Hassan Musa Khan

(b. 30 May 1863, Karachi), Afghan/Pashtun of the Tareen tribe, in Sindh. Nephew of MORAD KHAN, early Karachi supplier of camels to Australia. Attended the Karachi and Bombay universities, 1880s. He was Schoolteacher in India, 1890, and arrived Australia in 1896. Appointed as arbitrator in complex 1899 court case involving camel importation to Western Australia (West Australian 22 Apr 1899, p.3). He may have brought wife to Australia from India, see birth notice for daughter, born at 'Nurse Baseby's, King St, Coolgardie (West Australian 1 June 1899, p.4). He knew several languages including English, Pushto, Urdu, Persian, Sindhi, a 'little Arabic'. Bookseller in Perth, W.A., at 95 Brisbane St, 1904-1906. In 1904, he was founder of Perth Mosque, later treasurer in 1906, and secretary of the mosque. Representative of the 'camel men' at official functions, 1896, 1901, 1911, 1927. He also wrote against racism. Lived in Kalgoorlie, W.A., 1921; in Adelaide, S.A., 1932. Travelled to Delhi, India, 1911-1914. Author of the pamphlet The History of Islamism in Australia from 1863-1932 (Musakhan 1932; Schinasi 1980, p. 23; Rajkowski 1987, p. 86; Loois 1988; Stevens 1989). Donated books to the Battye Library, Perth.