Ref: AK/PR/2016/77
The Chairman of Africa Federation, Alhaj Anwarali Dharamsi, accompanied by his Vice Chairman and Chairman elect, Alhaj Shabir Najafi and the Hon Secretary, Alhaj Aunali Khalfan, paid a visit to Mombasa Jamaat from 11th to 13th March, 2016. They also visited Bilal Muslim Mission of Kenya and made curtsey visits to meet the elders of our community in Mombasa. The delegation was joined by AFED Nominated Councilors of Mombasa, Alhaj Amir Merali and Alhaj Gulamabbas Khaku.
This visit was also intended for the Africa Federation outgoing Chairman to bid farewell to the Community members of Mombasa Jamaat and Bilal Muslim Mission of Kenya having led the Africa Federation for two terms – six years (2010 -2016).
A meeting was also held with the AFED Kenya Trustee, Alhaj Sultan Molu on various matters concerning AFED properties in Mombasa and Lamu, a visit was made to see the AFED warehouses property in Mbaraki area in Mombasa which is undergoing major roof repairs, this property was purchased by AFED in 2011. In the last Supreme Council Session held in April 2015 in Mombasa, it was decided that the income from the warehouses will henceforth be utilized for external Tabligh activities.
Meeting with Mombasa Jamaat
A joint meeting was held on Friday, 11th March after Friday prayers with the Office Bearers, Managing Committee members and Trustees of KSI Jamaat of Mombasa. The meeting was chaired by the Mombasa Jamaat Chairman, Alhaj Mohamed Jaffer; also in attendance was the immediate past Chairman of Mombasa Jamaat, Alhaj Sajjad Rashid.
Alhaj Anwarali Dharamsi congratulated the newly elected Chairman of Mombasa Jamaat and his team and wished them successful term. He also thanked Alhaj Sajjad Rashid, the immediate past Chairman of the Jamaat and his team for undertaking a major project development of JIC and expressed his gratitude for their support and cooperation during their two terms in office.
During the meeting, several pertinent issues concerning Jamaat and the situation of our Community and Institutions were discussed. Greater emphases were directed towards Tabligh, Secular Education and Economic Development of our Community members. It was noted that there are some core issues which are predominantly experienced in several Jamaats.
Alhaj Mohamed Jaffer emphasized upon the World Federation to increase their support to the Jamaats in Africa stating that the WF should focus its attention in Africa, especially in supporting those Jamaats who are presently facing some challenges due to downturn of economy adversely affecting the Jamaats.
AFED delegation was shown around the Gents and ladies Imambargha, Madressah, Mosque, Ghusal Khana and the modern and well equipped Kitchen.
AFED Chairman, Alhaj Anwarali commended the Jamaat for undertaking the mega community project at JIC and said it was a timely decision given the various challenges our Community was facing in the old town, for example lack of parking, congestion, safety etc. the facilities are being fully utilized by our Community members for various functions etc.
Anwarali Bhai provided a brief information on the development of the Madressah Centre of Excellence (MCE) project which is jointly undertaken by the World Federation and the Regional Federations, AFED Chairman explained on the strategy of a common syllabus for all Madressahs, the project involves training sessions for the Madrassah teachers and a number of such sessions have been held in Jamaats in Africa, including Mombasa. This is a long term project to achieve the ultimate objective and the mission statement of the Madrassah Centre of Excellence which is: – “Enabling a learning environment that instills the value of Qur’an and Ahlul Bayt (AS)”.
He commended Mombasa Jamaat on the ongoing development and good management of the Jaffery Academy Schools and College, similarly the Husainy Madressah which is under the management of the Tabligh Board of the Jamaat. He expressed satisfaction on the relationship being developed with SUKEM and efforts being put on the interfaith relationships building for the larger interest of the communities in Mombasa.
Anwarali bhai stressed the need for the Jamaat to encourage their members to take up Healthcare Insurance as the cost of medical treatment which is escalating rapidly, adding more financial burden on the families which otherwise is taken care of by the Medical Insurance.
Alhaj Shabir Najafi, the Vice Chairman and Chairman Elect of AFED commended the great efforts and dedication of Alhaj Sajjad Rashid, the immediate past Chairman of Mombasa Jamaat and the team of volunteers from Mombasa who took active part in the evacuation exercise of the Community members from Yemen last year.
The Hon. Secretary, Alhaj Aunali Khalfan requested KSI Jamaat to send news and events of the Jamaat to the Editor of Federation Samachar in that the Community members around the world become aware of the activities of the Jamaats in Africa.
He also emphasized upon the Youth of the Jamaat to take active part in the AFED Solidarity Day events and fund raising which is primarily to support member Jamaats all year around for the needy and deserving members in areas such as education, medical, emergency relief etc.
Aunali bhai commended Youth of Mombasa for taking active part in the Youth Leadership Development Programs, Mentorship and Skills development which are organized by the CBG of Africa Federation jointly with CBG of the World Federation. He appreciated their commitments and active participation in the Youth Camp organized by AYN of AFED. The support and encouragement of Mombasa Jamaat in such programs is well appreciated.
The AFED delegation visit to Mombasa coincided with the commemoration of Ayame Fatimiyah. Majlis with nyaz was organized by the Jamaat on three consecutive nights at JIC Imambargha.
On Friday night after majlis at Imambargha, a brief introduction was made by Alhaj Mohamed Jaffer and the Hon. Secretary of Mombasa Jamaat, Alhaj Yusuf Jiwa read out the Citation. Mombasa Jamaat presented a Lifetime Achievement Award to the outgoing Chairman of Africa Federation, Alhaj Anwarali Dharamsi which was performed by Murrabi Mulla Abdulrasul Khaki in the presence of a large congregation of Community members.
Welcome Address by the Chairman of KSI Jamaat of Mombasa:
In his welcome address, the Chairman of Mombasa Jamaat, Alhaj Mohamed Jaffer thanked the outgoing Chairman of Africa Federation, Alhaj Anwarali Dharamsi for the good cooperation and support provided to Mombasa Jamaat, especially the support extended for the Jamaat Welfare Housing Project at JIC. He wished him good health and continuous success in his future endeavors. He also welcomed the newly elected Chairman of AFED, Alhaj Shabir Najafi and assured him of Jamaat’s full support and cooperation.
Address by the Chairman of Africa Federation:
Alhaj Anwarali bhai in his farewell address thanked Mombasa Jamaat for organizing the visit; he expressed satisfaction for a fruitful meeting held with the office bearers, managing committee and trustees of the Jamaat. He thanked Alhaj Mohamed Jaffer and Mombasa Jamaat for honoring him with a Citation and a Life Time Achievement Award present to him.
Anwarali bhai also thanked the past two Chairmen of Mombasa Jamaat, they are; Alhaj Sajjad Rashid and Alhaj Sajjad Khaki with whom he worked in the first 5 years of Chairmanship. He congratulated the recently elected Chairman of the Jamaat, Alhaj Mohamed Jaffer and his team and wished them success and accomplishment in their activities. He said Mombasa Jamaat has a rich history of the development and contribution in our Community in Africa, the elders played crucial role in maintaining our rich heritage and in the advancement of our religion, and in social and economic fields which has added to the success of Africa Federation to become a model Federation.
Anwarali bhai thanked the leadership of the Jamaats for their support, cooperation and guidance; similarly, he thanked AFED Councilors, Trustees and the Community members for their support during his two terms tenure, of six years at the helm of the Africa Federation. He requested the Jamaat leaders and the Community members to extend the same level of support and cooperation to Alhaj Shabir Najafi who will take over from him during the 26th AFED Triennial Conference, and invited all to attend the Conference and Council Session from 29th April to 1st May 2016 in Dar es Salaam.
In his address, Alhaj Anwarali gave a brief report of the various activities of AFED and the achievements it attained in the last 6 years, similarly he highlighted the ongoing challenges the Community is facing in Africa and elsewhere. He emphasized on the unity and in building bridges of good relationships with other communities and faiths. He stated that there is still a lot to accomplish that needed support and cooperation of all member Jamaats.
Once again, AFED Chairman stressed on the matter of Hukook and appealed to the Jamaat to entice the community members towards payment of their Hukook through Jamaat and AFED so that AFED can support the activities of the member Jamaats in areas where Hukook is permissible under the Ijaza granted to him, by virtue of his position in AFED.
AFED Secretariat wishes to express its sincere appreciation to Mombasa Jamaat for the warm welcome and wonderful reception accorded to the AFED delegation. We also wish to thank the Chairman of Mombasa Jamaat, Alhaj Mohamed Jaffer for hosting the dinner at his residence on Sunday night; they were joined by Community members and Jamaat officials.
We wish to express our appreciation to Alhaj Sultan Molu, Alhaj Amir Merali and Alhaj Gulamabbas Khaku for their support and for accompanying AFED officials.
We pray to Allah (SWT) by His infinite grace and mercy to grant the Jamaat leaders, Volunteers and all Community members with good health, long life and success in their endeavors. We pray to Allah (SWT) to shower His choicest blessings and give more inspiration to them to continue with the noble work they do for His pleasure – Ameen.
SECRETARIAT