The ABASA team (from left): Dr. Hetul Modi, Azra Kamrudin, Anar Mawji, and Adam Mawji. Not present for the photo was the third sister Raisa Mawji.

ABASA OPTICAL
It’s All In The Family!

May 15, 2021 marked the thirtieth anniversary of the opening of ABASA Optical, purveyors of frames, lenses, and good fashion advice, at one of the longest-running businesses in the Davie Village.

ABASA is a family affair, founded by two sisters Azra Kamrudin and Anar Mawji. Their business cards cutely reflect the family ties, with “two chic / 4 eyes” printed under the company logo and “I’m her sister. Taught her everything she knows,” is written on the back of Azra’s card.

The name ABASA has a double meaning for the family — it is an acronym incorporating all the family first name initials, and is also an important name from the eighth Sutra of the Qur’an.

Azra and Anar grew up in the West End, attending school at King George and Lord Roberts after their family fled, via Tanzania, the tumultuous politics of Uganda in 1973. Their father was a watchmaker, whose additional skills in eyeglass frame repairs led him to learn the optician’s trade, eventually owning Factory Optical in Vancouver.

The ABASA team now includes the sisters, Anar’s son Adam who is completing his training as an optician, her daughter Raisa, and since 2016 their resident optometrist, Dr. Hetul Modi.

Azra and Anar both live in Yaletown now, but their hearts are in the West End. Asked what she likes most about having a business in the West End, Azra will tell you: “The diversity. As a woman of colour and a lesbian, I have always felt accepted and safe here. And of course the familiarity and fond memories of having grown up here. And the people! Everyone is so friendly and open.“

One suspects that some of that friendliness and openness is a reflection of the attitude of the family that works there, greeting everyone, even first-timers, as a welcome friend.