History

KANODAR SHIA ISNA ASHARI MOMIN JAMAT (PAKISTAN)
JAMAT’S PROFILE

1.  NAME: KANODAR SHIA ISNA ASHARI MOMIN JAMAT (PAKISTAN)
2.  ADDRESS: ZC-26, SECTOR 1, BEHIND TAJ MEDICAL COMPLEX, LINES AREA, KARACHI.      PAKISTAN           
3.  AIMS & OBJECTS: As given in the annexure of constitution and by laws of the jamat.
4.  Members: As giver in the annexure of members and their Families.
5.  Introduction & History     :

                 
KANODAR SHIA ISNA ASHARI MOMIN JAMAT (PAKISTAN) was formed by the Momineens migrated from India. In 1947 when Pakistan was created most of the Muslims from different parts of India started migrating to Pakistan. During this period some Momineens from Kanodar also came to Pakistan. The number of such Momineens was very low which could be counted on finger tips. Also most of the Momineens who came to Pakistan at the time of independence were only male members where as Muslims from other part of India who migrated to Pakistan were with their families. The reason being that in almost whole of India where Muslim population was inhabited there were severe rioting by the Hindu dominants. Muslims were massacred brutally and their properties lusted and destroyed by the Hindu zealots. These Muslims were compelled for mass exodus or either opted for migration. Where as in Gujrat province the atmosphere was relatively calm and the Muslims in this province were also well settled and here seemed less inclined towards migration to a new place.
Thus the Momineens from Kanodar who came to Pakistan in the early period i.e. in the year 1947/1948 did not travel for migration but their intention was purely for business. Some of them were even frequent travelers and couriers of goods. Some of them were cloth merchants and used to bring cloth to Pakistan by land route, ships and even by chartered plans. During their short business visits they realized the blessings and benefits of a sore region and independent state where they can practice their religion freely and without any fear according to their faith and beliefs. There fore the Momineens who were in Pakistan called their families and relatives to come and settle down in Pakistan.
The Momineens from Kanodar came to Karachi and settled here for their business and trading later after the year 1950/1951. Two to three families moved to Hyderabad but all other families remained in Karachi. This is the reason at present all the Jamat members are living in Karachi and Hyderabad cities only. Almost all the Momineens who settled in Pakistan were earning their livelihood by doing small business and trading. They were in cloth, mill and hoteling business with the passage of time the dreadful atmosphere was setting down and the life was returning to normal. The law and order was being enforced strictly and the movement of immigration across the boards was being checked by imposing permit system for the Momineens in Karachi. It was time to pay full attention to their business, education for children and establish a centralized community centre for religious and social activities for the betterment and benefits of Jamat members.

FORMING  OF  JAMAAT During he decade of 50s and early 60s Jamat could not be formed mainly because of very small number of families (at that time there were only 10-15 families) and limited financial resources. However, majalis and other religious and social activities and gathering of Momineens were being organized at the Mominees’s residence turn by turn.
However in 1966 the all general members of the Jamat migrated from India gathered as and general body members assembled a Jamat named KANODAR SHIA ISNA ASHARI MOMIN JAMAT – PAKISTAN also elected working committee members of the Jamat. The President and General Secretary elected by the majority votes. The members of the first working committee elected on March 19, 1966.

List of the subsequent working committee are appended in the separate annexure.

HISTORY AND ORIGIN OF THE JAMAAT
As stated in the introduction the members of  KANODAR SHIA ISNA ASHARI MOMIN JAMAT (PAKISTAN) are those Momineens who have migrated from Kanodar India to Pakistan therefore it would be appropriate to give some derails about Kanodar and history of the parent Jamat in Kanodar.
We may mention here that these details are obtained complied and translated from various available books, magazines, souvenirs and other sources for this some of our senior members have given us their valuable support and assistance. We are thankful for their guidance and suppose.

KANODAR VILLAGE
Kanodar is a village on the bank of river Sabarmiti part of Gujrat province in India District Banaskatha, Taluka Palanpur. People speak Gujrati language. Majority of the population more than 95% are Muslims and they are SHIA ISNA ASHARI FAITH.
The History of Kanodar is about 900 year old. Most of the people were skilled cloth wears and because of their expertise and workmanship the village was famous as Manchester of district Banaskatha. The people were industries and adventurous and always eager for exploration and adventures because of such nature they had the tendency of visiting different parts of the world. Some of the merchants in the remote parts of Africa.
The popularity of Kanodar tremendously increased and it because known to almost all the Momineens of India in early part of twentieth century and Kanodar was and being visited by renowned Ulema, Zakerin and Momineens from whole of India they do not visit to the inhabitants of Kanodar but their purpose is say salaam and pay respect to the place called Hussein Tekri on the out shirt of Kanodar. This is in deed a great honor and blessing bestowed upon the people of Kanodar by SYEIDUSH SHAUHDA HAZRAT IMAM HUSEIN IBNE ALI (A.S) (ALLAH HUMMA SALLE ALA MUHAMMADIU WA AALA MUHAMMAD)
History of the Hussein Tekri follows in the next chapter.

SOME DETAILS ABOUT KANODAR

1. AREA OF KANODAR IS ABOUT 1,948 ACRES.
2. FIRST GUJRATI SCHOOL WAS ESTABLISHED IN 1874 A.D.
3. FOUNDATION OF THE JAMAT MADRAS WAS LAID ON 22ND APRIL, 1921 A.D.
4. OLDEST RELIGIOUS CENTRE KNOWN AS “OLD MASJID” WAS CONSTRUCTED ABOUT 200 YEAR BACK.
5. CONSTRUCTION OF THE ROZA AT HUSEIN TEKRI WAS COMPLETED IN 1917 A.D.
6. ABBAS TAKRI SMALL TOMB WAS CONSTRUCTED IN 1945 A.D. LATER EXTENSION OF ROZA WAS STARTED IN 1963 AD AND COMPLETED IN 1966 AD. TOTAL EXPENSES INCURRED WAS RS. 15000/= OUT OF WHICH RS.10,000/= WAS CONTRIBUTED BY SYED IKRAM HASHAM AAZMI (BOMBAY) AND RS. 5000/= BY HAJI HASAN ALI NOOR BHAI MODI (KANODAR).
7. FOUNDATION LAYING CEREMONY OF THE NEW MASJID (JAMA MASJID) WAS HELD IN JANUARY 1941 A.D. FOUNDATION WAS LAID BY LATE MAULANA ASHFAQ HUSEIN SAHIB. THE CONSTRUCTION WAS COMPLETED IN JANUARY 1951 A.D. TOTAL EXPENSES INCURRED RS. 200,000/= THE ARCHITECT WAS MR. THARIANI OF BOMBAY AND ENGINEERING AND DESIGNING WORK WAS DONE BY THE DESIGNERS AND SKILLED WORKERS FROM JAIPUR.

KANODAR
A HUNDRED YEARS AGO IN 1899, THERE WERE ONLY 17 PEOPLE WHO HAD ADOPTED SHIA'ISM IN KANODAR IN GUJARAT. NOW WE ARE ONE THOUSAND FAMILIES (AROUND 5000 PEOPLE) OF SHIA ITHNA ASHRI MOMIN JAMAT, LOCATED AT KANODAR (TA:-PALANPUR,DIST-BANAS KANTHA, NORTH GUJARAT, ON AHMEDABAD DELHI HIGH WAY), WHICH IS A  FAMOUS PLACE FOR THE AZADARI PROGRAMME HELD ON THE 22ND OF SAFAR EVERY YEAR AT HUSAIN TEKRI, KANODAR.

KANODAR:
MO’MENEEN OF KANODAR, NEAR PALANPUR ADOPTED MAZHAB-E-HAQQA AND WERE SEPARATED FROM THEIR FORMER JAMAT. IT WAS, THEREFORE NECESSARY TO CONSTRUCT A MASJID THERE. THE CONSTRUCTION WORK OF MASJID STARTED WITH THE HELP OF LOCAL PEOPLE AND MUMBAI’S RESIDENTS. BUT THE ARCHITECT AND DESIGNER JANAB THARIYANI INFORMED ALLAMA THAT THE WORK OF CONSTRUCTION WAS HELD UP FOR WANT OF FUNDS. HE IMMEDIATELY COLLECTED FUNDS FROM GENEROUS DONORS AND PLAYED AN IMPORTANT ROLE TO COMPLETE THIS HUGE MASJID. MOREOVER HE PLAYED AN IMPORTANT PART IN CONSTRUCTION AND REPAIRS, OF MANY OTHER RELIGIOUS PLACES.

NOTE:
LATE JANAB HAJI VALIBHAI NATHU DUDHWALA OF KANODAR RESIDING AT MUMBAI AND LATE HAJI AHMEDBHAI KARIMBHAI MAKNOJIA (HARARWALA) WERE THE ADMIRERS OF ALLAMA HAJI NAJI.

MEMORABLE MAJLISIS:
FIRST ASHARA OF MOHARRAM WAS ARRANGED IN THE HOUSE OF HAJI AHMEDBHAI KARIMBHAI AT KANODAR. THIS PROGRAM WAS CONTINUED FOR MANY YEARS. HAJI NAJI SAHEB HAS RECITED MAJLISIS IN THE HOUSE OF THE MARHUM. HE RECITED ABOUT 70 MEMORABLE MAJLISIS DURING HIS STAY IN KANODAR GUIDED THE PEOPLE TO BECOME FIRM ON THE RIGHT PATH AND KEEP PATIENCE IN THE TIMES OF CALAMITIES AND DIFFICULTIES.

IMAM-E-ZAMIN:
WHEN HAJI NAJI SAHEB STARTED BY TRAIN FOR ZIYARAT OF IRAN AND IRAQ, A BIG MASS OF MOMINS WERE GATHERED AT THE RAILWAY STATION OF KANODAR (PALANPUR) TO WELCOME AND SEE HIM OFF WITH GARLANDS. EVERY ONE GARLANDED HIM AND TIED IMEM-E-ZAMIN. EVERY ONE EMBARRASSED HIM WITH TEARS IN EYES AND PRAYED FOR HIS SAFE JOURNEY AND RETURN.

NOTE:
HAJI NAJI SAHEB LIKED THIS CUSTOM OF IMEM-E-ZAMIN, SO ON HIS RETURN FROM ZIYARAT HE PUBLISHED IN RAH-E-NAJAT WITH A SPECIAL NOTE IN WHICH HE APPEALED TO  ADOPT THIS CUSTOM EVERY WHERE.

LITERACY: THE TOWN'S LITERACY RATE IS 74% (COMPARE WITH THE NATIONAL AVERAGE OF 59.5%), WITH MALE LITERACY AT 80%, AND FEMALE LITERACY AT 69%. ROUGHLY 1,600 PEOPLE (15%) IN KANODAR ARE CHILDREN 6 YEARS OLD OR YOUNGER. (Year: 2001)

EDUCATION: IT HAS FOUR GUJARATI PRIMARY-MIDDLE SCHOOLS, ONE ENGLISH MIDDLE SCHOOL. THAT TEACHES UP TO TENTH GRADE, AND ONE GUJARATI MIDDLE-SECONDARY SCHOOL. COMPUTER STUDIES ARE A PART OF THE CURRICULUM IN THESE SCHOOLS. (Year: 2001)

KANODAR'S ECONOMY HAS HISTORICALLY BEEN KNOWN FOR HAND LOOM PRODUCTION AND TEXTILES; MORE RECENTLY, THEY HAVE FOUND A NICHE MARKET IN RECONDITIONING JEEPS. (Year – 2001).