Ref: AFED/PR/57/15
AFED Chairman’s Message:
I am very grateful to all our Jamaats in mainland Africa and in the Indian Ocean Islands of Madagascar and Reunion for their unflinching support and commitment towards this annual event of the Africa Federation. Solidarity Day also marks the auspicious occasion of the birth anniversary of Imam-e-Zamana (ATFS), and the occasion has been chosen for fund raising through various activities organized by our Jamaats. Donation of any sums, whether small or big reflects the nobility and generosity of our community members in fulfilling religious and moral obligations we have towards charity and helping the poor and less fortunate members of our community. I wish to applaud youths (both girls and boys) of our community in all our Jamaats who worked with great dedication and spearheaded the entire project, and I look forward for the same zest in the coming year – Inshaállah. Thank you all very much.
Mombasa Jamaat – IYMU Report on the 12th Dimension
On the 11th of June, 2015, the Ithna-asheri Young Men’s Union (IYLU) in collaboration with the Ithna-asheri Young Ladies Union (IYLU), held a talk show dubbed “The 12th Dimension – Into the Unknown.” This is the second time ever that such an event has been held in the record of Mombasa Jamaat with last year being the inaugural event. This function was held in support of the Solidarity Day – a day set aside by the Federation of KSI Jamaats of Africa (AFED) for fundraising for the less fortunate among our brothers and sisters whereby all community members are encouraged to donate a single day’s income for a particular humanitarian cause to assist the less fortunate members of our community.
The topic of this Talk Show was based around our responsibilities during this period of the Ghaybat of our Living Imam and what qualities each one of us must have in order to be loved by our Imam. The guests speakers for this program were Sheikh Nuru Mohamed, resident Aalim of Nairobi Jamaat and a renowned scholar and religious speaker, and Sheikh Abbas Jaffer, a prominent scholar and member of our community in London, he is the son of Marhum Mulla Asgher M.M. Jaffer.
The program started with a talk by our guest speakers followed by questions from the crowd that were moderated by Brother Nishathussein Karim who very ably set the tone and direction for the discussions.
Dinner was served at the end of the program. Overall, this was a very well received program by members of the community who learnt a lot from the knowledge disseminated by our respected guest speakers and they asked for more of such programs to be conducted. Once again, as always there was not enough time for more discussions that were brought about from questions by the participants. We shall however endeavor to find a way to address this problem in our future events.
A bake sale was held where the IYLU prepared a variety of sumptuous desserts that were put up for sale at the Imambargha after the program and all proceeds went to the Solidarity Day fund. Husayni Madressah students also did their bit with students pledging to do a certain good deed (e.g. reciting Ziyarate Ashura every day etc.) for a specific period of time in order to raise funds. These funds were also added to the AFED Solidarity Day fund.
Arusha Jamaat – Members Organize Charity Walk for AFED Solidarity Day:
For the third year consecutively, the Arusha Jamaat successfully organized a Solidarity Charity Walk on a cool bright morning of Sunday 7th June 2015 starting from 8.30 am. Ladies, gents, old, young and children participated in this walk to mark the Solidarity Day with great enthusiasm giving heads up with compassion of the plight of the less fortunate members in our community in the Jamaats under Africa Federation with an impressive turnout of about 150 members.
Participants met up at the Youth League between 8.15 a.m. They boarded buses which took them to Puma Njiro where the Walk was scheduled to begin.
The walk commenced at 9.00 a.m. from Puma to Sakina Supermarket and back to Youth League. The closing was marked with presentations to the participants with delicious healthy breakfast provided by the famous Naaz Hotel & Restaurant of Arusha.
The Solidarity Day Walk provides a wonderful opportunity for the community members to interact, build friendship as well as exercise joyously.
The Arusha Jamaat is grateful to the Kilimeru Sports Club of Arusha for once again organizing the Walk and all the participants who graciously sacrificed their time and braved the cold morning weather so as to raise funds for fellow brothers in need.
Dar es Salaam Jamaat Solidarity Day Charity Walk -31st May 2015:
On the 31st May 2015, the Youth Affairs Committee (YAC) in collaboration with all the youth bodies under the KSIJ Dar es Salaam organized a “Solidarity Walk” for the community members. This event was first of its kind in Dar es Salaam aiming to enhance further our unity and brotherhood as well as raise funds for the Africa Federation Solidarity Day.
The President of Dar es Salaam Jamaat, Alhaj Azim Dewji, the Resident Aalim, Sheikh Murtadha Alidina, the Hon. Secretary of AFED, Alhaj Aunali Khalfan, the President of Zanzibar Jamaat, Alhaj Mohamedraza Dharamsi and Managing Committee Members were among the participants.
The walk attracted 250 participants both young and old. Everyone gathered at the mosque compound at 6:30 a.m. for a Start Off ceremony which commenced with the recitation of some verses of the Holy Quran followed by an inspirational talk by Sheikh Murtadha Alidina. Sheikh Alidina highlighted on the importance of such events by quoting some references from the Holy Qurán and commended the initiators of this programme.
Thereafter, the Scouts held a parade that escorted the dignitaries to light the “Solidarity Torch”. This was followed by the ribbon cutting ceremony that marked the start of the walk. The walk, which lasted an hour, provided good opportunity to the members to exchange ideas and build bonds between themselves.
The closing ceremony was held at the Imambargha where all the participants gathered. Beautiful recitation of the verses of the Holy Quran was followed by addresses from the Hon. Secretary of the Dar es Salaam Jamaat Alhaj Murtaza Kara acknowledging Jamaat’s appreciation to participants and the youth for the organization of the Solidarity Charity Walk. Thereafter, the Hon. Secretary of the Africa Federation Alhaj Aunali Khalfan spoke on the importance of Solidarity Day and the purpose of fund raising. He expressed AFED’s gratitude to Dar es Salaam Jamaat and its various bodies, in particular the youth and volunteers for their zeal, commitment and dedication towards supporting for the noble cause of charity and benevolence.
Thereafter the sponsors of the event were acknowledged and presented with a token of appreciation.
Three main awards were given out to acknowledge and motivate the participants. The oldest participant award was awarded to Alhaj Muslim Kassam aged 81 years, the youngest participant was awarded to Mahdi Muraj aged 4 years and the highest funds collector was awarded to Alhaj Anverbhai Manekia.
The programme concluded with a vote of thanks by the Convener, Br. Alihassan Kassam followed by a scrumptious breakfast that concluded a lively and wonderful event that was thoroughly appreciated by all.
Dar es Salaam Jamaat Ladies Program Marking The Solidarity Day And Fund Raising Activities:
The ladies section headed by Sister Fatim Somji together with Dar es Salaam Jamaat Ladies Managing Committee organized for the first time Solidarity Day Event which had several activities including sports at the Boarding House sports ground on 31st May 2015 from 9.00 a.m. up till 4.00 p.m.
The sporting games held were football, throw ball and swimming. Simultaneously, various game stalls were kept for children like jumping castle, pin the cloud on the sun, try your luck, ring the pyramid, balloon pop etc. After Zohrain Salah, a hilarious drama was presented specially for senior citizens.
Food stalls were held where variety of snacks and sweets were sold. This included a fruit corner and a desert table. Cakes were donated by ladies which were then auctioned. All sales that were made were contributed towards Africa Federation Solidarity Day.
Bake Sale held by Nairobi Youth Team to Raise Funds for AFED Solidarity Day:
During the month of Shaaban, the Nairobi youth team, arranged Bake Sale for the Solidarity Day. Ladies of the community were invited to bring desserts, savory or even a spicy dish which were then sold to community members. The Bake Sale was one of the several activities to involve members of the community whose kind contribution went towards this noble cause. The Madressah children were also included in the Bake Sale during their break time.
There were three Bake Sales held to coincide with different functions held at the Jaffery Islamic Centre in Lavington, Nairobi. We thank the ladies and the Nairobi Jamaat for their support in these activities. Alhamdullilah with the help of the Bake Sale and the generous donors we were able to raise good amount for this noble cause. We look forward to Solidarity Day next year and InshAllah we will have more events planned that will concentrate on raising awareness of our 12th Imam (ATFS) and promote charity and benevolence amongst us all.
Solidarity Day activities in Territorial Councils and other Jamaats:
We are pleased to record the following Member Jamaats in mainland Africa and those under the Conseil Regional of Madagascar (CROI) and Reunion Association (UAKSIR) who held various fund raising activities, we are grateful to all our community members who have generously contributed and supported the AFED Solidarity Day.
- Conseil Regional of Madagascar (CROI)
- Reunion Association (UAKSIR)
- Dar es Salaam Jamaat
- Arusha Jamaat
- Nairobi Jamaat
- Mombasa Jamaat
- Kampala Jamaat
- Kinshasa Jamaat
- Moshi Jamaat
- Morogoro Jamaat
- Bukoba Jamaat
- Tanga Jamaat
- Mwanza Jamaat
- Lindi Jamaat
- Zanzibar Kuwwat Jamaat
- Zanzibar Hujjat Jamaat
We pray to Allah (SWT) and with His grace and blessings to grant all our community members tawfeeqat and inspiration to continue supporting such programs for the benefit of the less fortunate and needy members of our community who require our assistance.
Secretariat