Ref: AFED/PR/73/16
AFED – MARCHING TOWARDS ITS LONG TERM VISION
The Ground Breaking Ceremony of the Phase II of the Umoja Complex – The First Commercial Project of the Federation of Khoja Shia Ithna Asheri Jamaats of Africa was held in Dar-es-Salaam on Sunday 14th February 2016 to coincide with the Birth Anniversary of Holy Lady Sayyeda Zaynab (AS).
The Complex located on a prime plot No. 11 Vingunguti Industrial Area, Nyerere Road, Dar es Salaam, has 20 Warehouses of which 15 have already been rented out.
The auspicious Ceremony of the Ground-Breaking for this Project was attended by the Africa Federation Office Bearers, AFED Uganda Trustee, World Federation Secretary General, AFED Nominated and Elected Councillors, AFED Economic and Housing Board Chairman, AFTAB Chairman and Invitees from Arusha, Dar-es-Salaam, Canada, Mombasa and Tanga.
Also in attendance were the Architects and Designers, Structure and Building Engineers and Quantity Surveyors, they are all from Tanzania.
The Project will Insha’allah take off once the Building Permit and other requirements of the local authorities are completed, i.e. tenders for construction etc.
The Project will be managed by the AFED Economic and Housing Development Board, headed by Alhaj Akil Hirji.
The Program commenced with recitation of verses from the Holy Quran and Hadees e Qissa, followed by recitation of a Qasidah. AFED Hon Asst Treasurer Br. Aliabbas Nasser welcomed all the invitees and gave a brief outline of the Project.
Africa Federation Chairman Alhaj Anwarali Dharamsi then addressed the gathering, he gave an overview of the project and the financial requirements of the Phase II project and appealed to the community members for their financial support which he emphasised will be of great benefit for the future sustainability of our Institution and its various sectors and activities for the wider benefit of our community in areas such as in Tabligh, Secular and Religious Education, Social & Economic Development etc.
He pointed out that commercial loans from the banking and financial institutions adds to the cost of the Project, hence he underscored the importance of philanthropy especially from within the community for meeting our long term sustainability and growth for our future.
This second phase will be an ultra modern building consisting of showrooms on the ground floor and offices spread over three floors with all facilities such as parking, lifts, 24 hour standby generator amongst others. It will also include in the plan 15 residential apartments intended for rental to the companies who may wish to accommodate their staff.
The Ground Breaking Ceremony was conducted by the AFED Chairman, Presidents of Mombasa, Dar es Salaam & Arusha Jamaats, Alhaj Mohamedhussein Punjani from Canada and Alhaj Muslim Rajabali Dharamsi, they were joined by the AFED Office Bearers, AFED Trustee from Uganda, Alhaj Ebrahim Kassam, AFED Nominated and Elected Councillors, Alhaj Amir Merali, Alhaj Shabbir Kermalli, Alhaj Firoz Bandali, AFTAB Chairman, Seyed Hassan Naqvi, Head of Tabligh of Bilal Muslim Mission of Tanzania, Seyed Arif Naqvi and invitees from Dar es Salaam.
The Chairman, Office Bearers and the Trustees are very grateful for the generous donations pledges received at the Ground-Breaking Ceremony for the Phase II Project of the Umoja Complex from Alhaj Mohamed Jaffer of Mombasa, Family of Alhaj Anwarali and Muslim Rajabali Dharamsi and Alhaj Mohamedhussein Punjani – Punjani Foundation of Toronto, Canada.
The Secretariat wishes to record its appreciation to the KSI Jamaat Dar-es-Salaam Volunteers and Scouts, TRH for providing transport, Br. Gulamali Dewji (GD) of METL and Br. Shabir Murji (Bode) for their support and co-operation in the arrangements for this function.
Secretariat