The Africa Federation officials comprising of Vice Chairman Alhaj Aunali Khalfan and Honorary Secretary, Alhaj Hussein Karim visited Bujumbura from Sunday 24th to Tuesday 26th September 2017 and were joined by the AFED Nominated Councillor based in Bujumbura Alhaj Salim Somji.
The visit provided good opportunity for the delegation to meet the Jamaat officials and interact with members; delegation joined the community members in the commemoration of the martyrdom of Imam Hussain (AS), his faithful companions and his family members in the plains of Kerbala, Iraq.
A Joint meeting between Africa Federation Delegation and the Managing Committee of KSI Jamaat of Bujumbura was held where several issues concerning the Jamaat, Economic Development, Tabligh, Madressah and several other issues of mutual interest were discussed. The Vice Chairman was pleased to see there were several youth involved in services to the community, particularly in supporting secular education and external Tabligh involving the local Shia community. He also emphasized on the importance of training and developing our youth, both gents and ladies to take up more responsibilities of the Jamaat, thereby bringing in new impetus in the Jamaat and its development, which will also benefit the members.
The Delegation attended the 4th Night Majlis of the first 12 days of Muharram recited by Syed Azher Abedi from India.
Following a brief introduction by the President of Bujumbura Jamaat, he welcomed the Vice Chairman of Africa Federation to address members of the Jamaat after the Majlis program in the Imambargha where he gave a brief outline of the activities being carried out by Africa Federation, and emphasized on unity, development and appealed to the members to pay their Hukook centrally to Africa Federation. He pointed out that the Jamaat intends to extend the Madressah, hence it would be prudent for members also to give Hukook which will also help the Jamaat in projects such as renovations of Imabargha, Mosque and Madressah. There are presently 28 children studying in the Madressah.
A meeting was also held on 25th September with the Jaffery Welfare Association who are actively involved in Medical, General Welfare and Education. They also assist the local Shia Community who operate Centres in Kinama, Katumba, Minango and Buterere. Jaffery Welfare Association is made of the following members, mostly youth:-
Zuher Jetha (President), Hur Fazal (Secretary), Azad Fazal (Hon. Treasurer), Mohamedabbas Habib (Member) and Gulam Raza (Member).
The Delegation visited three Shia Centres and a Hawza which is currently undergoing extension. They were pleased to see the activities carried by our indigenous brothers in Bujumbura in following the religion of Islam and Madh’ab of Ahlulbayt (AS) with a lot of efforts in bringing together people from different faiths and sects, especially during the Eid, Miladun Nabii (SAWW), Holy month of Ramadhan and Muharram.
AFED delegation also visited Imam Zainul Abideen (AS) Mosque in Buyenzi which was recently renovated and extended to provide several facilities to the local Shia brothers. The entire work was carried out with the support and direct supervision of Alhaj Salim Somji, the AFED Nominated Councillor from Bujumbura.
There is an open plot belonging to our Shia brothers in Kinamba area, where in future Nursery School and Madressah can be built to provide services to the local community. The Muslim Association in Burundi is CISIABU an equivalent of BAKWATA in Tanzania. The delegation also met Sheikh Hamissi who is the head of the Baraza of Sheikhs in Bujumbura.
The Delegation also had an opportunity to visit the Graveyard of the Jamaat and pay their respects to members of the Community buried there.
The Secretariat wishes to express its sincere appreciation to Alhaj Salim Somji for hosting the delegation at his residence and to Alhaj Mohamedraza Jaffer and his team for the warm hospitality accorded to the Delegation and for all the arrangements made for the visit. We pray to Allah (SWT) by His grace and mercy to grant them all good health, long life and success.
Secretariat