In May 2013, I had the honor and privilege to meet Mr. Mohammed Sajid Haji Ibrahim Memon, Vice President, Kutchi Memon Jamat of Bhuj at the office of Dr. G.S. Vanjara, President of the Cutchi Memon Jamat of Mumbai.  Mr. Memon was kind enough to forward the following updated information regarding his Jamat.  - Arif G. Kadwani

 

KUTCHI MEMON JAMAT, BHUJ - MANAGING COMMITTEE

President                  Janab Haji Hanifbhai Yunus Ishani

Vice President          Janab Mohammed Sajid Haji Ibrahim Memon

Secretary                 Janab C.A. Zahirbhai Haji A. Latif Kamlani

Jt. Secretary            Janab Haji Salim Yusuf Bocha

Treasurer                 Janab Aminbhai Haji Yunus Galaria

Members

Janab Shafi Mohammed Akilbhai Galaria

Janab Haji A. Sattar Ramjubhai Khetani

Janab Haji Mansur A. Gafur Munshi

Janab Zahidhusain Haji Ibrahim Galaria

Janab Haji Iqbal Ahmed Bakerywala

Janab Shakeel Haji A. Gani Aliyani

Janab Altaf Husain Haji Ayub Sachdhani

Janab Azizbhai Haji Yakub Memon

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INFORMATION ON THE JAMAT -  JUNE 2013

The total number of households are around 400 with a population of about 2100 n Bhuj. There are families around Bhuj in villages such as Bharapur, Dahinsara, Kukma and Madhapur.

Kutchi Memons are involved in various business ventures such as wholesale of grains, fruits and vegetables, cloth merchandising, grocery (kirana), mobile retailing, electronics sales, property sales, and buying and selling of new and used cars as well as commercial vehicles. Kutchi Memons of Bhuj are also doctors, engineers, school teachers and principals, college professors, government officers, etc.

Our Managing  Committee mentioned above was elected in a general body meeting held on January 31, 2011.

Janab Haji Hanif Yunus Memon was elected President.  The first important task he took on hand was rebuilding our Jamatkhana which was badly damaged by the earthquake of 2001.  Since the earthquake, our meetings and events were held in other Muslim Jamatkhanas or halls.  As our people were facing problems, we decided to rebuild our Jamatkhana, and in Ramadan 2011 the foundation stone was laid by Pir Sayed Najmul Hasan Jayesi in the presence of our Managing Committee and Jamat members.  A Building Committee consisting of four members was formed to look after the construction.  These members were Haji Hanif, Mohammed Sajid Memon, Arif Devani and Rafik Memon.  The rebuilding work was funded from contributions made by Kutchi Memons residing in Bhuj.  No external aid was sought as it was believed that Bhuj people are well established to look after their own needs.  By the grace of Allah, our Jamatkhana's ground floor is now built and ready to use.  We will soon start work on the first floor.

We also look after the Memon colony consisting of 90 houses, Trambauwala Hajipir, Garibshah Pir Dargah (Aam Tara) and other social responsibilities entrusted us by our elders.  We help widows, the poor and needy, students etc. We have initiated a zakat fund, and we seek you help in that respect.

We have consistently held niyaaz of Gyarmi Sharif, Rabiul Awwal, and niyaaz on the death anniversary of our beloved Haji Kareem Mohammed (Kamoo Sheth). 

In January 2013 a group of young women discussed with us the possibility of helping the Kutchi Memon community in the field of education.  These ladies are professionals in Education, and hold high positions. On our approval, the group united under the name of "Ummeed, and went door to door to gather the data of all Memon families living in Bhuj.  Our families completed the forms handed by Ummeed volunteers and handed them to our Jamatkhana office.  On February 18, 2013, Ummeed held its grand event at our Jamatkhana, the grandest ever in the history of our Jamat.  They held their first program soon thereafter.  A Summer Camp of 10 days was also arranged by Ummeed members. This was a great success, by the grace of Allah!

 

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UMMEED - A RAY OF HOPE



“Everything that is done in the world is done by hope”.   With this hope   for the welfare of our Memon community,  Kutchi Memon Women’s Council UMMEED – a ray of hope, came into existence. KMWC UMMEED is the council running under Kutchi Memon Jamaat (Waqaf Registration No. 131 Bhuj.) The first meeting of this council was held on 21^st October, 2012 with current Kutchi Memon Jamat’s committee. The council succeeded in convincing present committee and got recognition on 3^rd  November, 2012

We in this group of fourteen (14) come from different sectors of our society such as academics, administration, management, finance, etc. Some of the group are still in the phase of learning and are students.

List of committee members of Kutchi Memon Women’s Council – UMMEED

1.	Memon Mehwish Abdul Majid	President
2.	Memon Armeen Anwar Bhai	Vice president
3.	Memon Shaheen Dost Mohmmed Bhai	Secretary
4.	Memon Meenaz Siraj	Joint Secretary
5.	Memon Sanjidha Sultan Husain	Treasurer
6.	Memon Shahin Mohmmed Shafi	Member
7.	Memon Shaima Abdul Gani	Member
8.	Memon Sahema Abdul Sattar	Member
9.	Memon Ana Hanif Bhai	Member
10.	Memon Faiza Yunus Bhai	Member
11.	Memon Shaheen Mohmmed Ashraf	Member
12.	Memon Zaib Zahid Husain	Member
13.	Memon Suraiya Salim Bhai	Member
14.	Memon Sarah Haroon Bhai	Member

 

It is rightly said “Coming together is beginning, keeping together is progress and working together is success”. With this aim each member of this group  has a common mission of upliftment of our Memon Community.  This council is a dynamic group of ladies of Bhuj, Kachchh. They all are devoted in this noble and esteemed cause by focusing on different aspects such as Education, Employment, Culture, Religion and Health.  

With blessings of Allah,  Kutchi Memon Women’s Council – UMMEED is expecting to complete various tasks in nearby future.  Our tasks include data collection that will cover census of the Kutchi Memon community in and around Bhuj.  The earthquake made it difficult to continue with census collection but it is hoped that the dedication of Ummeed members with see the completion of this task.



 



 

A MEMORABLE DAY WHICH BEACAME A HISTORICAL DAY & will be cherished lifelong by the Kutchi Memons of Bhuj………..

          On 10^th February, 2013 Sunday, Kutchi Memon Women’s Council- Ummeed hosted a one day program for the members of Kutchi Memon Jamat (KMJ) Bhuj. For the very first time in the history of KMJ, Bhuj such an event was conceptualized  and implemented. Our newly constructed  wing of KMJ Jamatkhana was Inaugurated at this function.

          The program was divided into 3 parts.  The first started with the name of Almighty Allah in the form of Takreer for ladies between 10 to 11:00 a.m. wherein Memuna Aapa  focused on the importance of both Deeni &  worldly education as well as addressed all the mothers to motivate and positively support their children to reach their desired goals. KMWC-Ummeed member Sahema organized the whole event. This session ended with Duas…..

          Next was  a very unique program i.e. “ Apne Badon Ko Salam-Sneh Milan” which was specially designed for our 50+ elders. They had lots of fun as they played various one minute games and won prizes. After that, they keenly listened to six different informative sessions. Mrs. Shirin A. Karim Memon started with “Deeni-Taleem”. Mrs. Roshanara Memon, who is serving in the educational field  since last 30 years, with “Educational Approach”, and  Mrs. Jubeda Mohammed Memon   on “Joint Family System” and its importance. The whole program was energized by the speech of Mr. Haji Sattar Akbani who spoke on-“Development of Business as well as Social Welfare”. The atmosphere became shayarana with the “Sher-O-Shayri” session of Mr. Latif Kamlani. Lastly, Mrs. Zarina Kamlani briefed the audience about the history of KMJ & Kammu Sheth. KMWC-Ummeed Member Ms. Ana Memon was the in charge of this event and Ms. Armeen & Ms. Shaheen Dostmohammad hosted the program. The elders departed with a small gift after refreshments.

          The evening program was specially for the shining stars of KMJ, Bhuj. It was “Award Ceremony for Students” who are the pride of the whole Kutchi Memon Jamat of Bhuj. On the basis of last three years performance all the 142 applications were scrutinized by the jury members,  and the 35 award winners were declared that evening. The categories included- Best in Academics, Co-curricular Activities, Public Speaking, Writing, Art & Craft, Best Religious student, Singer & Sports person. Shining stars of KMJ were awarded by the hands of different dignitaries. Also Mr. Abdul Razak Memon felicitated our bright students of 10^th & 12^th with Silver medal, and  Mr. Nazeer Kamlani gave away the cash prizes to them. KMWC-Ummeed presented trophies and certificates to all the award winners as well as gifts to all applicants. Also Kutchi Memon Jamat’s website was launched. You can check out more details on www.kutchimemonjamatbhuj-ummeed.org Ms. Mehwish Abdulmajid Memon-President KMWC-Ummeed, in her speech clrified the concept  & the reason behind the establishment of Women’s Council. She requested the audience to focus on Education,Religion, Culture & Health. She thanked the President of KMJ, Bhuj Mr. Hanif Ishani for granting recognition to their committee. She also asked all the parents to resolve towards educating their children at least until they graduate from college.    Sanjidha & Minaz hosted the program under the supervision of Ms. Armeen Memon.  Ms. Shaheen concluded the program with a vote of thanks

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It is a pleasure to note that Cutchi Memon brethren visiting Cutchi Memons for their social activities and using our Jamatkhana are pleased with and appreciative of our services and facilities.

 

Bhuj has 180 Cutchi Memon families engaged in business activities such as sale of grain seeds, cloth, cutlery, vegetables, and wholesale of general merchandise, pan galla and bidi shops, etc.

 

Our Jamat’s revenue comes from rental income of shops, laagaa aavak, and donations.  We are proud that a major portion of our income is expended for the benefit of our brethren.  Our notable activities are:

 

Educational: Our Jamat provides tuition fees to college students, tuition fees and textbooks to higher secondary students and textbooks to primary education students.  Our Jamat also has sewing classes (sewing and embroidery work) without any charge at our Jamatkhana. This naturally helps needy ladies, as they then become providers of financial support to their families.

 

Religious: Our Jamat conducts a Madrassa for our children’s Deeni Taalim. Regular sharifs of Baarvi and Agyarvi are arranged for all family members. This cultivates an unbelievably good harmony for all.

 

Our Jamat also invites a Hafiz Saheb to conduct Taraavih prayers during the holy month of Ramadan.  Our Jamat bears the expenses for this invitation.  This is in fond memory of Late Sheth Haji Karim Mohmed Suleman, a well-known philanthropist of our community.  On his death anniversary, our Jamat arranges Dini Takrir for the benefit of all Jamat members.

 

A dargah just 8 kilometers from Bhuj is that of Trambauwala Hajipur Saheb.  To pay our respects and homage, it is whitewashed, painted, perfumed, and garlanded each year.  An urs is also held.  Food is served to needy persons.

 

Financial Assistance: Every month an amount of Rs. 75 each is given to 5 widows, and Rs. 60 each to physically handicapped persons. An amount of Rs. 2000 is loaned to our brethren free of interest for business purposes.  This amount it so be repaid is 30 equal installments.

 

A major portion of our Jamat’s income is spent in the best interests of our brethren.  Cutchi Memons from all over India and abroad visit Bhuj and are witness to our exemplary services.

 

Arrangements can be made at our Jamatkhana’s two halls to hold engagement ceremony as well as marriage events.  We charge only a token amount, i.e. it is almost free of charge.  

 

For ziyarat purpose, our Jamatkhana is allowed to be used without any charge.

 

Majlis Fund & Lawaris Fund:

 

Our Jamat has a Majlis Fund.   A history of more than 100 years is behind this Majlis fund.  Sabil is erected, and Majlis is held in holy month/s.  Our brethren contribute towards this.  From the funds collected, we also arrange Majlis for ladies in the holy month of Ramadan at the Jamatkhana at convenient times.

 

Lawaris Fund:  Our Jamat arranges for the last rites of any destitute Muslim. All charges for kafan and dafan are borne by our Jamat.  In 1974, a committee was formed on the initiative and under the Presidentship of Munshi Shahbuddin Bana for collecting donations in a closed box for the Lawaris Fund.

 

Our Jamat has very close relations with the All India Cutchi Memon Federation since its inception.  Two delegates from our Jamat are on the Federation’s Managing Committee.  One more member is to be co-opted.  Our Jamat is proud of this as well as the fact that the Federation has an office in Bhuj.  The Federation has conducted meetings at our Jamatkhana.

 

Our Jamat exists for our brethren, and we pray to Almighty Allah to bless us to perform better tasks and do more.