Guyanese Muslim business woman shortlisted for awards

If you are a regular patron of the Guyana Festival then rest assured you have seen her. For over fifteen years this proud Guyanese business woman has decorated the corridors of Guyanese culture in Toronto with her signature Twins Products. But is Razia Khan all about “West Indian” business?

Visible in every fundraising dinner, cultural event, interfaith prayer, business meeting and religious function Razia has raised the hopes of Guyanese Diaspora that “a successful mother, entrepreneur and social activist” can all be served in the same plate.

Having arrived in Canada in 1979, she worked in the Financial Industry for over 12 years, before starting her own business. During that trying period she also found time to successfully complete her Business Studies at Seneca College.

Being a mother of one loving son, who demands more of her attention than usual, and having taken care of others during her early years in Canada, Razia remained steadfast to her business ideals and community involvement.

I think she makes an excellent choice, among the many other successful Guyanese business women in Toronto, in being awarded the Guyana 2008 Award and Mrs. Khan’s contribution, both morally and financially, bear witness to this.

The three factors that make a person great- self sacrifice, moral excellence and being a true role model are found easily within this charismatic daughter of Guyana. Many times people are successful in their newly adopted home but do not return to their home country. Razia has repeatedly returned to Guyana, despite the challenges, to share her prosperity and has been an enormous pillar of support for many charitable causes, both religious and humanitarian in nature.

Wealth and success many times engage the recipient in heady immoral indulgences, making little room for self dignity. With the attested character of Razia among her peers and competitors alike, she has stood tall in her field- building a business of ‘pharmaceuticals produced in Guyana’. She has not only kept it original, but inasmuch as lived a healthy spiritual life, clean as running water. Recently, she was applauded in the mosque for her personal commitment over the years both financially and morally. The associates at Three Rivers Foundation and CIOG have equally the same compliments and so too her many customers and co-workers.

Sparkling always in attire and radiant in countenance, this leader among Guyanese business women in North America has inspired many, parents and children alike, to be that caring mother, astute entrepreneur and steadfast spiritualist, no matter how tough the tide gets and lonely the road turns. A child remarked fondly when asked about ‘Auntie Razi’: “She makes me feel special every time I’m with her. I think I want to be corporate Razia when I grow up!”