Memon community has made its
habitat on the shores of Arabian and Indian Sea in Gujrat and Kathiawar areas of
Subcontinent a few hundred years ago. Historians write that the community
originated from Sindh and then migrated to different parts of undivided India
particularly Gujrat and Kathiawar.
Okhai Memons are one of large branch of Memons. The name Okhai is derived from
the Indian port town of OKHA where major portion of community resided. Many
families of Okhai Memon community migrated to Karachi from Okha well before turn
of 20th century. Records show that first ones came to Karachi around 1850.
A proper organization in the name of Okhai Memon Jamat was formed in 1880 when a
number of families came here and resided in Kharadar area of Karachi near the
port. This organization was registered under the societies Act XXI of 1860.
Okhai Memon Jamat has the distinction that Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah
presided one gathering in its premises during independence movement. The Okhai
Memon community was in forefront in the task of rehabilitation of migrated
Muslims in Karachi at the time of partition.
This organization now is one of the largest Jamat of Memon communities in
Pakistan. Many of its stalwarts took part in the independence struggle and
establishing the new country along with others.