Rashad Emeran 1927 - 1979

Rashad
Born 9 March 1927
Died 17 October 1979

The eldest of 14 children of Haj Gamiedoen and Hajja Bayrah Emeran (nee Joseph). Educated at the Prestwich Street Primary school.

Married Latiefa Davids. Had one son and 3 daughters : Rifaat, Noejfa, Nazlie and Fouza.

He was taught tailoring by Sulaiman Williams (father of Dr Fagmie Wiliams) and worked for the famous Dryburgh Tailor in Adderley street.

Throughout his life he made blazers for the local Christmas choirs as well as the Eid suits and costumes for family and friends.

He was also a keen sportsman playing cricket as a fast bowler for the Warwickshire Cricket club (one of the oldest) in the company of cricketers such as Boeta Boebie Buffkins, Maaila Kahaar, Hoosain Waggie, Dol Freeman and Eric Petersen. He was a member of the Buffaloes Rugby Club in the time of Emaam Maanie Bassier, Railoen Isaacs and Assie Dollie. He, like most men of his milieu, was also a member of the “Hollandse Team” namely the Leeuwendales Malay choir.

Not only was he involved with sporting activities but played an active role in the religious activities of the community. He was a stalwart in the Mowbray “Koeber” Board and an active executive member of the Nurul Islam (Buitengrachtstreet) mosque committee at the time of his demise. Later in life he, together with Mr Pitt and Boeta Toellie Nordien opened a clothing factory.

Besides the above activities, the one that gave him the most joy and the one that he eagerly looked forward to was being a member of Boeta Achmat (Ponnie) Moos Quranic recitation group. Here he brushed up his recitation and learnt the rules of Tajweed. He was the one who transported the members residing in the BoKaap to the various Thursday night venues in his well-known “Green Valiant”.

He actively encouraged all who came in contact with him to not only recite the Quran, but to also recite it correctly, to understand what they were reciting and to apply it to their daily lives.

(received from Goosain Emeran – source and author unknown)

Boeta  belonged to a jamaah from Claremont, that was very interested in reciting  at funerals, thikrs, 7 nights,40 nights and moulood. He was considered to be a very good tailor, but I think he  was the most talented of all my brothers as he was very artistic.  The Alhambra bioscope -  the ceiling was like the Sistine chapel, painted with all kinds of angels and what not. The sides were also painted from half way up. He was one of the painters,  he had to paint part of the ceiling – lying on his back on scaffolding,  it was a special kind of oil paint and this fell into his eye and that is why his one eye was always red. He gave that up and became a tailor.  He was talented as an artist, he could draw well. (Goosain)

His wife Latiefa

Eldest daughter Noejfa