Ref:PR/AF/21/032 Date:December 30, 2021
The Federation of Khoja Shia Ithna-Asheri Jamaats of Africa was established in 1946 and this year marks its milestone achievement of 75 Years. In honor of this long journey of challenges, resilience, sacrifices, determination and achievements, the Africa Federation Secretariat initiated the below Logo designed to reflect this momentous historical landmark. This logo was adeptly designed by Sis Zainab Mohamed Abdulrasul of Dar-es-Salaam. She received a recognition certificate and a cash gift for her creative design of the Logo.
In the year 1945, some passionate intellectuals and leading personalities of the community in East Africa, met for the first time to discuss ways and means to foster broad unity in the community and how to inaugurate an association that would include all East African Jamaats. As a result of this, the first ever Constitutional Conference of the Khoja Shia Ithna Asheri Jamaats was held at Dar es Salaam in 1946 (Photograph below of the various personalities who attended the first Conference). The Conference was attended by Jamaats’ delegations from Kenya, Uganda, Tanganyika and Zanzibar and Murabbi Alhaj Abdulhussein Nurmohamed was elected as the first Chairman of the Federation.
What began as an Organization for Jamaats in East Africa has today grown many folds and currently the Federation has the membership of 26 Jamaats in mainland Africa and two Territorial Councils in the Indian Ocean Islands of Madagascar (CROI) and Reunion (UAKSIR) consisting of 18 Jamaats making a total of 46 Jamaats with about 21,000 members.
To mark this Platinum Jubilee Anniversary, the Secretariat organized a function in conjunction with the Inauguration of the AFED Business Park and the conclusion of the 83rd Supreme Council Session. The Program was held on Saturday 30th October 2021 at the AFED Business Park along Mwalimu Julius Nyerere Road in Dar es Salaam.
The Function was attended by various dignitaries and invitees including the two past AFED Chairmen, Alhaj Ramzan Nanji and Alhaj Anwarali Dharamsi, current AFED Team, Trustees, the World Federation President, various Jamaat Chairmen/Presidents, committee members, Nominated Councillors, Jamaat Councillors, Chairman & Members of AFED Boards, Invited guests and Community members. The Program was broadcasted live on the AFED Youtube Channel as well as the Khoja TV in Reunion.
AFED Vice Chairman, Alhaj Aunali Khalfan was the Master of Ceremony for this Program and provided a concise background of the Organization since its inception to date highlighting the challenges the Community has undergone whilst also seen the achievements in areas such as spiritual, economic and social over the past the 75 years.
Aunali bhai spoke of the times when our forefathers had to undergo numerous difficulties in making bold move of establishing the Khoja Shia Ithna-Asheri Community to which we are all proud of and indeed we need to salute them and celebrate their foresight and accomplishments. He also touched on the trials and tribulations of the exodus and evacuations ordeals that the Community faced where entire community establishments were displaced and scattered to different places globally.
He said that with our trust in Allah (SWT), love of the Holy Progeny together with the resilience and perseverance of Community, we were able to face the hard times together and moved forward.
Alhaj Ramzan Nanji (AFED Chairman 2003 – 2010) addressed the gathering and spoke of his association with the Federation since the past four decades in various capacities before being elected as the Vice Chairman in 2001 under the Chairmanship of Marhum Zulfikarali Khimji whose position he had to take over following his tragic death in July 2004.
He presented a brief of some of the achievements attained during his term which are:
• Formalization of citizenship for Somalia brethren in Tanzania and Kenya.
• Launch of the ZAKMEF to generate income specifically to cater for the Higher Education Loans Scheme for deserving children of the Community in Africa.
• Formation of the Central Bilal Board.
• Signing of the WF Brampton Accord.
He called upon the Organizing Committee of the 75th Anniversary to organize a program involving all past AFED office bearers and board chairs and members so that their efforts and hard work which has been the driving force of our Institution can be commended and celebrated.
Alhaj Anwarali Dharamsi (AFED Chairman 2010 – 2016) in his address to the gathering gave a brief outline on the establishment of our Organization – Africa Federation in 1946 following the first Conference held in Dar-es-Salaam. He commended the foresight that the pioneers possessed, fruits of which we are reaping today by having a united and virtuous Community that has faced a number of trials over the past 75 years but has always come out successful and stronger.
He said that during the establishment of the Federation its membership was limited to Jamaats in Kenya, Tanganyika, Uganda and Zanzibar, seeing the centralization and the success the Federation was having, other Jamaats in Africa sought membership of AFED which currently has 46 members from different countries within Africa Mainland and the Indian Ocean Islands of Madagascar, Mauritius and Reunion.
He said Africa Federation has played a major role in the settlement of our brothers in various parts of the world and in establishment of centres which have been largely sponsored by members from Africa. He said it is our duty to carry forward the legacy that our forefathers left us and maintain our harmony and unity as these are the weapons for our development and progress in all spheres.
Anwarali bhai pointed out that the Federation went through different phases and situations and kept abreast with the times and conditions that were prevailing. During his tenure from 2010-2016, it was thought prudent to invest in income-generating commercial projects, thereby making Africa Federation self-sustaining, the fruits of which he said will be seen in the future.
Alhaj Shabir Najafi (AFED Chairman 2016 – 2022) spoke on the solace that the Federation provides to Community members, he shared his experience on the Kampala Exodus in 1972 due to which he had to forcefully migrate. He said that members feel comfortable knowing that there is a mother body that will always be there during difficult times.
He said the Federation’s objective is to assist deserving members to be able to sustain their social, economic and educational requirements. He said projects like the AFED Business Park which is a commercial income-generating are constructed to assist the Organization to generate funds in order to keep up with its objectives.
He spoke on how the AFED Education Loan Scheme has played a pivotal role of educating over 500 students many of whom are now settled overseas and contributing towards the success of our Jamaats in the West and North America.
Two short videos were presented during the function which can be viewed on the links below:
Celebrating 75 years of AFED’s establishment
AFED Office Bearers – 1946 – 2021
Launch of the AFED Investment Fund
Alhaj Dr. Mohamed Jaffer, Chairman of Mombasa Jamaat in the spirit of the occasion of the celebration of this milestone, he launched the AFED Investment Fund. This Scheme will consist of 25,000 units worth US$1000 each. He suggested that the funds be invested and the yields be divided equally between the Investors and AFED. Great interest was shown by those present and there were immediate pledges of US$. 261,000 for 261 units. Africa Federation Chairman appreciated the initiatives and efforts by Mohamed bhai Jaffer and expressed his thanks to all the Community donors for their contribution towards this Scheme.
The function was concluded with Qasidah recited by Amine Bhai Nassor with jubilation and cake cutting amid continuous Salawat on the Holy Prophet (SAWW) and his pure progeny.
We pray to Allah (SWT) to grant Maghferat to the pioneers of Africa Federation, the past leaders and volunteers of Africa Federation and of all the constituent Jamaats of Africa Federation who are no longer with us, please let us remember them and all the Marhumeen with Sura-e-Fateha.
We also pray to the Almighty to grant us tawfiqaat to strive together for the progress of our Community, Aameen.
Secretariat