A brief Profile of Marhum Hussein Hasham Dewji of Singida.
Husseinbhai was born in Dodoma, Tanzania on 18th December 1917. His late father Haji Hasham Dewji was a proficient businessman. Husseinbhai took over his father’s business at the tender age of 16 and operated it wholeheartedly – as “Hasham Dewji & Sons”.
Marhum Husseinbhai was a humble and social worker, he served Singida Jamaat with great zeal and dedication. He was also the President of Singida Jamaat for many years. Those who had a chance of meeting him would surely know how he cared for the Jamaat and would be everready to assist to solve every problem. Anyone visiting Singida for business or any other purpose would always be warmly welcomed and served by him.
The Late Husseinbhai was courteous and philanthropic by nature and an outstanding figure in the general public. He served as a trustee of Muslim School and Manager as well as Trustee of Indian Public School up to the time of his death. Moreover, he served as the Chairman of Indian Association up to his last breath.
Marhum was suffering from Angina – a symptom of coronary artery disease for some time. Sadly, on 26th April 1964 whilst performing his dawn prayers in the second unit’s ruku position, he collapsed and left this world to meet his Lord. This was the day when Union Day was being celebrated in Tanzania when all businesses were closed and all the communities were participating in religious functions. The Area Commissioner of Singida at that time whilst delivering a speech in public, mentioned the death of Husseinbhai and conveyed heartfelt condolences to the family and the Community. He even announced to the public that although the day was a happy occasion for the country, they were saddened with the news of the passing away of a person like Husseinbhai. A big loss to the community, family and many people of a humble and devoted personality.
His funeral was attended by a large number of people from different communities, and also “Fateha Khwani” was conducted for his “Isaale Thawab” which was well attended.
May Allah (SWT) by His infinite grace and mercy grant Marhum Hasham and Marhum Hussein Hasham Dewji a lofty status in the mercy of the 14 Infallibles, Ameen. Let us remember them and all the Marhumeen with Sura-al-Fateha.
Source: Federation Samachar – July 1966 Volume 6 No 3
Alhaj Zulfikar Hussein Dewji – His Courageous Journey from Singida:
Zulfikarbhai was born in Singida on 26th July 1951. He acquired his primary education at Aga Khan Primary School from 1957 to 1964. He was 13 years when his father died in 1964 at the age of 46 leaving behind 4 brothers and 4 sisters. The eldest brother was only 19 years. His mother and brother became the bread earners of the family.
In 1965 he was selected by the government to go to Iyunga Secondary School in Mbeya where he completed his O’ Levels in 1969. At Iyunga Secondary he was in the school team playing Soccer, Volleyball and Rugby.
He then went to Pune, India and joined Wadia College to pursue a profession in Architect Engineering. He returned in 1973 and joined his elder brother in the family business in Singida.
In 1977 he shifted to Dar es Salaam and embarked in transport business. He got married to Farhana Muhamed Taki Dhala of Bukoba and they have 3 children – Sayyeda, Ábbas and Sajjeda.
Like his Marhum father, Zulfikar bhai also was a keen social worker, he was the Vice President of Dar es Salaam Jamaat from 1994 to 2000. He was also Africa Federation councilor from Dar es Salaam Jamaat for several years. He was instrumental in the formation of Central Bilal Board of Africa Federation.
In 2004 he was appointed as Chairman of Central Bilal Board of Africa Federation and in 2007 he was elected as Vice Chairman of Africa Federation under the chairmanship of Ramzanbhai Nanji. He was a nominated councilor of Africa Federation from 2010 to 2016 during the tenure of Alhaj Anwarali Dharamsi.
During the tenure of Alhaj Asgharbhai Bharwani, who was the President of KSI Jamaat of Dar es Salaam from the year 1994 to 2000, Zulfikarbhai was then the Vice President of the Jamaat, both played major roles in a number of projects of Dar es Salaam Jamaat, they are:
- Development and expansion of Boys Primary School – (Opposite Aga Khan Hospital)
- Purchase of Korean Embassy Complex on United Nations Road.
- Purchase of Korean Complex on Morogoro Road.
- Construction of Girls’ Primary and Secondary Schools at Ex-Korean Complex, on United Nations Road.
- Purchase of property on Charambee Road adjacent to Al-Muntazir School to expand school facilities and create a parking area.
- Purchase of property of the U.S Embassy, next door to Al-Muntazir School for expansion of facilities. The building was later converted for use as CBE office.
- Reclaiming of some of the land near Boarding House to expand the playing field for sports activities.
- Shifting of Union Nursery School from Boarding House Complex to Ashrafbai Memorial Building donated by Alhaj Mustafabhai Kassamali Nasser.
- Purchase of property with a large land area next to the Union Nursery School from one of the Missions.
- Construction of new Union Nursery School on the above two properties with all the facilities.
- Assisted in construction of Bilal Mosque on Udoe street which was donated by Asgharbhai and Mrs. Gulbanubai Asghar Bharwani to Africa Federation for use by Bilal Muslim Mission of Tanzania.
- Construction of Tabligh Building on Daya Walji Madressah property. The 5 storeys to be for Madressah and Tabligh purposes, ground floor for commercial letting.
- Extension of the Dar es Salaam KSIJ mosque with construction of the upper floor.
Source of information: Alhaj Zulfikar Dewji
Article prepared by: Marhum Murtaza Jivraj (Kerbala)
We pray to Almighty Allah (S.W.T) to grant good health and long life to Zulfikarbhai to continue serving the community and humanity at large, Ameen.
This article was compiled by Murtaza Bhai Jivraj (Kerbala) for publication before he passed away in Dar es Salaam in April 2021. Let us remember Marhum Murtaza bhai Jivraj, Marhum Asgharbhai Bharwani and all the Marhumeen with Sura-e-Fateha.
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ARCHIVES SECTION OF THE AFRICA FEDERATION
7th May 2021 / 24th Ramadhan 1442 A.H