Ref: AF/PR/2023/008 Date: 7th March 2023
14th Shab’an 1444 AH
During the recent visit to Africa Federation Secretariat by Alhaj Mukhtar Karim, Chief Executive of Lady Fatemah Trust of United Kingdom, he was received by the Vice Chairman, Alhaj Aunali Khalfan and the Education Board Administrative Secretary, Sister Sajida Master at AFED Tower office in Dar es Salaam. Also present was the Chairman of Bilal Muslim Mission of Tanzania, Alhaj Hussein Karim.
Lady Fatemah Trust is a U.K. based, non-profit, non-governmental and faith-based humanitarian organization. Starting with mothers, they empower whole communities in the world’s poorest places to transform their life chances. They work in local partnership to improve physical and mental health, support access fair education and create sustainable incomes.
In Tanzania, Lady Fatemah Trust are associated with several organizations, including Bilal Muslim Mission helping in areas such as health and education.
The Africa Federation Chairman’s vision is to give impetus to the education sector in our community, similarly, the Africa Federation Education Board is to give priority to the educational needs by catering for Higher Education. Each year, a number of students complete their ‘A’ Levels at various schools, and they aim for higher education. The Education Board of Africa Federation assists these students in making the right career choices at their early stages of secondary education, these students then apply for loans to pursue for studies in colleges and universities locally and abroad.
In the past 5 years, the Board has processed and approved a total of 218 applications towards Higher Education from various constituent Jamaats of Africa Federation. At present the Board are managing a total of 448 students who are pursuing their studies under various loan schemes. It is heartening to note that a large number of students who have completed studies have secured decent jobs and some have become professionals i.e. doctors, engineers, corporate consultants, accountants etc. and some have opted to be entrepreneurs in different fields.
Needless to state, the need for financial support in the field of education is increasing each year; Education Board is constantly looking for avenues for the support and collaboration.
In a meeting between Aunali bhai and Mukhtar bhai, various schemes and avenues of funding and support in education was discussed, in particular the Higher Education for our students from constituent Jamaats under Africa Federation.
We are extremely thankful to Mukhtar Bhai for the pledge on behalf of Lady Fatemah Trust of U.K. to provide AFED with US$200,000 at US$50,000 each year for four years towards the support of the Loan Scheme for Higher Education. The same normal procedures for the loan application as currently in place will be followed.
Indeed, a very timely donation which will lessen some of the challenges we face due to cash flow in providing loans to our students on their journey for higher education.
On behalf of the Chairman Alhaj Amine Nassor, Office Bearers and Trustees of Africa Federation, the Vice Chairman of the Africa Federation Alhaj Aunali Khalfan expressed appreciation to Alhaj Mukhtar bhai of Lady Fatemah Trust for the visit and for taking keen interest in the development of education sector.
We send our salutations to the Holy Prophet Muhammad (SAWW), her daughter the Lady of Light, Janabe Sayedah Fatemah Az-Zahra (SA) and Holy Household of the Holy Prophet (SAWW) on the auspicious occasion of the birth anniversary of the Imam of our Time, Al Hujjah Al Mahdi (ATFS).
We pray to Allah (SWT) with the blessings of the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him and his Progeny) to reward abundantly Mukhtar Bhai and his team members for his noble work through Lady Fatemah Trust and grant him more tawfeeqat to continue in his mission to serve the less fortunate and humanity at large, Aameen.
SECRETARIAT