Our Ref: PR/AF/2022/001 Date: 2nd August 2022
“Those who (in charity) spend of their goods by night and by day, in secret and in public, have their reward with their Lord: on them shall be no fear, nor shall they grieve.” – Surah Baqarah, Ayah 274
During the momentous inauguration ceremony of the AFED Tower Building held on 17th March 2022, Alhaj Anverali Rajpar announced donation of a villa, graciously bequeathed by his wife Mrs. Munawer Sultana Rajpar to Africa Federation. In 2021, the family of Alhaj Murtaza Somji donated a building in Tanga to Africa Federation, the income from this property shall be used for various humanitarian and social activities by Africa Federation.
The contributions from these families underlines the important factor, which is to provide the institution with perpetual income to support in the development and other services to our community. Both the families have served this community in several spheres for the past many decades, be it in East Africa or beyond the borders of Africa.
On 16th May 2022, the Chairman of Shia Asna Asheri Jamaat (SAAJ) of Nairobi Alhaj Zaheerabbas Khimji hosted the delegation from Africa Federation who were present to officially receive the donation from Alhaj Anverali Rajpar and his wife as well as to recognize Alhaj Murtaza Somji and his family for the donation of a property in Tanga to Africa Federation. The delegation included AFED Chairman, Alhaj Shabir Najafi, Hon. Secretary Alhaj Zuhair Jaffer and Housing Board Chairman Alhaj Akil Hirji.
In handing over the property documents, Alhaj Murtaza Somji stated that this donation is in the memory of his late parents Alhaj Asgherbhai and Sughrabai Somji, to be used for the benefit of our community at large. Murtaza bhai commended the great work being carried out by the Federation in Education, Tabligh, Economic and Social Welfare as well as Humanitarian efforts, he appreciated the commitment of Alhaj Shabir Najafi and Alhaj Akil Hirji.
The Chairman of Africa Federation welcomed the donation and expressed his appreciation to the Somji family for their support and donation, emphasizing the importance of entrusting institutions such as the Federation who can create better impact to a larger number of community members and safeguard the bequests given.
Murtaza Bhai has served SAAJ in the leadership positions and also in several sectors of the Jamaat, including Education sector of the Jamaat by promoting newer technology and methods of teaching enticing students to excel in education and setting new landmarks in our schools in Nairobi, Kenya.
In his address, Alhaj Anverali Rajpar delivered the message from his wife, Mrs. Munawer Sultana Rajpar who donated the property in Nairobi, Kenya. Mrs Rajpar in her letter mentioned that she is donating this property to Africa Federation for all worthy causes in memory of her late parents, brother, sister and the marhumeen of her family. Alhaj Anverali Rajpar then mentioned Mrs Rajpar’s persistence and determination during her career to be one of the first women to get a housing loan from the bank she was employed with, and was successful. Alhaj Anverali Rajpar also handed over gold jewelry from the family of Bashir Shaikh to the Federation for helping the needy families in the community. The property documents were handed over to Alhaj Shabir Najafi and the jewellery was handed over to Mrs. Aliyah Zaheerabbas Khimji by Mrs. Rajpar which was then handed over to Africa Federation.
In closing, Alhaj Shabir Najafi, appreciated the donations/bequests which were made to the Federation and assured the donors for fulfilment of their wishes. He added, these two families have contributed wholeheartedly to the community and it is a noble lesson of philanthropy to emulate. He also mentioned Alhaj Anverali Rajpar’s contribution to the Pakistan Khoja Shia Ithna-Asheri community of facilitating 2300 housing units and his services to Mehfil Murtaza in Karachi for many years.
We pray to Allah (SWT) to increase in the tawfiqat and blessings to these families and may He grant mercy to the marhumeens of these families for their maghferat, Ameen.
We also pray that Allah (SWT) gives everyone in the community an inspiration and opportunity to donate and bequeath to our institution to help the community to prosper and develop with better infrastructure.
Secretariat