Shk Khuzaimah bhai is the youngest son of the late Shk Abidali Jafferjee. He lives in Colombo and is a successful businessman and an active member in his jamaat.

How long has your father been in Sri Lanka? What kind of education have you received?

Our family has been in Sri Lanka since my grandfather, Abdul Hussein Jaferjee, came from India in 1895. I did my schooling in Colombo and then joined the American University in Cairo to study for a degree but before completing it, I joined the family business as we were expanding internationally.

Many of the leaders of the business community in Colombo hail from mumineen's houses. What has been your business and where does it stand today?

With the dua mubarak of both Dais who visited Sri Lanka many times the mumineen of Sri Lanka are very well settled with around 95 percent of them being self employed. My grandfather, Abdulhusein Jafferjee, started his business initially importing cement, pulses, sugar and other essential foods. During World War II, the business focused on exports of Sri Lanka produce mainly tea and coconut products. Today, I have maintained my position as one of the leading exporters of coconut products and diversified into a manufacturing industry. At present mumineen hold several of the leading commercial enterprises in Sri Lanka.

The influence of the West, economic freedom and pressures from high society pose a real threat on the youth of Colombo today. Your comments…

Yes, the influence of westernization has influenced the youth of Colombo like every other part of the world. This has become a growing problem especially among the unmarried generation who are trying to position themselves among the top socialites while compromising the values and traditions of our forefathers.

In another light, the terrorist situation is making the country's security very fragile. How has this affected mumineen?

The terrorist situation has affected mumineen especially those from Jafna whose residents had to evacuate and migrate to Colombo. Mumineen companies which are the dominant import enterprises controlling the paper, stationary and hardware trade are faced with great difficulty because a third of the country is inaccessible due to the conflict.

Syedna Taher Saifuddin ^(RA) has honored Colombo a couple of times. Can you tell us anything about those trips?

Syedna Taher Saifuddin ^(RA) visited Sri Lanka many times, staying for long periods, sometimes a couple of months at a stretch. He enjoyed the hill country very much. It is in those visits that the seeds of barakat we enjoy today were sown. It was in Sri Lanka that he composed his nasihat, "Allah ta'ala no hamd tu karje". He advised mumineen and cared for them like a father does his child and he bestowed upon them many pearls of wisdom that enlightened their hearts and minds.

Your father was very active in khidmet and Maula ^(TUS) held him in high regard. What advice did he leave you about the khidmet of Dai and dawat?

My father was fortunate enough to have had the opportunity to do the khidmet of Aqa Maula ^(TUS) internationally. He brought us up to feel confident in our beliefs, traditions and culture, proud to be followers of the Dai z zaman practicing his directions in society, business and our way of life.

He always directed us, his sons and daughters, to be committed to our beloved Aqa Maula ^(TUS) throughout life and to always attain his happiness. He was the Ameen of dawat in Sri Lanka till he passed away, a sharaf which has since been bestowed upon me.

Maula ^(TUS) has bestowed the sharaf of Ashara Mubaraka in Colombo twice before this year. During the last visit, your family was granted the sharaf of utara. Can you share with us some special memories from that time?

The honor of the utara bestowed upon us was the final wish of my father. We planned our house wishing to host Maula ^(TUS) at our house. I cannot begin to describe the memories of Aqa Maula's ^(TUS) stay with us but even though years have passed it is still fresh in my mind. Our Maula ^(TUS) gave us so much shafaqat and dua that it will remain with me and my family for generations to come. Colombo had been doing araz for the last three years. Our hearts and eyes were filled with tears of happiness as Maula ^(TUS) announced the venue for Ashara Mubraka 1428 H. -Colombo.