With this edition Magnificent Memons are taking another initiative and we are posting Mr Abdur Razzak Thaplawala's book" The Memon Community Heritage and Identity" .It is a great book with a lot of facts and figures about Memons.Hope you will enjoy reading it.We will be awaiting your response.Happy Reading!!!
Dedication
I dedicate this book to All those Persons and Organizations who are always ready to support the efforts to preserve our history, culture, traditions and language for our youngsters and posterity
-- Abdur Razzaq Thaplawala
Showing posts with label History. Show all posts
Showing posts with label History. Show all posts
Thursday, June 23, 2011
Thursday, April 14, 2011
History-Memons In Srilanka
The Memons in Sri Lanka are small in numbers but are considered an important minority community in the island.Like in other parts of the world memons in Srilanka are contributing immensely in the economic life of the country.The Memons, first arrived to Srilanka in 1870 from Gujrat, India.Abdul Rahman more famously known as Manna Seth is said to be the first memon to come to Srilanka.He began here as an itinerant peddler of textiles in Jaffna before settling in Pettah and building up a considerable business.In late 1900 certain Memon merchants mainly from Kutiyana, Porbandar and Upleta travelled to Ceylon present day Sri Lanka for trading.They would purchase textiles from India and sell them locally as they had a good demand here.
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| Memons Haji Karim Seth Dhedhi and Haji Saleh Mohamed Sami with the first Prime Minister of Independent Sri Lanka D.S. Senanayake in 1948. Pix courtesy ‘Memons of Sri Lanka.’ |
With time, Memons steadily came to the island for business purposes, but it was only the men who came here. The women were left behind in their homes in Kathiawad. However, with the partition of the subcontinent in 1947, those Memon businessmen brought their families and settled there permanently.They call Sri Lanka their own country and had been serving it to their best.
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| Memon Headquarters |
Among the early Memon firms were A. R. Kareem & Co established as far back as 1895. By the 1930s many Memon merchants had set up shop in the Pettah area of Colombo and other major towns such as Galle and Kandy. Although many of these firms initially traded in textiles, it was not long before the more enterprising among them came to realize the benefits of getting into garment manufacturing, particularly for the lucrative US and European markets. Thus arose the big-time Memon firms like Brandix, EAM Maliban, Timex Garments and Lucky Industries which today rank among the top apparel exporters, bringing in valuable foreign exchange earnings to the country.
Other areas were also explored for business prospects, among them the production and export of agricultural produce, manufacture of pharmaceuticals and aviation which was successfully pursued by the Expolanka Group, a large Memon business concern headed by Osman Kassim who also serves as Chairman of Amana Investments which pioneered interest-free Islamic banking in the country. There were others like Phoenix Industries, which got into the manufacture of plastic items and is today a market leader in this area. Yet others got into the food business, among them Chinatown Halal Restaurant in Colpetty, Queen’s Café in Bambalapitiya and Sweet Court in Wellawatte.
Other areas were also explored for business prospects, among them the production and export of agricultural produce, manufacture of pharmaceuticals and aviation which was successfully pursued by the Expolanka Group, a large Memon business concern headed by Osman Kassim who also serves as Chairman of Amana Investments which pioneered interest-free Islamic banking in the country. There were others like Phoenix Industries, which got into the manufacture of plastic items and is today a market leader in this area. Yet others got into the food business, among them Chinatown Halal Restaurant in Colpetty, Queen’s Café in Bambalapitiya and Sweet Court in Wellawatte.
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| Tuk Tuk as thy are called in Srialnka |
The Memons like their ancestors are a largely business community, though many have now taken to industrial activity and the professions as well.Now Memons here are not only importers and traders of various essential goods, but also are manufacturers and exporters of high quality garments that have today become a major source of foreign earnings. They also have their own member of parliament.
Memons as per their traditions have established mosques and madrasas in many parts of the island. The Memon Hanafi Mosque in Third Cross Street, Pettah, where Friday sermons are delivered in the Urdu language and Madrasa, Faiz-e-Raza are among the most known.
The Memons also have a distinct cultural identity.They mostly speak Memon. Many however understand Urdu, which serves as a lingua franca among the Muslims of the Indo-Pakistan subcontinent. Their Wedding Ceremonies include the Viahan ji Raja, the formal seeking of the bride’s consent shortly before the marriage ceremony and other practices such as the Mehendi ceremony.Brides here are dressed almost like Memon brides in India or Pakistan.
Their dresses are also similar too Memons in Indo-Pak. Men prefer the long shirt and ijar while women commonly wear the shalwa-khameez.The womenfolk are also extremely fond of typical Indian jewellery such as nose studs, which are even worn by the young girls. Thus the Memons could be said to represent a typical Indian migrant community who have preserved their traditional way of life.
The Memon Association of Sri Lanka (MASL) then known as Memon Association of Ceylon was formed in 1956 by well-known Memon personalities of the day such as Prof. Rauf Pasha, Dr. Ibrahim Dangra and Haji Usman Bhaila JP and was based in Hulftsdorp. It later shifted to the Memon Hall in Colpetty and now serves as a forum for bringing the community together on many an occasion, be it a religious event such as the Eid festival or more mundane activities such as the regular six-a-side softball cricket tournaments which it organizes.The Association also heavily involves itself in charitable activities not only towards the larger Muslim fraternity, but also the country at large.
References:
Wikipedia
The Memons – An Important Muslim Minority of Sri Lanka By Hameed Karim Bhoja
Thursday, April 7, 2011
History -Porbander
Many memon merchants lived here before partition and some still continue living there.The port here was a great atraction for merchants in older days.
Porbandar has a climate that is ideal for cultivation for Cotton, groundnut, bajra, gram, wheat, and jowar . the rivers Ozat, Meghal and Bhadar further enhanced the cultivation of these major crops over the years.In modern times Cement industry and Soda-ash industry have become two major industries in Porbandar.
the Hindu mythological story about the friendship between Lord Krishna and Sudama is related to this place,which shows how ancient this area had been.It is also known as the birthplace of Gandhiji .
The most impressive feature of Porbandar is the city planning and the stone buildings with ashlar masonry and rich carving. The facades of the houses on either side of the streets, with series of windows, carved gateways are the beauty of the city. It is also known as "White City" because of its white stone construction.
The beautiful historical buildings overlooking the sea on Marine Drive puts Porbandar on the list of coastal heritage towns of Gujarat.
Porbandar was originally a fortified town, with high walls, bastions and five gates, lost its fortification by the order of Colonel Lally in 1888 AD.
During Mughal reign Porbandar served as a thriving port .It was attacked by the Portuguese to achieve supremacy over sea trade in 1531 AD. The Walker Treaty of 1807 AD between the ruling clans of Saurashtra and the British put an end to the feuds and it resulted in a favorable environment for the civic development of the Porbandar State.
Thursday, March 17, 2011
History Of Rajkot
Rajkot was originally founded in the central part of Saurashtra in the year 1610 AD on the 6th of July, by Thakur saheb Vibhaji Ajoji Jadeja of the Jadeja clan and a Sunni Muslim person called Raju Sandhi. Vibhahi Ajoji was the grandson of Jam Sataji of Nawanagar, the present day Jamnagar. The name Rajkot was given in the honour of its co-founder Raju Sandhi.
Rajkot was the former capital of the princely state of Saurashtra. Rajkot was once a base for the Western States British government office and rapidly expanded into a prosperous, lively business centre, with an old city. This city is also associated with Mr Gandhi, who lived here for several years. Rajkot was the capital of the Saurashtra state from 15 April 1948 to 31 October 1956 before merging in bilingual Bombay State on 1 November 1956.Rajkot was merged into Gujarat State from bilingual Bombay state on May 1, 1960.
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Thursday, March 10, 2011
Legends-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.
Courtesy :Memon.com
Courtesy :Memon.com
Jetpur in 2005 by BY: HAJI ALI MUHAMMAD ALI TABBA
Just recently, I got an opportunity to visit our home town Jetpur (Gujrat State – India)
We reached Jetpur on 29th March, 2005 and spent there five days enjoying re-union with friends and folks, feeling the damply fragrant soil and bracing air and sharing the sweet memories of earlier days. During our stay, frequent meetings were organized in which local Community’s problems were discussed, personal plights of many families were narrated and arrangements were made to solve most of them.
Before partition, the population of Jetpur was 40,000 people out of which 50% were Muslims and about 10,000 belonged to Memon community. After partition, some of members of Memon Community migrated to Pakistan and some of them shifted their families to Surat & Bombay. At present, there are 249 Memon families settled in Jetpur, consisting of 892 adult and 214 minor members. Thus, all together there is a total population of 1106 Memons in Jetpur.
Among these 249 families, some 135 are original Jetpurians. Other 114 families are the Memons who have migrated from nearby areas mostly to seek jobs in textile dying and printing industry of Jetpur. Original Jetpurians fully cooperated with migrated Memons in settling down in the Town and today, all the new and old Memon families are living happily with each other, enjoying reciprocal cooperation in all spheres of human life. This way, all together a total of 249 Memon families have become Pucka Jetpurians. Some 25 to 30 Memon families get regular monthly aid (in shape of cash, ration etc) from Jetpur Anjuman Memon Jamat, while needy families are also provided with Shaadi Madad and other such assistance at the time of their need. In recent past, some 25 to 30 families were facing severe hardship in earning their livelihood, but today 10 to 15 out of them are happily self reliant and getting their incomes in satisfactory way. Present population of Jetpur is 150,000 which includes about 20,000 Muslims.
DYING INDUSTRY
Jetpur is famous for its textile dying and printing industry, but there is an acute slump in this business now-a-days. There is no other means of earning worth mentioning. The gravity of the situation is that almost all the Memon families of Jetpur are hand-to-mouth and there is no such caretaking rich class in the local community who can shelter them.
However, Jetpurians are fortunate enough have Mr. Abdur Razzak Kapadiya, who is well-settled in Mumbai & who rushes to look after them. Under his personal care and Presidentship, Mr. Kapadiya is actively sharing the grievances of Jetpurians and serving the Community with body, soul and wealth. He has also contributed towards rehabilitation of Jetpurians and have build a whole residential project in Jetpur. He provided 54 flats to deserving needy families and is also taking care of maintenance of this project. For all these humanitarian activities, Mr. Kapadiya takes trouble to personally visit Jetpur frequently.
Apart from Mr. Abdul Razzak Kapadiya, other Jetpurians from Mumbai also provide financial assistance to their fellow beings at Jetpur, according to their own resources. Moreover, some philanthropist patrons from Karachi keep remembrance of their brethren at Jetpur and send every possible help to them.
MOSQUES
There are a total of six mosques in today’s Jetpur. Four of them, namely (1) Jumma Masjid (2) Bahar Pura Masjid (3) Saami Shah Masjid and (4) Khand Pura Masjid, are run under the proficient administration of Jetpur Anjuman Memon Jamat. Anjuman have recently completed the renovation work at all these four mosques with an expenditure of over One Million Rupees. They have provided all the modern facilities for Namazees and is running all the four mosques in commendable manners.
The other two mosques of the Town, Nagina Masjid and Madina Masjid at Gondal Darvaja, are run under the control of Muslims living in surrounding areas. These two mosques lack the basic facilities and are in severe need of renovation work. They are in deficient condition due to shortage of funds.
OTHER SERVICES
The readers may like to know about some important aspects of present day Jetpur:
1. Haji Dawood Hospital has been completely demolished and now there is only ground.
2. Adamjee School has been sold out after partition.
3. A Colony for rehabilitation is under consideration at Tabba seri plot of 900 Yards.
POPULATION & DEVELOPMENTS
The roads and streets of the Town have improved and every house has been provided its individual water connection. Supply of drinking water has improved due to the construction of a dam on river Bhadar. Thanks to regular rains plus BHADAR DAM, citizens of Jetpur get drinking water round the clock. Hindus and Muslims are living in Jetpur with peace and harmony. Ofcourse, the dignity and the magnificence which Memons possessed in old days are missing.
In short, Jetpur, being our native town where we have been born and brought up and which is the peculiar land belonging to our great fore fathers, has still not lost its charm to us. Our passion towards our motherland should not diminish, we must apprehend it in our soul and by paying tribute to the sweet memories of our Jetpur, we would be getting divine pleasure as well as the satisfaction of fulfilling our obligations towards our ancestors.
Article republished with permission of Mr Abdur Razzak Thaplawala
History Of JetPur -The city of Festivals
70 km from Rajkot
Up till now, most of Indian history has been written by British or German historians. None of them have had a blood relation, language, culture, DNA connection to the Kathiwadis. They just came, they saw and they wrote. Because of their power and money, their version was accepted by uneducated people. Those who were educated had no clout or power to reject British or German understanding of Kathiawad.
The fact is as per Vedic History, Kathiawad is the oldest peninsula of Western India Harappa . If you analyze the history of Sorath and people of Sorath, they have more than 10,000 years history and background with their architecture, Girnar, and the inhabitants of Jetpur. This area was the essence of Kathiwad till the early 18th century. Jetpur was the capital of Kathiwad. The worldwide trade was being conducted from Jetpur, Upleta and Junagadh, using the ports of Veraval, Porbander and Choravad.
Monday, March 7, 2011
100th International Women Day
International Women's Day (8 March) is an occasion marked by women's groups around the world. This date is also commemorated at the United Nations and is designated in many countries as a national holiday. When women on all continents, often divided by national boundaries and by ethnic, linguistic, cultural, economic and political differences, come together to celebrate their Day.
International Women's Day is the story of ordinary women as makers of history; it is rooted in the centuries-old struggle of women to participate in society on an equal footing with men.
International Women's Day is the story of ordinary women as makers of history; it is rooted in the centuries-old struggle of women to participate in society on an equal footing with men.
Thursday, March 3, 2011
History-Kutiyana
Saradiya Railway Station is the nearest railhead. By road, Kutiyana is well connected with Upleta, Jetpur, Mahiyari, Madhavpur, Manavadar, Saradiya,Vanthli, Junagadh and Keshod.
Areas within or very near kutiyana which are sometimes also used as surnames like chautawala,vadala or khunpuria etc:
Amar,Amipur - Baloch - Bavlavadar - Bhadula - Bhogsar - Bildi - Chauta - Chhatrava - Choliyana - Daduka - Devda - Dharsan - Dhruvala - Farer - Gadhvana - Gokaran - Hamadpara - Helabeli - Ishvariya - Jamra - Junej - Kadegi - Kansabad - Kantol - Katwana - Kavalka - Khageshri - Khunpur - Kotda - Mahiyari - Mahobatpara - Mal - Malanka - Mandva - Moddar - Paswali - Ramnagar - Revadra - Roghada - Segras - Sindhpur - Tarkhai - Teri - Thepda - Vadala
Monday, February 21, 2011
Legends-Seth Ahmad Dawood
Seth Ahmad Dawood was one of the top businessmen and industrialists of Pakistan. He had played such an important role as a Memon that his services can not be excluded from Memon history.
He was the Pakistani Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Dawood Group, the CEO of Dawood Cotton Mills Ltd, the CEO of the Central InsuranceCompany, and the owner of Dawood Hercules Chemicals Limited. He was one of the wealthiest people in Pakistan, and is considered to have been a great philanthropist and respected entrepreneur .
Born in 1905, he used to work like an active young man, attending his office from 9.00 a.m. to 6.00 p.m regularly untill the last few years of his age when he had felt ill . He was the founder of Dawood Foundation through which he had 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 had always been keen to bring all the Memons on one platform. Unfortunately, during , 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.Just before Independence, Mr Ahmad Dawood had established a trading house dealing in commodities, textiles, jute and yarn, with branches in manycities and towns in pre-partition India. With Adamjees and Valikas, Dawoods played thepioneering role in late forties and early fifties to create a business culture in what wasthen West Pakistan .At partition the family opted to move to Pakistan, where the new nation created ample openings and opportunities for business and industry.It is said that he was commanded by Quaid-i-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah to migrate to Pakistan and set up an industry.
The family 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.
Dawoods played a leading role in the public welfare. Dawood Foundation was set up in1961 with a capital of Rs25 million. Dawood Engineering College was set up in sixtieswhich was later nationalized. It is still a leading institution of technical education. Mr Dawood Ahmad passed away on January 2, 2002 at the age of 97.
History of Morbi and Tankara
At the time of Partition of subcontinent Morbi became part of now India.
Memon in Morbi and Tankara were businessman and they were involved the trade and production of cotton as the soil of Morbi had been very fertile and fruitful for cotton traders.At the time of partition many of the memon families decided to move to the newly born State.Yet many families did not find it suitable to leave their old settlement and stayed at Morbi and Tankara.
Morbi also called Morvi is a small town of Gujarat State. This beautiful city is located on the Bank Of Machchhu.It is 67 Kms away from the Rajkot and 245 Kms away from the Ahmedabad. Morbi was founded in the year of 1698. Morbi was the Capital of Rajput Jadeja‘s State. Morbi is famous for it’s Architecture and Building. The plan of this beautiful city reflects the Love of it’s former Ruler for Discipline, Thinking and Architecture.
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| Mani Mandir Morbi |
The splendid planning and infrastructure of this town owes itself to Sir Waghji, who ruled the town between 1879 and 1948. He was responsible for establishing a good road network, railway network and even two small ports Navlakhi and Vavania. The railway station itself is a work of art with its famous combination of Indian and European architectural elements.
The town of Morvi is known for its exports in cotton and grain. It has also seen industrial growth in clock manufacturing and exports of ceramics and roofing tiles.
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| Nagar Darwaza now called Nehru Darwaza |
It has two lovely bridges on the River Machchhu. It has beautiful sculptures at the two ends and the other is a hanging bridge.The Mani Mandir of Morbi is an excellent example of Art. The Darwaza or Gates and the market of Green Bazar tell us about the commercial activities of the city. The main industry here is of making wall clocks . It is like a cottage industry in this city; every home produces them. The other is of pottery. The famous Parshuram Potteries produce a large variety of china crockery. A number of factories are also producing ceramic tiles of high quality.
Morbi suffered from a great flood in 1979,and once again a few years back it was hit by a massive earthquake but within a short time after both the disasters the city got its act together.
Tankara is situated 27 Km south of Morvi,It was a small village.It is most famous in the history as teh birth Place of Swami Dayananda Saraswati- A hindu Saint who was very much against Islam and Buddhism.
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
I am too Busy---A poem Contributed by Farah Razzak
Everyday as i wake up at dawn
My mind start working the moment i yawn
There were many things to do, o dear!
That's why i hastily did my Subuh prayer
I didn't have the time to sit longer to
praise the Lord
To me rushing out after prayer is nothing odd...
Since school, i had been busy every minute
Completing my tutorials and handing it in
My ECAs took up most of my time always
No time did i have to Allah to pray
Too many things to do and zikir is rare
For Allah, I really had no time to spare..
When i grew up and started my career
Working all day to secure my future
When I reached home, I prefered to have fun
I chatted on the phone but i didn't read the Quran
I spent too much time surfing the Internet
Sad to say, my faith was falling flat...
The only time i have left is weekends
During which i prefer window shopping with friends
I couldn't spare time to go to the mosque
I'm too busy, that's the BIG EXCUSE...
I did my five prayers but did so quickly
After prayer, I didn't sit longer to reflect quietly
I didn't have time to help the needy ones
I was loaded with work as my precious time runs
No time at all to visit a sick Muslim friend
To orphans and elderly, I hardly lent a hand
I'm too busy to do community service
When there were gatherings, I helped the least
My life was already full of stress
So i didn't counsel a Muslim in distress
I didn't spend much time with my family
B'coz i thought, doing so is a waste of time...
No time to share with non-Muslim about Islam
Even though I know, inviting causes no harm
No time to do Sunnah prayers at all
All these contribute to my imaan's fall..
I'm busy here and busy there
I've no time at all, that's all i care
I went for religious lessons, just once in awhile
Coz i'm too busy making a pile...
I worked all day and i slept all night
Too tired for Tahajjud and it seemed not right
To me, earning a living was already tough
so i only did basic deeds but that's not enough..
No time at all, to admire God's creation
No time to praise Allah and seek His Compassion
Although I know how short is my life
For Islam, I really didn't strive..
Finally the day comes, when the Lord calls for me
And I stood before Him with my Life's History
I feel so guilty b'coz I should have prayed more
Isn't that what a Muslim lives for?
To thank Allah and do more good deeds
And the Quran is for us all to read..
Now at Judgement Day, I'm starting to fret
I've wasted my life but it's too late to regret
My entry to Paradise depend on my good behaviour
But I've not done enough nor did proper prayer
My "good deed book" right in my front
An angel opened my "book" and read out my plight.
Then the angel chided me....
"O You Muslim servant, you are the one,
Who is given enough time, yet not much is done
Do you know that your faith is loose?
saying "no time" is only an excuse.
Your "good deed book" should be filled up more
with all the good work you stood up for..
Hence, I only recorded those little good deeds
As I say this, I know your eyes will mist..
I was about to write some more, you see
But i did not have, THE TIME to list".......
My mind start working the moment i yawn
There were many things to do, o dear!
That's why i hastily did my Subuh prayer
I didn't have the time to sit longer to
praise the Lord
To me rushing out after prayer is nothing odd...
Since school, i had been busy every minute
Completing my tutorials and handing it in
My ECAs took up most of my time always
No time did i have to Allah to pray
Too many things to do and zikir is rare
For Allah, I really had no time to spare..
When i grew up and started my career
Working all day to secure my future
When I reached home, I prefered to have fun
I chatted on the phone but i didn't read the Quran
I spent too much time surfing the Internet
Sad to say, my faith was falling flat...
The only time i have left is weekends
During which i prefer window shopping with friends
I couldn't spare time to go to the mosque
I'm too busy, that's the BIG EXCUSE...
I did my five prayers but did so quickly
After prayer, I didn't sit longer to reflect quietly
I didn't have time to help the needy ones
I was loaded with work as my precious time runs
No time at all to visit a sick Muslim friend
To orphans and elderly, I hardly lent a hand
I'm too busy to do community service
When there were gatherings, I helped the least
My life was already full of stress
So i didn't counsel a Muslim in distress
I didn't spend much time with my family
B'coz i thought, doing so is a waste of time...
No time to share with non-Muslim about Islam
Even though I know, inviting causes no harm
No time to do Sunnah prayers at all
All these contribute to my imaan's fall..
I'm busy here and busy there
I've no time at all, that's all i care
I went for religious lessons, just once in awhile
Coz i'm too busy making a pile...
I worked all day and i slept all night
Too tired for Tahajjud and it seemed not right
To me, earning a living was already tough
so i only did basic deeds but that's not enough..
No time at all, to admire God's creation
No time to praise Allah and seek His Compassion
Although I know how short is my life
For Islam, I really didn't strive..
Finally the day comes, when the Lord calls for me
And I stood before Him with my Life's History
I feel so guilty b'coz I should have prayed more
Isn't that what a Muslim lives for?
To thank Allah and do more good deeds
And the Quran is for us all to read..
Now at Judgement Day, I'm starting to fret
I've wasted my life but it's too late to regret
My entry to Paradise depend on my good behaviour
But I've not done enough nor did proper prayer
My "good deed book" right in my front
An angel opened my "book" and read out my plight.
Then the angel chided me....
"O You Muslim servant, you are the one,
Who is given enough time, yet not much is done
Do you know that your faith is loose?
saying "no time" is only an excuse.
Your "good deed book" should be filled up more
with all the good work you stood up for..
Hence, I only recorded those little good deeds
As I say this, I know your eyes will mist..
I was about to write some more, you see
But i did not have, THE TIME to list".......
Monday, February 14, 2011
Valentine's Day -History and Facts
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| Park Towers Karachi |
Meanwhile, a deep friendship had been formed between Valentine and Asterius'(Jailer) daughter. According to some legends, Valentine fell in love with the daughter of his jailer during his imprisonment. However, this legend is not given much importance by historians. The most plausible story surrounding St. Valentine is one not centered on Eros (passionate or personal love) but on agape (Love for Christianity): he was sentenced to death for refusing to renounce his religion. Valentine is believed to have been executed on February 14, 270 AD.
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| Valentine day in India |
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| Statue of Saint Valentine |