Suleman Walji - Kilwa
Birth & Death
Haji Suleman Walji - Kilwa - Born in Jamwali, Jamnagar, India moved to Kilwa in 1900 and lived in Kilwa, Dar es Salaam, Kigoma and Albertville (Kalemie), Congo. He died in Albertville (Kalemie) in Congo in 1930
The following information was provided by Br Rajabali Mohamedali Suleman in 1960
Kilwana Sawaal Jawaab
My grandfather Marhum Haji Suleman Walji was originally from Jamwadi, Jamnagar, India. He arrived in Kilwa around 1900 from India. My father Mohamedali Suleman was born in Kilwa in 1901. At Kilwa, my grandfather converted from Ismail to Ithnaasheri. He, together with some colleagues, held a question-answer session with His Highness the Aga Khan III and a book was published with the title “Questions and Answers at Kilwa.” (This incident happened in Kilwa in 1905 in a ship off Kilwa harbour. His colleagues were Nurmohamed Sheriff Manekia and Suleman Bhimji)
Albertville
My grandfather and father left for Hajj in 1914. They lived in different places in East Africa and had also worked for the famous company of Nasser Virji. In 1922, they left for India where my father got married. They then decided to stay in Dar es Salaam. In 1926, they moved to Kigoma where I was born in the same year. In 1928, we moved to Belgian Congo. My grandfather opened a shop in Albertville and my father in Moba. Due to the sudden death of my grandfather in 1930 of a heart-attack, my father closed his shop in Moba and moved to Albertsville.
At that time Albertsville had 4 Ithnaasheri families. These included business entities from Tanganyika, namely Alibhai Panju & Sons, Ebrahim Haji & Bros, Juma Haji of Dar es Salaam, and Kermalli Pirbhai. There were also 7-8 other Indian families making a total Indian population of 100.
We had an Indian Public School which lasted up to 1938 with frequent closures due to low student population. I studied at this school.
In 1952, my father died of heart attack and the full responsibility of running the business fell on my shoulders. This business is now run under the name of R M Suleman. I got married in Dar es Salaam in 1952.
Currently we have 6 Ithnaasheri families numbering 30 people. There are 6 Ismaili and 2 Hindu families and the total Indian population is 80. There are 1500 Europeans and 32,000 Africans. Albertville is among main cities of Congo. We have headquarters of CFL Railway and also Steam Navigation Company.
There is a textile mill with a variety of products. Due to high coal output, there are plans being developed to obtain fuel from coal. There exist political and economic challenges
Service to the Community
In 1974, Mombasa Jamaat convened a special Open Forum for ladies to review rites, rituals, customs and traditions practiced by the community. It was recognised that no effective changes in our traditions could be brought about without active involvement of the ladies section. The entire managing Committee of the Jamaat, accompanied by late Maulana Aqa Haider and Mulla Abdulrasul sat behind the screen as participants reviewed a wide spectrum of traditions and the changes proposed.
Another sphere of his active involvement has been in match making and as a member of the Marriage Reconciliation Committee.
In addition, he is also an effective Zakir delivering Majalis in Gujarati for which he has travelled to Madagascar and to Paris during Muharram.
It is gratifying that the community leadership has often recognised services of such individuals during their life time.
In appreciation of his services, Mombasa Jamaat awarded him with a citation and the Africa Federation presented him with the 'Huseini Medal' while the World Federation of KSIMC presented him with the 'Al Baqir' award.
May Allah (SWT) in His Mercy bless Mulla Abdulrasul with longevity and good health and increase in his tawfeeqaat so that his living example may continue to provide inspiration to all those who dedicate their lives to serve in the way of Allah (SWT).
Reference:
TRIBUTE TO A LIVING LEGEND
By: Hassan Ali M. Jaffer
