Ref: PR/AF/2020/003 Date: February 28, 2020
The Africa Federation delegation comprising the Chairman Alhaj Shabir Najafi, the Vice Chairman Alhaj Aunali Khalfan, Chairman of UAKSIR and Vice Chairman of AFED from Reunion Alhaj Amine Nassor, the Hon. Secretary, Alhaj Zuhair Jaffer, CROI Vice Chairman, Alhaj Feride Ismail and AFED Nominated Councillor Dr. Asgar Moledina visited Jamaat in Port Louis, Mauritius from 4th to 5th February 2020.
Mauritius Jamaat was founded on 17th June 1960 and has a total of 250 heads currently. It is led by the newly elected President, Alhaj Shabbir Hussein Rajani. It is a vibrant community that has its own Mosque built in 1963 with assistance of Africa Federation. There is also ladies Imambargha, Madrassah and Musafirkhana in the same complex. The KSI Jamaat Kabrastan is few kilometers away, all these are in prime locations.
When one steps on the main entrance of the Mosque, a plaque as it appears above stands out proudly depicting the first visit to Mauritius Jamaat by late Alhaj Ebrahim Hussein Sheriff Dewji (Faqhre Qaum), late President of Africa Federation on 24th Zilhaj 1382 (19th May 1963), and late Mohamedali Sheriff Jiwa who was the Vice President of Africa Federation.
Marhum Ebrahim bhai passed away suddenly on 11th January 1964 in Zanzibar in his prime age, he was an eminent leader with long vision and had a strong zeal to unite the Community in Africa and to strengthen ties with the Jamaats bringing the Indian Ocean Islands of Madagascar and Mauritius into the fold of Africa Federation, this happened during his tenure in 1963 when the Territorial Council was formed. His famous slogan was “Ek Bano, Nek Bano” – એક બાનો નેક બનો.
Meeting between AFED and Mauritius Jamaat officials:
During the visit, several meetings were held with the President, office bearers of the Jamaat and Madrassah teachers. The Chairman of Africa Federation, Alhaj Shabir Najafi and the Vice Chairman of CROI, Alhaj Feride Ismail also addressed the community members after the evening prayers in the Mosque on Wednesday, 5th February, preceding with a detailed introduction of the visitors by President of the Jamaat, Alhaj Shabbir Hussein Rajani. The Jamaat invited all members of the community for the evening function and dinner.
In his address, Shabir bhai Najafi stressed on the importance of working together and sharing of best practices across the region, he was impressed with the vision of the President and office bearers of Mauritius Jamaat pointing out that a lot of goodwill and determination was witnessed during the discussions and in the meetings. He also thanked the Jamaat for their hospitality and support provided to the students from other Jamaats who are studying in Mauritius Universities, and requested the Jamaat Education Board to liaise with the AFED Education Board and AFTAB in enhancing further the two important areas in the field of training, development etc. for better and secured future.
The Vice Chairman of Conseil Regional of Madagascar (CROI), Feride bhai Ismail spoke on the historical ties of the two Islands; Madagascar and Mauritius and emphasized that there are various areas of cooperation between the two Islands whereby the Community will benefit greatly.
He further said that there are great opportunities for our Community members to invest in Mauritius which has a strong economy base and the Government was encouraging foreign investments. Mauritius Jamaat is already having a number of families in Mauritius from Madagascar. The Jamaat is also facilitating patients and students who come to Mauritius for medical treatment and higher education studies.
President of Mauritius Jamaat appreciated the visit by AFED delegation, he stressed on the importance of enhancing communications and AFED’s support in areas such as Madrassah, Tabligh and sourcing of religious scholars for the month of Muharram, Safar and the holy month of Ramadhan.
The Jamaat has requested Capacity Building Group (CBG) to organize training in April 2020 for the Madrassah Teachers.
The Vice Chairman of Africa Federation expressed his strong desire for the Jamaat in collaboration with CROI to send participants in various events of the Africa Federation, for example Sports Festivals, Qur’an Competition, Youth Development Programs, Madrassah Retreats, Supreme Council Sessions and Triennial Conferences.
The Madrassah is operated by the Jamaat in the Mosque complex where there are several class rooms. There are currently about 50 students in the Madrassah and 25 teachers, some of them teach in French and some in English. The Madrassah has adopted the MCE program and receive good support from UAKSIR. The Madrassah is in need of Tablets for students and also requires training which AFED will organize as soon as possible. Dr. Asgar Moledina will assist in sourcing the Tablets for the Madrassah.
AFED Chairman underscored the need to work in collaboration with CROI of Madagascar in order to build stronger association for members of the community to benefit from the resources which are available in both, Madagascar and Mauritius. There are great potentials in Mauritius for the growth of our Jamaat, and our community should not be left behind whilst other communities are thriving.
The Secretariat is thankful to the KSI Jamaat President, Alhaj Shabbir Hussein Rajani and his team members for all the arrangements made for the delegation visit and the fruitful meetings and discussions held during the visit.
Our thanks also goes to the Vice Chairman of CROI, Alhaj Feride Ismail for his warm hospitality and wonderful reception during the two days stay in Mauritius. We also wish to thank the immediate past President of Mauritius Jamaat, Alhaj Mohsin Pirbhai for his warm hospitality.
Secretariat