Abdul Aziz Al-Memony

 

Among the scholars of international repute, Allama Abdul Aziz Al-Memony's name ranks foremost. This world famous religious scholar, whom even the Arabs called "Ustad" (teacher) has not received due recognition from his own community or country. But he has been adequately recognised by the Arab world. It may be due to the fact that the Allama had complete command of Arabic language, Grammar and Usage and most of his work is in Arabic, which has endeared him more to the Arab world than his own countrymen and community. His mastery of the Arabic language stunned even the Arab scholars who sought his guidance in the subject. His books, written in Arabic, have been included in the curriculum of various Arab Universities including the famous Jamia Al Azhar of Egypt.

At the age of 12, the Allama went to Delhi from his birth place Rajkot, in Kathiawar and became a pupil of the noted scholar and interpreter of Qur'an and hadith, Mian Nazeer Hussain Dehlavi. He also studied under the guidance of Deputy Nazeer Ahmed. For higher studies he went to Amroha and Rampur and learned ancient philosophy and logic from Maulana Muhammad Tayyab Makki of Madrassa Aliya, Rampur passing his Munshi Fazil with distinction from Punjab University. He was selected for lectureship in Arabic and Persian at Edward Mission College, Peshwar. Later on, he was appointed Professor of Arabic at Oriental College, Lahore, and was an associate of Allama lqbal. Allama Memony was made Dean of Arabic and Persian Department. He authored simple translations of Arabic text books for which he received Maulvi Fazil. In 1925, he was appointed Reader of Arabic at Aligarh Muslim University - the first non-European to be appointed to this post. Here he wrote about 30 thought-provoking books which were all printed in Egypt and Syria. These books are highly rated in Arabic literature.

In 1928, the Allama received Fellowship from Arabic Academy of Damascus and subsequently the Egyptian Academy also offered him Fellowship, both of which were the highest honour for the experts of Arabic researchers and scholars.

At the insistence of Mr. Mumtaz Hassan, the Allama accepted the honorary Directorship of Central Institution of Islamic Research when Arabic Department was established in Karachi University. And at the request of the Vice Chancellor, Professor A.B.A. Haleem, he became the Head of the Arabic Department. He also offered his services to the Arabic Department of Punjab University for two years and later on, he was made the Head of Arabic Department in Oriental College.

Due to his old age, he could not continue as a full time professor and offered his service as Professor Emeritus at Karachi University and Sindh University. The Egyptian, Saudi

Among the scholars of international repute, Allama Abdul Aziz Al-Memony's name ranks foremost. This world famous religious scholar, whom even the Arabs called "Ustad" (teacher) has not received due recognition from his own community or country. But he has been adequately recognised by the Arab world. It may be due to the fact that the Allama had complete command of Arabic language, Grammar and Usage and most of his work is in Arabic, which has endeared him more to the Arab world than his own countrymen and community. His mastery of the Arabic language stunned even the Arab scholars who sought his guidance in the subject. His books, written in Arabic, have been included in the curriculum of various Arab Universities including the famous Jamia Al Azhar of Egypt.

At the age of 12, the Allama went to Delhi from his birth place Rajkot, in Kathiawar and became a pupil of the noted scholar and interpreter of Qur'an and hadith, Mian Nazeer Hussain Dehlavi. He also studied under the guidance of Deputy Nazeer Ahmed. For higher studies he went to Amroha and Rampur and learned ancient philosophy and logic from Maulana Muhammad Tayyab Makki of Madrassa Aliya, Rampur passing his Munshi Fazil with distinction from Punjab University. He was selected for lectureship in Arabic and Persian at Edward Mission College, Peshwar. Later on, he was appointed Professor of Arabic at Oriental College, Lahore, and was an associate of Allama lqbal. Allama Memony was made Dean of Arabic and Persian Department. He authored simple translations of Arabic text books for which he received Maulvi Fazil. In 1925, he was appointed Reader of Arabic at Aligarh Muslim University - the first non-European to be appointed to this post. Here he wrote about 30 thought-provoking books which were all printed in Egypt and Syria. These books are highly rated in Arabic literature.

In 1928, the Allama received Fellowship from Arabic Academy of Damascus and subsequently the Egyptian Academy also offered him Fellowship, both of which were the highest honour for the experts of Arabic researchers and scholars.

At the insistence of Mr. Mumtaz Hassan, the Allama accepted the honorary Directorship of Central Institution of Islamic Research when Arabic Department was established in Karachi University. And at the request of the Vice Chancellor, Professor A.B.A. Haleem, he became the Head of the Arabic Department. He also offered his services to the Arabic Department of Punjab University for two years and later on, he was made the Head of Arabic Department in Oriental College.

Due to his old age, he could not continue as a full time professor and offered his service as Professor Emeritus at Karachi University and Sindh University. The Egyptian, Saudi

Arabian and Iranian universities tried their best to acquire the services of the Allama which he thankfully declined.

The trend set up by the Allama continues in the family. His son, Muhammad Umar Memon, is also a professor.

The Allama was a man of principles and never compromised on them. He always believed in simple living and whatever he saved, he spent on research. He had a very valuable collection of rare books. Once, during discussion with a highly acclaimed scholar of Islam, the Allama was informed that the scholar was writing a book entitled "Downfall of Islam" at which the Allama was infuriated and replied that there has never been any down fall of Islam in the past and never would be in future. Downfall comes in the lives of people and not Islam, which had remained glorious throughout history.

When Allama went for Haj in 1957, he was treated as a royal guest and was given a royal accord by the Saudi government. Throughout Egypt, Iraq, Iran, Morocco, Tunis, Turkey and France for research work he was respected.

The Allama donated Rs. 300,000/- each to Nadwatui Islam (Voice of Islam) and Aligarh Muslim University , He also gave significant donations to Darul Uloom, Binori Town.

Karachi and donated thousands of priceless books on different research works to various universities.

The Arabic poets of various countries have written poems in honour of Allama Memony. He was also honoured with the degree of doctorate and awarded medals by various Arab countries. The Government of Pakistan conferred upon him the Pride of Performance.

The special feature about the Allama was his memory, particularly about books. He could easily tell anyone as to which rare book was available in which library and even on which shelf. He spoke Arabic like a native speaker and his speeches in Arabic were well recognised.

The Allama, due to his mastery of the Arabic language, was nominated on the Committee of Arab scholars to finalise the latest version of the Arabic Dictionary Al-Lisanul Arab.

<Top>

Adamjee Haji Dawood

 

"Many parents of iddle income group are reluctcint to seek any assistance for the education of their children. But he advised them, not to allow their ego to become a hurdle in the way, of their children's education. They, are the Memon citizens of tomorrow and yourprosperi orsetbackasaconimtinit),dependsiipontheirhealthandgoodcharacter Itisyourrighttoseekhelpfromthesocietyanditistheobligationofthesocie toremove your difficulties. Even a bit of carelessness on the part of anv one will be tantamount to pushing the community towards a set-back to that extent."

These words were uttered by Adamjee Haji Dawood, the founder of the Memon Educational & Welfare Society, on 7th October 1934, while speaking at the first meeting of the Society.

Adamjee was born on 30th June 1880, at Jetpur in Kathiawar. His father was Haji Dawood Baig Mohammed. His mother Hanifa Bai used to call him by 'Adamjee' instead of Adam and, therefore, he was widely known as Adamjee.

Though Adamjee was keen about education, he could not go beyond fourth class in Gujrati. In 1885, at the age of 15, he went to Proma town of Burma, and started his career as an employee of M/S Saleh Mohammed Ghaziani. His salary was only Rs. 25/- per month but after completion of one year his employer, in appreciation of his honesty and hard work, gave him a prize of Rs. 125/- and an embroidered cap.

Adamjee started his firm in Rangoon under the name of Adamjee Haji Dawood & Co. in 1913. In 1914, a branch of this firm was opened in Calcutta. This firm progressed well and afterwards was converted into a limited company with a capital of Rs. 50,00,000/-.

Adamjee entered industrial field in 1923. He established a match factory in Rangoon. He was director of Rangoon Electric Trading Company and Scindia Steam Navigation Company. He took Burma Fire and Marine Insurance Company under his own management and was taken on the Managing Board of Bank of India Limited. He was a leading businessman of jute and rice. He was elected the first President of Burma Indian Chamber of Commerce, established in Burma. Later, he became the President of this Chamber. This was his first public activity.

After the death of his father, when he came back to Rangoon he found that Hakim Ajmal Khan, a great leader of the Muslim community, had arrived there in connection with the funds for Tibbia College. Adamjee donated a fairly large amount to the College fund. He also gave a generous amount to Burma University. During the same period he started to give scholarships to Muslim students in his individual capacity. He was elected President of Rangoon Memon Jamaat in which capacity he served for several years.

His main line of business was jute bags which were generally imported from Calcutta. So, he decided to establish a jute mill in Calcutta, and he was the first ever Muslim to start a Jute Mill. His Scottish and Marwari rivals created many hurdles in his way but at last he successfully started construction of a mill in December 1927 at Belur, about 5 miles away from Calcutta, with a huge capital of Rs. 80,00,000/-. The mill started its production in December, 1928.

Haji Dawood Baig Mohammed, father of Adamjee, had opened a small dispensary in Jetpur and was planning to convert it into a large hospital but due to his demise this programme could not materialise. Sir Adamjee purchased a large plot of land in Jetpur near station and constructed 'Haji Dawood Hospital'. He provided one lac rupees for maintenance of the hospital. He took active interest in public welfare projects and extended considerable material support to Anglo-Gujrati School of Calcutta.

Heavy rains in 1928 throughout Gujrat and Kathiawar resulted in floods which claimed several human lives and colossal loss to property. Some stalwarts established a fund named 'Gujrat Kathiawar Rail Rahat Committee' and went to Mr. M. K. Gandhi and requested him to recommend an honest and enthusiastic man who could manage the affairs. Mr. Gandhi named Mr. Adamjee Hajee Dawood as the proper person. Therefore'a delegation headed by Mr. Tri Bhuvan Hira Chand, a leading businessman of Bombay, reached Calcutta and requested Mr. Adamjee to accept the responsibilities as Chairman of the Relief Committee. Despite his pre-engagements Sir Adamiee accepted the responsibilities and successfully handled the job. He also donated generously to the Committee.

Addressing a conference on the topic of education, he emphasised the importance of learning and knowledge. He focused attention on the rapid progress in science and learning. He cited Russia's efforts to develop the country. Even in India, which is considered to be a backward country, Parsis have made tremendous progress. Hindus are also working hard to achieve material progress. He deplored that the majority of the Memons remained semi-literate. The community whole heartedly responded to the call of Mr. Adamjee. They became united under his bold and dynamic leadership. Memon Educational and Welfare Society was formed in 1933 to promote knowledge and learning in the community.

The welfare activities of Adamjee were not confined to the Memon community only, he did his best for everybody. In 1934, he collected funds for earthquake victims of Bihar and Quetta under the auspices of the Society, and very efficiently handled the relief activities by creating a volunteer force.

He was also actively interested in the promotion of sports. He was patron of the wellknown Mohammedan Sporting Club of Calcutta and did his best for its progress. In recognition of his status in trade and industry and selfless services he rendered for the welfare of the masses, he was awarded knighthood by the British Government in 1938.

He reached Jetpur again in 1940 in connection with the marriage of his younger son. There he built a school named 'Sir Adamjee Muslim High School'. Moreover, with a view to preserving the memory of his late mother he purchased a building and established 'Hanifa Bai Kanyashala' (Girls School). He also formed a private Organisation and got it registered as 'Sir Adamjee Hajee Dawood Educational and Medical Society'.

Adamjee had an unshakeable faith in the leadership of the Quaid-e-Azam. Not only Adamjee but the whole Memon community had regard for the Quaid even before the wellknown Pakistan Resolution. The Quaid was felicitated by the Memons in Calcutta in 1936 in a large gathering of Muslims. In those days the Quaid-e-Azam was known as Mr. Jinnah. Mr. Adamjee addressed the gathering as the leader of the community, and from that moment he started taking interest in politics.

In 1940, the Quaid-e-Azam emphasised the need for a press for projecting the point of view of the Muslim League. He established a press fund in which Adamjee was the first man to send his contribution telegraphically. Adamjee served the Muslim League in a befitting manner from 1936 to 1948.During this period he had close contact with the Quaid-e-Azam, and he was one of his reliable colleagues.

The newly born nation Pakistan confronted heavy odds in its early days. Only a nominal amount was received by the State out of total allocation. The dispute over the balance left the exchequer empty of fund. In those days Adamjee came to Karachi the Quaid-e-Azam had a meeting with him in camera. Only Mr. Ghulam Mohammed, the then Finance Minister, was there. During the deliberations Adamjee put forth very useful suggestions which became the basis of a viable economy of this nascent state.

In January 1948, to consult him on matters relating to the formation of the State Bank of Pakistan the Quaid invited him. In those days Adamjee was a heart patient. The meeting was arranged at upper storey of the building and there was no arrangement of elevator. He had to walk upstairs which aggravated his heart trouble. Col. Shah immediately gave him initial treatment. He was rushed to his residence in Saddar, but he died the next day on the 27th of January, 1948.

<Top>

A. Sattar Wali

Born with a silver spoon in his mouth to a very rich family, A.S. Wali was the first Memon Barister. All his life he remained an idealist and reformist. Charities of his father were very well known and Barister Wali inherited both the wealth and generosity of his father. He spent lavishly on the causes which were dear to his heart. He was a fluent orator in Memony, Gujrati, Urdu, English and Persian. His company at public functions was sought by eminent leaders like Mr. M.A. Jinnah and Mrs. Sarojini Naidu.

The weekly "Memon Sudharak" was published under the editorship of the late Barrister A. Sattar Waii who played a very vital role in bringing reforms and awakening to the Memon community. This weekly also published regular columns to pave the way for holding Memon conference. The magazine also inspired new writers in Gujrati on subjects like social evils, and harshest possible critical articles were published very boldly. Baff ister Wali travelled extensively throughout Kathiawar to see for himself the social and educational conditions of the Memon community. He realised the need to publish a magazine for campaigning for reforms and, as such, he started the publication from Bombay in 1929, The leadership of the community at that time was mostly hereditary. "Memon Sudharak" strongly deplored this system and advised the community members to elect leaders through ballot. In 193 1, when Barrister Wali raised this issue in the Memon conference and moved a resolution against the existing system, there was a major uproar. At the intervention of Seth Adamjee, the resolution was withdrawn. The contribution of Barrister Wali was very great and unforgettable for the reforms of the community. Elsewhere in the book his services to the cause of the Memons, Muslims and Indians generally have been described. In short, Baff ister Wali was one of the rare leaders of the community whose services unfortunately could not be utilised because of his advanced views on reforms and adoption of democratic system in running the organisations. Not having succeeded in his mission he became frustrated and after migration to Pakistan, he died unknown, unhonoured and unsung.

<Top>

A Razzak Dawood

Son of an industrial tycoon, Seth Suleman Dawood, Mr. A. Razzak Dawood is B. Sc. Mining Engineering from England and MBA from Columbia University, New York. He has worked as Managing Director of Lawrencepur Woollen and Textile Mills as well as Dawood Hercules Chemicals Limited. At present he is Managing Director of Descon Engineering Limited and six other private companies. He is a Director of United Refrigeration Industries (pvt) Limited. He was a visitine, professor of Department of Business Administration, the University of Punjab; Management Association of Pakistan; Member Syndicate, the University of Punjab as well as member Senate, University of Punjab; Member, Board of Studies, Institute of Chemical Engineering and Technology and Director, Pakistan International Airlines. At present he is the Rector, Lahore University of Management Sciences to which his family has donated 25 million rupees; Vice Chairman, Board of Governors, National Management Foundation; Member Board of Governors, Shaukat Khanum Cancer Hospital and Research Centre. He is very active in the field of education and motivates his family trust and donates tens of millions of rupees to various educational institutions.

<Top>

Ahmad Dawood (Seth)

Seth Ahmad Dawood is one of the top businessmen and industrialists of Pakistan. He has played such an important role as a Memon that his services can not be excluded from Memon history.

Born in 1905, he is still as active as a young man, attending his office from 9.00 a.m. to 6.00 p.m. regularly. He is the founder of Dawood Foundation through which he has established Dawood Engineering College in Karachi. In the early days some of the subjects taught in this College were not being taught in any other university/college anywhere in Pakistan. Even after nationalisation of this College he provides casual financial aid to the institution. The Foundation runs schools and other charitable institutions.

He and his son Hussain are founder trustees of Al-Shifa Eye Hospital to which his Foundation has contributed more than Rs. 15 million. He is the main founder of United Memon Jamaat and has always been keen to bring all the Memons on one platform. Unfortunately, durinc, the Bhutto regime, he was kept under house arrest for several months for just being an outspoken industrialist. He left Pakistan for a couple of years during which period he did exploratory work in USA in the field of oil exploration. He is a very daring industrialist with a foresight. In East Pakistan, due to labour unrest nobody was prepared to buy the PIDC Project Karnaphuli Paper and Chemical Mill, but Ahmed Dawood dared and continued to run it profitably till the emergence of Bangladesh. His main mission that every able bodied man in Pakistan should be provided with a bicycle to make him mobile has not yet been fulfiled.

The Dawood family started from humble origins when Ahmed Dawood began trading in pre-partition India and was eventually joined by his brothers. At partition the family opted to move to Pakistan, where the new nation created ample openings and opportunities for business and industry.

The family thus made the transition from business to industry, first establishing Dawood Cotton Mills Limited in 1952. The industry expanded rapidly.

With the realisation that the only way to maintain continuous growth and enhance reputation was to expand internationally, the first international office was established in Manchester, England, operating under the title 'Dawood (England) Limited'. Simultaneously, senior members of the family, in a bid to ensure that the education of all successive generations be given the utmost importance, sent their children to England to pursue their studies.

As such, nearly the entire second generation has graduated with university degrees from England, from where they proceeded to the United States to study business at graduate level. The family can boast of having graduates of the best universities like Oxford, Manchester, London School of Economics, Strathclyde, McGill, University of Western Ontario, Harvard, Northwestern and Columbia. The family has more MBA:s than any other family in Pakistan. The Dawoods decided to expand further. In 1959. the family purchased Burewala Textile Mills, a cotton textile mill with its own ginning factory, and in 1969 established Dilon, which manufactured nylon and synthetic yam. Their last textile venture was Lawrencepur Woollen Mills.

The strategy of diversification was marked by the setting up of Dawood Hercules Chemicals (Urea fertiliser), followed by Transpak (baby food, toothpaste, toothbrushes and other consumer goods), Dawood Yamaha (Motorcycles), Dawlance (refrigerators and microwaves), Descon Engineering (construction), and Meiji Biscuits.

A move into the financial sector was the next step. It was put into effect with the establishment of Central Insurance Company (in-house insurance), BRR Capital Modaraba (leasing under the Islamic mode of financing), BRR Second Modaraba (working capital finance), and Equity International Modarba (venture capital funding as a joint venture with IFC and Robert Flemings). [All three Modarabas have since been merged into one, namely BRR International Modarabal. Other concerns include Orient Insurance Company, and the latest, Dawood Leasing Company Limited, a joint venture among the four brothers and other renowned financial institutions of Pakistan. Prior to the establishment of Bangladesh, the Dawood family also owned and managed Karnaphuli Paper Mills Limited and Karnaphuli Rayon and Chemicals Limited, which utilized bamboo as raw material for all their products. Karnaphuli Jute Mills Ltd was established in East Pakistan.

With the nationalisation fervour in the early seventies when Mr. Zutfiqar Ali Bhutto took over the reins of Pakistan, Dawood Petroleum Limited and Central Life were taken over by the State.

Finally, when this industrial empire was divided among the brothers, Seth Ahmad Dawood, Mr. Suleman Dawood, Mr. Siddiq Dawood and late Mr. Ali Mohammad Dawood, the industrial ventures, mentioned earlier, were amicably distributed and are being owned and managed by each one of the brothers or descendants.

<Top>

Akbar Abdullah

Mr. Akbar Abdullah, popularly known as Khadim Hussain, is ever ready to help anybody in need, whether known to him or not, rich or poor.

In business circles of Pakistan, he is one of the very well-known figures. He has worked as Vice-President of Karachi Chamber of Commerce. He has served for one term as President of Karachi Gymkhana Club. Now he is associated with the Red Crescent Society.

<Top>

A. Karim Abid

He was a reputed journalist in Bombay in pre-partition days, mostly writing for Urdu papers. His father was a big businessman in cotton textile. He burnt the entire stock of his father's foreign goods during the "Swadeshi" movement. He and his father were fond of Urdu books and subscribed to a good number of Urdu magazines. He was fluent in Urdu language to the surprise of those who called themselves "able zaban". He was very close to Jamat-e-Islami and Maulana Abul Ala Maududi, and wrote articles for Urdu daily "Jassarat" and "Mashriq". He has written a number of articles on Socialism and Communism. Some of his articles have been translated in Arabic and English languages and published in a book form.

<Top>

Abdul Wahid Adamjee

Eldest son of Sir Adamjee, Abdul Wahid was born in 1908. He was educated in a convent school in Rangoon. He acquired deep knowledge of business correspondence from his office staff to make up for the deficiency of higher education. He learned business management in a systematic manner from his father, who appointed him to various departments in his large business empire. He established the largest jute mill in the world near Dacca which was visited by foreign visitors including ruling presidents and the Queen of England. In this jute mill all facilities were provided for thousands of workers. The assets of the jute mill then were estimated to be around Rs. II 0 million. He also started Adamjee Particles and Boards Mill, Magna Textile Mills, Aroma Tea, etc. The Adamjees became the owners of the biggest tea gardens in the world. In West Pakistan, in 1952, Adamjee Cotton Mill was established. He also established Adamjee Chemicals and Paper Board units. Adamjee Insurance was established in 1960. He remained Chairman of the Adamjee Group of Industries. Almost every regime in Pakistan sought his co-operation in the field of business and industrial development. He was offered ministerial post but he always refused. He became the Chairman of Pakistan Industrial Credit Investment Corporation (PICIC) and rendered valuable services for the industrialisation of the country. He also established Adamjee Insurance Company, which is the largest in Pakistan.

In recognition of his valuable services, he was awarded "Hilal-e-Pakistan".

He was Chairman and Director of many public companies including Pakistan Refinery Limited, Zeal Pak Cement and other companies. According to a report published in those days in New York Times, the industrial assets of Adamjees' were to the tune of 60 million US Dollars, half of which were invested in East Pakistan. He became the President of All Pakistan Memon Educational and Welfare Society when its offices were shifted to Karachi from Calcutta. His services in managing and increasing the assets of the Society are worthy of note. The Federal 'B'Area Memon Colony was built by the Society under his leadership. So was the Adamjee Science College built by the Adamjee family with their generous donations towards construction and maintenance of the College. His family constructed Adamjee Haji Dawood Public School in Dacca and also established the Adamjce Foundation which is contributing towards general welfare of the masses without any discrimination and without any publicity.

<Top>

A. Karim Admani (Dr.)

He is the first ever non-British doctor to be member of Medical Council of England in 150 years of its history. A great social worker, he tried to bring all the Muslims living in Sheffield, England, on one platform. He is also actively associated with a number of social, religious and medical associations.

<Top>

Akhtar, LL.B

Ahmed Yousuf was popularly known by the name of Akhtar, LL.B. in the field of social services as well as journalism. He was actively involved with All Pakistan Memon Federation. He translated the novels of Quratul Ain Haider from Urdu into Gujrati which were published. He was a great admirer of Allama lqbal and possessed a large collection of books on lqbal. He took part in the Gujrati Service of Radio Pakistan to highlight lqbal's ideology. In Ayub's regime, he was elected member of the Basic Democracy. He was a co-author of a popular book for the guidance of Hujjaj.

<Top>

Abdul Ghani Bandukda

Well-known businessman, industrialist and philanthropist, Haji Abdul Ghani has worked for the promotion of education and other social activities. Against unhealthy and evil traditions prevailing in the community, he launched a movement for eliminating social evils, and he continued his crusade against these evils and anti-Islamic tradition prevailing in some of the Jamaats of the Memon community. He was generous in giving charities to Memon as well as non-Memon institutions. He was also interested in the construction of mosques and in the repair and expansion of Memon Masjid at Bolton Market for which he went from shop to shop to collect donations. He became Chairman of the Bolton Market Memon Masjid committee. In the pre-partition days he was one of the directors and investors in Dilawar Syndicate, Junagadh State.

<Top>