Mohamed Alli Kassim

by Zainul Kanji, Toronto, ON, September 17, 2011

Born in Zanzibar on May 20, 1926.

Emigrated to Tanga in 1944 and was hired by Smith McKenzie as a clerk and worked his way up to a position of General Manager of Mercantile Dept. After independence, the company changed hands (I think) and had a new name: The State Trading Corporation. He got married to a woman from Tanga - Gulbanu Habib Esmail Kaba in 1948 and had 4 children. Jamati Service:

Honourary secretay to Ismaili council untill approval to hire a paid secretary. He continued his seva by translating talika into gujarati, writing and reading announcements and assisting Jamati Mukhi/Kamadias.

He took an active part in reconstruction of the new JK that was put on hold for some reason (I forget). He and the other leaders of Jamat to name a few Sadrudin Ali Nanji, Shahbudeen Habib Kassam, Hassanali Bhanji. Mohamed Nanji, Fazal Bhanji etc. had several meetings with Kenya Council then the HQ for E.Africa. Finally the funds were available and the project was constructed by Alibhai Kanji of Mombasa. The beautiful JK was built.

Due to the political situation in Tanzania, we had to leave our beautiful homeland, our roots and good memories behind. He passed away peacefully on July 11, 2006. (Imamat Day)