Welcoming the Holy Month of Ramadhan – 1439 AH
Message from the Africa Federation Chairman, Alhaj Shabir Najafi,
In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
“O you who believe! Fasting is prescribed for you, as it was prescribed for those before you, that you may learn self-restraint and become righteous (attain Taqwa)”
(Holy Qur’an, Surah Al Baqarah 2:183)
I wish to convey this message to the Community members in all our Jamaats in Africa, and especially to the youth and children of our Community as we approach the holy month of Ramadhan 1439 AH, the month of contemplation, reflection, benevolence and spiritual upliftment.
Let us take a moment to remember those who were with us in the last holy month of Ramadhan and are no longer with us today. Let us reflect and take lessons from it and use the available opportunities wisely for the A’akherat. We are all in this temporary and transitory world, so let us gather virtuous provisions for a journey to a permanent abode.
We are blessed with the opportunity to once again witness the coming of the holy month of Ramadhan – the glorious month of mercy, blessings and forgiveness. The month of Ramadhan is the most adored, blessed and spiritually beneficial month of the Islamic year. Similarly, it is for the development of our moral and spiritual character to bring us closer to Allah (SWT). This is the month whereby the doors of Rahmat (mercy) are opened for us to do Isteghf’ar (invocations) to seek forgiveness of all our shortcomings and misdeeds.
During this month, God-consciousness, self-control, spiritual purification and transformation with reflection from the Holy Qur’an and from the teachings of Ahlulbayt (AS) in seeking to attain nearest to Allah (SWT) is of great importance. This is an opportune time to look into our past deeds, realize our shortcomings and reform ourselves to become better.
In following the tradition of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (SAWW) and Ahlulbayt (AS) we must comprehend and feel the hardships of the poor, hungry, the sick and the oppressed; the responsibility of each and every Muslim in the world to help fellow human beings, the less fortunate and the poor through benevolence of charity and other means of assistance to improve their living conditions.
We are aware of the needs of the poor amidst us and their numbers keep growing and their needs increasing. Our obligations for the holy Month of Ramadhan include cultivating the spirit and compassion of helping the needy even more so that they too on their part can perform fasting and other devotional deeds with lesser difficulties in this month.
I request you all to give more in Charity (Zakat, Sadaqah etc.) in this month having significantly greater and multiple rewards from Allah (SWT) than in ordinary days. In the Holy Qur’an, Surah Al Baqarah, Verse: 2:277, Allah (SWT) reveals;
“Indeed, those who believe and do righteous deeds and establish prayer and give zakat (charity) will have their reward with their Lord, and there will be no fear concerning them, nor will they grieve”.
On Thursday, 10th May 2018 Africa Federation received tragic news of the attack in the Imam Husayn Mosque at Velarum in Durban, South Africa. The invaders armed with knives etc. stormed into the Mosque inflicting fatal wounds to the worshipers, sadly, one of the three victims, Br. Abbas Muhammad Ali Essop died from the attack. The perpetrators set alight the library and the multipurpose hall in the Mosque causing substantial damage. We vehemently condemn this horrible and heinous act by the perpetrators against innocent people and desecrating sanctity of the Mosque. Please let us remember Marhum Abbas Essop and pray for the maghferat of the departed soul, also let us pray for the speedy and full recovery of the other two victims who are hospitalized. We have offered, on behalf of Africa Federation our assistance to the management of Imam Husayn Mosque at this trying time.
Let us pray to Allah (SWT) to bestow peace, security and tranquility in all parts of the world and cessation to the persecutions and sufferings of innocent people from the horrible atrocities.
I would like to make two appeals to our Community members during these trying times we face not only in Africa but in other countries as well:-
1. Peace, Unity and Cooperation = Prosperity and Development. Let us also build new bridges of relationships with all the communities and faiths; I quote the following Ayah of the Holy Qur’an, Surah 3, Al-i’Imran, Ayah 103, which emphasizes on unity.
“And hold fast all together by the rope which Allah (stretches out for you) and be not divided among yourselves; and remember with gratitude Allah’s favor on you …”
2. Please support the Africa Federation’s efforts by contributing funds for the poor and needy members of our Community in the Jamaats under AFED, one of the ways to do this is to give your Donations, Sadakah and Zaka’at towards the AFED Solidarity Day Fund – 2018, this being an annual event of the Africa Federation, the funds collected are used throughout the year. We are thankful to our Jamaats in Africa for their support in promoting AFED Solidarity Day through various events and programs.
Please contact Africa Federation Secretariat office in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania by email: adminsec@africafederation.org or visit our website: www.africafederation.org should you require more details to remit your contributions and donations.
In conclusion, may I request you all to remember all the past leaders and volunteers of our Community who have served selflessly with great devotion and who are no longer with us today, also let us remember all the Marhumeen for the Maghferat of their souls with Sura-e-Fateha.
With Salaams and Duas,
Shabir Najafi
Chairman