Ibrahim Supediwala

 

Haji Ibrahim is an active and notable social worker and Memon leader from Bombay. Born in Dhoraji in 1932, he is in big business of hardware,. He has established engineering goods plant which is a gigantic industrial unit. He donates generously out of the income derived from his trade. He has been the President of All India Memon Jamaat Federation, a trustee of the World Memon Foundation and a popular leader of Bombay and Gujrat State.

He intends to hold an international Memon conference in the year 2000.

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Iqbal Sakrani

 

He has permanently settled in London. His services to the Memons and Asians in general are very well-recognised and the Queen of England in 1999 conferred on him the title of O.B.E.

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Ismail Abrehani

 

Born in Junagadh in 1895, Mr. Abrehani graduated from Bombay University. He came to Karachi only once on I I th August, 1947 i.e. three days before the creation of Pakistan, for deliberation with the Quaid-e-Azam. He stayed in Karachi for only one day and returned to Junagadh immediately. The decision of accession of Junagadh to Pakistan was taken after consultation with Sir Muhammad Zafarullah and the Quaid-e-Azam himself. This decision was confirmed by the Constituent Assembly of Pakistan and the Quaid-e-Azam himself in his capacity as the Governor-General of Pakistan. Two persons who played an important role in getting Junaghadh's accession to Pakistan were Sardar Abrehani and the well-known scholar Kazi Ahmed Mian Akhtar. Abrehani was the only person to stand firmly against heavy odds which surrounded Junagadh after its accession to Pakistan. He was arrested and put behind bars for a considerably long period of time.

He was Deputy Prime Minister and Private Secretary to the Nawab of Junagadh as well as the Head of the Education Department of the Junagadh State. Before joining the Junagadh State, Mr. Abrehani had worked in Memon firms in India as well as in Burma. But these services did not suit his self-respecting nature. He had always thought about the betterment of the people of Junagadh due to which he was given the title of 'Sardar' by the public of Junaghadh.

The Indian administration, after taking over Junagadh State, asked Mr. Abrehani to give some surety or guarantee that he will remain in Junagadh as a citizen of India. He boldly replied "Sureties and guarantees are demanded from the culprits, criminals, thieves and robbers. First of all, please tell me what sin I have committed. After that we may talk of Sureties". Mr. Abrehani was once offered release from jail. if he agreed to leave the territory of Junagadh State in Kathiawar. His reply was, as usual, bold and fearless: "NEVER. I would prefer to die in Junagadh which is a part of Pakistan."

Unfortunately, the Government of Pakistan has forgotten such a brave, fearless and dedicated Memon of upright character. In 1970, Mr. Abrehani breathed his last in Junagadh which he always called part of Pakistan. He was given the title of 'The Lion of Sorath'.

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Ilyas Gadit

 

He is the editor of Gujrati eveninger Watan' and a noted writer and translator.

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Ismail Jiwani

 

He was a popular community leader in Hyderabad till the age of over a hundred years. His interest in the field of social service continued even from his bedroom. Persons like M. A. Rangoonwala, Wahid Adamjee and others went from Karachi to Hyderabad to meet this grand old man to seek his advice and blessings. In fact, he was a father-figure to guide, advise and encourage the young generation of service minded persons. He was one of the founders of Hyderabad Memon Charitable Hospital in the establishment, expansion and success of which he played a noteworthy role. In the days when the hospital faced financial crisis, he went to philanthropists in Karachi and was able to collect funds. nrough the Memon Anjuman, he took leading part in establishing and running an educational institution.

Having led a fruitful life in the social service sphere his regret was that the entire Memon Beradri was never able to carry out social activities under a central leadership. He died at the age of 103.

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Ismail Lashkerwala

 

Dr. Ismail is one of the notable social workers of Hyderabad. Because of his services he was appointed to many Government committees in Hyderabad. A noted social worker leader, past Governor of Lions Club International, Dr. Ismail is service-minded medical practitioner. Presently he is living in Karachi and is honorary administrator of Jamal Noor Hospital.

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Ismail Muhammed (South Africa)

 

Mr. Justice Ismail Muhammed though not a Pakistani national, has raised the image of the whole Memon community. He has become number one in the field of judiciary of a country which till recently was under the yoke of apartheid. Mr. Justice Ismail Muhammad was born in London in 193 1. He is a nephew of Dr. Jossub Ibrahim, OMSG. The eldest son amongst six children, he matriculated in Pretoria, completed his B. A. at the University of Witwatersrand, and a year later he did his B. A. Honours in Political Science with distinction. He completed his law in 1957 and was admitted to Johannesburg Bar because the Pretoria Bar was reserved for Whites only. When arguing appeals in Bloemfontein he was forced to leave across the border before dusk because of the ban on the presence of Asians in the Province to stay over night. Mr. Justice Ismail built extensive practice and in 1974 he became the country's first Black Silk from whose ranks judges of the Supreme Court were traditionally chosen.

He concentrated on human rights and appeared in numerous trials on behalf of leading anti-apartheid activists. In spite of his seniority at the Bar he was passed over on several occasions for judicial appointments with the result that he served as judge in neighbouring countries instead. He was appointed to the Appeals Court in Swaziland and as a Judge of Appeals in Lesotho. He later became chief justice of Namibia. He also co-chaired the conference for a democratic South Africa which eventually negotiated a democratic

Constitution for the country. In 199 1, he was appointed permanent judge of South Africa. Two years later he was appointed acting judge of the Appellate Division. In 1994, he was appointed by President Mandela to serve on the country's first constitutional court. Because of major heart surgery, he missed the appointment to be president of the constitutional court for which he was strongly tipped and had to accept its deputy presidentship.

He has published many articles in law journals and lectured on human rights and jurisprudence at several institutions and universities throughout the world. He was made an honorary professor of law at Wits University in 1960 and received honorary doctorate in law from the Universities of Delhi, India and Natal, South Africa.

On May 18, 1992 he was awarded honorary degree of Doctor of Laws which was awarded by the University of Pennsylvania along with another Noble laureate Dr. Penizias. Most US newspapers gave prominent coverage to the thought-provoking address by Mr. Justice Ismail Muhammad to the University of Pennsylvania on the occasion of his getting honorary doctorate of Laws. In 1996, he was appointed Chairman of South Africa Law Commission, a statutory body which reviews and initiates legislation in the country. At the end of 1997 when the Chief Justice Michael Corbett retired, and voting was held for electing the new Chief Justice, Mr. Ismail Muhammad got 15 votes whereas only one vote was received by a White Judge, Mr. Justice Hennie Van Heerden, that of the outgoing Chief Justice.

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Ibrahim Kasim

 

Originally a Chartered Accountant, he takes pride in admitting that after matriculation, he started his career as a teacher in a night school in 1960s. After qualifying as Chartered Accountant in 1966 he joined a British pharmaceutical company as Cost Accountant and later became Chief Accountant, Finance Manager, and Country Manager. In 1971, he started his own business. He owns one of the largest networks of distribution of consumer and pharmaceutical products. Engaged in textile spinning, weaving and processing business, he has entered the field of biscuit manufacturing as well. He is a founder member of the Memon Professional Forum of which he has been President for two terms. He is a member of the working committee of the All Pakistan Memon Educational and Welfare Society, Council member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Pakistan for two terms of seven years. He was also Council Member of Marketing Association of Pakistan for two terms of six years. At present he is the Vice President of Consumer and Pharmaceutical Distributors Association of Pakistan and a trustee of Memon Professional Forum. He is a kind hearted, co-operative and polite person and is available for social service in spite of his very busy schedule.

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Ishaq Sobhani

 

The name of this Memon should be written in letters of gold in the history of freedom movement of the sub-continent. If formation of Indian National Army under Subhas Chandra Bose was the beginning of the end of British Rule in India, then revolt of the Indian officers and ratings of the British Indian Navy in Bombay was the last nail in the coffin. One of the top leaders of the revolt was Commander Ishaq Sobhani, a Memon youth. For several days Bombay city slipped out of the hands of the police administration under British officers. Indian naval officers and Ratings were in the command of city. This writer was a witness to these scenes.

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Ismail Eisa Zakaria

 

He was one of the founder members of the Memon Medical Society. He was one of the companions of Mr. Junani in starting a small dispensary which, later on, grew into a sixstoried hospital. His family took part in Muslim League activities. He was a very silent social worker and worked hard without seeking public attention.

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Ismail Haji Zakaria

 

Before partition, in Calcutta, there was a company namely 'A Rahim Usman & Company' which was very prominent in sugar and rice business. They had a sugar factory at Motipur (Bihar), which was considered number two sugar factory in India. After partition, some of the brothers migrated to Pakistan and started the business in Karachi under the name and style of 'Rahmania Trading Company', which was later on converted by the partners into separate companies, one. of which was under the name and style of Noori Trading Corporation (Private) Limited, and the other in the names of 'Rahimi Limited' in Karachi and 'Rahimani Company' and 'Rahimi Limited' in East Pakistan. Noori Trading Corporation (private) Limited expanded business as industrial group which is known presently as 'Al-Noor Group of Companies' which consists of: Noori Trading Corporation (private) Limited (parent company), Al-Noor Sugar Mills Limited, (presently a public limited company, Shah Murad Sugar Mills Limited (presently a public limited industrial company), Al-Noor Fertiliser Industries Limited, Al-Noor M.D.F.B. Industries Limited Subsidiary Industrial concern under Al-Noor Sugar Mills Limited. (This industry is presently producing medium density fibre board sheets known as 'LASANI' wood, Associated Corporation (private) Limited (This Company is working as builders and construction company).

The main office of this group is situated in Karachi. Al-Noor Sugar Mills Limited is at Shahpur Jehania, Moro (District Nawabshah) and Shah Murad Sugar Mills Limited is at Jhok Sharif (District Thatta). Al-Noor MDFB is also in Shahpur Jehania, Moro. The Chairman of this industrial group of companies is Mr. Ismail Haji Zakaria.

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