Africa Federation head office in Dar es Salaam were privileged to welcome the three esteemed visiting Scholars who are currently in Dar es Salaam for Ashra-e-Muharram 1445 A.H., they are Syed Ali Abbas Razawi, Syed Raza Imam Rizvi and Sheikh Ali Sajjad. They were warmly received at the AFED Tower office by the Africa Federation Vice Chairman, Alhaj Aunali Khalfan and Honorary Treasurer, Alhaj Zainul Chandoo on Tuesday 25th July 2023 (6th Muharram 1445 A.H.).
Also present were the Dar es Salaam Jamaat Tabligh Vice Chairman – Alhaj Mohamed Walji, Chairman of Bilal Muslim Mission of Tanzania – Alhaj Hussein Karim, Chairman of the AFED Capacity Building Board – Alhaj Shabbirhussein Khalfan, Chairman of AFED Sports Council – Alhaj Fazal Kassam and the AFED Secretariat staff.
Alhaj Aunali Khalfan presented a brief history of Africa Federation and providing an overview of the various activities and projects undertaken by Africa Federation and its various Boards. The Scholars were particularly impressed by the Federation’s key focus towards community’s needs such as Housing, Education, Tabligh, and Capacity Building of the human resources. Additionally, they were pleased by the Federation’s role in promoting and supporting aspiring students from our community seeking higher education through student’s loan program which has been in existence for several decades, as well as AFED’s landmark housing schemes of Rent-to-Own and House-to-Own for first-time home owners in our Jamaats.
The Hon. Treasurer, Alhaj Zainul Bhai Chandoo explained briefly on the AFED current profile including the developments of income generating projects which AFED have initiated few years ago to support Tabligh, Higher Education Loan Scheme known as HELP and other Board’s activities. He emphasised the need of the support by donors and well-wishers, especially in developmental projects and higher education fields.
The discussions also covered several Board’s activities, i.e. Sports, External Tabligh (BILAL), Internal Tabligh (AFTAB), Central Health Board (CHB), Economic Development Board (EDB), Archives/History and AFED Youth Network (AYN).
A brief introduction in regards to AFTAB’s activities were provided such as the support to our Madressahs, the MCE programs, Common Madressah Syllabus, the annual Holy Qur’an competition – the understanding of the Holy Qur’an and several other programs. Alhaj Aunali stressed the importance of our Madressahs to provide strong foundation of the religion of Islam and the Madh’ab of Ahlulbayt to our children in all the Jamaats.
Alhaj Hussein Karim, the Bilal Muslim Mission of Tanzania Chairman explained on the various activities, such as religious, economic and social welfare being carried out by the Bilal Institutions in various parts of the country, including in other parts of Africa, i.e. Kenya, Uganda, Malawi, Rwanda and Burundi. He said – “There are plans to expand Tabligh activities to other neighbouring countries in the near future”.
Each visiting Scholar also shared their thoughts and words of wisdom during the discussion. They were very much impressed with the structure and ways of working of AFED which reflects a good structured organization. They also commented that they were impressed with the KSI community in Dar es Salaam and witnessed powerful messages of Tabligh through the banners and billboards on the streets which conveyed the message of Islam and Imam Hussain’s (a) mission. All the lectures, in English, Urdu and Gujarati are well attended, they were impressed by the big attendance of the youth of our community, this spirit of the love towards Imam Hussain (‘a) must continue and encouraged.
AFED Archives Section are collecting historical records, photographs of the events that have taken place in our Jamaats/Institutions in Africa, past leaders, sportsmen and record /history books which contains information about the Khoja Shia Ithna-Asheries since the early settlement of Khoja Shia Ithna-Asheries in East Africa and in other parts of Africa, i.e. Somalia, Mozambique, Madagascar followed by Congo – DRC, Burundi and Rwanda.
The Scholars were presented with a memento by AFED – the history book titled – The Khoja Shia Ithna-Asheries of East Africa – Their Quest for a New Socio (1) Religious Identity (1860 – 1960) authored by Dr. Sibtain Panjwani of U.K. and published by Africa Federation.
The visiting Scholars expressed their appreciation to the Africa Federation Secretariat for the invitation and commended the organization for its various achievements. They prayed for the success of the ongoing work for the betterment of the community at large.
Alhaj Aunali Khalfan thanked the Dar es Salaam Jamaat Tabligh Board of for their cooperation, he also thanked the three visiting Scholars who took their valuable time to visit Africa Federation.
We pray to Allah (SWT) to grant them the Scholars with good health, Tawfeeqat and to advance in knowledge to continue serving Islam and the Mission of Imam Hussain (‘a), Aameen.
SECRETARIAT
Date: 27th July 2023
8th Muharram 1445 A.H