November

To East African citizens of Asian heritage, the country they were born in was the only home they ever knew. Their ancestral families had started coming to East Africa in the 1880’s. The Younger generations of Hindus, Muslims, Goans, Gujaratis and Sikhs were unique in terms of how they grew up side by side without conflict relating to their religions or backgrounds.

They prayed and played together and attended the same schools -- the common bond being their Indian sub-continental heritage. There were Mosques, Gurdwaras, Temples and Churches all over East Africa and communities had distinct Sports Clubs such as Sir Ali Muslim Club, Patel Club, Sikh Union, Suleiman Virjee Indian Gymkhana, Goan Institute, Kenya Police and The Aga Khan Club.

The inter-club competitions amongst friends at these sports clubs were intense but fair and everyone observed, celebrated and participated in each other’s religious and holy days. It was almost a perfect place to live.