Ref: AKK/PR/2012/54
“O who believe, fasting is decreed for you as it was decreed for those before you; that you may attain Taqwa (piousness). (Holy Qur’an, al Baqarah 2:183)
O People! The month of Allah (Ramadhan) has approached you with His mercy and blessings. This is the month that is the best of all months in the estimation of Allah. Its days are the best among the days; its nights are the best among the nights. Its hours are the best among the hours. (The Holy Prophet [SAWW])
Message of the Chairman of the Federation of Khoja Shia Ithna-Asheri Jamaats of Africa, Alhaj Anwarali Dharamsi.
My Dear Community Members,
Salaamun Alaikum.
We all are looking forward with great spiritual eagerness to the holy month of Ramadhan 1433 A.H. The month will commence upon sighting of the new moon this week, Insha’ Allah.
As the Chairman of the Africa Federation and on this blessed occasion, I urge that we all avail ourselves of the divine blessings of the month by fulfilling the obligations of fasting and other aspects of Ibaadat and that we turn to the gates of Mercy opened widely in the holy month of Ramadhan for Maghfirat for ourselves, for our Marhoomin, and for our near and dear ones.
Apart from the obligatory aspects of Ibaadat, one of the best striving for the pleasure of Allah (swt) and attaining the higher level of righteousness in this holy month is disbursements of Charity (Sadaqat). This also brings about purification of soul, nearness to Allah (swt) and dispel of any calamities through the abundance of the mercy of Allah (swt).
Never has the need for charity and donations been so pressing for the needy in the Community as in this year. Poverty keeps widening and deepening as the costs of living keeps soaring.
Like every year, the Africa Federation with the support of its parent body, the World Federation of KSI Muslim Communities, have already distributed funds for the Ramadhan Relief (Rahat Fund) to our Jamaats and Institutions. The purpose of these joint initiatives is primarily to support and assist those families in our community and in the local Shia community who are in need of assistance to enable them like every one of us to fast and carry out the ibaadat during the holy month of Ramadhan in relative comfort and ease of mind.
Allah (swt) in manifestation of the abundance of His mercy makes us a generous offer as so articulately mentioned in the following verses of holy Qur’an:
“O’ you who believe! shall I lead you to a bargain which may deliver you from a painful chastisement?” (61:10)
“You shall believe in Allah and His apostle, and struggle hard in Allah’s way with your property and your lives, that is better for you , did you but know” (61:11)
Charity and donations from our property is one aspect of the bargain. Please pay your Zakaat and Sadaqat as also your Khums dues as your part of struggle in Allah’s way and to secure salvation.
May Allah (swt) by His infinite mercy bestow upon us His blessings and grant us all good health, long life and Tawfeeq’at to perform Ibaadat and to do Istighfaar as much as possible, seeking forgiveness of Allah (swt) in this holy month of Ramadhan.
Finally, let us remember and pray for the sick and for the oppressed people where ever they are in this world and let us also remember all our Marhoomins with Sura-e-Fateha.
I wish each and every one of you – Ramadhan Kareem.
With Salaams and Dua’as,
Anwarali Dharamsi
Chairman
The Federation of KSI Jamaats of Africa