The Africa Federation Archives Section had the pleasure of meeting Alhaj Mohamedraza Dungersi from New York on Tuesday 7th June 2022. Dr. Dungersi was received by AFED Vice Chairman, Alhaj Aunali Khalfan to the new AFED office at AFED Towers, later he was given a tour of the new office premises.
Brief Profile:
Mohamedraza bhai was born in Zanzibar on January 16, 1946. After completing his secondary education, he moved to Dar es Salaam for his undergraduate studies at the University of East Africa in 1965. Mohamedraza bhai has a B.A. Hon. Degree in Education and Geography and certification of A.C.I.S. (Associate of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators) from Chartered Institute of Secretaries and Administrators – U.K. In 1982, he got an opportunity to pursue an MBM Degree in Boston and later PH. D in Management. Other than secular certifications, Mohamedraza bhai also holds a Master’s degree in Islamic studies from Islamic Research Institution, USA.
Back in Dar es Salaam, he was a teacher in Husseini Madrassa Boys Section. He was also the Secretary of Tabligh Sub Committee from 1980-82 and served as the General Secretary of Ithna-Asheri Union in 1981 and Vice Chairman in 1982. Furthermore, he was Chairman of the Khoja Ithna-Asheri Territorial Council in 1982 and in 1986 he was appointed as the Chairman of the Board of Governors of the Al Muntazir Seminary. Dr. Mohamedraza Dungersi was one of the founder member and Chairman of the Committee who were tasked to create our community schools when the idea of Al Muntazir Islamic Seminary was broached. This was during the tenure of Late Gulamabbas Janmohamed who was then the President of Dar es Salaam Jamaat in 1984. Al Muntazir Islamic Seminary started with the vision for better quality and affordable education for our children, it was launched during the tenure of Aliraza Rajani who took over the helm from late Gulamabbas Janmohamed in 1985. The other founder members were; late Dr. Muhsin Alidina, Mohsin Nathani and Mohamedraza Gulamhussein. The first Board of Governors of the Seminary included Bwana Ali Sheriff, Professor Abdul Sheriff, Ahmed Rattansi and Alihussein Janmohamed.
Other members who provided huge support to the Board were; Hassan G. Hirji, Asgher Kassam Manji, Saleh G. Jacksi and Late Murtaza A. Lakha who was the main advisor to the Committee. He also served as the General Secretary of the Bilal Muslim Mission Tanzania from 1986 to 1988 and got the opportunity to work under illustrious personalities like Marhum Hujatul Islam Syed Saeed Akhtar Rizvi and Marhum Fidahussein Hameer. He is also the writer of HISTORY OF FOURTEEN INFALLIBLES which was sponsored by Africa Federation. He permanently moved to New York in 1988 where he continued to render his services to the community in different capacities in Shia Ithna-Asheri Jamaat of New York (SIJNY) and other institutions in USA.
Dr. Dungersi spoke on his life as a student in Tanganyika before the union and how he struggled to study and thereafter securing the government scholarship after having attained first position in the University of Dar es Salaam. Furthermore, he shared his experience in writing books and the several challenges faced. He has been the resident Aalim of New York for the past 30 years during which he has been very instrumental to the community with his guidance.
He also spoke about the different people he worked with, and how at their time they enjoyed their youth age encouraging involvement of youths with experienced people and elders. He pointed out on the social media which is a big distraction and poses a barrier to such instances in the current times. He shared several stories giving insight on his life and how fruitful his journey till today has been. He was also very deeply concerned about how school students were affected due to bullying which led to life-threatening situations and his advice was to ensure proper counselling by professional counsellors and educators to support the students. He stressed on support and empower youth in our Jamaats, to make good use of our resources and make a difference in the community.
Africa Federation is thankful to Dr. Mohamedraza Dungersi for the time, wisdom, and insights that he shared with the Archives team.
We pray to the Almighty Allah (s.w.t) for his long life, prosperity and good health with continuous tawfiq to serve the community, Ameen.
SECRETARIAT
ARCHIVES SECTION OF THE AFRICA FEDERATION
9th July 2022 (9th Zilhajj 1443 AH)