Ref: PR/AF/2016/07
The Africa Federation officials comprising of the Honorary Secretary, Alhaj Hussein Karim and the Chairman of the Economic and Housing Development Board, Alhaj Akil Hirji visited Bukoba Jamaat on September 20 and 21. This was following the aftermath of the Earthquake of 5.9 magnitude that struck Bukoba district near the western shore of Lake Victoria in North West of Tanzania on September 10, 2016, where sadly most of the casualties and damage occurred.
The purpose of the visit was to meet officials of the Jamaat and our Community members, it was also to assess the extent of damage caused by the Earthquake to the properties in the mosque compound and other Jamaat properties as well as properties belonging to other members of the Jamaat and evaluate a kind of assistance that may be required.
The KSI Jamaat Secondary School, formerly the JamaatKhana has also developed some cracks in the building which shall require repairs to put the building in good and pleasant condition, and to ensure safety of the students, staff and others.
A brief program was organized by the Jamaat in the evening at the Imambargha for the visiting Afed officials who also held a meeting with Jamaat Managing Committee members to discuss various matters, including the current situation following the Earthquake. The Chairman of Bukoba Jamaat, Alhaj Iqbal Visram in his welcome address thanked Afed for the visit and for the cooperation and the message of support received earlier.
In his address to the Community members, the Honorary Secretary conveyed on behalf of Chairman and Office Bearers of the Africa Federation their deep sympathies and concerns on the tragic event and the damage caused to the properties.
In the meeting with the Afed officials, Alhaj Iqbal Visram mentioned that the new team of office bearers and managing committee came into office about 4 months ago, however they are making concerted efforts to bring about positive changes in the administration, communication and setting new strategies to improve the current status of the Jamaat and its development.
He further reported that the Jamaat is in the process of building good working relationships with other communities and building bridges of cooperation and association with other sects of Muslim communities and the local authorities.
Brief Report of the Damage:
About 20 properties are damaged from minor cracks to almost complete collapse. Some of the owners with sufficient means have already repaired the damages, while others will need some kind of assistance depending on their financial positions, Afed office bearers in collaboration with the Economic and Housing Development Board will look into the kind of support and assistance required, upon receiving the assessments.
Afed and Jamaat officials expressed their sympathies and sorrow on the deaths, injuries and the sufferings caused to the people of Bukoba following the Earthquake, and prayed for the families and for a speedy recovery of those injured.
We once again appeal to our members and well-wishers for donations towards the disaster support fund, to assist especially those who cannot afford to repair the damages to their homes and business premises.
SECRETARIAT
The Federation of KSI Jamaats of Africa