Eid-ul Fitr – 1443 / 2022
Message from the Chairman of the Federation of Khoja Shia Ithna-Asheri Jamaats of Africa, Alhaj Shabir H. Najafi
In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
“O Servants of Allah! Verily the minimum reward for those men and women who fasted (during Ramadhan), is an Angel, who calls out to them on the last day of the month of Ramadhan (saying):
O Servants of Allah! Rejoice the Glad Tiding that all your previous sins have been forgiven. Therefore, watch out in those things which serve as your re-creation (on this day and days to follow)”
(Extract from the Sermon of Imam Ali ibn Abi Talib (AS) on the Day of Eid)
My Dear Community Members,
As-Salaamu Alaikum wa Rahmatullah
All Glory, Praise and Thanks are due to Allah, the Glorified and the Exalted; and peace and blessing be upon our beloved Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W.W.) and His pure progeny (‘A).
May Allah (S.W.T) give you all strength to be always in the state of willing to submit to His servitude and command at all times!
We are thankful to the Almighty for granting us the grace to complete the fasting of the Holy Month of Ramadhan and witness yet another Eid-ul Fitr.
On this blessed occasion of Eid, I on behalf of the Africa Federation Office Bearers, Trustees and Councilors, and on my own behalf, extend heartiest felicitations to all members of the Community and wish them all joy, peace, good health and prosperity with strength in Imaan.
Alhamdulillah, with the ease of the Covid-19 pandemic the Community experienced this year a Holy Month of Ramadhan with greater tranquility in comparison to the past two years’ and Insha’allah, many families and friends will be able to celebrate Eid in tranquil together.
As we observe this day with happiness and joy let us remember the plight of millions of less fortunate people, who include those impacted by poverty, hunger, conflict, disease, injustices and victims of human rights abuses wherever they are in this world.
I am glad to inform the Community that at Africa Federation level we have been successful in undertaking commercial projects which will go a long way into making our Organization a self-sufficient one in the coming years insha’Allah. We have also been able to provide housing to a number of Community members at a reasonable cost under affordable schemes, like Rent-to-Own and House-to-Own.
First time in the history of Africa Federation as we celebrate the 75th year of the establishment of the Federation, we have now our own office premises and a modern Training Centre in AFED Tower located in the heart of Dar es Salaam city which was recently inaugurated.
In the sector of Education, we have continued to provide loans and support to students to pursue their higher education both for their bachelors and masters degrees, and this in turn helps to create more professionals within the Community and thereby creating degrees of affluence in the families for their long-term sustainability and economic growth.
In order to uplift and economically strengthen our members I urge Jamaats to focus on providing two things, Education and Housing, where resources are limited to prioritize education as with this housing and other essential can be financed by qualified professional’s income.
It is a matter of great satisfaction, that we were able to distribute the Ramadhan Relief well in advance to our Jamaats and the Bilal Institutions to enable the same reach the deserving families in time. We also distributed Zakat-e-Fitrah like we do every year. We wish to thank all our donors and well-wishers for their support in our efforts, though the needs are much greater than what we can provide.
Like for any religious institutions, ours too need certainty of regular funds for advancing the constitutional Aims and Objects of our religious institutions and fulfilling their responsibilities.
I once again humbly appeal to our Community members to give Charity (Zakaat) and pay Hukuk (Khums) through the central system of the Africa Federation; I would like, especially on this day of Eid, to lay emphases on the need for each and every one of us to create the spirit of giving Charity (Zakaat) regularly on monthly basis and in that spirit that no amount is small.
As a progressive Community, we must constantly strive to maintain our unity within ourselves and stand together during difficult times. The crisis in the world has brought unprecedented challenges we face currently, needing even more resources and cooperation to overcome them. As a small Community world-wide; though, we can play important role in promoting peace, harmony and good understanding with the communities and individuals of different faiths and religious background in the cities and towns we live in.
My appeal to every Jamaat leadership and members of the Community in Africa is to ensure that we promote and maintain good relationships with all communities locally and build long-term sustainable bridges of interfaith harmony and working relationships.
Alhamdulillah I am completing my second tenure as the Chairman of Africa Federation this year and this will be my last Eid message to the Community, I wish to take this opportunity to convey my appreciation to each and every Community member in Africa and around the globe for their support extended to me and to my team during our term of office. It has been spiritually gratifying serving our Community and I pray to the Almighty to accept our efforts and may He continue to bless and guide us.
I also wish to take this opportunity to sincerely thank the Chairmen and Members of AFED Boards for devoting their valuable time in pursuing and delivering the Aims and Objectives of Africa Federation in various sectors of our activities. The role of Bilal Muslim Missions in our region is crucial in the development of external Tabligh, and promoting the Madh’ab of Ahlulbayt (‘a) to the indigenous population, I thank them all for the wonderful work they do.
On this blessed day let us all join hands and pray to Allah (S.W.T.) for the safety, security, peace and tranquility of our brothers and sisters in all parts of the world and for the safety and sanctity of the Holy Shrines of the Holy Prophet (S.A.W.W.), his pure progeny and the faithful companions of Ahlulbayt (‘A).
Let us also pray for the safety, good health and long life of our Marjah-e-Taqleed, Ayatullah Al Seyed Ali Al Husseini Al Seestani and Ulema-e-Deen.
In concluding the message, I request you to remember our past leaders, volunteers and all the Marhumeen with Sura-e-Fateha including those who were with us last Eid, and are not with us today.
Shabir Najafi
Chairman
The Federation of KSI Jamaats of Africa
30th Mahe Ramadhan 1443 A.H. (2nd May 2022)