Ref: AF/PR/2023/013 Date: 5th September 2023
The Africa Federation Chairman, Alhaj Amine Nassor accompanied by the AFED Vice Chairman, Alhaj Aunali Khalfan, AFED Hon. Secretary Alhaj Zuhair Jaffer and AFED Economic Development Board Chairman, Alhaj Murtaza Somji travelled to Kampala for an official visit to Kampala Jamaat from 6th to 8th March 2023.
This was the first visit to Kampala Jamaat by AFED Chairman following his election and investiture to the office in July 2022.
During the visit the AFED delegation held a consultative meeting with the Kampala Jamaat Managing Committee and Trustees of the Jamaat at which several issues pertaining to the Federation, Jamaat, Properties and Economic Development were discussed. A meeting was also held with Bilal Uganda officials at their head office after a visit to the sites.
Alhamdullilah, the population of our community members in Kampala is about 600 heads presently, this includes women and children. Also, more families and the number of job seekers from India and Pakistan who are keen to develop their future are growing. Prior to 1972, the population of our community in Uganda was about 4000 heads, once a thriving and affluent KSI community in East Africa whose support to Africa Federation was enormous, both in leadership as well as financial contributions. We are pleased to record that a number of families have returned to Uganda starting from 1990, and the Jamaat membership is steadily growing with the arrival of families from Indian Sub-Continent and other countries.
There are good business opportunities in Uganda for our community members who are willing to invest and take part in the economic growth of the country, whilst the population of Uganda is 48.5 million growing at about 3.1% annually. The GDP per capita at current prices (US$) is 1,042. Following are statistics from the Uganda Bureau of Statistics, interest members can visit the website:
Uganda profile – Uganda Bureau of Statistics (ubos.org)
The delegation also made a visit to see the Jamaat’s properties. They also saw “The Mall” on Wilson Road which belongs to the Jamaat and The Arcade which the AFED and Kampala Jamaat jointly invested in this property since 2004 for the purpose of income generating to support the activities of the two Institutions.
A meeting was held with Bilal Muslim Organization of Uganda (BMOU) at Bilal H.Q. office. In the last few years, BMOU have made great strides in external Tabligh and have expanded their activities beyond the city of Kampala. Various subjects regarding Tabligh activities, future developments and the current challenges were discussed.
The Delegation joined members of Kampala Jamaat in the celebration of the birth of the Imam of our Time, Al Hujjah Al Mahdi (ATFS) at the KSI Kampala Imambargha on the eve of 15th Shab’an (Tuesday 7th March 2023) during which the Chairman Amine bhai Nassor addressed community members.
Amine bhai started with extending facilitations to all members on the birth of Imam Mahdi (ATFS). He commended all for being a vibrant and dynamic Jamaat. He informed the members about the fruitful discussions held with Jamaat and extended the Federation’s support towards Kampala Jamaat’s development projects.
He explained briefly the roles of the boards of Africa Federation and reiterated support towards Kampala Jamaat in various fields like economic, housing, youth, education, etc. Click here to listen to the complete speech: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s7eqTEu8N8M
AFED Secretariat wishes to express its sincere appreciation for the warm welcome and for the wonderful reception of AFED delegation by Kampala Jamaat. We also wish to thank the Chairman of Bilal Muslim Mission of Uganda and his team for their hospitality.
We pray to Allah (SWT) by His infinite grace and mercy to grant the Jamaat leadership and all those who have assisted towards the success of this visit with good health, long life and success in their endeavors. We pray to Allah (SWT) to shower His choicest blessings and give more inspiration to them to continue with the noble work they do for His pleasure – Ameen.
Secretariat