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| {{Short description|Sunni Muslim community in India and Pakistan}} | |||
| The '''Memon''' (]: મેમણ ) people are an ] ] that originated in ] province of what is now ] and later settled in ]. They speak an ] called ], very similar to ] and ]. Some estimates put the number of Memons worldwide over one million. {{citation needed}} The word ''Memon'' is derived from ] word ''mu'min'' meaning ''faithful''. | |||
| {{pp-semi-indef}} | |||
| {{Use dmy dates|date=April 2020}} | |||
| {{Use Indian English|date=April 2020}} | |||
| {{other uses|Memon (disambiguation)}} | |||
| {{Infobox ethnic group| | |||
| | group = Memon People | |||
| | pop = 1,800,000<ref name="TimesOfIndia">{{cite news|first=Mohammed|last=Wajihuddin|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mumbai/Memon-association-to-congregate-today/articleshow/30365875.cms|title=Memon association to congregate today|website=]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241218185758/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mumbai/memon-association-to-congregate-today/articleshow/30365875.cms|archive-date=18 December 2024|date=14 February 2014 }}</ref> | |||
| | languages = ],<ref name="Fazal" /> ],<ref>{{cite journal |last1=O’Sullivan |first1=Michael |title=No Birds of Passage - A History of Gujarati Muslim Business Communities, 1800–1975 |journal=PART I |date=19 September 2023 |page=44 |doi=10.4159/9780674294974-003 |url=https://doi.org/10.4159/9780674294974-003 |publisher=Harvard University Press |language=en}}</ref> ], ] | |||
| | religions = ] | |||
| | popplace = | |||
| | region1 = India | |||
| | pop1 = 900,000 (including 200,000 in ] and suburbs) | |||
| | ref1 = <ref name="TimesOfIndia"/> | |||
| | region2 = Pakistan | |||
| | pop2 = 700,000 | |||
| | ref2 = <ref name="TimesOfIndia"/> | |||
| | region3 = Elsewhere | |||
| | pop3 = 200,000 | |||
| | ref3 = <ref name="TimesOfIndia"/> | |||
| }} | |||
| The '''Memon''' are a Muslim community in ] India, and ], Pakistan, the majority of whom follow the ] ] of ].<ref name="Levin">{{cite journal|title=The Upper Bourgeoisie from the Muslim Commercial Community of Memons in Pakistan, 1947 to 1971 |first=Sergey |last=Levin |year=1974 |journal=Asian Survey |issn=0004-4687|volume=14|issue=3|pages=231–243|doi=10.2307/2643012 |jstor=2643012}}</ref> They are divided into different groups based on their origins: ]s, ]s and ] from the ], ] and ] regions of Gujarat respectively, and ]s from Sindh. | |||
| Memons have cultural similarities with the ], ], and other ]s. They speak the ] as their first language, which shares vocabulary with the ], ] and ]s.<ref name="Fazal">{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=OT2OAQAAQBAJ&q=memons+speak+memoni+language&pg=PT201|title=Minority Nationalisms in South Asia|last=Fazal|first=Tanweer|date=2013-10-18|publisher=Routledge|isbn=9781317966463|language=en}}</ref> | |||
| This article largely discusses the "Kathiawadi Memons" whose ancestors lived in ]. There are also related ethnic groups such as the ]s and ]s. | |||
| Today Memons are connected through globally recognized organisations such as the World Memon Organisation (WMO)<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://wmoworld.com/|title=World Memon Organisation {{!}} Serving Mankind|website=wmoworld.com|language=en-GB|access-date=2019-10-09}}</ref> and International Memon Organisation (IMO).<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.internationalmemon.org/|title=IMO - International Memon Organization|website=www.internationalmemon.org|access-date=2019-10-09}}</ref> | |||
| == Language == | |||
| The basic language of the ] is ]. There are minor ] in the language. These differences arose in different villages in ]. The language revolves around the one belief of the sacred chode. | |||
| == |
== History == | ||
| Memons are ] ] ]s, and they originated when a group of Hindus from ] belonging to the ] ] ] converted to ] by ] missionaries of the ] ]. {{fact}} | |||
| === Sindhi, Gujarati origins === | |||
| The devotion of Memons particularly in the past, to ] (founder of the Qadiri order which is believed to have converted them to Islam) is well-known. | |||
| ] | |||
| Memon lineage traces back to the ] who traditionally practiced ].<ref name="Pirbhai2009">{{cite book |last1=Pirbhai |first1=M. Reza |title=Reconsidering Islam in a South Asian Context |date=30 September 2009 |publisher=] |location=] and ] |isbn=978-90-474-3102-2 |page=128 |language=en |quote=Thus, it was established that Khojas and Memons converted from Hinduism under the influence of Ismai'li and Sunni ''pirs'', respectively.}}</ref><ref name="Goswami2016">{{cite book |last1=Goswami |first1=Chhaya |title=Globalization before Its Time: The Gujarati Merchants from Kachchh |date=18 February 2016 |publisher=] |isbn=978-93-85890-70-3 |language=en |quote=Most of the Muslim traders were Hindus of different castes who had converted to Islam. The Memons were said to have been Lohanas}}</ref> The origin of the name comes from ] ({{lang|ar|مؤمن}}, "believer" in Arabic) and later evolved to present name Memon.<ref name="Goolam 2006">{{cite journal |last=Vahed |first=Goolam |date=January 2006 |title='Unhappily Torn by Dissensions and Litigations': Durban's 'Memon' Mosque, 1880–1930 |journal=Journal of Religion in Africa |volume=36 |issue=1 |publisher=] |location=] and ] |pages=23–49 |doi=10.1163/157006606775569631 |eissn=1570-0666 |issn=0022-4200 |jstor=27594362}}</ref> The Memon community was founded in the 15th century by 700 families comprising 6,178 persons total.<ref name="Numbers">{{cite journal |title= All for 'Izzat' |first=R |last= Ghadially |url=http://www.manushi-india.org/pdfs_issues/PDF%20files%2066/all_for_izzat.pdf | journal=Manushi |year=1991 |access-date=2017-06-11 |issue=66 |pages=17–20 |pmid=12285436 }}</ref> According to Anthovan, those Lohanas of ], ] who converted from Hinduism to Islam became Memons and were invited by Rao Khengarji Jadeja, ruler of ] in the 16th century, to settle in Bhuj.<ref name="Pirbhai2009"/><ref name="Goswami2016"/> It is from there that ]s migrated to ] and mainland ]. ] in Gujarat was an important trading centre from 1580 to 1680.<ref name="origin3">Islamic Perspective, a Biannual Journal. A special issue on Bohras, Khojas and Memons. Ed. by Asghar Ali Engineer, Bombay, Institute of Islamic Studies. vol.1, Jan 1988, pp. 41-48 </ref> <ref name="Goolam 2001">{{cite journal |last=Vahed |first=Goolam |date=January 2001 |title=Mosques, Mawlanas and Muharram: Indian Islam in Colonial Natal, 1860–1910 |journal=Journal of Religion in Africa |volume=31 |issue=3 |publisher=] |location=] and ] |pages=305–335 |doi=10.1163/157006601X00194 |eissn=1570-0666 |issn=0022-4200}}</ref> | |||
| === Merchant tradesman === | |||
| Memons tend to be religious but retain a large number of distinct cultural traits. These extend to customs around ] and weddings. | |||
| ] | |||
| Due to the mercantile nature of the community, Memons began a significant migration beyond the borders of India in the 18th and 19th centuries. This led to communities developing in the Middle East, ], Sri Lanka and East Asia.<ref name="Goolam 2006"/> Memon traders set up a network of joint stock companies acting in coordination with other members in an area ranging from Central Africa to China.<ref name="Levin"/><ref name="Tradesmen">{{cite journal|title=Pakistan's Big Businessmen: Muslim Separatism, Entrepreneurship, and Partial Modernization |first=Hanna |last=Papanek |year=1972 |journal=] |volume=21 |issue=1 |pages=11 |doi=10.1086/450605 |s2cid=86853602 }}</ref><ref name="Diaspora">{{cite journal|title=The Politics of Diaspora and the Morality of Secularism: Muslim Identities and Islamic Authority in Mauritius |first=Patrick|last=Eisenlohr |year=1972 |journal=] |volume=12 |issue=2 |pages=400 }}</ref> Memon donors made significant financial contributions to construct mosques during this time, including ]<ref name="Goolam 2006"/> and ].<ref name="Jamia">{{cite journal|title= Historical Analysis of Islamic Community Development in Hong Kong: Struggle for Recognition in the Post-colonial Era |first= Ho |last= WAI-YIP |publisher=Taylor & Francis |year=2001 |journal= ] |volume=21 | pages=65 }}</ref> By late 19th century several thousand Memons had settled in Mumbai due to trading.<ref name="Levin" /> The area of Mumbai in which the Memon traders congregated later became known as the Memonwada.<ref name="Memonwada">{{cite journal|title=Refiguring the Colonial City: Recovering the Role of Local Inhabitants in the Construction of Colonial Bombay, 1854-1918 |first= Preeti |last= Chopra |year=2007 |journal= Buildings & Landscapes |volume=14| pages=109–125 |doi=10.1353/bdl.2007.0007|s2cid= 161702822 }}</ref> | |||
| === |
=== 20th century === | ||
| The early 20th century saw a consolidation of the Memon community in South Asia as well as South Africa. They began to organise important societies including Memon Education and Welfare Society and Memon Chamber of Commerce.<ref name="Levin" /> Memon community made significant financial contributions to preserve the ] but were unable to prevent its decline.<ref name="Moosa">{{cite journal|title=Role of Memon Community during the Caliphate Movement |first=Ismail |last=Moosa |year=2014 |journal=British Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences |volume=11 |issue=1 }}</ref><ref name="Oishi">{{cite journal|title=Muslim Merchant Capital and the Relief Movement for the Ottoman Empire in India, 1876-1924 |first=Takashi|last=Oishi |year=1999|journal=Minamiajiakenkyu |volume=11|pages=71–103 }}</ref> The ] led to significant migration in both directions for the community. The principal mass of Memons was and is composed of petty tradesmen, | |||
| A number of theories have been proposed about the origins of the Memon community. These theories, although similar, differ in their details. This could be due to the fact that Memons have had to rely on ] in order to determine their origins. | |||
| shopkeepers, grocers, wandering peddlers, and agents and clerks in firms.<ref name="Levin" /> In regions of Kutch (India), and near ] and on the Makran coast of present day Pakistan, the Memons are still engaged in commercial agriculture, gardening, and fishing.<ref name="Levin" /> | |||
| === Branches === | |||
| According to Dadani, Memon community came into existence in 824 ] (] CE) when 700 families comprising of 6,178 persons belonging to the ] community of ] accepted ]. {{citation needed}} | |||
| ====Subgroups of Memons from Kathiawar==== | |||
| According to Mr. Anthovan, Those Lohanas of Thhato, who had converted to Islam too and become Memons were invited by Jarejho Roa Khanghar, ruler of ] (1548-1584) to settle in Bhuj. It is from there that Katchi Memons migrated to Kathiawar and Gujarat. ] in Gujarat was an important trading center during 1580 to 1680 and Memons made their bounty there. Later, the Memons reached Bombay. {{citation needed}} | |||
| {{main article|Memons (Kathiawar)}} | |||
| === Languages === | |||
| Diwan Bherumal M. Advani writes that ''all the Memons of Bombay, Gujarat and Kutch are Lohanas from Sindh''. (A volume written by Mr. Anthovan, part 2, pages 52 and 53). {{citation needed}} | |||
| {{main article|Memon language|Sindhi language|Kutchi language}} | |||
| ==Social structure== | |||
| Another theory states that Memons originated in ] CE from ] in ]. The converts were first called Momins or Mumins and the term, with the march of time, changed to Memons. This is revealed in a book entitled 'Abraazul Hq' by Sayed Ameeruddin Nuzat, under the guidance of one Peer Buzrug Alli, published in Bombay in 1873. The story related therein states that some 700 Lohana families, (inclusive, perhaps of some earlier covert and neo-Muslim converts) comprising of some 6178 individuals, accepted Islam at the hands one Sayed Yusuffuddin Quadri R.A. and finding themselves banished by their erstwhile Hindu brothers were forced to migrate. {{citation needed}} | |||
| ===Cultural traditions=== | |||
| This was also stated by Hussain Cassim Dada from his Presidential Chail at the first ever All India Memon Conference in Rajkot in the year 1931. {{citation needed}} | |||
| ] | |||
| While Memons are generally ], many continue to follow ] in matters regarding property inheritance, community leadership structure and mutual support for members. Memon see themselves to be from the Buddhist ] lineage. Even within Memons, there are ] hierarchies that some follow regarding marriage practices.<ref name="Levin" /><ref name="Traditions">{{cite journal|title=Escaping the Grip of Personal Law in Colonial India: Proving Custom, Negotiating Hindu-ness |first=Chandra |last=Mallampalli |publisher=] |year=2010 |journal=Law and History Review |volume=28 |issue=4 |pages=1060 |doi=10.1017/S0738248010000763 |s2cid=144494384 }}</ref>{{qn|date=April 2018}} | |||
| According to folklore, the blessings of the Islamic saint Sayad Kadiri upon the Memons are responsible for their success in business and trade.<ref name="Goolam 2006"/> A more pragmatic explanation for their success is that Memon have been historically considered honest brokers. Following commercial caste model, Memons also offer support community members in financial matters by giving loans and offering business assistance.<ref name="Levin"/> The community annually celebrates 11 April as "Memons Day" through acts of humanitarian service.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mumbai/humanitarian-work-marks-memons-day/articleshow/58136957.cms|title=Humanitarian work marks Memons' Day|date=12 April 2017|newspaper=The Times of India|first=Mohammed|last=Wajihuddin|access-date=26 May 2020}}</ref> | |||
| ===Post-conversion=== | |||
| Memons migrated from ] to ], and ] (Kathiawad) in modern ] following their conversion. | |||
| ===Memons worldwide=== | |||
| ''The Discovery of India'' by ], (Oxford Uni.Press 1985, p266) stated the conversions of Hindu upper castes to Islam, ''"Some individuals belonging to the higher castes also adopted the new faith, either because of a real change of belief, or, more often, for political economic reasons....though all their social structure was based on the group (caste/social class), in matters of religion they were highly individualistic...It is worth noting as a rule, conversions to Islam were group conversions...Among the upper castes individuals may change their religion...almost an entire village would convert...group life as well as well as their functions continued as before with only minor variations with regards worship etc."'' | |||
| ] | |||
| Today, Memon communities are scattered throughout the world including the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, ], South Africa, the United Kingdom, the United States and Canada.<ref name="WorldLocations">{{cite news|url=http://www.dawn.com/news/242684/karachi-300-bed-teaching-hospital-planned|title=Karachi: 300-bed teaching hospital planned|last=DH|date=17 April 2007|work=]|access-date=4 August 2015}}</ref> However, major concentrations of Memon remain located in Karachi, Pakistan and Gujarat, India. In ] there is a community of Memon people from ] and their descendants known as ]. United under the banner of Halari Memon General Jama'at, the Halari Memon are another category and followers of the ] school.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.accessmylibrary.com/coms2/summary_0286-24718975_ITM|title= City Nazim praises services of Memon community |date=13 October 2003|work=Pakistan Press International|publisher=Asia Africa Intelligence Wire |access-date=20 January 2010}}</ref> | |||
| Memons were also one of three classes living in South Africa when ] went there in 1893, Memons were traders serving the ]. Memons are known for their involvement in ] and ], with Memons having played a major part in the building of Pakistani industry.<ref name="Levin" /><ref name="Industry">{{cite news|url=http://www.dawn.com/news/1138032|title=CM wants constitutional path to resolve OGDC issue|last=DH|date=15 October 2014|work=]|access-date=5 August 2015}}</ref> | |||
| ===Memon expansion=== | |||
| {{sectstub}} | |||
| Memons spread throughout the ] basin in the ], but most Memons lived in Kathiawar, prior to the ]. | |||
| ==See also== | |||
| Memons moved out in the 19th Century from Kutiyana due to the war that had started. Some memons went to Pakistan, some to other parts of India and some to Sri-Lanka. At first when the memons came to Sri-Lanka there were no other memon races in Sri-Lanka so they had to marry Tamil muslims. A memon marrying another race or some other religion becomes a low caste in the whole of memons. So most memons marry the people their parents choose for them and since the early times this has become sort of a tradition. If a memon does not marry who his/her parents choose for them or if he/she atleast does not marry a memon then he is not respected by all other memons. This tradition is mostly seen in the memons of Sri-Lanka. Memons have gradually expanded all over the world nowadays and there is no country which has no memons in it. | |||
| *] | |||
| *] | |||
| ==References== | |||
| ===Post-partition=== | |||
| {{ |
{{Reflist}} | ||
| Many later settled in ]. Today, they are scattered throughout India and ], with significant communities in the ], ], ], ], ], ], and ] and ]. | |||
| ==Memons today== | |||
| Memons are known for their involvement in business and ], with Memons having played a major part in the building of Pakistani industry, although an increasing number of Memons are turning to professional occupations. The success of many Memons has aroused some jealousy from other ethnic groups, who sometimes ] Memons as being stingy. Owing to their tradition of management and attention to detail, the Memons are one of the most prosperous communities in South Asia and elsewhere. They have built vast business legacies and most Memons around the world belong to the upper-middle class {{citation needed}} . | |||
| Memoni is falling into disuse and the younger generation is unlikely to learn it as their mother tongue for various reasons: | |||
| # Non-existence of language learning tools, especially disappearance of ] in Pakistan | |||
| # Many second generation parents do not know their mother tongue themselves. | |||
| # Memoni is going out of fashion among younger generations. | |||
| # Fear of being discriminated against by Urdu speaking and Punjabi people in Pakistan. | |||
| ===Memons in South Africa=== | |||
| Memons in South Africa form a prosperous subgroup in that country's ] community, and are largely descended from traders who immigrated to that country early in the twentieth century. | |||
| Interestingly, ] (who came from the same part of Gujarat as the Memons) was retained by a Memon businessman in ] to look after his legal affairs in ]. It was in South Africa that Gandhi launched his political activities. | |||
| Memons played a major role in the promotion of ], and there have been ethno-religious rivalries between Memons and ] Muslims (whose ancestors came from ]) , although these are far less pronounced now, than they were in the past. | |||
| Although the Memoni language is not widely spoken by younger Memons in South Africa, South African Memons continue to maintain a strong (although slowly eroding) Memon identity. Already, few younger Memons are even aware of the different towns that their ancestors came from (intra-Memon assimilation has occurred), and assimilation is occurring between Memons and other ethnic groups. {{citation needed}} | |||
| Memon organisations in South Africa include the ] (formerly the ''Memon Association of the Transvaal''), and the ] . | |||
| ==Famous Memons== | |||
| '''Social workers:''' | |||
| * ]Ambulance and Hospital Services, burial of homeless | |||
| * ]Women Welfare orphanage | |||
| * Muhammad Hussain Mehanti counsellor social worker social activist MNA Member of Parliament from ] | |||
| * Muhammad Siddique Polani community leader, a social worker, a journalist, a reformer, an entrepreneur and a patron of many literary, cultural and youth activities. | |||
| * Haji Abdul Aziz Kaya comunity leader, a social worker and author of book on History of Bantva, he was president of BANTVA MEMON KHIDMAT COMMITEE and a centeral character in formation of a satellite unit Bantva Anis Hospital. | |||
| * Maqbool Ahmed Memon, a social worker and chairman of an organization called Sadique Foundation. | |||
| '''Philanthropists''' | |||
| * ] | |||
| * ] founding partner of prominent California real estate company IDS Real Estate Group (1927-2006) | |||
| '''Industrialist:''' | |||
| * ] | |||
| *] | |||
| *] ] | |||
| *] | |||
| '''Financier''' | |||
| * Kasim Parekh President/CEO ], Governor of ] (1989-1990) | |||
| * Siddique Dawood Shariah compliance Islamic fianancing Modaraba | |||
| * Ashraf Bidiwala SEVP Metropolitan Bank, SVP Habib Bank | |||
| '''Professionals:''' | |||
| * Pir Mohammed A. Kaliya C.A. Former head of several professional institutes | |||
| * Feroze Dada, Senior Partner of Freeman & Partner Chartered Accountants | |||
| *] | |||
| *Abdul Fatah Memon, Former Ambasador of Pakistan in Saudi Arabia and Somalia | |||
| *Ali Nawaz Memon, Former Chairman National Electric Power Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (NEPRA); Former World Bank Resident Representative in Somalia | |||
| *] - Head of Internal Audit for the Monarch Group. | |||
| '''Others''' | |||
| *] India born Hollywood Film Director and Producer | |||
| *]. | |||
| *] | |||
| * ]UAE CEO ] and President of ] | |||
| * ] | |||
| * Hussein Ahamed Bhaila (1949) Deputy Minister of Plan Implementation and Member of The Parliament of Sri Lanka - Formerly United National Party Now in the UPFA. | |||
| * Ibrahim Sulaiman Sait - Member of Parliament, India and also the former leader of The Muslim League Party | |||
| * Dr. Maqbool Dada - Professor of Management in Purdue University, Indiana. | |||
| The following are common well organized societies or welfare associations called ''Jamat'' (]: જમાત ) of the Memon Community which is generally reference to their ancestral village or town. | |||
| * ] Bagasra | |||
| * ] | |||
| * Dhoraji | |||
| * Jetpur | |||
| * Vanthli | |||
| * Gondal | |||
| * Upleta | |||
| * Mangrol | |||
| * Veraval | |||
| * Okhai | |||
| * Halai | |||
| * Surati | |||
| * ] | |||
| * Keshod | |||
| * ] | |||
| * Jamnagar | |||
| * Rajkot | |||
| * ] | |||
| * Balagam | |||
| * Sardargarh | |||
| == See also == | |||
| * ] | |||
| * ] | |||
| * ] | |||
| ==External links== | ==External links== | ||
| {{Commons category-inline}} | |||
| * | |||
| * | |||
| * | |||
| * | |||
| * | |||
| * | |||
| * | |||
| * | |||
| {{Indian Muslim}} | |||
| * | |||
| {{Muhajir communities}} | |||
| * | |||
| {{Authority control}} | |||
| * | |||
| * | |||
| * | |||
| * | |||
| * | |||
| ] | ] | ||
| ] | ] | ||
| ] | ] | ||
| ] | ] | ||
| ] | ] | ||
| ] | ] | ||
Latest revision as of 19:01, 18 December 2024
Sunni Muslim community in India and PakistanFor other uses, see Memon (disambiguation). Ethnic group
| Total population | |
|---|---|
| 1,800,000 | |
| Regions with significant populations | |
| India | 900,000 (including 200,000 in Mumbai and suburbs) |
| Pakistan | 700,000 |
| Elsewhere | 200,000 |
| Languages | |
| Memoni, Sindhi, Kutchi, Gujarati | |
| Religion | |
| Islam | |
The Memon are a Muslim community in Gujarat India, and Sindh, Pakistan, the majority of whom follow the Hanafi fiqh of Sunni Islam. They are divided into different groups based on their origins: Kathiawari Memons, Kutchi Memons and Bantva Memons from the Kathiawar, Kutch and Bantva regions of Gujarat respectively, and Sindhi Memons from Sindh.
Memons have cultural similarities with the Khoja, Bohra, and other Gujarati peoples. They speak the Memoni language as their first language, which shares vocabulary with the Sindhi language, Kutchi language and Gujarati languages.
Today Memons are connected through globally recognized organisations such as the World Memon Organisation (WMO) and International Memon Organisation (IMO).
History
Sindhi, Gujarati origins
Memon lineage traces back to the Lohanas who traditionally practiced Hinduism. The origin of the name comes from Mu'min (مؤمن, "believer" in Arabic) and later evolved to present name Memon. The Memon community was founded in the 15th century by 700 families comprising 6,178 persons total. According to Anthovan, those Lohanas of Thatta, Sindh who converted from Hinduism to Islam became Memons and were invited by Rao Khengarji Jadeja, ruler of Bhuj in the 16th century, to settle in Bhuj. It is from there that Kutchi Memons migrated to Kathiawar and mainland Gujarat. Surat in Gujarat was an important trading centre from 1580 to 1680.
Merchant tradesman
.jpg)
Due to the mercantile nature of the community, Memons began a significant migration beyond the borders of India in the 18th and 19th centuries. This led to communities developing in the Middle East, South Africa, Sri Lanka and East Asia. Memon traders set up a network of joint stock companies acting in coordination with other members in an area ranging from Central Africa to China. Memon donors made significant financial contributions to construct mosques during this time, including Juma Masjid Mosque and Jamia Mosque. By late 19th century several thousand Memons had settled in Mumbai due to trading. The area of Mumbai in which the Memon traders congregated later became known as the Memonwada.
20th century
The early 20th century saw a consolidation of the Memon community in South Asia as well as South Africa. They began to organise important societies including Memon Education and Welfare Society and Memon Chamber of Commerce. Memon community made significant financial contributions to preserve the Ottoman Empire but were unable to prevent its decline. The partition of India led to significant migration in both directions for the community. The principal mass of Memons was and is composed of petty tradesmen, shopkeepers, grocers, wandering peddlers, and agents and clerks in firms. In regions of Kutch (India), and near Karachi and on the Makran coast of present day Pakistan, the Memons are still engaged in commercial agriculture, gardening, and fishing.
Branches
Subgroups of Memons from Kathiawar
Main article: Memons (Kathiawar)Languages
Main articles: Memon language, Sindhi language, and Kutchi languageSocial structure
Cultural traditions
.jpg)
While Memons are generally Sunni Muslims, many continue to follow Modern Hindu law in matters regarding property inheritance, community leadership structure and mutual support for members. Memon see themselves to be from the Buddhist Kshatriya lineage. Even within Memons, there are caste hierarchies that some follow regarding marriage practices.
According to folklore, the blessings of the Islamic saint Sayad Kadiri upon the Memons are responsible for their success in business and trade. A more pragmatic explanation for their success is that Memon have been historically considered honest brokers. Following commercial caste model, Memons also offer support community members in financial matters by giving loans and offering business assistance. The community annually celebrates 11 April as "Memons Day" through acts of humanitarian service.
Memons worldwide
Today, Memon communities are scattered throughout the world including the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Sri Lanka, South Africa, the United Kingdom, the United States and Canada. However, major concentrations of Memon remain located in Karachi, Pakistan and Gujarat, India. In Karachi there is a community of Memon people from Bantva and their descendants known as Bantva Memons. United under the banner of Halari Memon General Jama'at, the Halari Memon are another category and followers of the Hanafi school.
Memons were also one of three classes living in South Africa when Mahatma Gandhi went there in 1893, Memons were traders serving the Indian diaspora in South Africa. Memons are known for their involvement in business and philanthropy, with Memons having played a major part in the building of Pakistani industry.
See also
References
- ^ Wajihuddin, Mohammed (14 February 2014). "Memon association to congregate today". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 18 December 2024.
- ^ Fazal, Tanweer (18 October 2013). Minority Nationalisms in South Asia. Routledge. ISBN 9781317966463.
- O’Sullivan, Michael (19 September 2023). "No Birds of Passage - A History of Gujarati Muslim Business Communities, 1800–1975". PART I. Harvard University Press: 44. doi:10.4159/9780674294974-003.
- ^ Levin, Sergey (1974). "The Upper Bourgeoisie from the Muslim Commercial Community of Memons in Pakistan, 1947 to 1971". Asian Survey. 14 (3): 231–243. doi:10.2307/2643012. ISSN 0004-4687. JSTOR 2643012.
- "World Memon Organisation | Serving Mankind". wmoworld.com. Retrieved 9 October 2019.
- "IMO - International Memon Organization". www.internationalmemon.org. Retrieved 9 October 2019.
- ^ Pirbhai, M. Reza (30 September 2009). Reconsidering Islam in a South Asian Context. Leiden and Boston: Brill Publishers. p. 128. ISBN 978-90-474-3102-2.
Thus, it was established that Khojas and Memons converted from Hinduism under the influence of Ismai'li and Sunni pirs, respectively.
- ^ Goswami, Chhaya (18 February 2016). Globalization before Its Time: The Gujarati Merchants from Kachchh. Penguin Books. ISBN 978-93-85890-70-3.
Most of the Muslim traders were Hindus of different castes who had converted to Islam. The Memons were said to have been Lohanas
- ^ Vahed, Goolam (January 2006). "'Unhappily Torn by Dissensions and Litigations': Durban's 'Memon' Mosque, 1880–1930". Journal of Religion in Africa. 36 (1). Leiden and Boston: Brill Publishers: 23–49. doi:10.1163/157006606775569631. eISSN 1570-0666. ISSN 0022-4200. JSTOR 27594362.
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- Vahed, Goolam (January 2001). "Mosques, Mawlanas and Muharram: Indian Islam in Colonial Natal, 1860–1910". Journal of Religion in Africa. 31 (3). Leiden and Boston: Brill Publishers: 305–335. doi:10.1163/157006601X00194. eISSN 1570-0666. ISSN 0022-4200.
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- Eisenlohr, Patrick (1972). "The Politics of Diaspora and the Morality of Secularism: Muslim Identities and Islamic Authority in Mauritius". Journal of the Royal Anthropological Institute. 12 (2): 400.
- WAI-YIP, Ho (2001). "Historical Analysis of Islamic Community Development in Hong Kong: Struggle for Recognition in the Post-colonial Era". Journal of Muslim Minority Affairs. 21. Taylor & Francis: 65.
- Chopra, Preeti (2007). "Refiguring the Colonial City: Recovering the Role of Local Inhabitants in the Construction of Colonial Bombay, 1854-1918". Buildings & Landscapes. 14: 109–125. doi:10.1353/bdl.2007.0007. S2CID 161702822.
- Moosa, Ismail (2014). "Role of Memon Community during the Caliphate Movement". British Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences. 11 (1).
- Oishi, Takashi (1999). "Muslim Merchant Capital and the Relief Movement for the Ottoman Empire in India, 1876-1924". Minamiajiakenkyu. 11: 71–103.
- Mallampalli, Chandra (2010). "Escaping the Grip of Personal Law in Colonial India: Proving Custom, Negotiating Hindu-ness". Law and History Review. 28 (4). American Society for Legal History: 1060. doi:10.1017/S0738248010000763. S2CID 144494384.
- Wajihuddin, Mohammed (12 April 2017). "Humanitarian work marks Memons' Day". The Times of India. Retrieved 26 May 2020.
- DH (17 April 2007). "Karachi: 300-bed teaching hospital planned". Dawn. Retrieved 4 August 2015.
- "City Nazim praises services of Memon community". Pakistan Press International. Asia Africa Intelligence Wire. 13 October 2003. Retrieved 20 January 2010.
- DH (15 October 2014). "CM wants constitutional path to resolve OGDC issue". Dawn. Retrieved 5 August 2015.
External links
Media related to Memon people at Wikimedia Commons