Draft:Surtee Soonnee Mussulman Society

The Surtee Soonnee Mussulman Society (SSMS) is a non-profit organization with a history dating back to its establishment in 1897. Founded by a group of visionaries and philanthropists from the region between the Tapti and Narmada rivers in Surat, the society was formed with the primary objective of assisting immigrants arriving in Mauritius from Surat.

History
The migration of South Gujarat Muslim merchants and traders from the hinterland of the port city of Surat to the British colony of Mauritius commenced in the 1830s. Initially driven by trade opportunities, particularly in textiles and commodities, the migration gained momentum from the 1850s onward. Gujarati Sunnee Vohras, often referred to as 'marchands Arabes,' became a common sight in the central business district of eighteenth-century Port Louis, particularly along Corderie and Desforges Streets, later recognized as Surtee Bazaar.

In 1860, these Vohra Traders joined forces to establish the "Anjuman Himayat-Ul-Islam Society." However, a pivotal moment for the Surtee community unfolded between 1892 and 1897. At a banquet held in the newly constructed Surtee Soonnee Building on Corderie Street to welcome Governor H. Jerningham in 1897, Cassim Ajum Piperdy, the son of A. G. Hossen, highlighted the community's significant contributions. He emphasized that Surtee merchants played a crucial role in procuring a substantial portion of rice and, during times of scarcity following the devastating cyclone in 1892, did not engage in price speculation. Furthermore, Piperdy noted that "more than one-half of the sugarcrop" was purchased and shipped by Surtee firms.

Governor Jerningham acknowledged these efforts, stating that Allam informed him on April 30th that granaries were saved and there was enough rice for three months. He commended the Mussulman community for generously coming to the rescue of their Christian counterparts. This favorable perception of the Surtee community was further enhanced when A. B. Taher persuaded his colleagues of the need for a more congenial building. Consequently, in 1899, Chateau Rochecoute at Champ de Mars was acquired, renamed Taher Bagh, with substantial financial support from the firm Botawala.

In 1902, the existing Anjumam Himayat e Islam merged with the new entity, taking on the name Surtee Soonnee Mussulman Society (SSMS). In the same year, the society purchased a plot of land at the corner of Corderie and Remy Ollier Streets in Port Louis, leading to the transformation of the "Anjuman Himayat-Ul-Islam Society" into the "SURTEE SOONNEE MUSSULMAN SOCIETY."

Founding
The founding members of SSMS were prominent individuals with diverse backgrounds in business and representation. These visionaries played pivotal roles in the development and establishment of the society. The following are the founders of SSMS:


 * Aboo Baker Mamode Taher, the representative of “Issop Mamode Sulliman”
 * Ajum Goolam Hossen, Managing Director of “Ajum Goolam Hossen & Co.”
 * Ahmad Goolam Hossen, Managing Director of “Goolam Mohamed Ajum & Co.”
 * Amode Ismael Toorawa, Managing Director of “I. I. Toorawa & Co.”
 * Ibrahim Affejee Cassim, Managing Director of “A. Affejee Cassim & Co.”
 * Mahomed Timol, Managing Director of “Mahomed Timol Brothers”
 * Ibrahim Cassam, Managing Director of “Cassam Hassam & Co.”
 * Aamode Cassam Vawra, Managing Director of “Cassim Amode & Co.”
 * Goolam Mahomed (Issac), Managing Director of “Ramjan Catteea & Co.”
 * Sulliman Ibrahim, the representative of Mr. Mamode Keekabhay
 * Haffejee Mamode Lokhat
 * Amode Affejee Cassim
 * Cassam Ajum Piperdy
 * Moossajee Ismaeljee Hariff
 * Dawjee Mahomed Vayeed
 * Ibrahim Amode Hariff
 * Mamoojee Goolam Mahomed Dhobah, Managing Director of “Assenjee & Mamoojee”
 * Ismael Essack
 * Ismael Lall Hossen, Managing Director of “Affejee Lall Hossen & Co.”
 * Amode Hossen Moria



Board members
Board Members of the Surtee Soonnee Mussulman Society for the year 2023 - 2024

President : 1st Vice President: 2nd Vice President: Secretary: Treasurer: Directors:
 * Malleck, Naushaad Khalid
 * Atchia, Noormohammad
 * Hatteea, Muhammad Ali Soleman
 * Peer, Yunus Ismael Ibrahim
 * Seedat, Aboo Baker Mohamed
 * Affejee, Omar Ahmad
 * Bahemia, Omar Ibrahim Amode
 * Bhayat, Ismael Osman
 * Ghanty, Mohammed Reezwan
 * Hatteea, Salmane Ibrahim
 * Kara, Mohammad Habibullah Ibrahim Mahmood
 * Kazi, Anas Rashid