Introduced by MALIK MERCHANT

Every day on my way to Dar es Salaam’s Karimabad Jamatkhana or Shabaan Robert Secondary School, I would pass by a beautiful white Mansion called Kum — Kum (કુમ — કુમ), owned by Mohanlal Maturadas Devani and his wife, Chandaben. Their older son, Parag, and I were great friends in the same class stream. After leaving Dar es Salaam, we connected in Ottawa in the mid-1980s before Parag eventually settled in the USA. His younger brother, Sanjay, and I worked together in Ottawa as IT consultants on numerous assignments. We then lived in different cities, but our friendship has been — and has remained — very strong over the past four decades. At the passing of Mawlana Shah Karim, His Highness the Aga Khan IV, on February 4, 2025, Sanjay sent me a condolence note. Also, he inspired me most touchingly by sending me a photo of his uncle, Manilal Devani, his father’s younger brother, with Mawlana Shah Karim, taken in 1959.

Mr. Manilal Devani was elected Mayor of Dar es Salaam in 1959. In October that year, Mawlana Shah Karim visited Dar es Salaam and other towns across Tanzania. The Mayor hosted him and leaders of the Ismaili community for lunch at The Aquarium Restaurant in Dar es Salaam and organized meetings with the British Governor General, Sir Richard Turnbull, and other dignitaries.

That single photograph Sanjay so thoughtfully sent me has turned into an album of several photographs. Sanjay, sensing my keen interest in the one picture he sent me, contacted Mayor Manilal’s sons, Rohit and Nisheet, who responded with about ten rare and never-before-seen photos from their late father’s collection. These precious images, so unique and exclusive, will deeply resonate with many readers of this website. I sincerely thank Rohit and Nisheet for their kindness and my beloved friend Sanjay for seeking these precious, rare photographs from his cousins on my behalf — a testament to our firm and enduring friendship.

Mayor Manilal Devani, who died on June 10, 2010, was active in Tanzania’s commercial and public life for over 50 years. He served the Tanzanian Government in many vital roles, including as Dar es Salaam’s Mayor in 1959. We are honoured to share the Late Mayor’s historical and exclusive collection and invite readers to read the Rotarian’s tribute to him.

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Dar es Salaam Mayor Manilal Devani Hosts Mawlana Shah Karim Aga Khan, 1959

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Date posted: April 3, 2025.

NOTE: An abbreviated version of this post appears on our sister website, Simerg.

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