The first ever mosque and Imambara in Diego Suarez was made from wood and was donated by Alhaj Alibhai Thawer of Nosibe. Due to space considerations and the fact that the structure had become very old, Alhaj Mamodaly Cassam Chenai constructed a new mosque made from concrete. He had also intended to construct a spacious and impressive Imambara but he was not able fulfil his life-long wish as he passed away before he could start the project. His wish was fulfilled by his widow Hajiani Shirinbai Mamodaly Chenai who laid the foundation stone for this Imambara. However, as life would have it, she also passed away before the construction was completed. Her children finally completed the project in 1958. The Opening Ceremony for the Imambara was held in 1960.
The original cemetery of Diego Suarez was located at the sea shore near the Electricity Company. As the city grew, a road was constructed mid-way through the cemetery and so some graves lie underneath the road. As the cemetery was small, a bigger cemetery plot was obtained elsewhere in town.
MAMODALY CASSAM CHENAI (1884-1949)
Alhaj Mamodaly Cassam Chenai was born in Surat, Gujarat, India in 1884. He obtained primary education in India. His elder brother, Fazul Cassam Chenai, asked Mamodaly to join him in Madagascar. He therefore travelled to Madagascar in 1903 at the age of 22. After working one year with his brother, Mamodaly went to India in 1904 to get married. He married Shirin, daughter of Mamodaly Mandjee of Ahmedabad. Following the couple’s return to Madagascar, the two brothers joined as equal partners in their business which progressed well. In 1914, Mamodaly went for a holiday to his homeland India.
In 1916, they opened a branch at Majunga. Mamodaly moved to Majunga to manage the branch. In 1922, he opened the first rice mill in town. In 1926 he went on a Ziyarat trip to Iraq and Iran and passed through India during his return. In 1927 he established a seed oil factory and soap factory. In 1929 he went to India for cataract surgery.
In 1939, all his five sons were compulsorily drafted in the military. In 1940, he bought a 3000-acre land where he grew groundnuts (peanuts), maize (corn) and sisal. He also bought machinery for tapioca (cassava, yuca) and sisal.
A well-built strong mosque and an impressive Imambara in Diego Suarez – these were legacy of the family. The sons donated the Imambara in the memory of their beloved mother. They spent 6.7 million francs. The Imambara had been constructed such that the lower floor could be rented out. It was been rented out at 20,000 francs per month. The family also planned to build a petrol station on the remaining land from which they expect the Jamaat to have an income from it.
Mamodaly bhai passed away on 26 September 1949 and his wife Shirinbai passed away on 12 December 1959. Both are buried at Diego Suarez, now called Antsiranana, Madagascar. They had nine sons and three daughters namely: Jaffaraly, Fidahoussen, Rochanally, Hassanaly, Hedaraly, Goulamhoussen, Chawkatali, Joharaly, Navrosaly, Fitchabay, Koulsoumbay and Mehirounnisa.
FIDAHOUSSEN MAMODALY CASSAM CHENAI (1908-1995)
Fidahoussen was the second son of Marhum Mamodaly Cassam Chenai. He was born in 1908 in Diego Suarez. He obtained his primary education in Diego Suarez and Majunga. In 1924 he joined the family business. In 1928 he married Serbanou daughter of Kassam Virjee of Majunga. They had two sons and three daughters; Goulsanaly, Mazaher (passed away at the age of 6), Jarbanou, Narguisse Khatoun and Parvisebanou. After the passing away of Serbanou, he married Michelle Lapierre in 1958 with whom he had one daughter Yasmina.
He was personally managing the oil and soap factories established by the family. Apart from business, he was an essential part of public service. He was in the Chamber of Commerce for ten continuous years. He was an active participant in Federation Sports. He was honored for his service and was given gold award for his service.
In 1950, he took his mother to Hajj. He also constructed a new oil and soap factory in 1952.
He has been a member of the town council since 1942. Due to his public service he was awarded by the French Government a medal Chevalier du Mérite Agricole by Mayor of Paris. He has been to Europe on five business trips to date.
His father was a Jamaat trustee and after his death, Fidahoussen bhai was been appointed as Trustee of the Jamaat.
He passed away on 12 Sept 1995 in Nice, France at the age of 87. His wife Sherbanou bai passed away on 4 March 1956 in Antsiranana, Madagascar at the age of 44.
We request you to remember the Marhumeen of Chenai family and all the Marhumeen with Sura-e-Fateha.
Source: AF Trade Directory (1960), Mazhar Meralli Ballou (Reunion)
Prepared by: Mustafa Pirmohamed
SECRETARIAT
AFRICA FEDERATION ARCHIVES SECTION
13th March 2020 (18th Rajab 1441 AH)