Musa Bin Shamsher
Encyclopedia
Dr. Moosa Bin Shamsher is a Bangladeshi business mogul who is often credited as the father of the Manpower Export industry in Bangladesh, and has also achieved notoriety for purportedly being a prominent name in the international weapons industry during the 1970s and the 1980s. He is renowned for his largess and his philanthropic activities.
; in later life he resigned himself to meditation and preaching.
The family can trace its roots to fourteenth century Sunni religious teachers (ulema
) who migrated from Baghdad; family folklore hints at their ancestors being contemporaries of Nizamuddin Auliya
.
Dr. Moosa was awarded an honorary doctorate in economics
by the California
based Pacific Western University
.
, including reigning members of royal families, helped establish the DATCO brand as one of the leading companies in Bangladesh's nascent manpower sector.
His company is still noted as one of the premier manpower exporters in the country. DATCO also works with operators in other countries to source skilled and unskilled labor for various parts of the world.
n weapons dealerSarkis Soghanalian
and the Saudi Arabian arms dealerAdnan Khashoggi
Recently it has been heard that all restrictions on the bank account of the US $7 billion frozen by the banks may be withdrawn by the end of this year. Prince Moosa is considering transferring this huge sum of deposits in the country’s central bank. His personal wealth is said to be US$25 billion.He is the first and only BDT trillionaire in Bangladesh.
it was reported that Dr. Moosa offered the Labour Party
and Tony Blair
₤5 million as campaign donation. Although the party declined the donation the offer itself received a lot of media attention.
His only daughter Nancy Zahara received her education from University of Texas at Austin
and is now married to Sheikh Fazle Fahim, an eminent businessman, and a scion of the celebrated Sheikh family (grandson of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman
).
His eldest son Bobby Hajjaj is an Oxford
scholar, and works as a business strategy consultant and also lectures in various universities on the topic; he is also a famed newspaper columnist. Bobby is married to Barrister Rashna Imam who is also an Oxford scholar and a leading young corporate lawyer in Bangladesh; she was previously engaged at Baker & McKenzie
, London office, in cross-border mergers and acquisitions.
The youngest son Barrister Zubi Bin Moosa graduated as a Barrister from the prestigious Lincoln’s Inn in London, UK. Zubi is currently pursuing his legal practice at the prestigious chambers of Kamal Hossain and Associates, and his wife, Shumi Nasrin, a graduate from a distinguished Canadian university, is now heading her own business house.
suburb of Dhaka
. A lot has been written in the popular media about the decor of his mansion, the number and standard of butlers employed (over 100 in number, and unique for the country); the staff are reputed to be capable of providing superior services than any five-star hotel on the Las Vegas Strip
.
There have been no dearth of publications about Dr. Moosa's love for expensive luxuries, starting from 5 million dollar wrist watches to diamond studded shoes.
He considers himself the ultimate symbol of fashion and style, and numerous publications over the last couple of decades have given full credence to this belief. He is the first man who uses diamond and ornament on his different specially prepared dresses. He also prefers diamond on his shoes and uses diamond-studded shoes on special occasions.
His diamond encrusted shoes are said to be worth of US$3million.(the value of the most valuable pair of shoes) The value of his diamond encrusted Rolex watch is US$5 million. His diamond covered pen is valued between US$1million-2million. He wears a ruby valued at US$1million, a stone ofUS$50000, a dimond ring of US$50000 and an emerald of US$100000.He wears the ornament worth of at least US$7 million on special function.His all ornaments were last valued at US$85 million in 1988.Now these are valued at US$850 million.(2011)He bathes in rose water.He has a private Gulf stream jet plane and hundred exclusive private cars including Rolls-Royce and Limousine. He is escorted by 6 bodyguards wherever he goes.
The Daily Telegraph, the famous British magazine published an extraordinary cover-story on Dr. Moosa . It followed a series of widespread sensational media reports, particularly in the west. The Telegraph’s special correspondent Nigel Farndale
while compiling the cover story captioned Prince Moosa as the ‘Man with the Golden Guns’ wrote “here is the international arms dealer now happily occupying a forefront position in the world who is popularly known, particularly in the western society, as the ‘Prince of Bangladesh’”.
In 1980s, the leading Indian dailies The Hindu
and the Times of India quoted Prince Moosa as the richest tycoon in South Asia.
Prince Moosa, a globally known Bangladeshi tycoon lives in his magnificent palace in the posh area of Gulshan with his family. It has been built with the superb sense of aesthetic beauty. The entire palace is decorated with eye-soothing colored accessories. The ceiling is marvelously embellished with luminous chandeliers with folded dazzling carpet covering the floor. Combination of artistic beauty and high profile gathering has made this palace really glamorous. Thick and spacious dining space has given its living room a superb grandeur. A pool of more than hundred educated and well trained as per international standard uniformed employees are engaged to do household chores of the palace. They are fully capable of providing superior services than employees of any five star Hotel.
Many fictions have been published in the media pivoting around this palace. Grand dinners are arranged ccasionally in this palace for its guests and invited. Only the lucky local and foreign guests participate in these dinners. While discussing with some of the lucky guests, they mentioned that they were fascinated by the hospitality of Prince Moosa’s family that cannot be expressed in words. They claim that it is an unbelievable experience only those who are lucky and privileged to have enjoyed. This is why Prince Moosa’s family is known and respected as the only five star family of the country since long.
Prince Moosa is blessed by three smart and talented children, Nancy, Bobby and Zubi. All of them have completed their higher education in different prestigious universities of USA and UK.
His only daughter Nancy Zahara bint Moosa graduated from the University of Texas at Austin in the USA followed by an MBA from Texas State University. She is married to Shaikh Fazle Fahim, an eminent businessman.
His eldest son Bobby Hajjaj bin Moosa graduated from the University of Texas at Austin and has an MBA from Oxford University. An Oxford scholar, Bobby is a university lecturer and famed columnist. Bobby is married to Barrister Rashna Imam who is also an Oxford scholar and an upcoming superstar in the legal profession.
The youngest son Barrister Zubi Azzat bin Moosa graduated as a Barrister from the prestigious Lincoln’s Inn in London, UK and had finished his undergraduate law degree from the University of Wolver Hampton. Zubi is pursuing his legal practice and his wife, Shumi Nasrin is also a graduate from a distinguished Canadian university now heading her own business house.
It is remarkable to note that the whole family of seven members is now in Dhaka and serving for the betterment of the country.
It is widely known that last year, the Swiss Bank authority has frozen a seven billion US$ bank account of this renowned flamboyant international top ranking arms dealer of Bangladesh origin, Dr. Moosa bin Shamsher on the pre-text of irregular transactions which led him to engage in a legal battle to realize his frozen money deposited in the Swiss banks.
Recently it has been heard that all restrictions on the bank account of the seven billion US dollars frozen by Swiss Bank may be withdrawn by the end of this year. Prince Moosa is now considering transferring this huge sum of deposits in the country’s central bank. If this can be transferred to Bangladesh Bank then it would most definitely bring drastic change in the GDP of the country and the Bangladesh economy will get a big boost. Will then Prince Moosa’s family be considered as the Seven Star Family when this seven billion dollar reaches Dhaka?
Prince Moosa is considered as the ultimate symbol of fashion, style and aristocracy in different world famous fashion magazines and newspapers for the last couple of decades. Moosa was announced as the Best Dressed Man of the World by the leading fashion magazines around the globe. He is the first man who uses diamond and jewelry on his different specially prepared dresses. He also prefers diamond on his shoes and uses diamond-studded shoes on special occasions.
The London Telegraph, the famous British magazine published an extraordinary cover-story on Dr. Moosa Bin Shamsher, a business magnate and a tycoon. It followed a series of widespread sensational media reports, particularly in the west. The Telegraph’s special correspondent Nigel Farndale while compiling the cover story captioned Prince Moosa as the ‘Man with the Golden Guns’ wrote “here is the international arms dealer now happily occupying a forefront position in the world who is popularly known, particularly in the western society, as the ‘Prince of Bangladesh’”. He is known as the Lux of modern civilization because of his unprecedented classic lifestyle. In 80s, the leading Indian dailies the Hindu and the Times of India quoted Prince Moosa as the richest tycoon in South Asia but in 90s after the computer software revolution several tycoons have emerged in India alone.
Dr. Moosa Bin Shamsher has made significant contribution to the Bangladesh National Exchequer by ensuring a regular flow of foreign currency worth of millions of US dollars. He is highly respected as the pre-eminent architect of man power export to whom the nation shall remain ever grateful. During the last few decades’ natural calamities that befell the nation one after another, he came out in a big way to provide supports to the afflicted people.
Taking painstaking efforts, he has employed Bangladeshi overseas job-seekers in thousands under his different associate companies operating in different countries. The Government should provide full support with attractive incentive package if after receiving the frozen fund from the Swiss bank, Prince Moosa finally decides to bring his hard earned dollars to Bangladesh.
This investment will usher a new horizon in the economic development of the country and will help to become a middle-income country at the earliest.
The greatest style icon and tale of the world’s all time best dressed man
By: Julie-Anne Winson–
The one name that outshines all in fashion dominance like a brilliant beacon of light from a lone lighthouse on a foggy night is Prince Moosa.
Even more surprisingly, this sophisticated ultimate authority on men’s high fashion hails from Bangladesh – a country not readily associated with the designer catwalks or celebrity red carpets of Milan, London, New York or Riyadh.
Since the early 70’s, this independent man of independent means has been an avid collector of some of the world’s most prestigious luxury fashion items and always looking resplendent as a fashion leader, never as a follower.
He pays, what might seem to some as being excessive attention to clothes and apparel. And over the years has acquired a manner of dressing that always achieves perfection. He frowns upon anything even remotely vulgar and does not own one pair of jeans. Even designer jeans sent to him by the actual designers are cast out as undesirables.
His wardrobes (he has several) are kaleidoscopic monuments to the world’s most famous fashion designers and internationally-revered brands including Brione, Abla, Kiton, Versace, Devenja, Belvest, Armani, Corneliani, and Avi Rossini etc.
Money has never been – and will never be – an object, or even a momentary thought to come between him and he fulfilling his heart’s desire and insatiable thirst for beauty. He knows instinctively what is right for him: no designer, however famous or learned, or any sales person can influence his purchase. The clothes speak to him without needing the translation of their designers.
Quite often, his purchases are made under the stealth of obscurity, away from the watchful eyes of the paparazzi, when only he and the designer are present, as if covertly he were buying a national treasure like the Mona Lisa or a Monet painting.
On all other occasions, the leading fashion houses of Europe, Saudi Arabia and USA give his arrival the red carpet treatment, often closing the doors to the general public, once he’s entered. Their annual profits can soar in a single visit. Besides he always bears expensive gifts, which increases the volume of his welcome, to some extent.
This handsome business tycoon rarely makes a purchase without adding some kind of alteration to its design, however small. The added personal touch makes all the garments worn by him unique, not to be found elsewhere worldwide.
It is common knowledge within the elite designing fraternity, his unique wardrobe surpasses the exquisite taste and finery once found gracefully waltzing through the beautifully decorated gold-leaf etched corridors of castles and stately homes of monarchs and gentlemen of distinction during the romantic bygone era of the French Empire.
French designs have still much to offer, but in his solo quest for the world’s best Prince Moosa decidedly cast his diamond-studded fishing net much wider afield from the early 80s to stockpile the world’s best and rightfully gain The Best Dressed Man in the World golden crown.
His knowledge of fashion is unrivaled. There is no Film, TV, Music celebrity, designer or member of royalty who can even come close. It would take generations to reach his standard. It’s been his lifelong study… his one insatiable passion. Fashion to him is as natural as breathing is to all life forms.
Just as art treasures are of immeasurable value to collectors, his enviable collection of exquisite outfits (many priceless) are precious to him. His overwhelming wardrobe of designer masterpieces is climate-controlled for ultimate protection and preservation from all that nature might battle against it, and would impress the most discerning of tastes. It’s been an imposing showcase to the most awe-inspiring work of the greatest
fashion innovators globally for decades. Painstaking cataloging and meticulous sectioning to suit all seasons ensures he’s never seen wearing the same suit twice in that same year.
Each suit is given the respect akin to a valuable jewel, perhaps even more. Once worn, it is immediately dry-cleaned, meticulously checked for dust, fluff, hairs or flaws of any kind by a butler whose sole job is to maintain the wardrobe in pristine condition. Each and every suit has its own curriculum vitae (Latin for “course of life”) from the moment of its purchase to the last time it was worn. He keeps precise records of when the
suit was worn and what accessories (jewellery, shirt, tie, shoes and even the colour of socks), worn on that occasion. This is to avoid any possibility of the ensemble ever repeated on a similar occasion again.
One area of the wardrobe, protected by a sophisticated security alarm system, plays host to his ultra impressive collection of jewellery from the world’s elite jewellery houses. World leaders and members of royal families from around the world gifted many of the items to him. In 1988 the ‘trinkets’ (gold, silver and precious stones) were last valued at $85 Million. Now they’re worth considerably more.
Similar palatial closets exist in all his places of residence around the world – London, Zurich and Riyadh.
From the exuberant golden garden party days of the 80s and 90s that were the life and soul and incessant talk of Dhaka’s VIP social scene, Prince Moosa has now become more reclusive and maintains a quiet, considerably
more modest, yet eloquent lifestyle at his Palace in Gulshan.
Although editors and journalists are listed among his dear and closest friends and requests for interviews are frequent, he rarely gives interviews to the media; TV, radio or press.
Only a few journalists, the work of whom he especially admires, have crossed the threshold of his Palace and received a rare insight into his exciting and delightful world in which designer dreams become real and perfection
is compulsory. One such internationally renowned writer is Nigel Farndale from London’s famed Sunday Telegraph Magazine. He and his editors were so impressed Prince Moosa became the first Asian featured on its prestigious front cover.
Nigel wrote about the luxurious lifestyle of the prince and the daily ‘royal’ rituals he observed first hand at the Palace unlike anything he had ever witnessed before. One of Prince Moosa’s opulent indulgences Nigel
witnessed was the preparation for his daily bath in rosewater.
Similarly, Rashida Bhaghwat of the prestigious The Hindu – the most renowned English-language daily newspaper in India – enthusiastically wrote about the unique opulent lifestyle she had observed. She compared it to the royal families that once ruled the Indian subcontinent and declared Prince Moosa as “most probably the last bastion of elegance left in Bengal”. And there’s every possibility she’s right on both accounts.
No doubt, he’s unique. Were he born into a European royal family, no questions would arise, but Bangladesh? – That has to be a geographic accident at birth, a rare oversight of providence or for a reason yet to manifest.
When he chooses to indulge himself, it’s nearly always new clothes and he does most of his shopping for designer wear in Riyadh these days. He describes it as the shopping paradise of the world. He says it’s more expensive
than shopping in Europe, but money is never the issue. He believes Riyadh now offers the best the world has to offer and in one convenient location: a sort of One-Stop top brands shopping. Because of the higher prices
that can be commanded in the oil-rich territory, all the top designers compete to showcase only their best and latest designs there.
Prince Moosa has a legendary reputation in all the exclusive stores as an influencer of trends. In the Arab world’s prestigious Daily Al Shark Al Awsat and the Daily Al Riyadh, one owner described him as a “Dream Prince”.
He admiringly remembered him from the time he was a young boy who helped out in his father’s shop after school. He said he used to be mesmerized by the poise and style of Prince Moosa and every time the tycoon visited he knew sales would go through the roof for that day.
It was not uncommon then or now for Prince Moosa to buy dozens of complete sets (suits, shirts, belts, ties, cuff-links etc) during the one visit and a delivery van to escort his Rolls-Royce car back.
Gifted at birth with impeccable fashion sense and upholding the highest fashion standards for decades, now the name Prince Moosa has rightfully attained guru status and spoken in awe, respect and as an avid collector,
appreciated by the fashion world of today.
The following is a brief list of instantly recognizable designer names you will find in his wardrobe:
1. Wristwatches: More than 40 custom-made jewellery watches by names likes Patek Philippe, Rolex, Vacheron Constantin and Audemars Piguet. One for every occasion imaginable. All are diamond studded, but many are enhanced with rubies, emeralds and other precious stones. The jewel in the crown is the world’s most expensive wristwatch custom-made by Rolex to his design embedded with diamonds, rubies and emeralds in solid gold.
2. Suits (thousands): custom-tailored by the likes of Brione, Abla, Kiton, Devenja, Belvest, Armani, Corneliani, Avi Rossini etc and increasing weekly.
3. Shirts (thousands): Most hand-made from the finest Egyptian cotton by Bolzonella, Brioni, Avi Rossini, Stefano Ricci, San Carlos, etc.
4. Neckties (thousands): Creations of Stefano Ricci, Avi Rossini, Pancaldi, Brioni, Zilli, Christian Dior, San Carlos, etc.
5. Shoes (thousands of pairs): Most are custom-made by Artioli, Testoni, Nipmar etc from crocodile, ostrich, snake, frog, fish and silk. All are rare and expensive. Many are diamond-studded and unique.
6. Belt & Buckles (hundreds): Most buckles are handcrafted from gold and studded with diamonds by some of the world’s leading jewellers. The belts are made from the world’s finest leathers and crafted to perfection.
7. Cufflinks (scores): Studded with diamonds, rubies and emeralds.
8. Pen (one): The world’s most expensive pen studded with precious and semi precious stones and custom-made for him by Mont Blanc. It’s valued between one and two million dollars.
9. Rings: He owns several rings specially made with large sized ruby, emerald and diamonds.
Prince Moosa is the golden boy and dream child of the world media. International press coverage on him shows him to be an iconic and monumental figure. Folklores and legends of his royal lifestyle, attire, wealth and his
meteoric rise to fame and fortune is a fairy tale and myth – a story told by the millions of fans that Prince Moosa holds in cities and villages around the world.
He is the only living legend who can duly claim his throne as the icon of lifestyle and the lux of modern civilization. He is a passion believer of own self image that is reflected to the world and remembered in history as the man who lived his life in perfect fashion. He is the perfect and complete man, as seen by many of his admirers and well-wishers.
He is the Prince who many believe to be the King of Fashion and most probably the greatest stylish icon and best dressed man of all time.
By: Julie-Anne Winson; Anthony Wayne-Smith, London, Maria Sebastian, Milan, Jean-Jacques LePout, Paris and Abeer Abdullah, Riyadh Paris contributed to this report.
Name, birth and ancestry
Prince Moosa, a moniker attributed to him by the media, was born in the town of Faridpur on the 15th of October 1949. His father, Shamsher Ali, was a prominent local government official during the British RajBritish Raj
British Raj was the British rule in the Indian subcontinent between 1858 and 1947; The term can also refer to the period of dominion...
; in later life he resigned himself to meditation and preaching.
The family can trace its roots to fourteenth century Sunni religious teachers (ulema
Ulema
Ulama , also spelt ulema, refers to the educated class of Muslim legal scholars engaged in the several fields of Islamic studies. They are best known as the arbiters of shari‘a law...
) who migrated from Baghdad; family folklore hints at their ancestors being contemporaries of Nizamuddin Auliya
Nizamuddin Auliya
Sultan-ul-Mashaikh, Mehboob-e-Ilahi, Hazrat Shaikh Khwaja Syed Muhammad Nizamuddin Auliya , also known as Hazrat Nizamuddin, was a famous Sufi saint of the Chishti Order in the Indian Subcontinent, an order that believed in drawing close to God through renunciation of the world and service to...
.
Dr. Moosa was awarded an honorary doctorate in economics
Economics
Economics is the social science that analyzes the production, distribution, and consumption of goods and services. The term economics comes from the Ancient Greek from + , hence "rules of the house"...
by the California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
based Pacific Western University
Pacific Western University
California Miramar University , is a nationally accredited private proprietary institution of higher learning and is recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation and the United States Department of Education...
.
Business
Dr. Moosa entered into commerce at a very young age, soon after the birth of Bangladesh as a new independent nation. He established the first enterprise of the DATCO conglomerate in 1974, with commodity trading under the auspices of the then socialist government of the Awami League.Manpower industry
His company worked as one of the first operators to export skilled and unskilled labor from Bangladesh. His rich network of contacts and relationships with key decision makers in the Middle EastMiddle East
The Middle East is a region that encompasses Western Asia and Northern Africa. It is often used as a synonym for Near East, in opposition to Far East...
, including reigning members of royal families, helped establish the DATCO brand as one of the leading companies in Bangladesh's nascent manpower sector.
His company is still noted as one of the premier manpower exporters in the country. DATCO also works with operators in other countries to source skilled and unskilled labor for various parts of the world.
International weapons supply
Dr.Moosa Bin Shamsher is a heavyweight international arms dealer. Numerous Middle Eastern news sources have cited his relationships with highly controversial personalities such as the infamous ArmeniaArmenia
Armenia , officially the Republic of Armenia , is a landlocked mountainous country in the Caucasus region of Eurasia...
n weapons dealerSarkis Soghanalian
Sarkis Soghanalian
Sarkis Garabet Soghanalian , nicknamed Merchant of Death, was an international private arms dealer who gained fame for being the "Cold War's "...
and the Saudi Arabian arms dealerAdnan Khashoggi
Adnan Khashoggi
Adnan Khashoggi is a Saudi Arabian arms-dealer and businessman. He is also noted for his engagements with high society in both the Occident and Arabic-speaking worlds, and for his involvement in the Iran–Contra and Lockheed bribery scandals, and numerous other affairs...
DATCO group
DATCO is a world famous international business group. The company deals in international weapon including fighter plane,Inter continental ballistic missile(I.C.B.M),Tanks and other weapons.It also deals in international trading including world standard real estate project in Middle East and Europe,Construction,international contracting,oil business,commodity business. ( To the whole south Asia,material- cotton,fertilizer,wheat,sugar.)The company has huge investment in international brand hotel,hospital,electronic company,chemical company and many share markets all over the world.Datco is a renowned man power exporter company in Asia.It has many different unknown companies all over the world where even the boss does not know the name of the owner.In these companies the left hand does not know the matter of right hand.Frozen accounts
It has been widely reported since 2009, that Swiss authorities froze bank accounts of his worth seven billion US$, on the pretext of irregular transactions. This led him to engage in a legal battle to realize his frozen money deposited in these banks.Recently it has been heard that all restrictions on the bank account of the US $7 billion frozen by the banks may be withdrawn by the end of this year. Prince Moosa is considering transferring this huge sum of deposits in the country’s central bank. His personal wealth is said to be US$25 billion.He is the first and only BDT trillionaire in Bangladesh.
Tony Blair
During the UK 1997 general electionUnited Kingdom general election, 1997
The United Kingdom general election, 1997 was held on 1 May 1997, more than five years after the previous election on 9 April 1992, to elect 659 members to the British House of Commons. The Labour Party ended its 18 years in opposition under the leadership of Tony Blair, and won the general...
it was reported that Dr. Moosa offered the Labour Party
Labour Party (UK)
The Labour Party is a centre-left democratic socialist party in the United Kingdom. It surpassed the Liberal Party in general elections during the early 1920s, forming minority governments under Ramsay MacDonald in 1924 and 1929-1931. The party was in a wartime coalition from 1940 to 1945, after...
and Tony Blair
Tony Blair
Anthony Charles Lynton Blair is a former British Labour Party politician who served as the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 2 May 1997 to 27 June 2007. He was the Member of Parliament for Sedgefield from 1983 to 2007 and Leader of the Labour Party from 1994 to 2007...
₤5 million as campaign donation. Although the party declined the donation the offer itself received a lot of media attention.
National contribution
Dr. Moosa Bin Shamsher has made significant contribution to the Bangladesh National Exchequer by ensuring a regular flow of foreign currency worth of millions of US dollars. He is highly respected as the pre-eminent architect of man power export to whom the nation shall remain ever grateful. During the last few decades’ natural calamities that befell the nation one after another, he came out in a big way to provide supports to the afflicted people.Family
He is married to Kaniz Fatema Chowdhury (housewife) and they have three children Nancy Zahara, Bobby Hajjaj and Zubi Bin Moosa (the clown).His only daughter Nancy Zahara received her education from University of Texas at Austin
University of Texas at Austin
The University of Texas at Austin is a state research university located in Austin, Texas, USA, and is the flagship institution of the The University of Texas System. Founded in 1883, its campus is located approximately from the Texas State Capitol in Austin...
and is now married to Sheikh Fazle Fahim, an eminent businessman, and a scion of the celebrated Sheikh family (grandson of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman
Sheikh Mujibur Rahman
Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was a Bengali nationalist politician and the founder of Bangladesh. He headed the Awami League, served as the first President of Bangladesh and later became its Prime Minister. He headed the Awami League, served as the first President of Bangladesh and later became its...
).
His eldest son Bobby Hajjaj is an Oxford
Oxford
The city of Oxford is the county town of Oxfordshire, England. The city, made prominent by its medieval university, has a population of just under 165,000, with 153,900 living within the district boundary. It lies about 50 miles north-west of London. The rivers Cherwell and Thames run through...
scholar, and works as a business strategy consultant and also lectures in various universities on the topic; he is also a famed newspaper columnist. Bobby is married to Barrister Rashna Imam who is also an Oxford scholar and a leading young corporate lawyer in Bangladesh; she was previously engaged at Baker & McKenzie
Baker & McKenzie
Baker & McKenzie is an international law firm, founded in Chicago in 1949 by Russell Baker and John McKenzie. It is home to more than 3,800 lawyers spread over 70 offices in 42 different countries....
, London office, in cross-border mergers and acquisitions.
The youngest son Barrister Zubi Bin Moosa graduated as a Barrister from the prestigious Lincoln’s Inn in London, UK. Zubi is currently pursuing his legal practice at the prestigious chambers of Kamal Hossain and Associates, and his wife, Shumi Nasrin, a graduate from a distinguished Canadian university, is now heading her own business house.
The sybarite
The tycoon is reported to live in palatial splendor, in the GulshanGulshan
-Places:Bangladesh* Gulshan, Dhaka - an area of Dhaka, BangladeshIran* Gulshan or Golshan, former name of Tabas, Yazd Province, Iran* Golshan, another name for Afif-Abad Garden, in Shiraz, Iran* Golshan Gas Field, IranPakistan...
suburb of Dhaka
Dhaka
Dhaka is the capital of Bangladesh and the principal city of Dhaka Division. Dhaka is a megacity and one of the major cities of South Asia. Located on the banks of the Buriganga River, Dhaka, along with its metropolitan area, had a population of over 15 million in 2010, making it the largest city...
. A lot has been written in the popular media about the decor of his mansion, the number and standard of butlers employed (over 100 in number, and unique for the country); the staff are reputed to be capable of providing superior services than any five-star hotel on the Las Vegas Strip
Las Vegas Strip
The Las Vegas Strip is an approximately stretch of Las Vegas Boulevard in Clark County, Nevada; adjacent to, but outside the city limits of Las Vegas proper. The Strip lies within the unincorporated townships of Paradise and Winchester...
.
There have been no dearth of publications about Dr. Moosa's love for expensive luxuries, starting from 5 million dollar wrist watches to diamond studded shoes.
He considers himself the ultimate symbol of fashion and style, and numerous publications over the last couple of decades have given full credence to this belief. He is the first man who uses diamond and ornament on his different specially prepared dresses. He also prefers diamond on his shoes and uses diamond-studded shoes on special occasions.
His diamond encrusted shoes are said to be worth of US$3million.(the value of the most valuable pair of shoes) The value of his diamond encrusted Rolex watch is US$5 million. His diamond covered pen is valued between US$1million-2million. He wears a ruby valued at US$1million, a stone ofUS$50000, a dimond ring of US$50000 and an emerald of US$100000.He wears the ornament worth of at least US$7 million on special function.His all ornaments were last valued at US$85 million in 1988.Now these are valued at US$850 million.(2011)He bathes in rose water.He has a private Gulf stream jet plane and hundred exclusive private cars including Rolls-Royce and Limousine. He is escorted by 6 bodyguards wherever he goes.
The Daily Telegraph, the famous British magazine published an extraordinary cover-story on Dr. Moosa . It followed a series of widespread sensational media reports, particularly in the west. The Telegraph’s special correspondent Nigel Farndale
Nigel Farndale
Nigel Farndale is a British author and journalist, known for his award-winning interviews in the Sunday Telegraph.He has written five books: two novels, two biographies and a collection of interviews...
while compiling the cover story captioned Prince Moosa as the ‘Man with the Golden Guns’ wrote “here is the international arms dealer now happily occupying a forefront position in the world who is popularly known, particularly in the western society, as the ‘Prince of Bangladesh’”.
In 1980s, the leading Indian dailies The Hindu
The Hindu
The Hindu is an Indian English-language daily newspaper founded and continuously published in Chennai since 1878. According to the Audit Bureau of Circulations, it has a circulation of 1.46 million copies as of December 2009. The enterprise employed over 1,600 workers and gross income reached $40...
and the Times of India quoted Prince Moosa as the richest tycoon in South Asia.
Publications & Media Covers
Prince Moosa, the Icon and his 7 Star FamilyPrince Moosa, a globally known Bangladeshi tycoon lives in his magnificent palace in the posh area of Gulshan with his family. It has been built with the superb sense of aesthetic beauty. The entire palace is decorated with eye-soothing colored accessories. The ceiling is marvelously embellished with luminous chandeliers with folded dazzling carpet covering the floor. Combination of artistic beauty and high profile gathering has made this palace really glamorous. Thick and spacious dining space has given its living room a superb grandeur. A pool of more than hundred educated and well trained as per international standard uniformed employees are engaged to do household chores of the palace. They are fully capable of providing superior services than employees of any five star Hotel.
Many fictions have been published in the media pivoting around this palace. Grand dinners are arranged ccasionally in this palace for its guests and invited. Only the lucky local and foreign guests participate in these dinners. While discussing with some of the lucky guests, they mentioned that they were fascinated by the hospitality of Prince Moosa’s family that cannot be expressed in words. They claim that it is an unbelievable experience only those who are lucky and privileged to have enjoyed. This is why Prince Moosa’s family is known and respected as the only five star family of the country since long.
Prince Moosa is blessed by three smart and talented children, Nancy, Bobby and Zubi. All of them have completed their higher education in different prestigious universities of USA and UK.
His only daughter Nancy Zahara bint Moosa graduated from the University of Texas at Austin in the USA followed by an MBA from Texas State University. She is married to Shaikh Fazle Fahim, an eminent businessman.
His eldest son Bobby Hajjaj bin Moosa graduated from the University of Texas at Austin and has an MBA from Oxford University. An Oxford scholar, Bobby is a university lecturer and famed columnist. Bobby is married to Barrister Rashna Imam who is also an Oxford scholar and an upcoming superstar in the legal profession.
The youngest son Barrister Zubi Azzat bin Moosa graduated as a Barrister from the prestigious Lincoln’s Inn in London, UK and had finished his undergraduate law degree from the University of Wolver Hampton. Zubi is pursuing his legal practice and his wife, Shumi Nasrin is also a graduate from a distinguished Canadian university now heading her own business house.
It is remarkable to note that the whole family of seven members is now in Dhaka and serving for the betterment of the country.
It is widely known that last year, the Swiss Bank authority has frozen a seven billion US$ bank account of this renowned flamboyant international top ranking arms dealer of Bangladesh origin, Dr. Moosa bin Shamsher on the pre-text of irregular transactions which led him to engage in a legal battle to realize his frozen money deposited in the Swiss banks.
Recently it has been heard that all restrictions on the bank account of the seven billion US dollars frozen by Swiss Bank may be withdrawn by the end of this year. Prince Moosa is now considering transferring this huge sum of deposits in the country’s central bank. If this can be transferred to Bangladesh Bank then it would most definitely bring drastic change in the GDP of the country and the Bangladesh economy will get a big boost. Will then Prince Moosa’s family be considered as the Seven Star Family when this seven billion dollar reaches Dhaka?
Prince Moosa is considered as the ultimate symbol of fashion, style and aristocracy in different world famous fashion magazines and newspapers for the last couple of decades. Moosa was announced as the Best Dressed Man of the World by the leading fashion magazines around the globe. He is the first man who uses diamond and jewelry on his different specially prepared dresses. He also prefers diamond on his shoes and uses diamond-studded shoes on special occasions.
The London Telegraph, the famous British magazine published an extraordinary cover-story on Dr. Moosa Bin Shamsher, a business magnate and a tycoon. It followed a series of widespread sensational media reports, particularly in the west. The Telegraph’s special correspondent Nigel Farndale while compiling the cover story captioned Prince Moosa as the ‘Man with the Golden Guns’ wrote “here is the international arms dealer now happily occupying a forefront position in the world who is popularly known, particularly in the western society, as the ‘Prince of Bangladesh’”. He is known as the Lux of modern civilization because of his unprecedented classic lifestyle. In 80s, the leading Indian dailies the Hindu and the Times of India quoted Prince Moosa as the richest tycoon in South Asia but in 90s after the computer software revolution several tycoons have emerged in India alone.
Dr. Moosa Bin Shamsher has made significant contribution to the Bangladesh National Exchequer by ensuring a regular flow of foreign currency worth of millions of US dollars. He is highly respected as the pre-eminent architect of man power export to whom the nation shall remain ever grateful. During the last few decades’ natural calamities that befell the nation one after another, he came out in a big way to provide supports to the afflicted people.
Taking painstaking efforts, he has employed Bangladeshi overseas job-seekers in thousands under his different associate companies operating in different countries. The Government should provide full support with attractive incentive package if after receiving the frozen fund from the Swiss bank, Prince Moosa finally decides to bring his hard earned dollars to Bangladesh.
This investment will usher a new horizon in the economic development of the country and will help to become a middle-income country at the earliest.
The greatest style icon and tale of the world’s all time best dressed man
By: Julie-Anne Winson–
The one name that outshines all in fashion dominance like a brilliant beacon of light from a lone lighthouse on a foggy night is Prince Moosa.
Even more surprisingly, this sophisticated ultimate authority on men’s high fashion hails from Bangladesh – a country not readily associated with the designer catwalks or celebrity red carpets of Milan, London, New York or Riyadh.
Since the early 70’s, this independent man of independent means has been an avid collector of some of the world’s most prestigious luxury fashion items and always looking resplendent as a fashion leader, never as a follower.
He pays, what might seem to some as being excessive attention to clothes and apparel. And over the years has acquired a manner of dressing that always achieves perfection. He frowns upon anything even remotely vulgar and does not own one pair of jeans. Even designer jeans sent to him by the actual designers are cast out as undesirables.
His wardrobes (he has several) are kaleidoscopic monuments to the world’s most famous fashion designers and internationally-revered brands including Brione, Abla, Kiton, Versace, Devenja, Belvest, Armani, Corneliani, and Avi Rossini etc.
Money has never been – and will never be – an object, or even a momentary thought to come between him and he fulfilling his heart’s desire and insatiable thirst for beauty. He knows instinctively what is right for him: no designer, however famous or learned, or any sales person can influence his purchase. The clothes speak to him without needing the translation of their designers.
Quite often, his purchases are made under the stealth of obscurity, away from the watchful eyes of the paparazzi, when only he and the designer are present, as if covertly he were buying a national treasure like the Mona Lisa or a Monet painting.
On all other occasions, the leading fashion houses of Europe, Saudi Arabia and USA give his arrival the red carpet treatment, often closing the doors to the general public, once he’s entered. Their annual profits can soar in a single visit. Besides he always bears expensive gifts, which increases the volume of his welcome, to some extent.
This handsome business tycoon rarely makes a purchase without adding some kind of alteration to its design, however small. The added personal touch makes all the garments worn by him unique, not to be found elsewhere worldwide.
It is common knowledge within the elite designing fraternity, his unique wardrobe surpasses the exquisite taste and finery once found gracefully waltzing through the beautifully decorated gold-leaf etched corridors of castles and stately homes of monarchs and gentlemen of distinction during the romantic bygone era of the French Empire.
French designs have still much to offer, but in his solo quest for the world’s best Prince Moosa decidedly cast his diamond-studded fishing net much wider afield from the early 80s to stockpile the world’s best and rightfully gain The Best Dressed Man in the World golden crown.
His knowledge of fashion is unrivaled. There is no Film, TV, Music celebrity, designer or member of royalty who can even come close. It would take generations to reach his standard. It’s been his lifelong study… his one insatiable passion. Fashion to him is as natural as breathing is to all life forms.
Just as art treasures are of immeasurable value to collectors, his enviable collection of exquisite outfits (many priceless) are precious to him. His overwhelming wardrobe of designer masterpieces is climate-controlled for ultimate protection and preservation from all that nature might battle against it, and would impress the most discerning of tastes. It’s been an imposing showcase to the most awe-inspiring work of the greatest
fashion innovators globally for decades. Painstaking cataloging and meticulous sectioning to suit all seasons ensures he’s never seen wearing the same suit twice in that same year.
Each suit is given the respect akin to a valuable jewel, perhaps even more. Once worn, it is immediately dry-cleaned, meticulously checked for dust, fluff, hairs or flaws of any kind by a butler whose sole job is to maintain the wardrobe in pristine condition. Each and every suit has its own curriculum vitae (Latin for “course of life”) from the moment of its purchase to the last time it was worn. He keeps precise records of when the
suit was worn and what accessories (jewellery, shirt, tie, shoes and even the colour of socks), worn on that occasion. This is to avoid any possibility of the ensemble ever repeated on a similar occasion again.
One area of the wardrobe, protected by a sophisticated security alarm system, plays host to his ultra impressive collection of jewellery from the world’s elite jewellery houses. World leaders and members of royal families from around the world gifted many of the items to him. In 1988 the ‘trinkets’ (gold, silver and precious stones) were last valued at $85 Million. Now they’re worth considerably more.
Similar palatial closets exist in all his places of residence around the world – London, Zurich and Riyadh.
From the exuberant golden garden party days of the 80s and 90s that were the life and soul and incessant talk of Dhaka’s VIP social scene, Prince Moosa has now become more reclusive and maintains a quiet, considerably
more modest, yet eloquent lifestyle at his Palace in Gulshan.
Although editors and journalists are listed among his dear and closest friends and requests for interviews are frequent, he rarely gives interviews to the media; TV, radio or press.
Only a few journalists, the work of whom he especially admires, have crossed the threshold of his Palace and received a rare insight into his exciting and delightful world in which designer dreams become real and perfection
is compulsory. One such internationally renowned writer is Nigel Farndale from London’s famed Sunday Telegraph Magazine. He and his editors were so impressed Prince Moosa became the first Asian featured on its prestigious front cover.
Nigel wrote about the luxurious lifestyle of the prince and the daily ‘royal’ rituals he observed first hand at the Palace unlike anything he had ever witnessed before. One of Prince Moosa’s opulent indulgences Nigel
witnessed was the preparation for his daily bath in rosewater.
Similarly, Rashida Bhaghwat of the prestigious The Hindu – the most renowned English-language daily newspaper in India – enthusiastically wrote about the unique opulent lifestyle she had observed. She compared it to the royal families that once ruled the Indian subcontinent and declared Prince Moosa as “most probably the last bastion of elegance left in Bengal”. And there’s every possibility she’s right on both accounts.
No doubt, he’s unique. Were he born into a European royal family, no questions would arise, but Bangladesh? – That has to be a geographic accident at birth, a rare oversight of providence or for a reason yet to manifest.
When he chooses to indulge himself, it’s nearly always new clothes and he does most of his shopping for designer wear in Riyadh these days. He describes it as the shopping paradise of the world. He says it’s more expensive
than shopping in Europe, but money is never the issue. He believes Riyadh now offers the best the world has to offer and in one convenient location: a sort of One-Stop top brands shopping. Because of the higher prices
that can be commanded in the oil-rich territory, all the top designers compete to showcase only their best and latest designs there.
Prince Moosa has a legendary reputation in all the exclusive stores as an influencer of trends. In the Arab world’s prestigious Daily Al Shark Al Awsat and the Daily Al Riyadh, one owner described him as a “Dream Prince”.
He admiringly remembered him from the time he was a young boy who helped out in his father’s shop after school. He said he used to be mesmerized by the poise and style of Prince Moosa and every time the tycoon visited he knew sales would go through the roof for that day.
It was not uncommon then or now for Prince Moosa to buy dozens of complete sets (suits, shirts, belts, ties, cuff-links etc) during the one visit and a delivery van to escort his Rolls-Royce car back.
Gifted at birth with impeccable fashion sense and upholding the highest fashion standards for decades, now the name Prince Moosa has rightfully attained guru status and spoken in awe, respect and as an avid collector,
appreciated by the fashion world of today.
The following is a brief list of instantly recognizable designer names you will find in his wardrobe:
1. Wristwatches: More than 40 custom-made jewellery watches by names likes Patek Philippe, Rolex, Vacheron Constantin and Audemars Piguet. One for every occasion imaginable. All are diamond studded, but many are enhanced with rubies, emeralds and other precious stones. The jewel in the crown is the world’s most expensive wristwatch custom-made by Rolex to his design embedded with diamonds, rubies and emeralds in solid gold.
2. Suits (thousands): custom-tailored by the likes of Brione, Abla, Kiton, Devenja, Belvest, Armani, Corneliani, Avi Rossini etc and increasing weekly.
3. Shirts (thousands): Most hand-made from the finest Egyptian cotton by Bolzonella, Brioni, Avi Rossini, Stefano Ricci, San Carlos, etc.
4. Neckties (thousands): Creations of Stefano Ricci, Avi Rossini, Pancaldi, Brioni, Zilli, Christian Dior, San Carlos, etc.
5. Shoes (thousands of pairs): Most are custom-made by Artioli, Testoni, Nipmar etc from crocodile, ostrich, snake, frog, fish and silk. All are rare and expensive. Many are diamond-studded and unique.
6. Belt & Buckles (hundreds): Most buckles are handcrafted from gold and studded with diamonds by some of the world’s leading jewellers. The belts are made from the world’s finest leathers and crafted to perfection.
7. Cufflinks (scores): Studded with diamonds, rubies and emeralds.
8. Pen (one): The world’s most expensive pen studded with precious and semi precious stones and custom-made for him by Mont Blanc. It’s valued between one and two million dollars.
9. Rings: He owns several rings specially made with large sized ruby, emerald and diamonds.
Prince Moosa is the golden boy and dream child of the world media. International press coverage on him shows him to be an iconic and monumental figure. Folklores and legends of his royal lifestyle, attire, wealth and his
meteoric rise to fame and fortune is a fairy tale and myth – a story told by the millions of fans that Prince Moosa holds in cities and villages around the world.
He is the only living legend who can duly claim his throne as the icon of lifestyle and the lux of modern civilization. He is a passion believer of own self image that is reflected to the world and remembered in history as the man who lived his life in perfect fashion. He is the perfect and complete man, as seen by many of his admirers and well-wishers.
He is the Prince who many believe to be the King of Fashion and most probably the greatest stylish icon and best dressed man of all time.
By: Julie-Anne Winson; Anthony Wayne-Smith, London, Maria Sebastian, Milan, Jean-Jacques LePout, Paris and Abeer Abdullah, Riyadh Paris contributed to this report.