Kassam Mawani
- 2016
- Ismaili Missionary Preacher
- Partners
;
Kassamali the religious teacher in Moshi
Where did you migrate from?
From Karachi, 1936.
You came to Moshi in ’36?
I came to Moshi in ’36 .. . you see, I was so frustrated by my grandmother (paternal) who was forcing me to marry the girl whom I never liked. So that was my point of leaving Karachi . . . I left Karachi with the help of my maternal uncle ... So I came to Mumbai ... to find if I can get a place ... in Mumbai as a . . . musician. So, I went to see a friend, he was the secretary of the Recreation Club [now known as the Ismaili Tariqah and Religious Education Board] ... He showed me a list, ‘there is a need for teachers in Africa and you have taken the diploma in teachers’ training. I’m strongly recommending you to take this job. I want you to accept this job.’ You believe it or not, within two hours I accepted the offer . . . My intention was to stay in Mumbai for about a year or so . . . But when this offer came, it was a tempting offer naturally . . . So I said, ok, I accept.
How old were you?
Twenty ... I took a ship from Mumbai to Africa in the month of July and the ocean was fierce. On the first day, I went to eat the food and when I was coming back I vomited. And I was in bed for 7 days, I couldn’t cat anything ... At that time in Mombasa, volunteers used to come to help Ismailis that were arriving in Mombasa. Somebody in the steamer told me Moshi is a very beautiful town. So I left in the evening . . . There was a two-storey house near jamaatkhana in which I was given a room. Ir was pitch dark. It was dark and the watchman was calling out, I was very scared. (Mawani 2006: 74)
- ↑ Muslims in Britain: Race, Place and Identities, edited by Peter Hopkins, Richard Gale pg 154
