Ref: AFED/PR/40/18
The Ground Breaking Ceremony of the Uhuru Street Housing Project in Dar-es-Salaam was held on Tuesday 23rd January 2018 (5th Jamadi ul Awwal 1439), during the auspicious celebrations of the birth anniversary of Sayedah Zainab Bint Ali (A.S.)
This project is a huge milestone in pursuant of the vision and aspiration of the three institutions in initiating a Joint venture project; they are the Federation of KSI Jamaats of Africa, the World Federation of KSIMC and the KSI Jamaat of Dar es Salaam, May Allah (SWT) with His grace bless this project with incessant success, Ameen.
The Ground-Breaking Ceremony was attended by the World Federation President, Alhaj Anwarali Dharamsi, Africa Federation Chairman, Alhaj Shabir Najafi, Dar es Salaam Jamaat President, Alhaj Azim Dewji, President of Birmingham Jamaat, Alhaj Gulamraza Datoo, Resident Aalim of Dsm Jamaat, Seyed Adeel Reza, Birmingham Jamaat Resident Aalim Sheikh Nuru Mohamed, Alhaj Gulamali Virjee from Dubai, Africa Federation Office Bearers and Trustees, Dsm Jamaat Office Bearers and Trustees, AFED Economic and Housing Board Chairman, Alhaj Akil Hirji, past leaders of Africa Federation and Members of the Community from Dar es Salaam.
The program commenced with recitation of verses from the Holy Qur’an by Ejaz Bhalloo and Hadees e Qisah by Ali Murad Mohsin. Br. Hozaiph Bhalloo recited nasheed which was inspiring. The Hon. Secretary of Dar es Salaam Jamaat, Br. Aliasgher Somji welcomed all invitees and gave brief information of the housing Project, which is landmark project for Dar Es Salaam which will provide the much needed housing for the community members at a reasonable cost. The anticipated duration of the project is 36 months, and construction works will begin around June 2018, subject to all permits and City Council and Government requirements are completed.
The site is made up of two plots. The first plot belonged to Alhaj Ali Juma Jessa in 1936. In 1939, the plot was transferred to Alhaj Alibhai Ibrahim and he later transferred it in his wife’s name Jennabai Jaffer Hasham in 1948. Jennabai passed away in 1958, as per her will she donated the plot to KSI Jamaat Dar Es Salaam which was transferred to the Registered Trustees of KSI Jamaat Dar es Salaam. Marhuma Jenna bai has also donated various properties including the Bewakhana above Ebrahim Haji Charitable Hospital on Asia Street. The second plot was acquired by the KSI Jamaat of Dar Es Salaam in 2013.
The President of Dar es Salaam Jamaat, Alhaj Azim bhai Dewji presented an overview of the project and the vision to uplift the community of Dar es Salaam. He also reached out to the community members to cultivate the spirit of giving like our forefathers did and today we benefit the fruits from the seeds they sowed.
The Chairman of Africa Federation, Alhaj Shabir bhai Najafi briefly spoke about the project. These flats will primarily be for the first time home owners, middle income earning community members from Dar es Salaam. He appealed to donors and sponsors to come forward and show their support in the project. He mentioned that AFED in its long term vision wants to ensure that members of Jamaats in Africa should eventually own their own homes. He indicated, it is not an impossible venture; however it is upon the members to take the initiative and take advantage of this golden opportunity.
Alhaj Anwarali Dharamsi, President of World Federation, congratulated AFED and DSM Jamaat to embark on such a significant project, he said that the World Federation will render its full support in the housing project undertaken by AFED and the local Jamaats. He was pleased to see the renewed impetus being directed towards the housing projects.
The building design, construction and engineering drawings and other documentations are already in process being managed by the AFED Housing Development Board, led by Alhaj Akil Hirji and his dedicated team of Board Members. The Board shall be in regular contact with the Trustees of KSI Jamaat of Dar Es Salaam for updates and consultations.
We wish the AFED Housing Development Board and the Trustees of KSI Jamaat of Dar Es Salaam successful development and completion of the project on time.
The Secretariat wishes to record its appreciation to the Volunteers and to the Task Force of KSI Jamaat Dar-es-Salaam for making all the arrangements for the program. We pray to Allah (SWT) for the successful completion of the Uhuru Street Housing project – Ameen.
SECRETARIAT