Ref:
AF/PR/70/19
29th March 2019
The Africa Federation
(AFED) Chairman, Alhaj Shabir Najafi and the Vice Chairman, Alhaj Aunali
Khalfan paid an official visit to Tanga Jamaat on Sunday 24th March
2019.
Tanga Jamaat at one stage had a population of over 600 heads; gradually
membership shrunk due to downturn of the economy, lack of good standard of
education and reliable healthcare services. Membership has dropped to about 150
heads currently.
Some businesses are still flourishing whilst there is also encouraging news
that the economy will turn-around as the Uganda oil pipeline project which is
expected to complete in 2020 will end in Tanga, the distance is approximately
1,410 kilometers with the capacity of 216,000 barrels of crude oil flow per
day, Uganda will pay Tanzania for every barrel flowing through the 24 inches
pipeline.
Presently, house rents are low compared to other cities like Dar es Salaam,
Mwanza, Arusha and other thriving cities in Tanzania.
On Sunday, after Zohrain prayers, Tanga Jamaat organized a meeting inviting all
community members to the meeting followed with lunch. After recitation of the
verses from the Holy Qur’an, the Tanga Jamaat President, Gulamali bhai Khakoo
welcomed the Afed officials and thanked them for their visit and holding a
meeting with members of the Jamaat.
AFED Chairman, Alhaj Shabir Najafi thanked members for their attendance at a
short notice. He provided a brief overview of the various activities of Africa
Federation, including the developments taking place presently in some of the
Jamaats, for example the housing projects in Dar-es-Salaam, Nairobi, Madagascar
and those completed in Mombasa. He also pointed out on the financial challenges
Afed is facing due to the current economic climate, reduced rental income and
also hukuk inflow which has dropped in the last 3 to 4 years.
Shabir bhai explained Afed’s long term plan to become self-sufficient through
income generating commercial projects, the Umoja Commercial Complex on Mwalimu
Julius Nyerere Road, prime location in Dar-es-Salaam is one good example of
Afed’s strategy. Phase one with 20 modern Warehouses financed partly with a
bank loan was completed few years ago, and Phase two which consists of Show
Rooms and Offices has now started.
The Vice Chairman,
Alhaj Aunali Khalfan spoke on the current challenges the community is facing in
the light of the economic downturn, dwindling membership of the Jamaat and lack
of enthusiasm among youth of our community towards volunteerism and other
social/religious services. He pointed out that no Jamaat is small, invariably
all have important roles to play in the community and one must not shy away from
his/her responsibilities.
He stressed the importance of Madressah, and urged the Jamaat to seriously look
into upgrading the Madressah facilities and upgrading teacher’s skills by
providing the training and also modern teaching equipment etc. He asked the
Jamaat to liaise with AFTAB to ensure that Madressah teachers receive proper
training in modern teaching techniques etc. He asked the parents to ensure that
their children attend the Madressah and also study the Holy Qur’an with its
meaning so that there is good understanding of the Holy Book.
He also spoke on the importance of the Jamaat’s full participation in the
upcoming Solidarity Day
– 2019 events and fund raising amongst all members of the Jamaat, the funds
collected will enable Afed to support poor and needy for school fees, medical,
essential household expenses etc. throughout the year. He said, families can
contribute the Zakat, Sadaqa and Donations.
Good interactive session ensued after the AFED Chairman and Vice Chairman had
spoken. Several questions were asked and some clarifications were sought. There
was a particular interest among some members in regards to the Rent-to-Own
housing scheme which has been introduced by Afed at Al Asghary Residency in
Dar-es-Salaam city centre, and similarly with the Amira Apartments in Upanga
area in Dar-es-Salaam.
In the closing, Shabir bhai underscored the importance of education and
especially higher education. He explained on the Higher Education Loan program
and stressed that these are loans and not grants, hence students once they
complete their studies after a grace period of one year should start repaying
the loan so that other students who need loans are not deprived due to lack of
funds.
AFED Chairman extended invitation to the members to attend the AFED Triennial
Conference which will be held in Mombasa, Kenya from 12th to 14th
April 2019, those who are interested to attend should inform the Tanga Jamaat
Hon. Secretary for an invitation letter from Afed.
During the meeting with the Jamaat President, he appealed to the AFED
Chairman for assistance in income generating project for Tanga Jamaat and
redevelopment of Haji Nanji Hall which requires immediate attention due to its
bad condition. AFED Housing Board Chairman will visit Tanga to assess the
projects and to carry out the feasibility of the projects. The Chairman assured
Gulamali bhai that AFED will look into how best to redevelop the Haji Nanji
Building and wanted to know about the Trust Deed details etc.
VISIT TO BILAL MUSLIM
MISSION – TANGA BRANCH
A visit was also made to Bilal Muslim Mission – Tanga Branch head office and a
meeting was held with the Branch Chairman, Alhaj Hasnain Hassanali and Shk.
Amiri Kipingu, Mudir of Bilal Tanga Branch. A brief report was provided the
centres, including the Pangani Mosque which is now being utilized by Bilal
Tanga for Hawza classes. In the last 25 years, Bilal Tanga branch has made huge
strides in the field of Tabligh, Hawza, Madressah, Centres, Muballigheen
Training. Various interfaith functions are held throughout the year, especially
during in the months of Muharram, Safar, Rabi-ul-Awwal and the holy month of Ramadhan.
A site visit to see the ongoing construction of Bilal Tanga building on Street
No. 4 was made in the company of Tanga Jamaat President, Gulamali bhai Khakoo,
MC Member, Sajjad bhai Khakoo and Chairman of Tanga Bilal Branch, Hasnain bhai
Hassanali. A seven storey building will house the Girls Hawza. The
project is undertaken by the AFED Housing Development Board, regular visits are
made to check on the progress and quality. The quality of workmanship is up to
the required standard, and good progress has been made so far.
AFED Secretariat wishes to express its sincere appreciation to Tanga Jamaat
President, Gulamali bhai and the M.C. Member, Alhaj Sajjad bhai Khakoo for the
warm welcome and hospitality accorded to the AFED officials. We are also
grateful to the elders and members of our community for fruitful discussions on
various issues.
We pray to Allah (SWT) by His infinite grace and mercy to grant the past and
present Jamaat leaders, Elders, Volunteers and all the Community members with
good health, long life and success in their endeavors. – Ameen.
Secretariat
