Ref: AK/PR/49/2012
An official visit to Madagascar by the Chairman of the Africa Federation and his delegation took place from 7th to 15th February 2012. The visit program included meeting the Executive Members of the Regional Council of Madagascar (CROI), meeting the Antananarivo Jamaat Office Bearers and Managing Committee Members, visit to upcountry Jamaats and Tabligh Institutions (INISMA).
The AFED Chairman, Alhaj Anwarali Dharamsi was accompanied by the Vice Chairman, Alhaj Shabir Najafi, Hon. Secretary, Alhaj Aunali Khalfan and the Asst. Hon. Secretary, Alhaj Kumail Manji, others in the delegation were:
Seyed Hassan Naqvi – Chairman of Africa Federation Tableegh Board
Alhaj Abbas Nasser – Chairman of Bilal Muslim Mission of Kenya
Alhaj Shabbir Somji – Chairman of Bilal Muslim Mission of Tanzania
Alhaj Asim Morvi – Chairman of Bilal Muslim Mission of Uganda
Alhaj Munir Daya – Editor of Federation Samachar
Mrs. Mahjabeen Daya – Co-Editor of Federation Samachar
Alhaj Mustafa Sheriff – CEO of Bilal Muslim Mission of Tanzania
Alhaj Mujtaba Peera – CEO of Bilal Muslim Mission of Kenya
Two meetings were held with the Executive Committee of CROI in Antananarivo, covering broad range of subjects i.e. Health, Higher Education, Tableegh, Youth development, Capital Projects, Communications and other developments in some of the upcountry Jamaats. The meeting with CROI also discussed the present political and economic situation in Madagascar, and neighboring Islands.
The President of the World Federation of KSI Muslim Communities, Dr. Asgharali Moledina who was accompanied by the Assistant Secretary General of Islamic Education, Seyed Aliraza Naqvi was also present in Madagascar for the official visit and to attend the inauguration of INISMA – Rasoul Oul Akram Tableegh building in Antananarivo which took place on 12th February 2012, amid grand celebrations which attracted several prominent personalities from many parts of the world.
Dr. Moledina along with Alhaj Anwarali Dharamsi, Vice Chairman of Regional Council (CROI), Alhaj Mojiz-e-Reza Khamis, AFED and CROI office bearers had the opportunity to visit some of the Jamaats in Madagascar organized by CROI.
For the AFED delegation, this was an excellent opportunity to spend 8 days of the visit, which encompassed meeting the CROI, Jamaat, INISMA officials, community members and volunteers and visiting upcountry Jamaats of Madagascar and the Tableegh Institutions which are being managed by INISMA. The AFED Chairman was pleased to witness various developments in the Jamaats, especially in Antananarivo. The newly constructed Rassoul oul Akram Tableegh building in Antananarivo which also houses the Radio and TV broadcasting stations is a big step forward in the development.
In support of the Higher Education for the Student’s Loan Scheme in Madagascar, AFED has contributed US$50,000 to the Regional Council of Madagascar to overcome the current shortfall in their budget. Similarly, AFED undertook to contribute for a period of 12 months at US$1,000 per month for the INISMA Radio Station and US$1,000 per month for INISMA TV Station which will start telecast shortly for the promotion of Tableegh activities.
There are presently 14 active Jamaats in Madagascar, and a population of about 6,500 members.
The AFED delegation visited the following Jamaats in Madagascar:-
1. Antananarivo
2. Antsirabe
3. Morondava
4. Tulear
5. Majunga
6. Marovoay
7. Maevatanana
Below is brief information of the visit under caption of each photograph.
The AFED Chairman accompanied by the Vice Chairman of AFED, Alhaj Shabir Najafi and the Vice Chairman of the Regional Council, Alhaj Mojiz-e-Reza Khamis travelled from Antsirabe on 8th February by road to visit the Jamaats in Morondava and Tulear. After a night stopover in Morondava they visited Tulear Jamaat before returning to Antananarivo.
In both the Jamaats they met with the office bearers of the Jamaat and addressed the community members. The Morondava Jamaat population is 250 and Tulear is about 600 members. Tulear is the 2nd largest Jamaat after Antananarivo.
The Tulear Jamaat honoured the Vice Chairman of Regional Council with Hydari Medal for his contributions and services to the Tulear Jamaat.
The Chairman, Alhaj Anwarali and the Office Bearers of AFED are sincerely thankful to the Regional Council of Madagascar for the invitation to visit Madagascar and their Jamaats.
We would like to express our profound appreciation to the following Jamaats, their office bearers and members for their warm reception and pleasant hospitality during our visit to the Jamaats, they are:
Antananarivo
Antsirabe
Morondava
Tulear
Majunga
Marovoay
Maevatanana
During this visit, several people sacrificed their valuable time and accompanied the AFED delegation to various Jamaats and other places, they used their personal transport and drove with us on the visit, we have no words to thank them, we pray to Allah (swt) to increase in their Ima’an and give them Tawfeeqat and long healthy life to continue serving the community for the pleasure of Allah (swt).
We wish to record our profound appreciation to INISMA Executive Committee for their wonderful reception and hospitality during our visit for the inauguration of the Rassoul-oul-Akram (SAWW) Tableegh Building in Antananarivo.
The visit has opened up new avenues to the Africa Federation and the more importantly has enabled the AFED office bearers to establish close working relationship with the Regional Council of Madagascar and build strong relationship with the members of our community in Madagascar.
We look forward to regular visits between the two Institutions in the future.
SECRETARIAT