The Chairman of Housing Development Board Alhaj Akil Hirji visited Lindi and Mtwara Jamaats accompanied by the Board’s Project Coordinator Br. Mohamed Moledina from 16th to 17th September 2022 respectively. The visits to the two Jamaats coincided with the commemoration of the Arbaeen of Imam Hussain (‘A) and his companions.
The visit was made following the invitations from these Jamaats with a request to look into the current conditions of the Jamaat’s fixed properties and to recommend an action plan to keep these valuable assets in good conditions.
On 16th September 2012, a meeting was held with Alhaj Mahmood Dhalla the Lindi Jamaat Secretary followed by a visit to all the properties owned by the Jamaat.
The immediate recommendation of the AFed Housing Development Board is that a fence wall be erected to secure the properties around the Imambargah and Masjid.
Alhamdulillah, the Board Chairman had a fruitful meeting with the Lindi Jamaat Secretary and a way forward was charted out in view of the current situation of the Jamaat’s properties. The Housing Development Chairman joined fellow members in the Chehlum night majlis program and thanked the Jamaat for their hospitality. A full report has been submitted to the AFed office bearers and the Jamaat.
The next step is to invite all the past Lindi Jamaat members to discuss and chart an action plan for maintaining the center and assets in good working condition.
On Saturday 17th September, the Day of Çhehlum, the team visited the Mtama Bilal Center that was previously the Khoja Shia Ithna-Asheri centre, and then visited the Kabrastan. The physical condition of the center is not good and for Kabrastan, a fence wall is required to protect the property.
It was also a rare opportunity for Akil bhai and Mohamed bhai to join the Mtwara Jamaat members at the Mikindani center for the Chehlum day programme.
A meeting was held with the Chairman of Mtwara Jamaat Alhaj Aziz bhai and his committee member Alhaj Fazleabbas Rashid. Akil bhai acknowledged the efforts of the Jamaat for maintaining the properties in satisfactory condition, which he appreciated was a challenge for Jamaats with smaller population, however efforts by the Jamaats were acknowledged. He also thanked the Jamaat for their warm hospitality.
Following a request was made by the Jamaat officials during the meeting, a team has been sent and assigned to carry out the renovations of the Madressah classrooms and the office along with a facelift of the Masjid and Imambargah which will inshallah be completed by end of this month.
This visit to Lindi and Mtwara Jamaats was quite fruitful as the Board was able to witness the situation of these Jamaats, inspect their properties and find out the challenges they face due to dwindling membership and having limited resources.
The Board in following AFED Office Bearer’s goals for the term 2022 – 2025 intends to visit the upcountry Jamaats in Tanzania to assess the conditions of the Jamaat’s properties and to assist where necessary in protecting the properties of the Jamaats.
Hon. Secretary
Housing Development Board
9th November 2022