Since Merwan had changed schools, it was not possible for him to see his old friends as often as he would have liked, so he established the Cosmopolitan Club on the first floor of a building not far from Char Bawdi — the neighborhood that Hazrat Babajan inhabited. Boys of different religions would gather at the club, and nominal membership fees were collected to pay the rent and make purchases. A treasurer and secretary were appointed, and the president was Merwan, who would keep an eye on all receipts and expenditures. Games such as chess, checkers, cards, dice, et cetera, were provided for the members to enjoy, and the club also subscribed to the Times of India , several Gujarati newspapers and the detective magazines of Sexton Blake. Books on philosophical and religious topics were purchased and kept in the charge of an appointed librarian.
The Cosmopolitan Club was open from 7:00 to 11:00 A.M. and from 3:00 to 9:00 P.M. with a watchman hired to look after it when it was closed. The following six rules were drawn up by Merwan:
1) The use of indecent language is forbidden. 2) Drinking of any alcoholic beverage is forbidden. 3) Gambling is not allowed on the premises. 4) Quarreling is not permitted. 5) Feeling oneself to be superior to others on the basis of one's community — Christian, Muslim, Hindu or Zoroastrian — is forbidden. 6) The goals of the members are to love all and maintain unity and brotherhood.
Merwan was particularly vigilant to make certain that all members respected the conditions under which the club was set up. Two days a week were fixed for members to deliver (with great enthusiasm) short lectures on subjects of interest, at which times all games stopped.
At each meeting, President Merwan would open the proceedings and introduce any new members. On lecture days, nonmembers were allowed to attend as guests. No girls or women, however, were admitted. Every time a new member joined the club, he would have to deliver a speech extemporaneously, occasionally making blunders, much to the amusement of the audience. When it was Merwan's turn to give an address, the boys would listen with rapt attention, and the vice-president would preside.
Baily remembered:
Every Thursday, any member could speak on the subject of his choice. There was a unique fun in listening to such talks. Amongst all the members, Merwan's talk would always be the best.