Haji Ali Suleman Haji Ali Muraj was born in Mogadishu, Somalia, on September 4, 1921. He embarked on a life defined by his profound dedication to his faith, education and community. From a young age, he was deeply involved in the social fabric of the Mogadishu KSI Community.
His commitment to the Sabile Hussain Institution spanned from 1937 to 1950, during which he spent his final five years serving as its president. Recognizing the importance of knowledge and literature, he became one of the founding members of the Young Shia Ithna-Asheri Library in 1946. He played a crucial role in drafting the institution's rules and regulations, providing years of steadfast service as a member and secretary of its executive sub-committee.
His passion for education and literacy extended directly to the youth of his community. Between 1948 and 1949, to encourage writing skills among young people, he translated a work from Italian to Gujarati and authored a handwritten booklet titled “Bija Vishva ni Avanavi Waato” (“Strange Things from Another World”).
His dedication to education was further cemented by his active involvement with the Khoja Shia Ithna-Asheri School. He served as an examiner for the school's annual examinations across several years and was unanimously elected in 1949 to conduct the school committee elections.
He subsequently served on the institution's executive committee and acted as a supervisor until 1953, overseeing school management and implementing vital improvements.
In 1950, he expanded these educational efforts by co-founding the Khoja Shia Ithna-Asheri Madressa to impart religious training, serving on its committee for nearly a decade and helping to restructure its regulations in 1954.
Within the Khoja Shia Ithna-Asheri Jamaat of Mogadishu, Brother Ali was a pillar of administrative and spiritual leadership. He served as the Jamaat's treasurer for multiple terms throughout the late 1940s and early 1950s, and was repeatedly elected as the secretary of the Jamaat's executive committee.
A staunch advocate for social reform, he successfully appealed to the local Jamaat in 1949 to establish social rules aimed at prohibiting harmful customs and curbing extravagant traditions in community marriages, serving as secretary of the committee tasked with drafting these new regulations.
His religious administrative duties also included serving on the Hilal Committee in 1953 to verify moon sightings and on the Aza Committee in 1954 to manage Ayyame Aza programs. Beyond his immediate religious community, he was appointed in 1955 to audit the Pakistan Association's accounts, became trustee and treasurer of the Muraj Memorial Trust in 1956 and served as a commercial section councillor for the Chamber of Commerce, Industries and Agriculture of Somalia from 1960 to 1961.
Murabbi Ali bhai married Fatmabai Hassanali Juma, who was born in 1925 in Mogadishu. Together, they raised a family of five children: four sons - Mohamedtaki, Mehdi, Raza and Nasser and one daughter, Zainab. In 1991, Haji Ali bhai migrated to Mombasa, where he passed away on August 24, 1993. Their daughter, Zainabbai, currently resides in Dar es Salaam. The four sons later migrated to Orlando, USA, where Fatmabai passed away in 2015, followed by Mohamedtaki bhai in 2025.
Today, Marhum Ali Haji Suleman Ali Muraj is remembered for a lasting legacy of civic, educational and social service that shaped the institutions of our Mogadishu KSI Community.
May Allah (SWT) reward Marhum Ali bhai Haji Suleman Ali Muraj abundantly for his lifelong devotion and sincere services to the community, and grant him an elevated station in the proximity of the Ahlulbayt (AS), enveloped in His infinite mercy and grace, Ameen.
We request all mu'minin to remember him and all Marhumeen with Surah-e-Fatiha.
Article by: Alhaj Mustafa Pirmohamed
Source: Trade Directory, Family
SECRETARIAT
ARCHIVES SECTION OF THE AFRICA FEDERATION
11th September 2026 / 29th Rabiul Awwal 1448 AH
Download: Africa Federation Archives - A Life of Service: Haji Ali Suleman Haji Ali Muraj (PDF, 220KB)
