Ref: PR/2018/41
The Chairman of the Federation of the Khoja Shia Ithna-Asheri Jamaats of Africa, Alhaj Shabir Najafi, the Vice Chairman Alhaj Aunali Khalfan and the Hon. Treasurer, Alhaj Mohamed Hemani paid a three days’ visit to Mombasa, Kenya from 18th to 20th January 2018. They were joined by the two Nominated Councillors from Mombasa, Alhaj Amir Merali and Alhaj Gulamabbas Khaku. The Chairman of the AFED Sports Council, Alhaj Mohamedhussein Somji and the AYN Vice Chairman, Alhaj Qamber Somji were also present during the visit with the AFED delegation.
The purpose of this visit was to meet and discuss with the officials of Mombasa Jamaat, Bilal Muslim Mission of Kenya, the AFED Trustee and Councillors who are based in Mombasa, Kenya on several key issues concerning the Jamaat and AFED.
On Thursday, 18th January, evening, the Chairman of Mombasa Jamaat, Alhaj Mohamed Jaffer and Chairman of AFED, Alhaj Shabir Najafi addressed members of the community at Jaffery Imambargha, both gents and ladies were present. Alhaj Shabir Najafi in his address stressed on the importance of unity, maintaining good relationships with other communities and build bridges of cooperation with other faiths and sects. He appealed to the community members to support our Jamaats and the local projects in Africa; he stressed that funds should be channeled through the Jamaats and AFED centrally.
The AFED visit coincided with the visit by the delegation from Birmingham Jamaat from U.K., led by Alhaj Gulamraza Datoo, President of Birmingham Jamaat who was accompanied by Br. Murtaza Fazel Master and Sheikh Nuru Mohamed, Resident Aalim of Birmingham Jamaat. Sheikh Nuru recited majlis on Thursday night in the Imambargah and gave an inspiring Jumaah Khutba on Friday, 19th January; we would encourage our youth to listen to this Khutba, its available from Mombasa Jamaat Tabligh Board.
Alhaj Hassan A. M. Jaffer gave a brief synopsis of late Molu Bhai Remtulla – A man with a Golden Heart whose bequest of a building in 1928, he passed away in Mombasa in 1929. Molu Bhai left an indelible legacy in the community in Mombasa. Today the Jamaat is benefitting from the seed sown by him many years ago, May Allah (SWT) grant Marhum Maghferat and a lofty place in the proximity of our Aeema-e-Tahireen (AS). Let us remember him with Sura-e-Fateha.
On Friday, 19th January, 2018, AFED office bearers had a meeting with the Managing Committee and Trustees of Mombasa Jamaat. The subjects covered were on the current issues, projects and future strategic economic plans towards the development of our Institutions in Africa.
A visit to Bilal Muslim Mission of Kenya head office in Mombasa took place on Saturday, 20th January 2018 where they projected power point presentations in the Media Room of the various activities undertaken by BMMK at head office and 15 Bilal centres in the surrounding villages. BMMK are actively involved in Tabligh, Education, Social Services and Economic Development for the local Shia community in these areas. The two nominated Councillors from Mombasa, Alhaj Amir Merali and Alhaj Gulamabbas Khaku were also present during the visit and meeting.
At Mtongwe a new full-fledged centre is under construction with the support of a Philanthropist, a visit will be made to this new centre during next visit; unfortunately CBB Chairman could not join AFED delegation on this trip due to other commitments he had prior.
We are grateful to the Chairman, the Managing Committee Members and Trustees of KSI Jamaat of Mombasa for the warm reception and hospitality accorded to the AFED delegation.
We are also thankful to the Chairman of Bilal Muslim Mission of Kenya and Board Members for the warm welcome and fruitful meeting. The presentation of various Tabligh acitivities being carried out by BMMK in Kenya was informative and enlightening.
We wish to record our deep appreciation and gratitude to Alhaj Sultan bhai Molu, AFED Trustee in Kenya and our two nominated Councillors, Alhaj Gulamabbas Khaku and Alhaj Amir Merali, for giving their valuable time to accompany the AFED delegation and for various other arrangements made during the 3 days visit to Mombasa.
Secretariat