“By serving this great country for more than three decades, I feel that the word ‘great’ fully applies to the government and people of Kuwait with their great humanitarian values and helping attitude, which are of benefit to everyone living in this country”, vouches Mr Aijaz Ahmad Sarfaraz , Chairman, Sahara Kuwait Group of Companies.

With more than 1000 staff working for his companies in Kuwait, Mr Aijaz promises his heart, his soul and all his sincerity is always there for this country.

Landed in Kuwait back in 1984 with a strong instinct, futuristic outlook, indomitable will, unconquerable will and burning passion, Mr Aijaz today maintain a close rapport with key people at the highest levels in the Government of Kuwait and has great respect and honor for Kuwait and its people.

He believes that Kuwait is a great country for one to prosper in business through commitment to quality and customer satisfaction. His versatile personality, leadership, relentless effort and passion for excellence have established Sahara Air-Conditioning Company as a brand in Kuwait. Aijaz is a simple and humble person who likes to maintain a low profile. All the success that he has achieved in life, has not changed him at all as he is a proudly connected to his roots and family traditions despite of his pioneered and modern approach.

Started his career in Kuwait with NAMESCO Kuwait under the leadership of Mr. Mukarram Khan who trained and groomed him very well, Aijaz later joined Gulf Engineering Company as a Junior Supervisor and soon he was promoted to Maintenance Projects Manager. He was very trusted employee of the Company and shared a good relation with Mr. Marwan Boodai, Mr. Jassim Boodai, Mr. Khalid Naiem and all staff of the top management.

His astute mind spotted potential in the Air-Conditioning business and he established Sahara air-conditioning company in 1995 with limited staff and capital. Since then, he has travelled a long path of success in his career and he has put his heart, soul and mind in developing this business. His farsightness, persistence and business acumen soon began yielding excellent results. Through dedication and hard work, Mr. Aijaz successfully catapulted Sahara Air-Conditioning Company into one of the leading companies of Kuwait. The company specialized in the design, supply, installation & maintenance of air-conditioning systems for residential, commercial, industrial and for oil sectors.

Looking for achieving the highest quality and diversifying the business, he started along with his brother Mr. Zafar Akhtar Royal International Company in 2005 which is specialized in air-conditioning, refrigeration, mechanical, electrical, plumbing and general trading. In addition to Sahara Air-Conditioning and Royal International, Eternity Travels & Tourism, Sahara Kuwait Real Estate are also part of Sahara Kuwait Group of Companies.

Currently Mr. Aijaz is managing a business empire spread all over Kuwait and employs more than 1000 people of many nationalities.

Hailing from Lucknow, a multicultural city that flourished as a North Indian cultural and artistic hub, Mr. Sarfaraz was born into a middle class family and had to struggle a lot after losing his father at the age of twelve. His mother Saeeda Khatoon, a strong lady with a great deal of will power, cared him with the best education despite her very limited resources. Her sincere efforts provided him the base & foundation for his success.

Remembering the painful memories of the Iraqi invasion, Mr. Aijaz feels that his existence during those days was put to good use to help this great country. During that period no efforts were spared in offering support to this country. In collaboration with his Kuwaiti and non-Kuwaiti friends, Mr. Aijaz sought to ensure the operation and functioning of telephone exchanges, clinics, hospitals, national bakeries, and the distribution of food and other necessities to those in need. His sincere efforts also played a very important role in protecting the head office of Boodai Corporation and most of the assets of the group. Mr. Jasim Boodai, Mr. Marwan Boodai, Mr. Tariq Abdul Kareem and Mr. Abdullah Bou Qammas, Directors of Boodai Corporation, appreciated his hard work & support in restarting the operation of all Boodai Group soon after the liberation of Kuwait and reviving its business activities.

If there is one thing that Mr. Aijaz is reticent about, it is his contribution to charities. A humble and unassuming person in spite of all his success, he believes that it is his duty to give back to society. A philanthropist to the core, he donates generously to noble humanitarian causes but prefers to maintain a cloak of anonymity. Sahara Educational & Social Work Foundation, the philanthropic branch of the Sahara Company was launched few years ago for his mission of education, medical and social support. Presently the foundation is running a small education center, free of cost, for over 120 poor village children in one of his adopted villages in India.

Mr. Aijaz inherited most of his qualities from his great mother. The courage to swim against the tide, the ability to adapt to the new age but at the same adhere to traditions – both moral and religious were qualities that he imbibed from her. The credit of his success also goes to his mentor Mr. Mohammad Younus Salim, a well-known scholar, seasoned politician and former Governor for the State of Bihar, who was like a great father to him. Describing his close association with Mr. Younus, He says: His wisdom, his innovative ideas, his noble gestures and his way of thinking were all a great source of inspiration to me.

He feels a sense of pride in owning that his success is also due to the support, patience and guidance of his wife Mrs. Shagufta Qidwai who correctly reads his mind and reflects his ambitions and aspirations in every way. Married to Mrs. Shagufta Qidwai, the couple has been blessed with two children: Nidal Ahmad and Bilal Ahmad. Nidal Ahmad completed his Bachelors Degree in Mechanical Engineering from University of Dundee, Scotland and Masters Degree in Mechanical Engineering and Management from the University of Glasgow, Scotland. Currently he is under-training in Sahara Air-Conditioning Company. Bilal Ahmad completed his Bachelors Degree in Mechanical Engineering and currently pursuing a Masters Degree at the University of Dundee in Scotland.

The simple story of his life goes to show that situation and circumstances will not stop anyone reaching to the pinnacle of success if he/she has a great deal of will power, honesty and sincerity in his/her efforts as “Where there’s a will, there’s a way.”