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{{Short description|Sunni Muslim community in India and Pakistan}}
{{pp-semi-indef}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2020}}
{{Use Indian English|date=April 2020}}
{{other uses|Memon (disambiguation)}}
{{Infobox ethnic group
| image = Mehmans (9727923226).jpg
| pop = 1,800,000 (2014)<ref name="TimesOfIndia">{{cite news|first=Mohammed|last=Wajihuddin|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mumbai/Memon-association-to-congregate-today/articleshow/30365875.cms|title=Memon association to congregate today|website=[[The Times of India]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241218185758/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mumbai/memon-association-to-congregate-today/articleshow/30365875.cms|archive-date=18 December 2024|date=14 February 2014 }}</ref>
| languages = [[Memoni language|Memoni]],<ref name="Fazal" /> [[Sindhi language|Sindhi]],<ref>{{cite journal |last1=O'Sullivan |first1=Michael |title=No Birds of Passage - A History of Gujarati Muslim Business Communities, 1800–1975 |journal=PART I |date=19 September 2023 |page=44 |doi=10.4159/9780674294974-003 |url=https://doi.org/10.4159/9780674294974-003 |publisher=Harvard University Press |language=en|url-access=subscription }}</ref> [[Kutchi language |Kutchi]], [[Gujarati language|Gujarati]]
| religions = [[Sunni Islam]]
| related_groups = [[Gujarati people|Gujaratis]], [[Sindhi people|Sindhis]], [[Khoja|Khojas]]
| popplace =
| region1 = {{flag|India}}
| pop1 = 900,000 (including 200,000 in [[Mumbai]] and suburbs)
| ref1 = <ref name="TimesOfIndia"/>
| region2 = {{flag|Pakistan}}
| pop2 = 700,000
| ref2 = <ref name="TimesOfIndia"/>
| region3 = {{flag|Sri Lanka}}
| pop3 = 10,000
| ref3 = <ref>link= https://www.sundaytimes.lk/101212/Plus/plus_01.html|name=Sunday Times LK</ref>
| region5 = Elsewhere
| pop5 = 190,000
| ref5 = <ref name="TimesOfIndia" />
}}
The '''Memon''' are a Muslim community in [[Gujarat]], India, and [[Sindh]], Pakistan, the majority of whom follow the [[Hanafi]] [[fiqh]] of [[Sunni Islam]].<ref name="Levin">{{cite journal|title=The Upper Bourgeoisie from the Muslim Commercial Community of Memons in Pakistan, 1947 to 1971 |first=Sergey |last=Levin |year=1974 |journal=Asian Survey |issn=0004-4687|volume=14|issue=3|pages=231–243|doi=10.2307/2643012 |jstor=2643012}}</ref> They are divided into different groups based on their origins: [[Memons (Kathiawar)|Kathiawari Memon]]s, [[Kutchi Memon]]s and [[Bantva Memons]] from the [[Kathiawar]], [[Kutch]] and [[Bantva]] regions of Gujarat, respectively, and [[Sindhi Memon]]s from Sindh.

Memons have cultural similarities with the [[Khoja]], [[Sunni Bohra|Bohra]], and other [[Gujarati people]]s. They speak the [[Memoni language]] as their first language, which shares vocabulary with the [[Sindhi language]], [[Kutchi language]] and [[Gujarati language]]s.<ref name="Fazal">{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=OT2OAQAAQBAJ&q=memons+speak+memoni+language&pg=PT201|title=Minority Nationalisms in South Asia|last=Fazal|first=Tanweer|date=2013-10-18|publisher=Routledge|isbn=9781317966463|language=en}}</ref>

Today Memons are connected through globally recognized organisations such as the World Memon Organisation (WMO)<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://wmoworld.com/|title=World Memon Organisation {{!}} Serving Mankind|website=wmoworld.com|language=en-GB|access-date=2019-10-09}}</ref> and International Memon Organisation (IMO).<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.internationalmemon.org/|title=IMO - International Memon Organization|website=www.internationalmemon.org|access-date=2019-10-09}}</ref>

== History ==

=== Sindhi, Gujarati origins ===
[[File:Baroda-gujarat.png|thumb|upright=1|Gujarat, India, circa early 20th Century]]
Memon lineage traces back to [[Sindhis|Sindhi]] [[Lohanas]] who traditionally practiced [[Hinduism]].<ref name="Pirbhai2009">{{cite book |last1=Pirbhai |first1=M. Reza |title=Reconsidering Islam in a South Asian Context |date=30 September 2009 |publisher=[[Brill Publishers]] |location=[[Leiden]] and [[Boston]] |isbn=978-90-474-3102-2 |page=128 |language=en |quote=Thus, it was established that Khojas and Memons converted from Hinduism under the influence of Ismai'li and Sunni ''pirs'', respectively.}}</ref><ref name="Goswami2016">{{cite book |last1=Goswami |first1=Chhaya |title=Globalization before Its Time: The Gujarati Merchants from Kachchh |date=18 February 2016 |publisher=[[Penguin Books]] |isbn=978-93-85890-70-3 |language=en |quote=Most of the Muslim traders were Hindus of different castes who had converted to Islam. The Memons were said to have been Lohanas}}</ref> The origin of the name comes from [[Mu'min]] ({{lang|ar|مؤمن}}, "believer" in Arabic) and later evolved to present name Memon.<ref name="Goolam 2006">{{cite journal |last=Vahed |first=Goolam |date=January 2006 |title='Unhappily Torn by Dissensions and Litigations': Durban's 'Memon' Mosque, 1880–1930 |journal=Journal of Religion in Africa |volume=36 |issue=1 |publisher=[[Brill Publishers]] |location=[[Leiden]] and [[Boston]] |pages=23–49 |doi=10.1163/157006606775569631 |eissn=1570-0666 |issn=0022-4200 |jstor=27594362}}</ref> The Memon community was founded in the 15th century by 700 families comprising 6,178 persons total.<ref name="Numbers">{{cite journal |title= All for 'Izzat' |first=R |last= Ghadially |url=http://www.manushi-india.org/pdfs_issues/PDF%20files%2066/all_for_izzat.pdf | journal=Manushi |year=1991 |access-date=2017-06-11 |issue=66 |pages=17–20 |pmid=12285436 }}</ref> According to Anthovan, those Lohanas of [[Thatta]], [[Sindh]] who converted from Hinduism to Islam became Memons and were invited by Rao Khengarji Jadeja, ruler of [[Bhuj]] in the 16th century, to settle in Bhuj.<ref name="Pirbhai2009"/><ref name="Goswami2016"/> It is from there that [[Kutchi Memon]]s migrated to [[Kathiawar]] and mainland [[Gujarat]]. [[Surat]] in Gujarat was an important trading centre from 1580 to 1680.<ref name="origin3">Islamic Perspective, a Biannual Journal. A special issue on Bohras, Khojas and Memons. Ed. by Asghar Ali Engineer, Bombay, Institute of Islamic Studies. vol.1, Jan 1988, pp. 41-48 [http://memon.freeservers.com/surveyKM.htm]</ref><ref name="Goolam 2001">{{cite journal |last=Vahed |first=Goolam |date=January 2001 |title=Mosques, Mawlanas and Muharram: Indian Islam in Colonial Natal, 1860–1910 |journal=Journal of Religion in Africa |volume=31 |issue=3 |publisher=[[Brill Publishers]] |location=[[Leiden]] and [[Boston]] |pages=305–335 |doi=10.1163/157006601X00194 |eissn=1570-0666 |issn=0022-4200}}</ref>

=== Merchant tradesman ===
[[File:Mehmans (9727923226).jpg|thumb|upright=1|Memon men, from ''Photographs of Western India Series 1855-1862'']]
Due to the mercantile nature of the community, Memons began a significant migration beyond the borders of India in the 18th and 19th centuries. This led to communities developing in the Middle East, [[Memons in South Africa|South Africa]], Sri Lanka and East Asia.<ref name="Goolam 2006"/> Memon traders set up a network of joint stock companies acting in coordination with other members in an area ranging from Central Africa to China.<ref name="Levin"/><ref name="Tradesmen">{{cite journal|title=Pakistan's Big Businessmen: Muslim Separatism, Entrepreneurship, and Partial Modernization |first=Hanna |last=Papanek |year=1972 |journal=[[Economic Development and Cultural Change]] |volume=21 |issue=1 |pages=11 |doi=10.1086/450605 |s2cid=86853602 }}</ref><ref name="Diaspora">{{cite journal|title=The Politics of Diaspora and the Morality of Secularism: Muslim Identities and Islamic Authority in Mauritius |first=Patrick|last=Eisenlohr |year=1972 |journal=[[Journal of the Royal Anthropological Institute]] |volume=12 |issue=2 |pages=400 }}</ref> Memon donors made significant financial contributions to construct mosques during this time, including [[Juma Masjid Mosque]]<ref name="Goolam 2006"/> and [[Jamia Mosque (Hong Kong)|Jamia Mosque]].<ref name="Jamia">{{cite journal|title= Historical Analysis of Islamic Community Development in Hong Kong: Struggle for Recognition in the Post-colonial Era |first= Ho |last= WAI-YIP |publisher=Taylor & Francis |year=2001 |journal= [[Journal of Muslim Minority Affairs]] |volume=21 | pages=65 }}</ref> By late 19th century several thousand Memons had settled in Mumbai due to trading.<ref name="Levin" /> The area of Mumbai in which the Memon traders congregated later became known as the Memonwada.<ref name="Memonwada">{{cite journal|title=Refiguring the Colonial City: Recovering the Role of Local Inhabitants in the Construction of Colonial Bombay, 1854-1918 |first= Preeti |last= Chopra |year=2007 |journal= Buildings & Landscapes |volume=14| pages=109–125 |doi=10.1353/bdl.2007.0007|s2cid= 161702822 }}</ref>

=== 20th century ===
The early 20th century saw a consolidation of the Memon community in South Asia as well as South Africa. They began to organise important societies including Memon Education and Welfare Society and Memon Chamber of Commerce.<ref name="Levin" /> Memon communities made significant financial contributions to preserve the [[Ottoman Empire]] but were unable to prevent its decline.<ref name="Moosa">{{cite journal|title=Role of Memon Community during the Caliphate Movement |first=Ismail |last=Moosa |year=2014 |journal=British Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences |volume=11 |issue=1 }}</ref><ref name="Oishi">{{cite journal|title=Muslim Merchant Capital and the Relief Movement for the Ottoman Empire in India, 1876-1924 |first=Takashi|last=Oishi |year=1999|journal=Minamiajiakenkyu |volume=11|pages=71–103 }}</ref> The [[partition of India]] led to significant migration in both directions for the community. The principal mass of Memons was and is composed of petty tradesmen,
shopkeepers, grocers, wandering peddlers, and agents and clerks in firms.<ref name="Levin" /> In regions of Kutch (India), and near [[Karachi]] and on the Makran coast of present day Pakistan, the Memons are still engaged in commercial agriculture, gardening, and fishing.<ref name="Levin" />

=== Branches ===

====Subgroups of Memons from Kathiawar====
{{main article|Memons (Kathiawar)}}

=== Languages ===
{{main article|Memon language|Sindhi language|Kutchi language}}

==Social structure==

===Cultural traditions===
[[File:Mehman Women (9727859254).jpg|thumb|upright=1|Memon women, from ''Photographs of Western India Series 1855–1862'']]
While Memons are generally [[Sunni Muslims]], many continue to follow [[Modern Hindu law]] in matters regarding property inheritance, community leadership structure and mutual support for members. Memon see themselves to be from the Buddhist [[Kshatriya]] lineage. Even within Memons, there are [[caste]] hierarchies that some follow regarding marriage practices.<ref name="Levin" /><ref name="Traditions">{{cite journal|title=Escaping the Grip of Personal Law in Colonial India: Proving Custom, Negotiating Hindu-ness |first=Chandra |last=Mallampalli |publisher=[[American Society for Legal History]] |year=2010 |journal=Law and History Review |volume=28 |issue=4 |pages=1060 |doi=10.1017/S0738248010000763 |s2cid=144494384 }}</ref>{{qn|date=April 2018}}

According to folklore, the blessings of the Islamic saint Sayad Kadiri upon the Memons are responsible for their success in business and trade.<ref name="Goolam 2006"/> A more pragmatic explanation for their success is that Memon have been historically considered honest brokers. Following commercial caste model, Memons also offer support community members in financial matters by giving loans and offering business assistance.<ref name="Levin"/>

==== Memon Day ====
[[File:Memon Day Logo.svg|thumb|Memon Day logo]]
The community annually celebrates 10 April as '''Memon Day''' through acts of humanitarian service.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mumbai/humanitarian-work-marks-memons-day/articleshow/58136957.cms|title=Humanitarian work marks Memons' Day|date=12 April 2017|newspaper=The Times of India|first=Mohammed|last=Wajihuddin|access-date=26 May 2020}}</ref> Other sources indicate 10 April date,<ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2024-04-08 |title=Memon Day to be celebrated on April 10 from this year |url=https://arynews.tv/memon-day-to-be-celebrated-on-april-10-from-this-year/ |access-date=2024-07-03 |website=ARY NEWS |language=en-US}}</ref> as declared at the 21st World Memon Organisation [[Charitable organization|Charitable]] Foundation (WMO) AGM held on November 11, 2023.<ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2024-04-09 |title=WMO to marks Memon Day today globally |url=https://pakobserver.net/wmo-to-marks-memon-day-today-globally/ |access-date=2024-07-03 |website=Pakistan Observer}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-04-08 |title=Memon Day will be celebrated around the World, on the 10th of April |url=https://wmoworld.org/memon-day-will-be-celebrated-around-the-world-on-the-10th-of-april/ |access-date=2024-07-03 |website=World Memon Organisation Charitable Foundation}}</ref>

The prime purpose of the Memon Day is to [[consciousness raising|raise awareness]] and provide a common platform for [[charity (practice)|charity]] related activities all over the world for Memons, charitable, [[philanthropy|philanthropic]] and volunteer organizations for their own purposes on the local, national, regional and international level all around the world .

===Memons worldwide===
[[File:Katchi Memon Masjid 01.jpg|thumb|upright=1|Katchi Memon Masjid]]
Today, Memon communities are scattered throughout the world including the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, [[Memons in Sri Lanka|Sri Lanka]], South Africa, the United Kingdom, the United States and Canada.<ref name="WorldLocations">{{cite news|url=https://www.dawn.com/news/242684/karachi-300-bed-teaching-hospital-planned|title=Karachi: 300-bed teaching hospital planned|last=DH|date=17 April 2007|work=[[Dawn (newspaper)|Dawn]]|access-date=4 August 2015}}</ref> However, major concentrations of Memon remain located in Karachi, Pakistan and Gujarat, India. In [[Karachi]] there is a community of Memon people from [[Bantva]] and their descendants known as [[Bantva Memons]]. United under the banner of Halari Memon General Jama'at, the Halari Memon are another category and followers of the [[Hanafi]] school.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.accessmylibrary.com/coms2/summary_0286-24718975_ITM|title= City Nazim praises services of Memon community |date=13 October 2003|work=Pakistan Press International|publisher=Asia Africa Intelligence Wire |access-date=20 January 2010}}</ref>

Memons were also one of three classes living in South Africa when [[Mahatma Gandhi]] went there in 1893, Memons were traders serving the [[Indians in South Africa|Indian diaspora in South Africa]]. Memons are known for their involvement in [[business]] and [[philanthropy]], with Memons having played a major part in the building of Pakistani industry.<ref name="Levin" /><ref name="Industry">{{cite news|url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1138032|title=CM wants constitutional path to resolve OGDC issue|last=DH|date=15 October 2014|work=[[Dawn (newspaper)|Dawn]]|access-date=5 August 2015}}</ref>

==See also==
*[[List of Memon people]]
*[[Memon Day]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category-inline}}

{{Ethnic groups in Pakistan}}
{{Indian Muslim}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Memon|*]]
[[Category:Muhajir communities]]
[[Category:Muslim communities of India]]
[[Category:Muslim communities of Gujarat]]
[[Category:Sindhi tribes in India]]
[[Category:Lohana]]

Memon people - Revision history

Bogdankdu: Started The Info V1 - done