Legends--Hussain Ebrahim Jamal

Hussain Ebrahim Jamal Research Institute of Chemistry (H.E.J.R.I.C)

When we start naming the famous and prominent personalities of memon community one can not forget the names of Hussain Ebrahim Jamal and his brother Abdul Latif Ebrahim Jamal.Both brothers have contributed extensively for the education in Pakistan and of the community in particular.

At the tender age of 14 he was sent to Africa where he joined his uncle's business in 1928.There he started his business of cashew nuts and very quickly gained expertise in it.After some years he returned to Bombay where his business flourished to such an extent that in a very short span of time he acquired the status of one of the leading exporter and importer.His fame as the dealer of cashew nuts spread far and wide and people started calling him King Of Cashew nuts .He was only 30 years old then. He also entered business of jute bags and became very close to Sir Adamjee haji Dawood. 

At a very young age he had earned fame and credibility  in public.His social activities were now spreading in Bombay, Baroda, Okha and Calcutta. He was a member of the Provincial Muslim League Working Committee in Bombay, a member of the Managing Committee of Memon Chamber of Commerce, Bombay. He was also made Justice of Peace by the Governor of Bombay in recognition of his extraordinary services.Justices of the peace were appointed or elected from the citizens who were respected and had a say in the society, and did not usually required to have a formal legal education in order to qualify for the office.

Hussain Ebrahim Jamal always wanted to have higher education but was unable to fulfill the dream and he always felt sad about not completing his education and for that reason he took keen interest in educational activities throughout his life.

He was an active member of All Pakistan Memon Educational and Welfare Society and took keen interest in Dwarka Boarding House and Baroda Boarding House. He extended financial aid to many institutions including religious institutions.After his migration to Pakistan he continued working for the spread of education and donated open heartedly to many institutions.He also started schools in Nayababad and Khadda with large donations.He also served as President of All Pakistan Memon Educational and Welfare Society.

During the influx of refugees from Okha Port to Karachi, his services and donations were notable. He migrated to Pakistan and started his relief activities with the establishment of Memon Relief Committee for providing assistance to the refugees reaching Khokhrapar and other points from India.In all rehabilitation and welfare services he donated generously. To mark his generous donations a portion of Memon Colony in Federal 'B'Area is named as Hussainabad.


 He played active part in the establishment of All Pakistan Memon Federation. During his life time he desired to donate an amount of Rs.5 million to start a polytechnic for which a lot of spade work was done but the same amount perhaps was diverted, after his death, for financing HEJ Research Institute of Chemistry at the University of Karachi.

He was a kind-hearted gentleman of upright character. A foundation, named Hussain Foundation, was established by his family members in his memory. He served as President of All Pakistan Memon Educational and Welfare Society. He died in London in 1972.