One of the textile titans of the Manama Suq business community passed away yesterday, leaving behind a legacy of charity and integrity.
Haji Ejaz Ghulam Murtaza died at the age of 72 in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) at King Hamad University Hospital (KHUH) after a battle with prostate cancer.
“My father will always be remembered for being a generous and hard-working man,” Mr Ejaz’s oldest son and second child, Ali, told the GDN.
“He took care of people and nurtured a strong sense of responsibility in us. He would get us to school, work all day, get us home, and then be back at work by 4pm. He was well-liked and generous, as well as being well-travelled as a result of his work.”
Mr Ejaz Ghulam Murtaza was at the helm of Ghulam Murtaza & Sons’ wholesale operations since 1994. He was part of the third generation of a Bahraini merchant dynasty of Pakistani origins.
His grandfather, the late Ghulam Murtaza had a tiny tailoring shop on Al Mutanabi Avenue in the Suq, which was carried forward by his son, Mohammad.
The small tailoring shop grew through the decades and went on to provide suits for many members of the royal family. In particular, Shaikh Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the grandfather of His Majesty King Hamad was one of the patrons of the business.
The company also provided uniforms for Gulf Air crew for 30 years.
The family business saw the suq change – from a time where there was no electricity, running water or proper sewage system – to a modern hub for trade in the region.
Mr Ejaz Ghulam Murtaza, along with his brothers Imtiaz, Fiyyaz and Ayyaz, helped run and grow the business, as they evolved with the rapidly-changing landscape of Bahrain.
Mr Ejaz Ghulam Murtaza went on to marry Safia and had three children – Aisha, Ali and Hasan, as well as seven grand-children. Aisha works at Gulf Air, Ali is an executive director at the Bahrain Economic Development Board and Hasan has been working at the family business for the last 12 years.
The family moved from Fareej Al Fadhel in Manama to Gufool before settling in Tubli.
“His legacy for me comes down to three values he always embodied – hard work, honesty and family,” Mr Ali Murtaza added.
Mr Ejaz Ghulam Murtaza was buried last night at Manama Cemetery. A memorial will be held today and tomorrow. Men wishing to pay their respects can do so at the Fatima Kanoo Hall between 8am and noon this morning and from 3.30pm to 7.30pm this evening. Tomorrow, respects can be paid between 3.30pm and 7.30pm in the evening.
Women wishing to pay their respects can do so during the same time slots as above at the family home located at Villa 225, Road 1101, Block 711 in Tubli.
naman@gdnmedia.bh
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