The Africa Federation (AFED) in collaboration with the World Federation (WF) conducted a Leadership Development Program (LDP) in Nairobi – Kenya hosted by Nairobi Jamaat (SAAJ) from 25th to 28th November 2016. Seven facilitators from AFED and WF CBG were involved in this program, they were; Dr. Akber Mohamedali and Maria Pattinson from London, Shabbirhussein Khalfan, Mumtaz Ladak, Shama Dewji from Tanzania, Neelam Jiwa and Tahera Shivji from Kenya.
The program attracted 25 participants from several Jamaats of Africa Federation, which for the first time included the leadership of the Jamaat.
The contents of the 4 days program were:
- Understanding Self
- Building Leadership Capacity
- Power and Political Intelligence
- Vision
- Presenting with Presence
- Leadership Practice
- Personal Development Planning
The aim of these programs is to develop leadership capacities across the Jamaats in Africa by “unlocking their potential to serve the community and humanity” as well as to allow participants to realize their own leadership styles and to enhance and evolve their skills to ensure more efficient and productive working methods.
The program included a great deal of interaction amongst the participants and with the facilitators, including role-play activities, discussions and reflective learning.
The program entailed full exploration and awareness of self and the current state of each individual participant in their leadership journey. Most important is to achieve personal growth without which any leadership organization becomes hollow.
Each day would begin at 8 am and end at 6 pm except for Saturday evening which ended at 10 pm with screening of inspirational movie.
The participation of the Chairman, The Hon. Secretary and the Members of the Managing Committee of the Shia Asna Asheri Jamaat of Nairobi, Senior Members of Nairobi Jaffery Academy and Members of the Haydari Madrassah Nairobi Administration, in this program has clearly demonstrated the Jamaat’s endeavours to develop its members to acquire good leadership skills and styles including team building.
Because of the Holy Prophet’s wafaat, the closing ceremony for the community members was postponed and held on 17th of Rabiul Awwal 1438 A.H, where one of the participants gave a testimonial.
Testimonials from Participants
* For me the program addressed major areas of my concern in leadership. I was so happy and excited to discover something new about my temperament and my interaction style which made me understand my strengths and weaknesses and what I needed to do with them. The practical exercises on public speaking were amazing. I understood what I needed to do to improve my communication style and be able to make a difference with my speeches.
The presentation on political intelligence increased my understanding on how necessary it was for a leader to be politically aware in order to be successful in his plans. Understanding the icebergs of organizations is paramount in being successful. Writing my own epitaph made me to reflect on my life and define my mission more clearly and appreciate it.
May Allah reward all those who thought, planned and organized such a program which is a useful tool for change and development for individuals and communities.
Ali Said Samojah
* I would not be wrong in saying that it was a Paradigm Shift for me. As Michael Fullan says “Change is a process not an event” and linking it with the saying of the Holy Prophet (pbuh) “Acquire Knowledge from Cradle to Grave” I have realized that the knowledge acquired through LPD has changed me and challenged me to move to another level The program was a true reflection of Andragogic way of learning with a lot of emphasis on living the true values of Islam. In the words of Professor Carol Dweck “Becoming is better than Being” and the LDP experience has shifted me from being to becoming and the leadership learning journey continues………
Minhas Tejani
* Every moment of the program kept me on the edge craving to learn more and as to what is coming up next… There were times that the morning reflections struck an emotional chord, bringing tears to my eyes. However most importantly it propelled home the values of integrity, authenticity, empathy, and transparency. This program should be an integral part of all Shia Jamaats around the globe and highly recommended for fellow managers and or senior/ office bearers and decisions makers.
Sohel Merchant
* In four days I experienced an enlightening journey like no other. LDP needs to be felt to fully fathom its power and energy on both, the mind and the soul. It was the start to an adventure of strength, innovation, vision and commitment. It was an experience that uncovered a dark veil unleashing my inner light and letting it shine and in doing so allowing others to shine. During those extraordinary days a spark was ignited. A spark that will be kindled into an everlasting flame. A light can only be shared by radiant shining stars. The facilitators of LDP were my shining stars. May the Almighty bless each and every one of them with more of His Divine light to continue spreading sparks of hope, belief and brilliance across the world.
Zainab
* The recently concluded Leadership Development Program or LDP was an ocean full of knowledge for me. One of these gems and a real eye opener was people verses objects. Treating a fellow human as a person and sometimes as an object.
Inayat Abbas Firdousi
The AFED Capacity Building Group (CBG) thanks the WF Capacity Building Group (CBG) and the Nairobi Jamaat (SAAJ) for the time, energy and resources they have put in organizing, facilitating and hosting the 8th Leadership Development Program (LDP) in Nairobi, Kenya.
We extend our appreciation to the Africa Federation Secretariat for their support, cooperation and guidance in the overall program.
Our appreciation also goes to the participants who took their time off from their busy schedules in the interest of their personal and future development, and also to serve the community at large with better understanding, skills and styles.
CBG Secretariat