Ref No.: PR/AF/034/22 Date: 12th April 2022
The Mainstay Foundation of the United Kingdom officials visited Kenya and Tanzania in March 2022. Africa Federation with Bilal Muslim Missions of Kenya and Tanzania hosted the officials and facilitated their visits to Mombasa, Kigoma, Arusha, Dar es Salaam and Pemba to witness the various projects and activities being undertaken by Bilal Muslim Missions, they included visits to Bilal Centres, Water Projects, Farms and Schools/Hawzas where students of both genders are provided with religious and secular education starting from Nursery to Secondary education.
The Mainstay Foundation collaboration with Africa Federation started several years ago, they provide assistance and support to Bilal Muslim Missions in Kenya and Tanzania whose Aims and Objectives are to provide assistance directly and through empowerment to the local communities in sectors such as religious education, secular education, economic development, clean water supply and sanitation projects, health, training etc.
A lunch meeting was organized at the Africa Federation Secretariat office in Dar es Salaam on 29th March 2022 where presentation was made to the Mainstay Foundation officials showing Bilal Muslim Mission establishments in several countries in Africa. In attendance were Sayyid Hassan al-Hakim, Sayyid Jawad Bahrul Uloum from Mainstay Foundation, and from Africa Federation was Alhaj Aunali Khalfan, the Vice Chairman, Alhaj Zainul Chandoo, Hon. Treasurer, Alhaj Hussein Karim, Chairman of Bilal Muslim Mission of Tanzania and Br. Hasnain Sherally, Chief Operations Officer of AFED.
The Vice Chairman, Alhaj Aunali Khalfan on behalf of the Chairman of Africa Federation, Alhaj Shabir Najafi, expressed profound appreciation and gratitude to the Mainstay Foundation firstly for the visit to see the various activities in the region physically and secondly for the support and cooperation being extended to Bilal Muslim Mission in Kenya and Tanzania. The Vice Chairman also thanked Mainstay Foundation for the good support they provide for the holy month of Ramadhan Relief for the families, both in Kenya and Tanzania. The relief assistance and support goes a long way in providing food baskets, Iftar and other essential items for the poor families in towns and villages where Bilal Muslim Mission Centres are operating, to ease hardships and provide some comfort to the families during the holy month of Ramadhan. The past two years the situation worsened due to the Covid-19 pandemic causing economic hardships and adversely impacting livelihood to many families.
A request was made to the Foundation to also look into extending similar assistance to other Bilal Centres in Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi and Malawi, this request will be presented to the Mainstay Foundation management by the visiting officials. A report from BMMT and BMMK will be prepared highlighting the various activities and projects being undertaken in these places for the information of our well-wishers.
We pray to Allah (SWT) to increase in the success of the activities of the Mainstay Foundation and to grant the officials good health, long life and inspiration to continue with their devoted and selfless services. May Allah (SWT) grant them all the tawfeeqat to continue serving for humanity at large, Aameen.
Secretariat