By Tasneem Merchant
Bahrain was never meant to be the destination.
Moiz Khansaheb arrived in Bahrain in the 1960s with his mother and siblings. His father, who ran a samosa business in Bahrain, had already settled there. Although his father had initially planned to move to Iraq in the 1940s, a chance layover in Bahrain convinced him to call Bahrain home, drawn by the opportunities and vibrancy the country offered.
The choice to stay would change not only his life, but that of generations to come.
From samosas to storefronts
Moiz began by selling samosas alongside his father in Manama at a very young age, to supplement the family's income, he later joined the sales department of an established business.
Around the 1970s, he decided to quit and start something of his own. His first venture focused on cold storage, but local businessmen encouraged him to consider a different path.
“Why don’t you start a business in plumbing?”
It was an unlikely suggestion for a man who, as his youngest son Mohammed recalls, "didn't even know what fittings were".
Still, Moiz saw an opportunity. He learned the trade through experience, customer relationships, and a willingness to adapt.
Riding on the Bahrain boom
The timing proved fortunate.
The 70s was an exciting time in Bahrain. Economic boom was on the horizon and despite the option of shifting back to a more familiar environment in India, the Khansahebs chose to contribute to the development of the nascent nation.
“My father had the opportunity to establish his name in the plumbing sector, and he took it,” says Mohammed.
What began with modest projects gradually expanded into pumping systems, irrigation materials, and other specialised services. Over time, the business established itself among Bahrain's leading plumbing suppliers.
The company's growth mirrored Bahrain's. Supportive policies, economic stability, and forward-looking leadership created opportunities for entrepreneurs willing to invest in the Kingdom's future.
More than implementing a robust strategy, Moiz worked from his instincts. He recognised newer developments and kept moving ahead using his personable nature along with a knack of finding opportunities.
The way forward
Although Mohammed formally joined the business in 2017 after completing his MBA, his education began much earlier.
His father regularly brought him along to the shop.
“I thought he was just letting me have fun," says Mohammed with a smile, “but I learned a lot just by observing sales tactics, documentation and journal entries. It was all happening in front of me.”
Today, he is helping the company grow, with an intention to open different branches in the Gulf region.
Competition has increased as Bahrain’s economy has grown, but the Khansahebs don’t view them as threats.
“We believe everyone comes with their own luck and sustenance. First-mover advantages in new technologies are crucial in business,” he says.
Despite the ongoing regional upheavals, the Khansahebs feel blessed. “Ups and downs are a part and parcel of life. What cannot be replaced is the trust and goodwill we have fostered here over generations. That is the greater profit, and we cherish it more than any monetary value,” says Mohammed.
The Khansahebs’ story represents a generation of Dawoodi Bohras for whom Bahrain has been more than a place of residence; it has been a land of genuine belonging where community ties and commercial ambition have prospered side by side.
