Marafie Foundation Pakistan

Mr. Mohammad Rafie Husain Marafie

A distinguished Kuwaiti entrepreneur and philanthropist, the late Mohammad Rafie Husain Marafie, was an enlightened man who believed in the value of education. He sponsored the first charity school, which was established by his cousin in Kuwait. As patriarch of a prominent family, he also contributed generously to relief efforts and community welfare all over the world. He founded the Marafie Foundation as a channel through which to organize this charitable work. He believed that the poor should share in the prosperity of the rich. Thus, in addition to setting up the Foundation, he also willed one third of his fortune to charitable causes. In 1976, the family lost its benevolent patriarch, but they committed a new to continuing the philanthropic work he had started. After his demise, the family formalized the management of the Marafie Foundation restructuring it to continue the charitable work started by the founder. It has continued to grow in size and scope, making a difference in the lives of countless deserving people across the globe.

Abd-ul-Husain Mohammed Rafie Marafie

Abdul Husain Mohammed Rafie Marafie (b. 1935) is the eldest son of the Founder. Like his father, he is a successful businessman and a highly respected figure in Kuwait. After many years of study in India from a young age, Abdul Husain traveled extensively in Europe and America. He gained valuable experience working in different industries. Ater his return to Kuwait, he joined his father in the family business. Following the death of the Founder, Abdul Husain continued his father’s work expanding the Foundation. He remains a driving force behind this organisation. He has a great love of Kuwaiti heritage and has built several dhows including Al Hashemi II, the world’s largest wooden ship.

Mr. Abdul Illah Marafie

Mr. Abdul Illah Marafie belonging to one of Kuwait’s leading business families is an individual whose dedication had helped transform a particularly vulnerable community in the farthest reached of Pakistan’s northern areas. He is already familiar with the traditions of philanthropy by virtue of his family’s longstanding involvement in charitable works in Kuwait as well as elsewhere around the globe. The establishment of the Marafie Foundation in 1986 started with Mr. Abdul Illah Marafie’s visit to Skardu, Baltistan. He witnessed a community lacking access to the most basic of healthcare and educational facilities, frequently ailing from preventable diseases and suffering from economic deprivation due to a lack of education. Concerned by the situation, Mr. Abdul Illah Marafie took on the mantle of Deputy Chief Patron Trustee of Marafie Foundation. He was later appointed as its Chief Patron Trustee in 1993

Abd-ul-Fatah Marafie

His successive visit to Baltistan in 1986 deeply moved, by the pathetic infrastructure of health and education of the region. With his long established family tradition of philanthropic work all around the world motivated him to turn his compassion of generosity in establishment of Marafie foundation along with notables within Balti community in Karachi. Mr. Abdul Fatah’s success in his philanthropic mission lay in his understanding that while giving away money might be an easy matter, but long lasting community development depended on how the money was allocated, for what purpose and in what manner. Consequently, Mr. Abdul Fatah Marafie collaborated with the Government in carrying out carefully planned welfare activities within the project areas as he believed that only by complementing and supplementing each other’s efforts the Marafie Foundation and the Government could bring about a meaningful change in the socio-economically deprived region of Baltistan. He was the pioneer in much talked about model of public private partnership in Pakistan.

Late Muhammad Ishaq

Mohammed lshaq was a Trustee Pakistan from 1986 until his untimely death in 2003. A successfulbusinessman with interests in the construction industry, he provided financial support to many students who came to Karachi from Northern Pakistan. He became involved with the Marafie family in 1986, and gave much of his time and effort to assist in setting up the Marafie Foundation in Pakistan. His tireless support and dedication has been instrumental establishing Marafie Foundation as a major player in education and health services to Baltistan that has now expanded to districts of Astor and Gilgit

Late Professor Ghulam Mehdi

Professor Mehdi served as a Life Trustee of the Marafie Foundation- Pakistan and has been involved with its works since its inception until his death in November 2013 . He was a Professor at Karachi University and overseas the management of the Marafie Student Hostel, He also advises on the educational aspects of the Foundation's programmes. Professor Mehdi was provided constant assistance to Mohammed lshaq during his time as a Trustee, He also played an important role during the formative years of Marafie Foundation and helped in the establishment of an efficient organization despite many impediments due to communications constraints

Mr. Afzal Ali Shigri

Afzal Ali Shigri is the nephew of Mohammed lshaq and became a Trustee of the Marafie Foundation Pakistan in 2003 following the death of his uncle. He had a distinguished career in the police force retiring having reached the rank of Inspector General of Police. After assuring the responsibility of Managing Trustee he has created a corporate and accountable structure of the management of Foundation that will ensure its sustainability and efficient functioning in future