Gulamhusein Nasser Lakha

Birth

Birthdate: 1912

Marhum Haji Gulamhusein Lakha was born in 1912 and from his early youth devoted a lot of his time, with dedication, to community activities. He took active interest in identifying the needs and implementing solutions for the benefit of our community.

Contributions towards the community

He was the President of Ithna-asheri Union in Mombasa in 1945. With his friend, Marhum Haji Alimohamed Jaffer and others he was involved in the drafting of the Constitution for The Africa Federation and Supreme Council of Jamaats in Africa. He was among the pioneers in the establishment of the Africa Federation of Jamats and was Hon. Secretary from 1950 to 1959 with Marhum Haji A. H. Nurmohamed as the President. He made outstanding contributions in the fields of education, welfare and the establishment of the administration machinery during his term. He spent most of his evenings and weekends doing the work for the benefit of the community. In 1948, he arranged for the first ever Hajj travel by Air through B.O.A.C Airlines to facilitate travel for Hujjaj who normally had to undergo arduous long journeys by sea.

Professional Life

On a personal level he started work in his youth as a clerk and reached the highest level in management as the Manager for Mitchell Cotts, a multinational firm based in Kenya, during the colonial times. During his tenure in Mitchell Cotts he helped a lot of the community members to get employment within the firm. He was able to achieve both in his personal life and for the community through his personal integrity, personal charm, hard work, perseverance in the face of obstacles and eloquence.

He was of an amicable nature and had strong feelings for the community, of which he was very proud.

Narrative by Hasnain Walji
Reference:
E-Book of 12 Personalities
The World Federation of KSIMC
SENIORS ADVISORY BOARD
February 2006 / Muharram 1427