Mentor Profile - Zahir-Abbas Sumar

Zahir-Abbas was born in Märsta, Sweden, and lived there for the first six years of his life. His family then migrated to England where they settled temporarily in Leicester but then finalised their settlement in the UK in their current residence in North West London. Zahir-Abbas’ father, Gulammehdi Sumar was born in Zanzibar and his Mother, Ruhy, was born in Tanga. Zahir-Abbas also has two siblings, an older brother Imraan and a younger sister Zaynab. He speaks Swedish, English and Kutchi whist also being able to understand a few other Indian languages.

Zahir-Abbas attended nursery in Sweden whilst going through the rest of his education so far in England. After attaining 11 GCSE’s at Nower Hill High School he studied Biology, Economics, Chemistry, Philosophy and Ethics at the newly built Nower Hill Sixth Form. Here he was able to hold the position of Prefect and Council Rep. Life has since lead him to Regent College whereby he has just finished his A2 exams for Biology, Economics, Information Technology and Maths. Insha-Allah Zahir-Abbas will be attending Aston University in October 2009.

Throughout his life in London Zahir-Abbas has been involved in various community activities. After being a long-term student of Hujjat Saturday Workshop, Zahir-Abbas gave back by teaching younger students for a year and a half and also helping organise seminars for the youth at Workshop. He has also partaken in the recitation of Duas within his Jamaat as well as giving a few 10 minute talks during Muharram and Ramadhan. Outside his religious community, Zahir-Abbas has been involved with organising school fundraisers as well as setting up links between charities and his secondary school.

Amongst his involvement in such activities, Zahir-Abbas loves his sport, especially when it includes football. He enjoys tinkering with technology by having a strong passion for the digital world of computers whilst also thoroughly enjoying a good rollercoaster every now and again at theme parks.

So far, the only involvement that Zahir-Abbas has had with CoEJ is being the recipient of the vast services that are offered, namely, being a participant in Sweden Camp 2007 as well as a student at the Past Paper Practice courses held in 2007 and 2009. Now he feels that this role as a mentor is the ideal opportunity for him to begin to return the favour.

Sweden 2009 - Profiles - Boys