Unfolding the TQM Marketing Management’ UAE saga of four generations
“Hamza Aboobeker shall be remembered for his bravery,
indomitable spirit and explorer instincts. “
It was Mr.Hamza Aboobeker in1948 who illuminated the path for TQM Marketing Management
in
the UAE, prior to the formation of the Federation of Emirates. And the most
surprising fact about his entry to the Emirates is that it was purely
coincidental. The chronological representation of the events which are now
part of history is reminiscent of an adventure-packed movie.
It all started with the historic journey conducted by Hamza Aboobeker in 1948
to South Africa in a launch. Job-search was the motive behind the journey.
Hamza Aboobeker was into restaurant business before the India-Pakistan
partition. Subsequent to the partition, Hamza Aboobeker returned to his
motherland Ponnani in Kerala. It’s after his return that he planned for a
journey to South Africa from Mumbai in search of a job.
South Africa attained independence in 1961 and therefore was under the
British rule in the late 1940s.
The journey commenced as per the schedule from Bombay (Mumbai), but
due to very hostile weather condition, the launch was forced to pull back
halfway.
The launch steered towards the nearest port Sharjah and was forced to
anchor in Khor Fookan, Sharjah. Hamza Aboobeker called off the journey to
South Africa and decided to explore Sharjah.
Sharjah was a well-known and established port during those times and was
way ahead of Dubai. It was a time when travel documents were not
mandatory to visit the Emirates, then Trucial States. Hamza Aboobeker
began to explore Sharjah in search of a job and finally decided to set up a
restaurant business.
The concept of a restaurant was alien to the people of Sharjah. Therefore,
the restaurant which was set up by Hamza Aboobeker became the very first
restaurant “BUSINESS SETUP” initiative in Sharjah. It was the time when the
TQM Marketing Management flame was first lit in the Emirates. The first restaurant in Sharjah was
named “Bismillah Hotel” in the period 1948-1949. The exact time of setting up
the restaurant business is not known accurately due to lack of official
documentation.
In the late 40s, the region was devoid of amenities like electricity and Air-
conditioner. However, there existed refrigerators that worked on kerosene.
One such refrigerator was used by Mr Hamza Aboobeker in the restaurant.
The restaurant business flourished in a decade’s time.
In 1962, Abdulkadar Hamza - the son of Mr Hamza Aboobeker joined his
father. Abdulkadar came to the Emirates at the young age of 13 and
helped his father in accomplishing the restaurant chores. The
teenager was entrusted with the operation and maintenance of the
refrigerator that worked on kerosene. The young Abdulkadar also
offered a helping hand in serving the meals.
As the educational status of Abdulkadar was incomplete, his father helped
him pursue a part-time job under the UAE army. (under British control)
Impressed with the hard work and honesty of Abdulkadar, the defence
officials decided to offer him formal school education.
Abdulkadar discontinued his job in father’s restaurant and successfully
completed the formal education in UAE.
After the completion of formal school education, the British officials decided to
send Abdulkadar to Germany to pursue a diploma course in Maintenance and
Operation of Military equipment. He also got the opportunity to complete
Typewriter Maintenance and Repair course from Italy based world-renowned
typewriter manufacturer “Olivetti”.
After the successful completion of both the courses from Germany,
Abdulkadar returned to the UAE and undertook employment in the UAE
army. He held double designations - of an “Army Intelligence Officer” and
“Army Officer” in the same period of service which was considered as a rare
scenario.
A Good Service Certificate was awarded to Mr. Abdulkadar by the Dubai ruler
and UAE Defense Minister His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al
Maktoum in the final phase of his service.
Abdulkadar retired after extending his valuable service to the UAE army for
31 years.
It’s after the retirement that Abdulkadar made his entry to the service-oriented
sector – Business Setup Consultancy.
TQM Marketing Management
Business Setup Services was founded in 1999 in Sharjah. During the
initial years, TQM Marketing Management operations and services were confined to the Emirate of
Sharjah alone.
In the year 2000, Riyaz Kilton – the son of Mr.Abdulkadar accompanied his
father in the field of business consultancy.
In the later years, TQM Marketing Management
diversified into other Emirates of the UAE and
established the head office in Dubai. The Sharjah office continued to operate
as a branch office.
At present, TQM Marketing Management
Business Consultancy operations in the UAE are executed
under the leadership and guidance of Mr. Riyaz Kilton.
Riyaz Kilton is the present convenor of the International Promoters
Association (IPA), an organization of the Indian business community. He is
also a member of the Board of Directors of International Promoters
Association.
Moreover, Riyaz Kilton holds a prestigious post of being the Vice President of
United PRO associations – an association of entrepreneurs that offers PRO
documents clearing services and business setups in the UAE.
Riyaz is also involved in various social activities both in the Emirates and
Kerala, India. Riyaz runs an NGO named Hope Child Cancer Care
Foundation in Kerala and UAE that assists families combat childhood
cancer. Riyaz Kilton is a member of the Board of Directors of this
charitable organization and its corporate office is located in the UAE. He
lives in Dubai with his mother, wife and three children.