The Late Dr. Assaria was born in Kampala, Uganda in 1935. Upon the completion of his secondary school education in Uganda, he proceeded to the United Kingdom in 1956 to pursue medical studies. After graduating as a Doctor of medicine in 1964, he returned to Mombasa, Kenya.
Marhum Dr. Assaria’s community services include being the Hon. Secretary of the Federation of K.S.I. of Africa during the Chairmanship of the late Murabbi Mohamedali Meghji.
He also served Mombasa Jamaat in various capacities and was the Chairman of its Education Board. He migrated to the United Kingdom in 1971.
While in the U.K. he continued to offer his services to the community, he was one of the founder members of the World Federation, as well as the Imam Sahebuz-Zamaan Trust in London of which he was a trustee. The trust used to undertake many Tabligh activities including specially prepared Video Audio cassettes on various religious subjects. These cassettes would then be distributed throughout the world and played an important role in the spread of our religion. AFED was the recipient of such cassettes which were regularly distributed to all the constituent Jamaats in Africa.
Later in his life, Marhum Dr. Assaria began reciting Gujarati and English majaalis which were full of wisdom and liked by many. On his visit to Mombasa he would translate verses from the Holy Qur’an, especially Sura-e-Yasin in his lectures after namaaz. Because of his proficiency in Gujarati, while in London, Dr. Assaria was invited by Paris Jamaat to recite majaalis in the month of Muharram 1397 A.H (1977).
He was a keen supporter of the Bilal Muslim Mission and extended his full assistance and cooperation in many ways for its development projects.
He passed away in London on 17th February, 1988 at the age of 53 years after a heart attack. His death is a great loss to the community. Dr. Assaria was a person of devotion and lived his life serving others. It is rather difficult, if not impossible to replace such dedicated and selfless workers serving the community.
We pray to Allah (SWT) to elevate his status in the proximity of Chahardah Ma’sumeen (a.s.) where he continuously receives mercy and grace of The Almighty, The Exalted. Ameen. Sura-Al-Fateha is requested for him and all the Marhumeen.
Source: Federation Samachar Volume 23 / No. 4, August 1988, Muharram 1409 A.H
Photographs Courtesy of: Sheikh Mujahid Sheriff of Portsmouth, U.K. and AFED Archives.
Article prepared by: Murtaza Jivraj (Kerbala)
SECRETARIAT
AFRICA FEDERATION ARCHIVES SECTION
26th February 2021 / 13th Rajab 1442 A.H