Alipur is a small village that mirrors some aspects of Iran, offering visitors a unique experience. Though geographically distant from Iran and the Shia heartland in India, Alipur stands out as a village with a Shia population of around 30,000, where the lives of its inhabitants are shaped by the principles of their faith.

Before 1972, the people of Alipur largely depended on agriculture for their livelihood. However, in 1972, a significant discovery changed the course of the village’s economy. The people of Alipur found Corundum Ruby in a nearby village, and Mr. Mumtaz Ali became the first person to gain in-depth knowledge of the Corundum market. He traveled extensively across India to study the ruby market and its strategies.

Soon after, other key figures including Mr. Dilfaraz Hussain, Mr. Zahoor Ali Saheb, Mr. Ali Raza, Mr. Sibte Ahmed, Mr. Zainul Abedin (Bapu), Mr. Ali Jaan, Mr. Mir Ehsan Ali, Mr. Aijaz Ali, and Mr. Hussain Ali (also known as Ali Baba) began their own ruby business in Alipur. By 1974, a trip to Jaipur revealed that gemstones, particularly Corundum minerals, were in high demand, with some even being considered more precious than diamonds. This led to the realization that the gemstone market was vast and offered significant business opportunities.

In 1974, Mr. Mir Rizwan Ali opened the first office in Jaipur under the name “Alipur Gems.” To foster unity and peace among the traders in Alipur, Mr. Mir Layeeq Ali established the “Alipur Mineral Labour Association” with several traders as members. This association aimed to bring together the local traders and facilitate cooperation within the gemstone industry.

Thailand
The Alipuri community in Bangkok represents the largest concentration of Alipuris in Asia, both in terms of numbers and proportion. The first Alipuris to arrive in Bangkok were pioneers, with Mr. Mumtaz Hussain arriving in the 1960s. In the 1970s, Mr. Dabeer Ali followed, receiving support from the Iranian community. After this initial wave, the Alipuri presence in Thailand was minimal until the 1980s when Mr. Fasahat Ali arrived, bringing with him Mr. Aslam Raza and other prominent community members, including Mr. Aijaz Ali Jouhari, Mr. Zainul Abiden (also known as Bapu), Mr. Akram Raza, Mr. Bahadur Hussain, Mr. Raza Ali, Mr. Sibte Ahmed, Mir Ehsan Ali, and Anjum Raza. Many of these early settlers went on to establish successful businesses, particularly in the gem industry.

In 1987, the Raza’s Group opened Fanoos Jewellery, marking the start of a flourishing business community. This was followed by the opening of Hassan Jewellers by Zainul Abiden in 1990, Nihal Gems by Mr. Bahadur Hussain in 1991, and Almas Impex by Mr. Aijaz Ali Jouhari in 1992.

Today, Thailand remains the only country where Alipuris form the majority, and they are well represented across various sectors. While Alipuris are spread throughout Thailand, they are mainly concentrated in areas such as Bangkok, Maesot, and Chanthaburi. As of 2015, over 250 Alipuris were estimated to be living in Thailand, most of them working as gem traders. There are currently around 15 families from Alipur residing in Bangkok.

As the Alipuri community grew, they established the Alipur International Traders Association (AITA) to support their members globally. AITA, located on Surawong Road in Bangrak, Bangkok, was founded in 2003 with 22 initial members. The association focuses on supporting Alipur’s people by providing financial assistance in accordance with Islamic rules and regulations. AITA plays a key role in regulating international trade for the community.

UAE
The Alipuri community began arriving in Dubai in the early years, with Mr. Zainul Abedin (also known as Bapu) being the first to officially register a company in the UAE in 1987. He founded Dar-Al-Salam Jewellers in the Sharjah Gold Souk. A few months later, Mr. Ibne Hassan, the son of Dabeer Ali, registered Al-Bashaer Jewellers in the Dubai Gold Souk, followed by Mr. Bahadur Hussain, who established Shuguftha Jewellers. In 1993, Mr. Mir Ehsan Ali opened Noorul Hassan Gems and Jewellery.

By 2015, it was estimated that around 35 to 40 Alipuris were living in Dubai, primarily working as gem traders, engineers, laborers, or in clerical positions. Many people living abroad visit Alipur two to three times a year, maintaining strong banking and telecom relationships with their families and relatives back home.

Indonesia
Alipuris began migrating to Indonesia in the late 1990s, mostly traveling from Bangkok in search of better opportunities. While official figures are not available, it is estimated that approximately 30 Alipuris reside in Indonesia.

Global Migration
The Alipuri community has spread across the globe, with significant populations migrating to countries such as the UK, USA, Singapore, South Africa, Hong Kong, Manila, Iran, Canada, and many others. As a result, many Alipuris have obtained citizenship in their respective host countries.

Please note that the above content has been created by the dedicated team of AMC to the best of their knowledge. However, as humans, we may make mistakes. If you come across any errors or have any suggestions for improvements, we warmly welcome your feedback. Please send us an email at amc@alipur.info so that we can make the necessary corrections or updates. Thank you for your continued support