Ref: PR/AF/62/15
Constituent Jamaats Chairmen’s Meeting with Africa Federation Office Bearers was held on Saturday, 29th August, 2015 in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania preceding the Official Opening of the 1st Phase of Umoja Complex which took place on Sunday, 30th August, 2015. This was the first meeting between the Jamaat’s Chairmen and AFED Office Bearers, at which several issues of importance were discussed.
Jamaats Chairmen present were: Alhaj Azim Dewji (President, DSM Jamaat), Alhaj Murtaza Kanani (Chairman, Nairobi Jamaat), Alhaj Shafiq Kanji (Chairman, Moshi Jamaat), Alhaj Mohamed Jaffer (Trustee, Mombasa Jamaat) Alhaj Salim Somji (Vice Chairman, Bujumbura Jamaat) and Alhaj Mahmood Dhalla (Secretary, Lindi Jamaat).
AFED Office Bearers present were: Alhaj Anwarali Dharamsi (Chairman), Alhaj Shabir Najafi (Vice Chairman), Alhaj Aunali Khalfan (Hon. Secretary), Alhaj Mohamed Hemani (Hon. Treasurer and Br. Alihassan Kassam (Asst. Hon. Secretary).
The purpose of the Meeting was called to discuss various challenges our Jamaats and Institutions are facing in the light of the changing environment, both locally and regionally, and to deliberate and find ways and means of overcoming them.
There was broad sharing of experiences and discussion in the meeting; this paved a way forward, in attaining consensus on some important matters, also Jamaats agreed on coordination and supporting each other whenever a need arose. To this end, Jamaats agreed to organize inter-Jamaat visits by heads and members of Jamaats Sub-Committees.
It was agreed that the Jamaat leadership would make concerted efforts to promote inter-community and inter-faith relationships and focus more towards building bridges of cooperation amongst Muslims of all faiths to bring about better understanding and harmony in the country we live.
The AFED Chairman, Alhaj Anwarali explained on the current issues and the financial constraints facing the Institution, and its ripple effects. He stressed the need for the Jamaats to be conscientious in all financial matters and developments in view of the scarcity of funds which is caused by the current economic crisis, affecting the Jamaats and AFED also. He provided an overview of the AFED Umoja Complex Development Phase One and the plan for Phase Two. Anwarali Bhai pointed out that AFED will seek loans in order to embark on Phase Two of the Project. Preference would be to seek soft loans, failing which loan from commercial bank will be sought.
Upon request from the Jamaats Chairmen present in the Meeting, it was agreed that AFED Secretariat will organize Chairmen’s Meeting once every six months to discuss important issues, especially those that concerns development projects, financial matters and community affairs and development.
There was also a discussion on the Higher Education Loan Repayment by students from several Jamaats, some who are not paying regularly and some have defaulted for a number of years. Alhaj Anwarali requested Chairmen of the Jamaats to take up this matter with the Education Boards and also with the Parents and Guardians of the students who are regularly defaulting, the amount outstanding and overdue was shared in the meeting, he said this is also affecting in our cash flow which otherwise would help the Institution and new students who are applying for loans.
Alhaj Anwarali explained to the Chairmen of Jamaats that they are the Ambassadors of AFED in their constituencies, he explained that it was important for the community members to be updated on the developments taking place within Africa Jamaats and also the challenges we all face in the light of the economic crisis and shortage of funds, he further requested Jamaats Chairmen to encourage community members to channel their dues through the Jamaats or AFED and also to participate in various activities organized by AFED, example the AFED Solidarity Day.
Apologies were received from; Alhaj Navazaly Molou (V.C. of AFED from Madagascar), Alhaj Amine Nassor (V.C. of AFED from Reunion), Alhaj Ghullamhussein Mukhtar (Chairman, Arusha Jamaat), Alhaj Sajjad Rashid (Chairman, Mombasa Jamaat), Alhaj Saeed Vazir (Trustee, Kinshasa Jamaat, representing Kinshasa Jamaat Chairman)
Secretariat