legislative Council, was sworn in as Minister for Medical Education in the
Karnataka Government on the 17th of October, 1999 at the
Vidhana Soudha, Bangalore. She is the first Muslim Women in Karnataka who finds
a place in the cabinet. During the swearing in ceremony, the Chief Minister of
Karnataka, Mr. S.M. Krishna, recognized the sincere and dedicated service that
Mrs. Nafees has been rendering to the party and the people of the State and more
particularly to the minorities and the poor for the past three decades.
Mrs. Nafees Fazal joined the Congress
Party in 1978 after being inspired by the principles and policies of the Party
in the days of Mrs. Indira Gandhi. She took keen interest in providing
educational facilities and improving the economic conditions of the minorities
and women, when the late Mr. Rajiv Gandhi was the Prime Minister, and introduced
special programmes for them. Since the very beginning she has taken active part
in all the activities of the party, its functions and programmes and election
campaigns. As a Member of the Legislative Council, she raised various public
issues on the floor of the house like atrocities on women, lack of civil
amenities, need to educate minorities and improving their economic conditions.
She exhibited her great concern and anguish over the large number of dowry
deaths in all forums. She has also taken up the issue of providing monthly
compensation to divorced muslim women who are in distress through Wakf Board as
per the amended Wakf Act.
In a short time as Minister for Medical
Education, she has earned the appreciation of the people of Bangalore by her
surprise visits to major government hospitals where she personally takes notice
of the problems of the patients and their relatives. This has helped the
patients to get proper treatment and proved to be a source of mental strength
and psychological relief to them. She reactivated the Intensive Care Unit of
Victoria Hospital in the city which was defunct although inaugurated a year
earlier.
Mrs. Nafees, a committed social worker, besides serving
the Congress party has served other voluntary organizations in various
capacities. She is a member of the Bangalore City Mahila Congress, Indian Red
Cross Society, Muslim Orphanage, District Consumer Protection Forum, etc.
Co-Winner of King
Faisal Award
Dr. Muhammad Umer Chapra, a Memon, was
awarded the prestigious King Faisal International Award for his Services to
Islam in 1989. The Award includes a Gold Medal and a cash endowment of Saudi
Riyal 350,000. He has received several awards including the IDB Award for
Islamic Economics and the Institute of Overseas Award for Service to Islam.
Dr. Chapra, basically from a Mangrol
Memon family, was born in February 1933 in Bombay and has had an outstanding
academic career. Among his many activities, Dr. Chapra served as an Associate
Editor of the Pakistan Journal of Applied Economics, as a Member of the Advisory
Editorial Board of the Peshawar Journal of Development Economics and as a Member
of the Advisory Editorial Board of the Kashmir Economic Review.
Dr. Muhammad Umer Chapra, a Saudi
National, retired from the post of Senior Advisor to the Saudi Arabian Monetary
Agency (SAMA) after 34 years of service and took over as Research Advisor to the
Islamic Development Bank’s Islamic Research & Training Institute in
Jeddah. Dr. Chappra has played a vital role in maintaining the stability of the
Saudi Riyal and in steering the Kingdom’s Central Bank to the position it now
occupies. He has produced 59 papers and eight books on Islamic Economics and
Finance. His most notable being "Towards a Just Monetary System"
(1985) and "Islam and the Economic Challenge". The former book is
being used as a text or reference book in many Universities including Harvard
Law School.
He has participated in a number of
International and Regional Conferences organized by the International Monetary
Fund, the World Bank, OPEC, the Arab Monetary Fund, the Arab League, Islamic
Development Banks and the Governors of Central Banks and the Monetary
Authorities of Muslim Countries.
Pakistan’s First Blind Women to acquire a PhD
Pakistan’s first Blind Women to
acquire a PhD, Miss Farzana Suleman Abdul Rehman Poonawala, is a Bombay Memon.
Miss Farzana lost her eyesight when she
was studying in the Eight Standard after she suffered from Typhoid. Being a
women of immense moral strength, courage and determination, she never let her
blindness become a handicap.
After schooling, she obtained her B.A.
Degree (2nd Division) from St. Joseph College in the year
1979. Later, she studied for M.A. Philosophy as a regular student and obtained 2nd
Division. In 1999, she completed her PhD in Islamic Studies. Further, Miss
Farzana has done a Certificate Course in Arabic – Tadreesul Quran.
Presently, Miss Farzana is teaching
normal sighted students in a College for the past 9 years. Besides, she teaches
the Holy Quran to children at her residence. She reads the Holy Quran in Braille
and has memorized many of its chapters. Further, she has converted the Syllabus,
Course Material & Dictionary of Colleges and Universities into Braille so
that the blind students can be benefited. So far, she has converted more than
200 such material into Braille.
Miss Farzana’s achievements have been
recognized and honoured by individuals and organizations alike from all over the
world. Among them are the Rotary Club, the All Pakistan Memon Federation, Aero
Asia, Fanus (Narcotics) and many individuals.
Miss Farzana is the President of the Pakistan Braille
Society and an active member of the Pakistan Association of the Blind.
Representing these and other institutions she has attended many seminars and
conferences, locally and abroad, and presented papers on many topics such as on
Social Integration, Blind Women in Society, etc. In this connection, she has
traveled to countries like Malaysia, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Hong Kong, India,
Singapore, etc and received Certificates.
Philanthropist of South Africa
Dr. Joosub Ebrahim, who needs no
introduction, has paved a niche for himself in the annals of history as a
businessman, philanthropist and humanitarian in a class of his own. His work and
contribution to the upliftment of the poor and needy in the society, regardless
of caste, creed, colour, race or religion, and particularly to the cause of
education has earned him due recognition and honours.
Joosub, son of Hajee Suliman Ebrahim,
was born on the 27th of December, 1919 in Pretoria, South Africa. He received
his early education at the Indian Primary School. He entered the family business
at a very young age and developed a keen sense of business skill and acumen. In
the course of time, he proved his extraordinary mettle and his business
continued to grow and expand to other fields. Today, he is the Chairman of many
group of Companies.
Dr. Joosub has always taken a deep
interest in the cultural, social, religious, educational and economic welfare of
all Communities. His generosity and dedication to the improvement of the quality
of life of fellow South Africans have been of tremendous benefit to the
community at large and to the less privileged in particular.
The H.S. Ebrahim Memorial Trust, among
its many achievements, has enabled 97 Medical Doctors to qualify while a further
79 students have been granted bursaries to undertake tertiary or post-graduate
studies. The Trust has established many Floating Trophies for sports, Gold
Medals and Cash Prizes at many Universities to encourage students. Further, the
Trust contributes in cash and kind regularly to Schools, Colleges, Universities,
Libraries, Institutions and Hospitals. The list is endless. The Joosub H.S.
Ebrahim Foundation has established many Gold Medals and Cash Prizes at many
Universities around the globe in Departments of Physiology, Biochemistry,
Psychiatry, Medicine, Islamic Studies, etc. Further, Dr. Joosub’s generous
donations have enabled many Schools, Colleges, Universities, Hospitals,
Societies, Institutions for the Disabled and the Blind, etc to build/ establish
respective departments, libraries, auditoria and to pursue their expansion
projects.
Dr. Joosub’s charitable,
philanthropic and welfare work for the cause of Education and upliftment of the
poor and needy has earned him world-wide acclaim. In 1992, the Goverment of
South Africa conferred upon him the prestigious award of "The
Order of Meritorious Service Gold" (OMSG) .
He is the first Asian in South Africa
to receive this highest and most coveted civil award. Among the many other
Awards, Medals, Laurels and Titles that he has received Mr. Joosub H.S. Ebrahim
has been conferred with two doctorates. The University of Durban conferred an
honorary Degree of Doctor of Philosopy in 1992 and the University of South
Africa bestowed the honorary Degree of Doctor of Education to him in 1997.
At the dawn of the new millenium and at
the mature age of 80, Dr. Joosub is energetic and enthusiatic as ever to pursue
new goals and scale greater heights in the cause of benevolence to humanity.
Grand Master - Bando Karate
For the past two decades Ashraf Tai,
with the help of his able and dedicated lietenants, has made karate extremely
popular in Pakistan. Over 2,00,000 people have received training from Tai Karate
Centre which has now opened branches in India, U.S.S.R., U.S.A., Canada, Iran
Qatar, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, U.A.E. and Bangladesh.
Boys and girls as little as four years old are seen
actively learning the basics of Karate from Grand Master Ashraf Tai. The sport
peaked after the establishment of Tai’s Bando Karate Centre in Karachi in
1970. It was then located at Hill Park but it is presently located at Karachi
Goans’ Association (KGA) Gymkhana. Over 600 students receive training at the
Tai Karate Centre, Karachi, three times a week.
Former Test Cricketer
Iqbal Qasim, former Test Player and
national selector is rated among the best spinners in International Cricket and
as one of the most dangerous spinners (slow left-arm bowler) in Test Cricket.
His accurate line and length and unique style of bowling lives in the memory of
his fans. His contribution to the world of cricket is a matter of pride to the
whole community. Besides, he was an good batsman (lower order left hand batsman)
and an agile fielder.
Iqbal Qasim played 50 Test matches and
has 549 runs to his credit with an average of 13.07 with an highest of 86 runs.
He made 42 catches and took 171 wickets (average 28.11). His best bowling of 7
for 49 was at Karachi against Australia in the 1981-82 tour. Iqbal Qasim took
part in many cricket tours. Some of them are as follows:
Pakistan vs. Australia
(1976-77, 1978-79, 1981-82, 1984-85)
Pakistan vs. West Indies
(1976-77)
Pakistan vs. England
(1978, 1982, 1987)
Pakistan vs. New Zealand
(1978-79, 1984-85)
Pakistan vs. India
(1979-80, 1983-84, 1986-87)
Pakistan vs. Bangladesh
(1988-89)
In First-Class matches, Iqbal Qasim
scored 2403 runs with the highest score of 244 runs. He has 166 catches and 998
wickets (Average 20.38). Best Bowling was 9-80.
Iqbal Qasim, who was born in Karachi on
the 6th of August, 1953, started his cricket career in the early 70s. He played
for Karachi from 1971-72 to1989-90 and for National Bank from 1972-73 to
1991-92. He also played for Sindh (1972-73).
Iqbal Qasim played his first Test Match
against Australia in Adelaide in 1976-77 where he got 4 wickets. His 5 wickets/
match record is 6 times and 10 wickets/ match record is 2 times. Till 1987, he
had played 44 matches and obtained 149 wickets.
Iqbal Qasim is now serving as a National Selector in
the Pakistan Cricket Board.
Mr. Justice (Retired) Hafeez Memon is
one of the most eminent and respected personalities in the Judiciary of
Pakistan. He was born on the 23rd of July, 1932. Social cirlces of Sindh regard
Justice Hafeez in high esteem because of his immense contribution and concern
for the welfare of the community. He is the Founder President of the United
Memon Jamat of Pakistan, an organization representing all the Memon community
viz. Gujrati, Cutchi, Sindhi and others.
After obtaining a Bachelor’s degree
in Law from University of Karachi, Justice Abdul Hafeez went to England for
higher education and became a Bar at Law. In 1959, he was appointed as an
advocate of Sindh High Court and after a very successful practice of ten years,
he was made Assistant Advocate General of the former West Pakistan. In 1971, he
was promoted to the position of Advocate General of Sindh. He became a Judge of
Sindh and Baluchistan High Court and was elevated to the position of the Judge
of Supreme Court of Pakistan and the Chief Justice of Sindh High Court.
Justice Hafeez Memon is the driving force of UMJP and
his efforts and zeal, to unite the Memon Community on one platform for their
welfare; progress and prosperity have laudable permanent imprints on the history
of the community.
Mr. Yaqoob Tabani is the Head of the
Tabani Group and Chairman of Aero Asia International, the first private Airline
in Pakistan. He is the Honorary Consul General of Turkmanistan. Mr. Tabani has
remained as the Vice President of UMJP.
Chairman, Kings Group
Mr. Abdul Aziz Memon, Chairman, Kings
Group, is a renowned businessman of Pakistan. He has become an integral part of
all business and commerce activities of Pakistan through his active
participation in various business forums and associations. He is the Secretary
General of Pak-Italy Business Forum. He is a member of Quota Supervisory Consul,
E.P.B., Karachi and Vice Chairman of Pakistan Knitwear and Sweaters Exporters
Association. In the past he remained a representative of Justice of Peace and
was Chairman of Pakistan- U.S.A. Trade and Industry Committee of Federation of
Pakistan Chambers of Commerce & Industry. He is also Honorary Consul General
of Republic of Suriname. Mr. Aziz Memon also participates
in social and welfare activities. He is the Joint Secretary of the United Memon
Jamat of Pakistan. He has made invaluable contribution to the overall effort of
the Jamat in serving the humanity at large.
Mr. Ashraf W. Tabani, son of Wali
Muhammad, was born on 17th December, 1930. He was the Governor for the province
of Sindh during the period January, 1987 to September, 1988. He also held the
position of Minister of Finance, Industries, Excise and Taxation in the
Government of Sindh from May 1981 to April 1984. Mr. Tabani was elected
President of Employers Federation of Pakistan for several years. He also
remained Chairman of Board of Directors of Industrial Development Bank of
Pakistan, Export Promotion Bureau, the Cotton Board, the Fisheries Board and
Pakistan Silk and Rayon Mills Association during different terms. He also served
as Honorary Administrator of Federation of Pakistan Chamber of Commerce &
Industry during the period 1971-73. He was an elected substitute member of the
Governing Body of International Labour Organization and attended many sessions
of the International Labour Conferences during the year 1976-86.
Haji Hanif Tayab is one of the few
popular personalities of the Memon community and has earned nationwide fame in
the field of politics. He started his public and political activities during his
student life an became very famous in the students and youth circles throughout
the country.
Haji Hanif Tayab was associated with
the Jamait-e-Ulma-e-Pakistan as its frontline leader and played a vital role in
the organization and development of the party throughout the country. He also
contested and won a seat in the National Assembly in the General Elections held
in 1985. Soon after, he was included in the Federal Cabinet as Minister of
Labour, Manpower and Overseas Pakistanis. He also served as Federal Minister for
Petroleum & Natural Resources and Housing
& Works.
Besides politics, Haji Hanif Tayab is also engaged in
religious, educational and social activities. He served as President of the All
Pakistan Memon Federation for more than one tenures. Further, he is the Chairman
of the Al Mustafa Welfare Trust, which provides ambulance, medical and other aid
to the needy.
Mrs. Kulsum Rafiq Hingora, born on the
21 of March, 1953, is an active social worker. She is the former member of the
Provincial Council of Sindh and Councilor of K.M.C. She is currently the General
Secretary of A.M.W.A. (All Memon Womens’ Association).
Mrs. Kulsum is well-known as a top debator of the Memon
Community and is closely associated with literary circles. She has received more
than 70 prizes in various debates, for compering, mushairas and fiction/ essay
writing and other such literary activities. Her contribution to the UMJP Womens’
Wing has been significant.
Knight of the Merit Order (France)
Mr. Abdul Kader Jaffer is the son of
late Mr. Ahmed E.H. Jaffer. Born at Belgaum, India on 17th April, 1937, he has
four children. He is the Director of Ahmed
Jaffer & Co.
His Excellency Mr. Pierre Lafrance,
Ambassador of France in Pakistan, conferred the "Chevalier de L’Order
National du Merite" (Knight of the Merit Order) on Mr. Abdul Kader
Jaffer, President of Pakistan-France Business Alliance, on the 4th of February,
1995. This prestigious award was given to Mr. A. Kader Jaffer for promoting
trade relations between Pakistan and France.
Mr. Abdul Kader Jaffer, who holds a
Diploma in Business Administration from London, is a renowned industrialist and
businessman. He is the Director of many business and industrial concerns such as
Shah Murad Sugar Mills Ltd., Agricultural Aviation Ltd., Granular Limited,
Aircraft Sales & Service Ltd. and Baker’s
Pride.
Mr. Abdul Kader Jaffer takes active
part in social and cultural and diplomatic activities. He served as the President
of Pakistan France Business Alliance thrice. He remained as the Vice-President
of English Speaking Union of Pakistan, Karachi and served as the Chairman
of the Federation of Chamber of Commerce & Industry for five
years. He is a member of the Sindh Club, Karachi Gymkhana, Karachi Boat Club and
Golf Club of Karachi. He has travelled abroad extensively.
Mr. Abdul Kader Jaffer has represented Government
of Brazil in Karachi since March, 1971 as Honorary
Consul.
Mr. Adbul Kader Jaffer’s work has
been recognized nationally and internationally. The Government of Pakistan
conferred the Tamgha-e-Khimat in 1971. The President of Brazil awarded
him with "Caveleiro of the Southern Cross" in 1988 and the
French Government awarded him with "Chevalier de L’Order National du
Merite" (Knight of the Merit Order) in 1995.
Dr. Zaitoon Matchiswala is the daughter
of the well-known community leader and philanthropist from Dhoraji, Mr. Haji
Umer Ahmed Matchiswala who is also one of the founders of the Cutch Kathiawar
Muslim League. Dr. Zaitoon is not only the first Memon women, but also the first
Asian women to obtain a Doctorate from Oxford University. She is a researcher,
educationalist, writer, poetess, advisor and administrator.
Born in 1947, Zaitoon did her schooling
at St. Helen’s School in U.K. and later studied at St. Anthony College,
Oxford. She joined Oxford University in 1969 and acquired her PhD. in
Commonwealth Economy. She won the Harvard International Scholarship and the
Oxford Scholarship in 1968. Her extracurricular activities during her education
included writing, debating and publishing. She is a Fellow of the Wolfson
College, Oxford University.
Dr. Zaitoon represented Pakistan and
Islamic Cultural activities and also served as an Advisor to the United
Nations’ Institute of Training and Research (UNITAR) which has its office
at New York. She also served as an Advisor, from 1988 to 1990 to the United
Nations for boosting Fund Collection for the World Body.
She was appointed as the Executive
Director of the Foundation for Islamic Culture after it was
established in 1970. Under the aegis of the Foundation, Zaitoon has published 10
volumes on Islamic Culture.
Dr. Zaitoon joined the University of
Kuwait in 1970 as a Professor and Advisor. She had the privilege of establishing
the Kuwait University Press with the cooperation of Saudi Arabia, Qatar, United
Arab Emirates and Bahrain. She also established the Women’s Division in the
Kuwait University.
Being a writer with immense skills, Dr.
Zaitoon has published many books. Her work "Life and Times of Sir Sayyed
Ahmed Khan" (1974) and "99 Poems" (1976) were
published by Oxford University Press under the auspices of the Foundation for
Islamic Culture. Dr. Zaitoon was conferred with the Best Award for
Translation of Islamic Culture in the Festival of Islam (1972). Dr. Zaitoon
has published many of her other works, too.
On the invitation of President of
Pakistan, General Zia ul Haq, Dr. Zaitoon became the Advisor to the Ministry
of Finance and served in the post from 1982 to 1984. While in office, she
monitored the activities of the University
Grants Commission.
She has presented many papers and
lectures on a variety of subjects including education, environment and womens’
development.
After such a fulfilling career, Dr. Zaitoon Matchiswala
has now settled in Pakistan. She is, no doubt, a Pride of the Memon Community.
Mr. Mehmood Haroon, a renowned
politician and son of Late Sir Abdullah Harooon was born on 9th September, 1920
at Karachi. He completed his education from D.G. College and S.C. Science
College.
In 1937, he had the privilege of
becoming the A.D.C of Quaid-e-Azam. In 1942, Mehmood Haroon became a member of
the Council of the All India Muslim League. In 1944, he became the President of
the Muslim League, Karachi Division. In 1945, he served as the President of the
Karachi Harbour Union. In the same year, he became a Member of the Sindh
Assembly and remained in office till 1950. He was elected as the Mayor of the
Karachi Municipal Corporation in 1953. Further, in 1956, he was elected as a
Member of the West Pakistan Assembly (Religious Unit) and remained in the post
till October 1958 when Martial Law was imposed. After being successful in the
General Elections of 1965, Mehmood Haroon served as a Minister in the Cabinet.
During the tenure of General Yahya Khan, Mr. Mehmood Haroon served as Minister
for Agriculture & Development from 1969 till 1971.
During the rule of General Zia-ul-Haq, Mr. Mehmood
Haroon was appointed as Minister in his Cabinet on 5th July, 1979 and served in
the cabinets of the General till 1984. In 1988, he served as Minister of Defence
in the Care-taker government for a brief period. Again in 1990, when a new
caretaker government was appointed, he served as Governor of Sindh. During the
Benazir regime he was again appointed as Governor of Sindh in 1994.. Nowadays,
Mr. Mehmood Haroon remains abroad for most of the time.
Mr. Yousuf Haroon, a renowned
politician and son of Late Sir Abdullah Harooon and brother of Mr. Mehmood
Haroon, was born in1917 at Karachi. He stepped into politics very early in life,
while his father was still alive. He was elected to the National Assembly, in
1942, at the tender age of 25 years. Prior to this, he remained as a Member of
the Karachi Municipal Corporation. In 1944, he became the Mayor of Karachi.
In the 1946 Elections, he was the only
contestant from Muslim League for the single seat to the National Assembly from
Sindh. He was opposed by Mr. Pir Ali Muhammad Rashidi, who was backed by Mr. G.M.
Syed. Mr. Yousuf Haroon won the seat by a difference of nine thousand votes.
Mr. Yousuf Haroon became the Chief
Minister of Sindh, after the creation of Pakistan, in 1949. He also had the
privilege of becoming the President of the Pakistan’s First Stock Exchange. In
1950, he was appointed as High Commissioner in New Zealand and Australia.
In 1955, he became a member of the
National Assembly and served in the cabinet of I.I. Chundrigar as Minister of
Kashmir and Parliamentary Affairs for 55 days. During the regime of Ayub Khan,
he remained inactive in politics. However,
he served as Governor of West Pakistan
for just 5 days, during the last days of Ayub Khan’s rule. Mr. Yousuf Haroon,
during 1970 and 1971, tried to settle the differences between Yahya Khan, Bhutto
and Sheik Mujib-ur-Rehman.
Mr. Yousuf Haroon was also associated with the Daily
DAWN. In 1971, Mr. Yousuf Haroon moved to America and in 1973 became the Vice
President of Pan American Airways.
Ahmed Dawood, an eminent businessman
and industrialist, was born in Bantva, Kathiawad, India, in 1905. His father’s
name is Dawood Yaqoob. He got only a meagre education but achieved tremendous
success and fame in the development of business and industry in Pakistan.
At the tender age of 18, he became a
dealer of Cotton and Rayon and later started an Import-Export business. He
established a Cotton Ginning Factory and a Banaspati Factory. Soon he formed the
Dawood Group and established offices at Calcutta, Madras, Kanpur, Ludhiana and
Delhi. After the creation of Pakistan, Ahmed Dawood and his family very quickly
re-established themselves in Pakistan. The names of some of their establishments
in Pakistan are as follows: Dawood Cotton Mills, Lawrencepur Woollen Textile
Mills, Dawood Hercules Chemicals, Dawood Corporation, Transpak Corporation,
Central Insurance Company and Dawood Yamaha. The Dawood Group had some Paper,
Yarn and Chemical Mills in East Pakistan also but they had to forego them after
the creation of Bangladesh.
When in Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto
nationalized large establishments in 1974, many factories and mills of Dawood
Group were taken away.
Mr. Ahmed Dawood and the Dawood Group
take part in a lot of philanthropic and welfare activities. The Dawood
Foundation was established in 1961 at the cost of Rs. 5 crores. This foundation
established the Dawood College of Engineering and Technology, a Maternity Home
and also contributes to various organizations and welfare activities. The Dawood
Colony, the Masjid-e-Quba, the Hajiani Hanifabai Dawood Ladies Training Society
and other such institutions are founded and run by the Dawood Group/ Foundation.
Mr. Ahmed Dawood instituted the Dawood Literary Award with the
cooperation of Writers’ Guild. This award is given to those who excel in the
literary field.
Mr. Ahmed Dawood has served as the
President of the United Memon Jamat of Pakistan. He has travelled much abroad.
In 1963, the Government of Pakistan conferred the prestigious Award of Hilal-e-Khidmat
for his outstanding services to the community and to the promotion of business
and industry in Pakistan.
Dr. Abdul Majid Memon Sindhi, a
prolific writer, was born on the 11th of September, 1931 in a small village of
Marri, Tehsil Lakhi, Shikarpur District. He got his early education in the
village itself. After earning a Diploma in Engineering, he joined as an Overseer
in the Public Works Department. Although he was well placed, his liking for
writing poetry and prose made him dislike his job. Finally, he joined the
Education Department as a Lecturer and also continued his studies. He completed
his Doctorate in Sindhi Culture & Comparative Religion in 1974.
Although he had started composing poems
at the young age of 18, prose was his main area. He wrote a number of short
stories and plays but later concentrated on research in history, literary
appreciation and culture. He wrote "Karim jo Kalam" which is a
study of the life and poetry of Shah Abdul Karim, the great grandfather of Shah
Abdul Latif. Some of his other works are as follows:
Dorr (Folk Literature, 1961), Karim jo
Kalam ( Research, 19620, Manak Motilal (Essays, 1962), Tazkirah-e-Shahbaz
(Research, 1964), Sukkur ji moori (Compilation, 3 volumes, 1966), Des des joon
kahaniyoon (compilation, 1966), Paras (3 volumes), Fikri-i-Latif (compilation,
1967), Mehran te majilis (essays, 1969), Jotiyoon jawaharan joon (kafis, poetry,
1971), Sindhi ilm wa adab, ussool aeen unhjan (criticism, 1971), Sindhi Adab jo
tareekhi jaizo (research and criticism, 1972), Fikr-e-Bedal (appreciation,
1973), Sindhi Naatia Shairi (Poetry, 1973), Parkh aeen parroor and Sharah sur
Dahar (Study on Shah Latif, 1974). He also wrote a number of text books which
are being taught in various schools, colleges and Universities.
Dr. Abdul Majid Memon Sindhi also wrote
four books in Urdu. At the time of his death, there were about two dozen books
which were not yet published.
Dr. Abdul Majid Memon Sindhi passed away on 11th
February, 1996 at Larkhana. The President of Pakistan presented Dr. Majid Memon,
posthumously, the Sitara-e-Imtiaz for Sindhi Literature on 14th August,
1996.
The veteran educationist, capable
author and researcher Late Muhammad Ismail Memon was awarded, posthumously, the Tamgah-e-Imtiaz
by the President of Pakistan on 14th August, 1999. Mr. Ismail was shot dead by
terrorists on 31st March, 1998. He was the Chairman of the Board of Secondary
Education, Karachi. Ismail Memon remained in the field of education for about 40
years.
Muhammad Ismail Memon joined the Board
of Secondary Education in the capacity of Controller of Examinations in 1969 and
became its Secretary in 1972 and finally took over as its Chairman in 1985. When
the BSE, Karachi was bifurcated into Board of Secondary Education and Board of
Intermediate Education, Ismail Memon became the first Chairman of the Board of
Intermediate Education in 1974 but returned to Board of Secondary Education in
1992.
The body of Ismail Memon has been laid to rest in his
native village in New Saeedabad, Hala.
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