Obituary - Alhaj Dr. Sultan Aly - Australia

"Inna Lillahi Wa Inna Ilayhi Rajeeun"

(Holy Qur’an, Surah Al Baqarah 2:156)

“To Allah we belong and to Him we shall return”

Alhaj Dr. Sultan Aly – Sydney, Australia

The Africa Federation Secretariat received with deep sorrow the news of the death of Dr. Sultan Aly which occurred in Syndey, Australia, on Tuesday 9th December 2025 (18th Jamadi-ul-Aakhar 1447 A.H.)

Dr Sultan Aly passed away leaving a legacy defined by determination, sacrifice, and service. A devoted family man, respected medical practitioner, and tireless community advocate, his life was marked by quiet strength, moral clarity, and an unwavering commitment to both his family and the communities he served across continents and generations.

Born in 1936 in Pemba and raised in Zanzibar, Dr Sultan Aly grew up with a strong sense of responsibility shaped by faith, family and circumstance. From a young age, he was determined to study medicine and dedicated his life to serving others. This sense of purpose guided him through his formative years and later to Pakistan, where he completed his education and graduated with degrees in Medicine and Science. His pursuit of medicine was never merely professional; it was a vocation rooted in compassion, discipline and service.

In 1970, Dr Aly made the courageous decision to migrate to Australia, embracing the uncertainty and hardship of starting anew in a foreign land. This decision was driven not only by personal aspiration, but by a profound sense of duty to his family’s future. Through perseverance and personal sacrifice, he was instrumental in helping his brothers and sister also migrate to Australia, laying the foundations for opportunity, stability and generational progress for his extended family. He became an Australian citizen in 1974 and devoted the decades that followed to building a life of contribution in his adopted home, particularly in the Illawarra region.

As a general practitioner, Dr Aly was deeply respected and much loved by his patients, staff and colleagues. His medical practice was characterized by kindness, attentiveness and an unwavering sense of responsibility. He frequently placed the needs of others before his own comfort, viewing medicine as a service rather than a profession alone. His care extended well beyond the consulting room, reflecting his belief that true healing encompassed dignity, understanding and advocacy.

Alongside his medical work, Dr Aly committed himself wholeheartedly to community service. Guided by a deep sense of empathy and responsibility, he helped countless individuals to either migrate to Australia or to remain in the country after arrival, advocating on their behalf with compassion, persistence and integrity. Soon after arriving in Australia, he became closely involved with the Good Neighbor Council in the Illawarra, through connections including Peter Hilton, supporting newly arrived migrants as they navigated the challenges of settlement. In 1975, he was a founding member of the Illawarra Ethnic Council, representing the Illawarra Islamic Society, of which he was also a founding member. His leadership within the Council was enduring and impactful. He served as Chairman from 1980 to 1981, as Senior Vice President from 1982 until 2006, and in recognition of his exceptional service, was made a Life Member in 1990.

Dr Aly’s commitment to education and inclusion extended to the University of Wollongong. In 1981, he joined the Friends of the University, serving on both the Membership Committee and the Community Involvement Committee. From this work emerged a deep concern for the welfare of overseas students, particularly those who were isolated, financially disadvantaged, or navigating unfamiliar environments far from home.

He became the founding member and first Chairman of the Illawarra Committee for Overseas Students at the University of Wollongong, helping to secure institutional backing and external funding, including support from the Australian Assistance Development Bureau. In addition, he personally and quietly provided financial support to several disadvantaged students from developing countries, enabling them to come to Australia to pursue tertiary education when such opportunities would otherwise have been out of reach.

In 1993, his service to the University and the broader community was formally recognized when he was admitted as an Honorary Fellow of the University of Wollongong. The citation acknowledged his energy, sense of purpose, and enduring contribution to building a mutually supportive and integrated community. His national contribution to multicultural Australia was further recognized in 1995 when he received the FECCA Congress Community Medal for his leadership and advocacy on behalf of ethnic and faith based communities.

Within the Muslim community, Dr Aly’s legacy was equally significant. He was a founding member of the Muhammadi Welfare Association and was instrumental in securing its membership within the World Federation. He worked persistently with government bodies and local councils to advocate for the needs of Muslim families. Among his most enduring and practical achievements was his sole responsibility for establishing the Islamic burial section at Kembla Grange Lawn Cemetery, ensuring that members of the Muslim community could be laid to rest in accordance with their faith.

His generosity extended well beyond Australia. He was a committed donor to the Haven of Peace Orphanage in Kibaha, Bilal Muslim Mission of Tanzania and the Mtongwe Mosque and Islamic Centre of the Bilal Muslim Mission of Kenya, reflecting his lifelong concern for vulnerable children and disadvantaged communities, and his belief that responsibility did not end at national borders.

At the heart of Dr Aly’s life was his family. He was a devoted husband, a loving and principled father to his four children, Bismillah, Fatima, Husayn and Mariyam, and a deeply proud grandfather to nine grandchildren. Much of his life’s sacrifice was undertaken quietly to ensure the security, education and flourishing of both his immediate and extended family. He was a source of guidance, stability and wisdom across generations.

Dr Sultan Aly will be remembered as a man of principle, humility and resolve. His life stands as a testament to what can be achieved through determination, sacrifice and service to others. His legacy lives on through his family, the institutions he helped build, the communities he strengthened, and the countless lives he touched as a doctor, advocate, mentor and father.

With deep sorrow we convey our heartfelt condolences to his children, grandchildren and all family members.

Condolence Message from the Chairman of Bilal Muslim Mission of Tanzania

It is with deep sorrow and grief that I, on behalf of Bilal Muslim Mission of Tanzania and Kenya express our deep condolences to the family of Marhum Alhaj Dr. Sultan Aly who passed away in Sydney, Australia on 9th December 2025.

The passing away of this highly esteemed personality is a great loss not only to his family but to the entire Khoja Community globally; it is a loss of a philanthropist and a devoted follower of Ahlulbayt (AS) with a long history of devotion and sacrifices, the void he leaves behind will surely be felt in our communities across the globe.

His various contributions for Tabligh to the Bilal Muslim Missions in Africa and to the other religious institutions will remain the landmark of his lifetime achievements and shall be ever cherished.

We pray to Allah (SWT) by His Grace and Mercy to grant Marhum maghferat and rest his soul amongst the infallibles - Chaharda Masumeen (AS), Aameen. We pray to Allah (SWT) to grant his children and grandchildren solace to bear this big loss.

Hussein A. Karim

May Allah (SWT) by His infinite grace and mercy bestow His blessings and grant maghferat upon Marhum and place his soul amongst the blessed ones in the proximity of Chaharada Masumeen (AS) and where he continuously receive mercy and grace of Allah (SWT).

Sura-Al-Fateha is requested for Marhum Dr. Sultan Aly and all the Marhumeen.

SECRETARIAT