Shk Abeezar Tyebji is an American businessman who runs a successful IT business called Shipcom Wireless in Houston Texas. He is also very actively involved in high level public relations activities which he uses to project the image of mumineen and dawat to mainstream America.

1. Can you explain exactly what is the nature of the work you do?

We create software that allows companies like Siemens, Philips Electronics and Johnson and Johnson track inventories, sales, and field service applications on hand held computers (PDA like IPAQ's, Palm), barcode scanners as well as cell phones.Our technology is also licensed by Hewlett Packard and they sell it globally as their wireless software platform.

2. What has made your business successful in the US?

USA is still a land of great opportunity. If you have a core competency, a good business idea and are willing to work hard and effectively, the US marketplace is a very fair one. In our case, we rode the information technology in 1997-98 and succeeded in expanding by fulfilling commitments and delivering on time and on budget. Keeping the customer happy is the key!

3. Do you think that your success has had any sort of effect on your faith?

To me success and faith are inextricably linked. In fact, for me success has been a result of my faith. As with all Mumineen, I started my business with the Raza Mubarak of Aqa Moula (TUS). I also had the good fortune to pray about 10 years of Sabaq so I could incorporated business principles based on our faith. I also made the most of Aliwaqar Shahzada Malik - ul- Ashtar's (DM) presence in Houston and was able to get raza and clarifications at all stages of my business.

Also despite the fact that my work requires me to travel a lot, I have tried to stick to the fundamentals - Namaz, Roza, etc. no matter where I am. I find that people are very respectful and willing to accommodate requests like taking a 10 minute break for Namaaz, and not paying for alcoholic drinks if you are polite and direct in your request. I have also found that if you plan ahead and prioritise, you can attend ALL miqats like Urs, Milads, etc.

4. What sort of trends in technology do you see in the Dawat? Where would you like to see more software applications?

The most obvious trend is the wide spread use of the Internet. However, I have NEVER been surprised at the manner in which the Mumineen have taken to Internet so naturally. After all, the Internet is a knowledge-based medium and acquisition of Ilm of Mohammed (SAW) and Ale Mohammed (SA) is the credo by which Mumineen live by - hence we have been able to adopt this information and knowledge based medium very naturally!

I am also amazed at the credibility and sacrosanct nature of our information that portals such as Mumineen.org and Malumat.com have preserved. I believe this proper use of the Internet by the Dawoodi Bohra community is a lesson in "corporate communication" that corporations can learn as to how outreach should be managed while staying true to the tenets and goals of an extended organization.

The other remarkable aspect is also how effectively technology has been harnessed into the service of the organizational effectiveness of the Dawaat - from email of Arzi's to online registration for Ashara Mubaraka as well as ecommerce - all of which speaks much for technological advancement of the community.

Groups like the Shabab should work to bring in others like housewives and elderly into the Internet fold, so that they too can participate closely in the activities of our truly global community.

5. You are on the board of advisors for South Asian affairs to the mayor of Houston. What are the kind of issues that come up for discussion?

My appointment as an advisor to the Mayor was a direct result of Aqa Maula (TUS)'s visit and the inspired effort of the community to execute a successful Ashara. Thus the Mayor and several state and federal dignitaries had the first hand opportunity to be blessed by Maula (TUS) and observe on first hand the faith and conduct of our community.

At the Mayor's board, we discuss such issues as business outreach, community service, mentoring and internship programs as well as such matters as discrimination and over zealous and sometimes imbalanced implementation of Homeland security, etc. Moreover, it is a forum in which mainstream American officials get a chance to interact with immigrants and Muslims; and know us for who we are and not just by stereotypes.

6. Can you comment on what affect a war with Iraq would have on business in the US?

Right now business is bad in the United States. And the looming war brings a set of uncertainties that add to the already negative economic outlook. Many jobs have been cut and unemployment is rising. Mumineen have been affected by this too.

Having said this, its tough times like these that reinforce the fact, more than ever, that we are supremely blessed to have a "Rehber" in Aqa Maula (TUS). Aqa Maula (TUS)'s Farman that we live within our means, shun interest-based loans and help fellow Mumineen have truly saved the community and will see us through these times.

7. How has your religion contributed to who you are today?

Religion infuses all aspects of my life and my conduct of business and family. There are so many examples…

My family and I started attending Ashara Mubarak with Maula (TUS) about seven years ago and it is singularly the best decision we ever made in our lives. After Ashara I go back to the business recharged and great things follow - at Shipcom Wireless we get help from unthinkable quarters.

I am also enriched by the privilege of participating in khidmat of my Jamaat and of Mumineen. All the interpersonal skills, resilience, can-do-anyhow attitude, teamwork, and zest for service are skills that I have acquired as a khitmatguzar and have used regularly in business.

We also have the unique advantage of taking Raza Mubarak from Aqa Maula (TUS) and His appointed raza na sahibs in our local Jamaat, which is a great source of guidance and strength through the ups and downs of business.

And as for me, after living in planes, trains, conferences, trade shows and boardrooms across the Atlantic and Pacific, it is a great sense of homecoming, peace, and serenity to return to that sanctuary that we call "Masjid."

Finally, what I'd like to say is that at the heart of it, business is a matter of FAITH and FAITH alone gives one the "heart" to tackle the ups and downs of business.