Ref: AF/PR/60/15
The Opening Ceremony of the 1st phase of the Africa Federation Development Project – “The Umoja Complex” was held on Sunday 30th August 2015 in Dar-es-Salaam, coinciding with the occasion of the celebrations of the birth anniversary of the 8th Imam (a.s.).
THE PROJECT
This Project is in keeping up with the vision and goals set by the Africa Federation Chairman Alhaj Anwarali Dharamsi, at the time of taking over office in April 2010.
Vision Statement: To cater for the religious and social needs of our community in Africa through greater coordination and participation of the Member Jamaats and the Territorial Councils of the Indian Ocean Islands of Madagascar and Reunion thereby identify and create opportunities for the development through strategic and forward planning with structured framework to achieve our goals.
One of the Goals set was: To strengthen Africa Federation on the path of financial capabilities by way of financial support (donations etc.) from the community members and through good reliable capital development to support various activities, such as Education, Tabligh, Healthcare, Youth & Women Affairs, Housing & Economic development.
The Complex located on Plot No. 11, Mwalimu Julius Nyerere Road, Dar es Salaam consists of 20 Warehouses of which presently 14 of them have already been rented out. The Complex has all the necessary amenities including elevators and enough parking spaces.
THE OPENING
The Ceremony was attended by the Africa Federation Chairman Alhaj Anwarali Dharamsi, Vice Chairman Alhaj Shabir Najafi, Vice Chairman, Alhaj Navazaly Molou who is also the Chairman of Conseil Regional of Madagascar, Hon Treasurer, Alhaj Mohamed Hemani, Hon Secretary, Alhaj Aunali Khalfan and Hon Asst. Secretary, Br. Alihassan Kassam. The World Federation was represented by the Secretary General, Alhaj Kumail Manji.
The function was also attended by President of Arusha Jamaat Alhaj Gulamhussein Mukhtar, President of Dar-es-Salaam Jamaat Alhaj Azim Dewji, Chairman of Nairobi Jamaat Alhaj Murtaza Kanani, Chairman of Moshi Jamaat Alhaj Shafik Kanji, Vice Chairman of Bujumbura Jamaat Alhaj Salim Somji, Hon Secretary of Lindi Jamaat Alhaj Mahmood Dhalla and Alhaj Mohamed Jaffer, Trustee of Mombasa Jamaat.
The AFED Tanzanian Trustees Alhaj Mushtak Fazal and Alhaj Mehboob Versi, AFED Nominated Councillors, Alhaj Amir Somji from Arusha, Alhaj Amir Merali from Mombasa, Alhaj Mohamed Nathoo, Alhaj Shabbir Kermalli and Alhaj Zulfikar Dewji from Dar-es-Salaam, AFED Board Chairmen Alhaj Akil Hirji (Economic Development and Housing), Alhaj Samir Habib (Education) and Br. Farhan Yusuf (Central Health Board), Dr. Sultan Aly Meghjee from Australia and Alhaj Yunus Merali from Maputo, Mozambique and members of our community both gents and ladies graced the occasion.
The function was also attended by the Tanzania Asian Development Association (TADA) Executive Secretary Mr. Dinesh Vaishnav and contractors.
Br. Alihassan Kassam, the AFED Hon Asst Secretary was the master of Ceremony for the Program which commenced with recitation of verses from the Holy Quran and Hadith-e-Kissa, addresses by the Chairman AFED Chairman, World Federation Secretary General, presentation ceremony followed by a Qasida by Alhaj Sadiq Dewji, a short talk by Sheikh Alidina and concluded with a vote of Thanks by AFED Hon Secretary.
The Program ended with Zohrain Namaz followed by lunch.
In his address, the AFED Chairman thanked the Councillors for the support towards the project when it was first proposed by AFED Secretariat at the 73rd Supreme Council Session held in 2012 in Arusha. He also thanked all those involved in the 1st phase Umoja Complex Project upto its completion. Alhaj Anwarali also informed the gathering of the plan to commence the second phase of the Project in the next few months.
He said that Africa Federation long term plan is to take the Institution to higher level of success and development, the strength of this community lies in creating unified synergies, and developing in-house resources with long term planning in order to build a stronger and progressive Institution for our future generations.
Alhaj Kumail Manji the Secretary General of the World Federation who headed the 1st Phase Project from its conception and development till his move to the World Federation in May 2015, spoke of the accomplishment of a dream project the first of its kind in the history of the Community and hoped that this would be an inspiration to other institutions and Jamaats. The Project is now headed by the Chairman of the Economic and Housing Development Board, Alhaj Akil Hirji who has a huge task ahead of him.
Sheikh Dr. Murtadha Alidina commended the Africa Federation office bearers for initiating this Project whose income will continue to assist our coming generations. He called upon the Secretariat to give an opportunity to all community members to donate towards such and other projects so that they too become attached to the Community.
PRESENTATIONS
Chairman’s Appreciation Awards were presented to the following Individuals and Companies whose assistance, cooperation and support was immense for the successful completion of this Project:
Afzal Rajani Ali Hussain Lilani
Anwarali Dharamsi Azim Bhalloo
Daudi Mlezi Dosa Khan
Kumail Manji Mohamed Pirbhai
Munawar Bharwani Muntazir Fazal
Musharaf Chowdry Muslim Dharamsi
Muslim Fazal Rakesh Mistry
Rizwan Shivji Yusuf Khan
Mwapacha Glazing Ltd. Super Constructions
Tanzania Road Haulage Wintech Elevators(T) Ltd
The unveiling of the Plaque to mark the official Opening of the Complex was performed by AFED Chairman in presence of the Office Bearers, Trustees, Chairmen/Presidents of our Member Jamaats and Invited guests.
Appreciation:
The Secretariat is grateful to the Umoja Complex Project Development Committee Team which was headed by Alhaj Kumail Manji and his team members Alhaj Munawer Bharwani, Alhaj Rizwan Shivji and Alhaj Muntazir Fazal. We are also thankful to Alhaj Akil Hirji the Chairman of the Economic and Housing Development Board who is now heading this Project. Our appreciation also goes to the Tanzania Road Haulage (1980) Ltd. headed by Alhaj Muslim Dharamsi and his team members for their efforts, support and cooperation in the Project. We are grateful to all those who supported in this Project.
May Allah (swt) reward them amply for their services and grant them tawfeeqat, good health and long life to continue serving the community at large for His pleasure, Ameen.
Secretariat