Ameer Janmohamed is the author of Regal Romance.
Not too long ago I shared this photo and some personal recollections relating to the occasion with a number of friends. Some have written back to ask why the people sitting on the ground at Mowla’s feet have not been identified.
Now, with the help of Noordin Somji from Vancouver, I have the names of most of them. They are members of the Secretarial team. Sitting from left to right: Akberali Kassam H. Jeraj, Leila Ali Hasham Janmohamed, 3rd. lady not identified, then Mary Hussein Kanji Dossa, Malek Nazerali Walji, Fatma Rahemtullah Walji Madha and Ebrahim (surname not known).
This is not the first time that I have turned to Noordin Somji for assistance. He too shares an interest in archive material and preservation of history and has in fact written two interesting books, one an autobiography and the other a history of the pioneering Somji family, from Kutch-Bhuj to Bagamoyo, to Tanga, to the present. We have known each other since the 1960s when we were both Directors of the Diamond Jubilee Investment Trust Ltd. He was on the Tanzanian Board and I was a Kenyan Director.
Others have commented on the total absence of a single lady as member of the Constitutional Review Committees. Or in the earlier group photo of the Evian Conference. Quite so. However, this was 1961 when women could not even become Rotarians, for instance! Things have begun to evolve since then.
As I recall, the system of Portfolio Members in Councils, such as Economics, Social, Youth etc. was introduced following the 1961 Review. Mukhis of main Jamat Khanas, Chairmen of Education Boards, Hospital Committees, Ismailia Associations etc. became ex-officio Members of the Councils. Another innovation was the creation of a Portfolio for a Lady Member who would liaise with Ladies Committees, Ladies Volunteer Corps and other ladies issues and activities.
The evolution continues apace. Today most Councils have a far greater number of ladies, who on their own merits, hold down Economics, Education, Health etc. portfolios. And as one would expect they have begun to claim their rightful place in the higher echelons of Jamati and Imamat institutions. Off the top of my head I can mention a number of ladies whom I personally know, who have held, or are still holding, high positions which were once considered exclusive male preserves.
Nurjehan Mawani – AKDN Representative in Kyrgystan.
Hameeda Allana – 2 term President of National Council of India.
Narmin Somji – President of the Provincial Council Mombasa.
Munira Gilani – President of the Provincial Council Kisumu.
Nasim Devji – Group CEO and MD of Diamond Trust of Kenya.
I also learn that one of the earliest ladies to hold a senior position in our Community was Ashraf Nizar Ali who was a two term President of the Bangladesh National Council during the 1990s.
This is by no means a comprehensive list and my apologies for any obvious omissions.
Gender inequality of course still persists worldwide. We learn that during the Commonwealth Conference held in Perth a few weeks ago, programmes for spouses of national leaders were awkward to organise, for there was only male spouse present. He was the husband of the Australian Prime Minister!
Ismailimail 