Al-Qalam 
By Anwar Yousouf Cara, Leicester, UK
Abdul Khaleck Ahamed Ramtoolah, a remarkable leader, visionary, and humble servant of Islam, passed away in Mauritius on February 28 – just a day before the start of Ramadan. He was 74.
His life was dedicated to uplifting the Muslim community in Mauritius, promoting unity, and fostering a deep understanding of Islam among young people. His legacy will continue to inspire generations to come.
Early Life and Education
Born into a religious family, Abdul Khaleck’s father was among the earliest Muazzins of Jummah Mosque in Port Louis. He pursued his secondary education at Royal College, Port Louis, and later graduated from Aligarh Muslim University in India, where he studied history. During his time at Aligarh, he was an active member of the student community, serving as Secretary of the Student Islamic Movement of the university.
The Founding of SIM Mauritius
Upon returning to Mauritius, Abdul Khaleck founded the Islamic Movement of the University of Mauritius, which initially had around 30 participants. This movement eventually evolved into the Students Islamic Movement (SIM) of Mauritius, an organization that has continued to thrive to this day.
Abdul Khaleck introduced innovative initiatives such as Islamic camping for Muslim students and the English version of ‘Tafheem-ul-Quran’ (Towards Understanding the Quran) by Abul Ala Maududi.
His clear message to SIM members was to understand the Quran thoroughly to gain a true comprehension of Islam. He led by example, fostering a strong bond among SIM members with his humility and hands-on approach. Whether cooking, cleaning, or being the last to eat, he exemplified the values of service and simplicity.
Promoting Unity and Inclusivity
During the 1970s, the Muslim community in Mauritius was divided by caste and school of thought. Abdul Khaleck’s leadership played a pivotal role in uniting the community. He organized lectures by renowned scholars such as Dr Ahmad Sakr and Dr Ahmad Totonji, creating a platform for all schools of thought to come together. His efforts led to the first Indian Ocean Islamic Conference at Royal College, Port Louis, with participants from across the globe.
Abdul Khaleck also championed women’s participation within the Islamic Movement, leading to the formation of the Women’s Islamic Movement. His forward-thinking approach ensured that women had an active role in promoting Islamic values.
Institution Building and Job Creation
Under his leadership, SIM established the first Islamic Centre and Bookshop at Makoojee Center, Deforges Street, later moving to Corderie Street. He also facilitated job opportunities for thousands of Muslims and professionals in Saudi Arabia through his role as a representative of Saudi Oger, providing these services free of charge. His efforts extended to overseeing the recruitment of the first batch of Mauritian medical
doctors for Saudi Arabia. He recommended the participation of the Late Dr Hassam Gareeboo and Dr Suliman Rajah, who later founded Chisti-Sifah Clinic in Port-Louis.
Zakat Collection and Social Welfare
Abdul Khaleck contributed significantly to the field of Zakat collection and distribution. Collaborating with students and lecturers from the University of Mauritius, he conducted a survey on the economic conditions of the Muslim community. This initiative led to the establishment of the Local Zakat project, which included successful endeavours such as the Bait-ul-Mal in Beau-Bassin, collecting over Rs.3 million.
Contributions to Islamic Literature and Education
He initiated SIM News, Renaisssance Islamique, Al-Iqhwan Magazine and other publications. Later he started the Islamic News Agency with Br. Gulam Jilani Soobia, and became a distributing agent for SA’s Al-Qalam newspaper and Impact International from the United Kingdom.
He was also supporting the publication of the Quran in Creole in parts by Dr Hussein Nahaboo. Later Abdul Khaleck recommended him for the international board of translation of the Quran into French in Saudi-Arabia.
International Relations
As a representative of SIM in the International Federation of Students Islamic Organization and a founding member of the International Islamic Charity Organization in Kuwait and World Assembly of Muslim Youth (WAMY) Saudi-Arabia., Abdul Khaleck built strong connections with global Islamic scholars and leaders.
His relationships with figures such as Dr Ahmad Totonji (Saudi-Arabia), Dr Mustapha Tahan (Kuwait), Dr Hisham Al-Talib (USA) and Dr Anwar Ibrahim, former president of ABIM and now Prime Minister of Malaysia, enriched the Mauritian Muslim community.
As the Amir of SIM, Abdul Khaleck sent SIM representatives to various conferences and for training. His vision for SIM is to go beyond the frontier of Mauritius, he recommended me for a three-month mission in French Speaking Southern African Countries and producing a report that was published by the Muslim World League. He also sent Faizal Ozeerally to Gabon and Madagascar for Dawah activities.
Establishment of the Islamic Centre and Waqf
He also initiated the first Islamic Centre project, presenting it to the Islamic Development Bank. Despite bureaucratic challenges, he persevered, leading to the purchase of land in Moka, where the OryView Islamic Centre stands today.
He founded the first ‘SIM WAQF’ and was nominated as its Mutuwali by SIM. Today, there is a flourishing madrassa ‘Ruq-Udeen’ in Port-Louis.
A Lasting Legacy
Abdul Khaleck Ramtoolah is survived by his wife, his son and his daughter. His selfless service, humility, and unwavering commitment to Islam have left an indelible mark on all who knew him.
May Allah forgive his sins and grant him Jannat-ul-Firdous. We will remember him in our prayers as he changed the lives of so many of us.
“I understand commitment through the training our Islamic Movement gave us, through our Amir Abdul-Khaleck Ramtoolah.”
