CIRCULAR NO: JMT/200/12

The Central Bilal Board (CBB) is one of the Boards of Africa Federation which provides guidance and performs the central role of coordination and support to the regional Bilal Muslim Missions whose objectives are to carry out external Tableegh activities for the Federation.

The newly appointed CBB executives are keen and determined to work actively in collaborations with the Bilal Muslim Mission of Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda to deliver their aims and objectives.

CBB Mission Statement:

"To encourage, support and provide guidance to Bilal Muslim Missions in order for the Missions to achieve their aims and objectives, through a well established framework of coordination and network system".

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On Sunday, 2nd December 2012, a procession to commemorate the martyrdom of Imam Husayn (AS) was organized by Bilal Muslim Mission, The day time procession from Bilal Comprehensive School complex in Temeke saw a large participation. Students from the Bilal schools (Nursery, Primary and Hawza) participants from different sectors from both genders from the Khoja and other communities walked in a somber procession to mark the great martyrdom of the grandson of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (saww).

The program began with the recitation of some verses from the Holy Qur'an followed by an allegiance salute by Hawzatul Bilal Students.

Marthiyas and nawhas in the local language were recited and messages extolling the virtues of the Holy Imam were delivered by different scholars and students.

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CIRCULAR NO: JMT/199/12

With reference to our Circular JMT/198/12 of 28th December 2012, the Secretariat wishes to inform all the Jamaats and the Golfers from our community that the AFED Sports Council - Golf Tournament will be held at the following locations:

• Saturday 2nd February 2013 in Moshi
• Sunday 3rd February 2013 in Arusha

All Members Jamaats in mainland Africa and the Jamaats under the Regional Council of Madagascar are encouraged to participate in the Tournament. Members from outside Africa can also take part in the Tournament.

For further information you may contact the AFED Sports Council on

SECRETARIAT

Ref: AFED/PR/2012/66

The Federation of Khoja Shia Ithna Asheri Jamaats of Africa recently marked the start of the construction of the AFED Building named after our 12th Imam Al Hujjah (ATFS) - "AL QA'EEM" at Plot 9 Jacaranda Road, Arusha, and the Ground-Breaking Ceremony took place on Sunday, 4th March 2012.

The building of eight floors will consist of 24 flats (each floor will have two flats of two bedrooms and one of three bedrooms). This AFED housing project is for the members of our community. The project delivery is expected by March 2014, Insha'Allah.

The construction work is undertaken by a well known and experienced construction company from Dar es Salaam, M/s. Super Construction Company Ltd. The construction works started in August, 2012 after the Government and City Council formalities of seeking approvals, permits etc. were completed.

We are pleased to provide to our members locally and abroad the latest progress report of "AL QA'EEM" building.

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CIRCULAR NO: JMT/197/12

The forecast for the Crescent of 1st Rabi-ul-Awwal is as follows: - (Please note that the forecast is based for Dar-es-Salaam and all timings are Dar-es-Salaam local time, other towns in the West should make necessary adjustments depending upon the time of sunset).

The birth of the Astronomical New Moon is at 10.45 p.m. on Friday 11th January 2013 i.e. 28th Safar 1434 A.H.

On Saturday 12th January, the age of the New Moon after the Sun has set is:

SIGHTING IS POSSIBLE

The best time to observe the crescent is when the sun is 5 degrees below the horizon at 7.04 p.m., when the crescent will Insha'Allah be 14 degrees South of West, 8 degrees North of where the sun had set.

EXPECT 1ST RABI-UL-AWWAL 1434 ON SUNDAY 13TH JANUARY 2013.

Secretariat

The Brilliant Student Award is an annual Scholarship program introduced by Africa Federation since year 2009, offering a onetime award of US $5,000 each towards Higher Education to two students (one boy and one girl) who have achieved a consistent record of academic excellence.

The Education Board received nominations from Dar es Salaam, Mombasa, Nairobi and Mwanza. After close scrutiny on the set criteria for selection, we are pleased to announce the following winners of the Brilliant Student Award 2012:-

On behalf of the Africa Federation Education Board, we take this opportunity to congratulate the winners for their outstanding achievements and we wish them success in their further studies. We thank all students who participated in this Award Program, and would encourage them to put more efforts in their studies and extra-curricular activities. May Allah (s.w.t.) grant them every success in their future endeavors, Ameen.

The presentations for this Award will be done by the respective Jamaats after the month of Safar.

It is our hope that our community students out there will grab this superb opportunity and that more and more applications from different Jamaats are received for this Brilliant Student Award next year.

Ref: AFED/PR/2012/65

Following the recent appointments of the Central Bilal Board (CBB) by the Chairman of Africa Federation, Alhaj Anwarali Dharamsi, the CBB Chairman, Alhaj Mohsin A. Lalji and the Hon. Secretary, Alhaj Inayat Alidina held their first meeting with Bilal Muslim Mission of Tanzania. Subsequently they visited Mombasa, Kenya from 14th to 15th December, 2012 to meet the Bilal Muslim Mission of Kenya Board Members and to familiarize themselves with the Missions activities.

The Africa Federation Hon. Secretary, Alhaj Aunali Khalfan, the Hon. Treasurer, Alhaj Mohamed Hemani and the newly appointed CEO of Bilal Muslim Mission of Tanzania, Alhaj Mumtazhussein Alloo also accompanied the CBB delegation to Mombasa.

On Friday, 14th December, the delegation attended majlis-e-Aza'a of the 20th of Seyyed al-Shuhada', Imam Hussain (AS) after maghribain prayers at Hydery Imambargha, the majlis was recited eloquently in English by the visiting Scholar from the UK, Sheikh Ayub Rashid followed by majlis in Urdu recited by Seyed Sarkar Abidi.

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"In the distant age and climate, the tragic scene of the death of Hussein will awaken the sympathy of the coldest reader," Edward Gibbon – English Historian and Member of Parliament wrote in 'The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire', London, 1911, Vol 5, p 391-392.

BILAL Hall
Activities organized by Bilal Muslim Mission of Kenya for the first 10 days included a series of 10 day majaalis conducted after Maghribayn prayers at Bilal Hall Mombasa. Informative and educative lectures were delivered by renowned scholars on various topics related to the importance of remembering the martyrs of Karbala, lessons from the sacrifice of Imam Husayn (a.s) into our day-to-day lives, etc.

BMMK Rural Centres
Similar majaalis were conducted across all the BMMK centres. Centre muallims and other scholars from diverse institutions such as Madrasah Amirul Mu'minin Matuga took leadership of the majaalis to the indigenous community.

The Mission also organized special sessions for ladies after dhuhrayn prayers. These sessions were led by centre Muballighat / Students from Zahra Madrasah – Mombasa and WIPAHS, Tanzania. The local women benefitted from these sessions through sharing of knowledge and experiences with their sisters.

On Ashura Day, Juloos processions were observed across all the BMMK Centres. In areas where centres were not very far from each other, mu'mineen converged at a common meeting ground and conducted amaals of Ashura together. At the peak of the programs, lectures were delivered by Centre Muallims.

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Ref: AKK/PR/2012/64.

Bilal Muslim Mission of Kenya:

The Chairman of the Federation of the Khoja Shia Ithna-Asheri Jamaats of Africa, Alhaj Anwarali Dharamsi accompanied by the Vice Chairman, Shabir Najafi, the Hon. Secretary, Aunali Khalfan and the Hon. Treasurer, Mohamed Hemani met with the Bilal Muslim Mission of Kenya Chairman, Alhaj Abbas H. M. Nasser, Managing Committee Members and Trustees of BMMK on Saturday, 29th September in Mombasa during the visit to Mombasa by AFED delegation from 28th to 29th September 2012.

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