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Al Sharq Newspaper
Interviews With Mr Mohamed Kazem Al Ansari
Mr.
Mohammed Al Kazem
is a
good ideal for self reliance businessman who has a strong
decision during his lifetime and ambition without limits. He was
so close
to the people from
his early childhood where he could learn patience, perseverance.
His biography is as an open book full of events, success, and
failure. He has faced the pleasant and unpleasant day of life
with his highly-spirited soul.
He held
different positions in sport fields he played against world
famous footballers as Pele. He held colonel rank in Qatari Armed
forces obtaining the honour to fight with the first Qatari force
including some volunteers to liberate Palestine and Arab lands.
In the
field of business, he has achieved a great success, moreover,
his projects have been expanded until he managed more than 1300
workers whom he taught self-denial, exactness, discipline and
devotion in the service.
He is
gifted with a sport high spirited character in his trade
transactions. He did not file a suit against anybody to recover
his rights, his own motto “good word opens a clased door”. In
the same time, he is an exact and serious with careless people
, he says “Don’t be either flexible to be broken or
solid not to be squeezed”. During his career,
Mr Al-Ansari suffered injustice and he could absorb his vexing
and though his partners stabbed him in his back, but he
proceeded on his way. Once he a million dollars during his
investments overseas. He made a practical use of these lessons.
Finally, he comment saying “ I has gained more profits through
investments in Qatar than overseas.
He
comments: I came from professional trading family, my grand
father, Mohammed Al-Kazem had marine fleet including 7 ships. He
was transporting food stuff from Iraq Gulf countries. He was
food stuff agent for ottoman troops in Qatar and gulf coast. My
grandfather had a lot of servants, drums were banging when his
boats come near to Qatar coasts. My grandfather was the agent of
sheikh Jassim Ben Mohammed Al-Thani, Sheikh Abdullah Ben Jassim
Al-Thani in 1930.
My
older uncle , Hassan Mohammed. Al Kazem was a pearl merchant and
expert in Bahrain. My younger uncle, Ismaeil Mohammed Al Kazem
was wood trader in Saudi Arabia., My cousin, Ali Al-Wazan was
the head of commercial chamber of Bahrain in 1950 who
participated in entacting boycott low against Israel. My other
cousin ,Abelallah Ben Ibraheim Al-Baker was one of senior
traders and his business extended between Qatar , Emirates,
Bahrain and Cairo.
My
other cousins, Hoshem, Ismaeil, the sons of Fareg Hasshem Al
Ansari were trading in food stuff, cloth. They were agents of
Al-Ghourafah Sheikh, such as sheikh Jassim Ben Fahed Al-Thani,
Sheikh Thamer Ben Mohammed Al Thani and also my cousins,
Mohammed and Ahmed, the sons of Abde Al-Rahman Al-Rahman
Al-Zaman were cloth, real estates, banking traders and they were
the agents of sheik Ahmed Ben Ali Al-Thani, the previous
governer. on the other hand, The uncle of my father, Mohammed
Shafiaa Ben Mohammed Rabaa Al Ansari was the captain of
Mokedeem boat”. He transported all goods in addition real
estates and cloth.
Mr Al
Ansari began his business with a truck, then he bought another
car after that , he purchased a plot of land from Sheikh Faisal
Ben Kassem Al Thani. his business and projects have expanded to
the field of real estates, trade and industry. However tough day
they are, he says, these days were the best during my lifetime I
worked hard refusing any financial help from my rich family, my
self proud and pride have urged me to overcome these hardships.
During
my early childhood, I passed three stages. The first one was a
prosperous stage when my grand father (May Allah ’s mercy upon
him”. was the agent of sheik jassim Ben Mohammed Al Thani and
Sheikh Abdullah Ben Jassim Al Thani. He was senior officials in
thirties. He was having seven ships raising 7 flags when they
anchor on gulf coast. his ships were carrying goods from Iraq
Gulf and spoke in Turkish language which learned in Turkish
ports.
People
were waiting for his goods. Eight years ago, I was sitting with
a Sheikh in his Majlis, a woman, her name is Hussienah told me
she worked, with my grandfather and another woman was called
Argent was one of his servant. The house of my grand father was
at Al Jessrah where he bought the half of area. my father was
having three sons, me and my brother Abdullah and my sister
Nasrah.
My
sister was married in early age. My father was travelling from
to Qatar and Saudi Arabia where he worked in Aramco. My father
passed away when I was at the age of twelve. I depended on
myself. I did not seek aid from my rich family at the time of
need. I used to go to my school on foot.. Khalid Ben Waleed and
Saleh El Dein, Qatar model school and Religious institute were
the brilliant schools at that time.
There
were acting, football and educational competitions among these
schools in 1967, I was a volunteer among 100 Qatari volunteers
to defend about occupied lands in Palestine. we were four
Qatari volunteers in addition to Palestinian and Pakistani
volunteers. I was at second grade in preparatory school. We
travelled to Kuwait, Iraq and then Jordan. At that time,
president Gamal Abd Al Nasser presented his resignation but we
sent a telegram under the name of Qatari force asking him to
think better of his resignation and the text of the telegram was
“Qatari forces moving to battle field seeking “your return to
presidential place”.
We
reached to Jordan where we met an entire military fleet and our
force was having English hundred gun “sterling” and ammunition.
They did not allow us to join from Jordan then we went to Syria
where we met the leader, Mr., Mohammed Abdullah Al Attiayah
Deputy of general command of Qatari forces. (May mercy of
Allah upon him”. The war already over in 1967 with the Arab
defeat. We come back to Qatar as per the order of.
I was a good actor and
scout. I traveled to Egypt with my scouting team. Mr. Ansari
remember the death of his father “May Allah’s mercy upon him”,
and he was sick having his treatment on the cost of the
governmental abroad in Beirut in 1955 This is a good feature of
Qatari government paying due attention to its citizens in all
circumstances.
He remained for 7 years
there. Sheikh Khalid Ben Hamad Al Thani, who is, the father of
Sheikh Naser Ben Khalid and grandfather of Nawaf Ben Naser Al
Thani. asked me about the health condition of my father, I told
him he is sick and I did not see him for two years, he offered
me to accompany them in their flight to Beirut the next day. I
was a good footballer in Al Ahali club and its name was “Al
Nagah” the club administration registered my name in the
federation. Al Arabah club offered me 200 QR to sign a contract
but Al Ahali club promised to pay me 45 QR as monthly salary
with accommodation. It was a good transaction at that time.
School paid us at that time to urge us to study.
What is the best success
you achieved at that stage ?
Praise to Allah, I played
with Al-Ahali club and Qatar national team I played against
famous Brazilian player, pele, when Santos team came to Doha.
The match was held in Doha secondary stadium it was a strong
match, the result was 3-1, but it was great achievement because
no Arab team could score a goal except our team. The Qatari
audience carry the footballers on their shoulders.
My mother suffered from
sickness at this stage. I went to meet sheikh Khalifa Ben Hamad
and he was heir apparent at that time, telling him about the
sickness of my mother, then, he ordered me to be ready to travel
Cairo to have a treatment where I staged for one year and she
died there.
We faced a lot of trouble
to carry the corpse and I was young at that time, my friends
advised me to bury the corpse in Cairo as an Islamic country,
after that, I went back to Doha upon burial ceremony.
I decided to go on in my
study at night and to work at day time. I worked at inspection
department of custom authority, at that time, I completed my
secondary certificate. Then I joined Qatar Armed forces as an
officer. I was one of two hundred officer graduates. I was
recommend to work in military attach in Jordan among 14
candidates. I went to Jordan and returned to Doha in 1972 A.D.
How you transit from civil
to military life ?
It was not difficult for
me, I love sport and scouting that enable me to overcome hard
ship and the training course was not easy but I was qualified to
work in military attaché.
I was hesitant to work in
trade, but finally I made a decision to start my own business.
My father, grand father were transporting good from Iraq and
Gulf cities in winter and summer and I wanted to be likewise.
Mr.
Mohammed Kazem Al Ansari commenting:
we faced a lot of problems
upon the death of my father. We had led in poverty but they were
the best days in my life. I was free and Qatar was small in
size, you can walk at night and people recognized each others
well at that time. The life was easy and comfortable”.
People could overcome
their problems at that time through sympathy, with new
development life gets different. The expansion of trade new
civilization, computer have made human relations weaker than
before.
Were you Sad for leaving
your military job ?
Yes , of course, I loved a
military life to defend about my country. I wish if I could
spend all my life to serve my country but, trade attracted me
from military life because my family has worked in trade for
long time.
What
was your first bargain or transaction ?
I bought my first truck
(Al-Nashal) and water Tanker. The water transportation was
important business at that time. I suffered much from the
complains of drivers and broken-down cars, so, I decided to sell
the two cars to buy a plot of land. After two days, A merchant
cane to me asking to sell his plot , which he bought for 72.000
with 75.000 QR then, I wondered can I earn 3000 QR with in two
days, this sum equal a monthly paid. It was dream for me. After
10 days, I sold this plot of land for 90.000 QR. I got 18.000 QR
as a profiles from this transactions, this equal to 5 monthly
paid.
I bought another plot of
land. from sheikh Faisal Ben Kasem, then I bouth another bigger
one but I could not sell easily.
I bought a house for
700.000 QR, many of people were very surprised to make such
transaction because the price is too expensive, but I bought for
profitable sum.
Finally my business has
been developed. I established my first company and my business
has expanded to include pharmacy, beauty center, building
material, tie’s , ready-made clothes factory recently, I have a
business in advertising media, as well as, stones transportation
for Al Foujiarah. This is the summary of my biography.
What is the best stage in
your life ? Is it your life as Qatar national team goal keeper
or as a soldier in armed forces or a successful businessman?
If I had options, I would
choose my early childhood. Though my early childhood was a cruel
stage but I love it. I did not feel that I had led a hard life
due to the kindness of my father and mother.
I was dreaming to have a
car until I had one. These dreams were not just wishes but I had
worked hard to achieve them. I stayed in Doha for five years
without traveling abroad as my friends and friends used to die.
I wanted invest my capital.
What are your remarks
about newly born businessmen today ?
The worst fault they start
their own business in luxiours offices secretariat, and office
managers. they lost what they have after two months, the start
must not be via grand office but we should cope with our time .
How many children do you
have ?
I have three daughters and
a son. Amira is 10 years old, Naser is 9 years old, Reem is 7
years old, Merriam is 4 years old. My fault is that I love my
children very much, some people blame me for that. I have a nice
story related to my niece Naser Al Ansari, who is assistant
deputy of muricipal affairs ministry. He was studying in America
, and I gave him dinars club card to pay for his shopping, but
my a sister blamed me for doing that but I told her that I trust
him. He succeeded in his study and gat a responsible man. Today
I told them that I made fuss of a/d Naser until he got assistant
deputy of ministry, consequently, let me to make fuss of young
Naser and you will see “what he would be” ?
I love children by my own
way “be flexible not to be broken and be solid not be squeezed”
Today, life has been developed. life is no long as easy as it
used to be. in the post, father were punishing their children.
There were no sport or outdoor activities.
- Do you like traveling ?
Very much.
- How many country did you
visit ?
I visited a lot of
countries, but I love Marbina city in south, Spain and all gulf
cities are my country.
- Did you have financial
losses during your career with your success.
Trade is loss and profit,
a good trader must have a strong heart and let me to say that
any business overseas is under fate and circumstances, in 1975
I opened the best bakery in Disonlof city in Germany and it is
near to Belgium. “it was a full automatic bakery. my partners
played tricks with. I lost the business, I also started business
in Bahrain, my capital was one million dollar , for second time,
my partner was not an honest with me and I bought the perfume
centre for a cheap price.
I opened a readymade
garment factory in Jordan. I last 80% of my capital. I am not
lucky businessman overseas but lucky in my country.
Today I have 116
employees. I set up a camp where they stay with a strict
discipline in working hours. in the terms of army, this working
force, this mater is likewise two battalions under in section
with different tasks to each employee. All my employees are hard
working, punctual. I do not apply punishment and reward.
principles. but I prefer cooperation, tolerance and harmony.
How do you choose your
employees ?
Life gets different than
before, families did not dispute in the past for financial
matters.
The family companies were
based on strong social relations but the style of life gets
different today .we can see materialistic relations and people
changes their intentions, promise and agreements for the sake of
money.
For me, I did not make any
partnership with any relatives. I told them we are just sisters
and bother I have refused to make any trade transactions with
them. I have just rendered advice in business, on the other
hand, I have had a trade investment with foreigner but I lost my
business.
What is your favorite
hobby?
Travel is my favorite
hobby. I am fond of traveling I visited a lot of countries
worldwide during my work in military attaché. I know much about
different cultures. I was an executive in military sport
committee in the Middle East which includes 22 members
countries. This was my good chance to visit and know about
countries worldwide
Which would you choose
businessman or chief of staff?
If I were you young , I
would prefer the army , but today I will choose to be
businessman , but it is up to age .
Is military life is easier
now than before?
Life today has changed a
lot a got different than before, in my view, current military
life is easier than before. I worked as a leader in charge of
logistics department t and retired as colonel. Finally I want to
say that, I suffered from injustice, but my trust and depended
on Almighty Allah .
Has protected me and
helped me overcome these hardship I have face during my
lifetime.
I have no hatred towards
any body even in the worst circumstances
D id you offer any
charities or good deeds for the needs and the poor?
I prefer not to reply this
questions , but I can tell you as Muslim give my zakat and I
have constructed a great mosque in India and 10Th
Ramadan City in Egypt . I have built houses to teach the holy
Quran in Sudan, Pakistan and houses for aged people...
Who are these persons who
have had great effect on your life?
The first person is his
Excellency Sheikh Hamada Ben Halifax Al Thani and his highness
sheikh Abdullah Ben khalifa whom I served under his leadership
live with my cousins , Fareg Hashim Al- Ansari , he was the
deputy of sheikh Khalid and khalifa Ben Ahmed Al Than-. My
cousins Ismaeil ,Hashim , the sons of Fareg Hashim Al – Ansari
who were the agents of sheikh Abdullah Thamer , Jassim and Fahd
Al –Thani.
On the other hand. I was
affected by my Uncles Mohammed and Ahmed who are the sons of
Abed Al Rehiman Roman and the agents of Sheikh Ahmed Ben Ali.
Mohammed
Shafiia was the captain of board named “Mokdeem” and also my
uncle Hussein Kazem who was medications and pharmacist trader
and Hassan Kazem , the jewllery , pearl great expert in Bahrain
and Ismaeil Kazem who is trader in Khamees Mousheit .A all
these mentioned characters had great impact on my life .
