By M. Burhanuddin Qasmi,
Mumbai: Mumbai’s famous social and educational stalwart Dr. Mohammad Ishaq Jamkhanawala has expired on August 31, 2008 at his Bandra located residence. The news of his demise was a shockwave to many who know about his contributions in the field of education in Maharashtra. He did an unparallel contribution for Muslims’ social upliftment especially in Mumbai.
Dr. Ishaq was the president of Mumbai’s largest educational movement– Anjuman-e Islam for 23 years (1983 – 2006), and a two times cabinet minister (in 1977 and 1986) in Sharad Power led Maharashtra government. He was 79 years and left behind his wife, a son and a daughter. On Monday at 11 am his funeral prayers have been said at Shantacruz masjid and was buried at Juhu qabristhan. Politicians, religious leaders and social workers from Mumbai were thickly present in his funeral prayer.
To his credit as Anjuman-e Islam’s president there is a long list of new institutions that he established from schools, to B.Ed colleges to management institutes. He joint Anjuman when it run only 12 educational institutions in 1983 and when he left it in 2006 the list of institutions that are run by Anjuman-e Islam, Mumbai across Maharashtra was hundred plus. Dr. Ishaq Jamkhanawala was originally from Belgam in Karnataka, he came to Mumbai as an MBBS student in JJ Grand Medical College in early fifties. He was married to a Mumbai girl after his education in 1958, settled here and started a medical clinic in Chawki Mahalla area of Mumbai for his livelihood.
He took interest in social work from his student life. In 1977 he joint politics and won Nagpada assembly constituency for the first time. He also contested from south central parliamentary constituency of Mumbai in 1994 Lokh Sabha election.
In 1985 during 100th anniversary of Anjuman-e Islam Rajiv Gandhi, former Prime Minister of India, named Dr. Jamkhanawala as the second Sir Syed of India. He said, “I am here at a mini Aligarh Muslim University… and Dr. Ishaq Jamkhanawala is the second Sir Syed of India”. He was famous for regular attendance in his office in Mumbai’s ‘Mantralaya’ during his tenure as a minister in Maharashtra government. People still remember that he used to ask his assistance in the Mantralaya to never close the door while he was in the office to grant all visitors an easy meeting.
Dr. Ishaq Jamkhanawala was an icon for many. A long list of tremendous social and educational works are to his credit today, which undoubted are great services to the Indian nation. Maulana Badruddin Ajmal Al-Qasmi, president Assam United Democratic Front (AUDF) called it great lose for the nation and specially for Mumbai Muslims. He said, “Dr. Jamkhanawala was a generous and pious person”. He was highly appreciative to the educational endeavours that Markazul Ma’arif has been rendering, said Maulana Ajmal. Dr. Jamkhanawala not only headed modern educational institution but he was also involved simultaneously with religious educational institutions. He was one of the trustees of Mumbai’s famous and oldest Darul Uloom Imdadia madrasa, added Maulana Ajmal.
AFMI message on Dr. Ishaq Jamkhanawala’s death:
The American Federation of Muslims of Indian Origin (AFMI) condoles the passing away of leading educationist, philanthropist, and community leader Dr.Ishaq Jamkhanawala in Mumbai.
“Dr.Ishaq Jamkhanawala was a pioneering educational luminary who was passionate about the development of India’s Muslim community. Mumbai’s famed Anjuman-e-Islam group of educational institutions saw unprecedented growth and success under his watch,” said Mr.Ali Quraishi, President of AFMI.
“Dr.Jamkhanawala was closely associated with AFMI and served as the chairman of its XII International Convention on Education and Gala Award Program held at Anjuman-e-Islam premises in Mumbai on December 2003. He was always forthcoming in offering advise to AFMI on its educational programs in the state of Maharashtra. He will be sorely missed by one and all. May Allah (swt) bless his soul and grant patience to his family and associates,” Mr.Quraishi added.
The American Federation of Muslims of Indian Origin, is a North American based grassroots organization, dedicated to socio-economic and educational development of Muslims and other underprivileged masses in India.