Abdool Razack Mohamed
Sir Abdul Razack Mohamed (Urdu: عبدل رزاق محمد; 1 August 1906 – 8 May 1978) was an Indian-born former key Mauritian Minister in the pre and post-independence cabinet of Mauritius. He is celebrated as one of the fathers of the modern state of Mauritius,[1] and he was the leader of the political party called the CAM (Comite D'Action Musulman). His work together with Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam of the Mauritian Labour Party is credited with being instrumental in bringing independence to Mauritius.
Abdul Razack Mohamed عبدل رزاق محمد | |
---|---|
Minister of Housing & Lands | |
In office 3 March 1967 – 8 April 1976 | |
Governor General | Henry Garrioch |
Prime Minister | Seewoosagur Ramgoolam |
Preceded by | Office Established |
Succeeded by | Harish Boodhoo |
Member of Parliament | |
In office 7 October 1966 – 8 April 1976 | |
Prime Minister | Seewoosagur Ramgoolam |
Preceded by | Sir Anerood Jugnauth |
Personal details | |
Born | 1 August 1906 Calcutta, British India |
Died | 8 May 1978 |
Political party | CDM |
Occupation | Businessman, politician |
Born in a rich mercantile Memon family in Calcutta, India in 1906, he was Lord Mayor of Port Louis in 1949, 1953 and 1956. Sir Abdul Razack Mohamed served many different posts for Mauritius, including deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Housing and Land Development and Minister of Social Security from 1967 to 1976. Sir Abdul Razack Mohamed died in Rose Hill on 8 May 1978.[2]
The centenary of his birth was commemorated by the Mauritian Government.[3]
Notable trivia
- He is the one who had the idea of the colours of the Mauritian flag.
- One of the key streets of Port Louis is named after him.
- His effigy is on the two hundred rupees banknote of Mauritius.
- His son Yousuf Abdul Razack Mohamed was a Member of the National Assembly, Minister of Labour and Industrial Relations from 1976 to 1979 and Ambassador in Egypt and other Middle Eastern Countries. He is a barrister by profession. His grandson, Honourable Shakeel Mohamed, was MP in the National Assembly with the Labour Party and also a barrister between 2005 and 2010. The Mohamed family is the first family in Mauritius to have three generations in the National Assembly. Honourable Shakeel Mohamed was elected to the National Assembly in July 2005. He was the Deputy Government Whip between 2008 and 2010. He was reelected to the National Assembly in May 2010 and was appointed Minister of Labour, Industrial Relations and Employment.
- One of his daughters, Late Mrs. Aamna Ebrahim, was married in Calcutta, India, and her sons, Nasser Ebrahim and Yaqub Ebrahim, are now in Calcutta,
References
- "Address by Hon D. Gokhool, Minister of Education, at Sir Abdul Razack Mohamed School, July 6, 2006". Archived from the original on 24 August 2006. Retrieved 10 December 2006.
- L'express Newspaper www.lexpress.mu
- Mauritius Government Archived 24 August 2006 at the Wayback Machine official website
- Commemorative magazine published by Mauritius government commemorates the 100th anniversary of Mohamed's birth
- Mauritius Economic Development Ministry notes Sir Abdul Razack Mohamed's contributions