CIRCULAR NO: JMT/071/23 July 17, 2023
Zilhajj 28, 1444
Appointment of Women’s Board for the Term 2022 – 2025
The Africa Federation (AFED) Secretariat is pleased to announce the appointment of the Women’s Board Team for the term 2022-2025.
Raihana bai Mustafa Kanji (pictured centre) has a passion for service both within and outside the Community for over 33 years. She has served in various capacities from volunteering at children’s homes to providing guidance to youths, caring for the underprivileged; supporting the Mogadishu and Yemenis families following the evacuation from their respective countries in 1991 and 2015 respectively.
During her 16+ years as the Chairlady of Kampala Jamaat; Raihana bai demonstrated exemplary leadership skills and a strong ability to adapt to different roles. Under her stewardship, the Jamaat flourished and expanded its reach to help more individuals, earning the Bibi Fatema Award in 2021 for long services rendered since 1992.
Raihana bai played an important role in the establishment of an orphanage of the Jamaat and was its convenor from 1997 – 2001. Her dedication to providing a safe haven for children in need is a testament of her compassionate nature and her relentless pursuit of positive change.
Raihana bai Kanji is a leader with a clear vision, a compassionate heart, and the experience to drive meaningful change. A strong advocate for women’s development, she has consistently inspired and created opportunities for women to thrive and grow.
Pictured above are the team that have exemplified backgrounds and capabilities to serve on the Women’s Board and have been appointed alongside Raihana bai Kanji.
Neelam Shamir Hussein Manji – Kampala – Vice Chairperson (pictured third from left)
Neelam bai is a dedicated community member who has served the Jamaat in Kampala, Uganda, for over a decade. With a background in various positions, including Secretary of the Ladies Committee and Vice Chairlady of Sports, she is excited to bring this passion for women’s empowerment and community development to the Women’s Board of the Africa Federation.
Having moved to Uganda in 2000 after marriage, she understands the importance of community engagement and is committed to making a positive impact based on her extensive experience in community affairs. Through her previous roles, she has actively promoted women’s empowerment and through this positively influencing the lives of our community members.
She is ready to contribute her expertise, experience, and dedication to the committee’s objectives, working together with like-minded individuals to foster a more inclusive, equitable, and prosperous community.
Kanize Fatema Mushtaq Damji – Dar es Salaam – Secretary (pictured second from right)
A dedicated individual who has made significant contributions to the community. Kanize Fatema bai has passion for community service and empowerment; and has held various positions that have made great positive impact on the lives of others.
Her professional experience spans a diverse range of roles within the community. Her commitment to serving others has led her to work in positions that promote social welfare, development, and advocacy.
She has served in various leadership positions over a continuous period of 13 years. She has sserved in the Dar es Salaam Jamaat Ladies Managing Committee as Joint Secretary for 3 years, Hon. Secretary for 6 years and Vice Chairlady for 4 years. She has also served as a member to the education welfare committee, patron to the YAS (youth at service) and currently serving as a member of the marriage support team.
Her experiences in community engagement and passion for empowering others uniquely position her to contribute to the Board’s objectives. She is eager to collaborate with fellow board members to drive positive change and create opportunities for women.
Sabiha Dewji-Azad – Mombasa – Member (pictured first from right)
Born and raised in Dar es Salaam, Sabiha holds a masters degree in childhood studies. She draws inspiration from her grandfather, Marhum Mohammedbhai Dewji, to whom giving service to the community was a core value.
Sabiha has recently joined the Mombasa Jamaat and wishes to reach the girls of the community to give them a voice and encourage them to flourish in all aspects.
Amenah Hussein Dhirani – Arusha – Member (pictured first from left)
As a former Hawzah student, Amenah has cultivated a deep passion for religion and an insatiable thirst for knowledge. She constantly seeks opportunities to expand her understanding and delve deeper into the teachings that inspire her.
Alongside her love for religion, she has a strong passion for Graphic Designing. She enthusiastically embraces projects that allow her to explore this creative realm. Whether it’s personal endeavors, community initiatives, or corporate engagements, she finds joy in infusing graphic design into every facet of my work. It enables her to convey ideas effectively and leave a lasting impact.
Currently, Amenah holds the position of Secretary in the Youth Development Committee (YDC) in Arusha. This role allows her to contribute to the growth and empowerment of young individuals in our community. Additionally, she is a Madressah Teacher and also serves as a Committee Member for the Ladies Kilimeru Sports Committee, where she actively participates in promoting sports and recreation among women.
She eagerly anticipates collaborating with the Board to drive positive change and foster growth in our communities which will bring about meaningful difference in the lives of those we serve.
Sukaina N Gulamhusein – Mombasa – Member (pictured second from left)
Sukayna N Gulamhusein is a dedicated individual who has been making significant contributions to the Mombasa Khoja Shia Ithna Asheri Jamaat for the past four years as its Chairlady. Born and raised in Mombasa, Sukayna possesses a deep-rooted connection to her community and has tirelessly served its members to the best of her ability.
With a passion for education and community development, Sukayna has been an integral part of the local Madrassah, where she served as a teacher for a number of years. Her commitment to nurturing young minds also led her to Jaffery School, where she dedicated five years as a Montessori teacher, positively shaping the educational experiences of her students.
Prior to her role as Chairlady, Sukayna served as a Secretary for the Jamaat, demonstrating her versatility and willingness to contribute in various capacities. Recognizing the importance of addressing women’s needs, she was instrumental in initiating the Women’s Need Board, a platform aimed at empowering and supporting women within the community.
Sukayna’s selfless efforts and dedication to service have earned her immense respect and admiration among her peers. She remains steadfast in her commitment to making a positive impact and continues to assist wherever she can. With her strong leadership skills and unwavering determination, Sukayna N Gulamhusein embodies the spirit of community service and serves as an inspiration to others.
Fatma Razahussein Visram – Dar es Salaam – Member (pictured third from right)
Originally from Bukoba where Fatma was born and reared, she migrated to Dar es Salaam to continue her Education. Throughout her educational journey, Fatma has always been driven by a passion for learning and a desire to make a positive impact in our community. As a result, she has actively engaged in various volunteer programs and initiatives.
With a background in technology spanning over 11 years, she has been able to contribute her skills and knowledge to support organizations such as Darsa MAZ, Quran Drive Dar es Salaam, etc. When the COVID-19 pandemic struck and physical gatherings became challenging, Darsa needed to adapt to a virtual platform to continue its activities. As part of the team, she provided essential technical support to teachers and students for Qur’an sessions conducted through web conferencing platforms like Webex and Zoom. She ensured that everyone had the necessary tools and assistance to make the transition to online learning smooth and successful.
She is an active volunteer in the Media Room of Dar es Salaam Jamaat, ensuring smooth operation of essential technical components such as projectors and audio systems during various programs. This role allows Fatma to combine her technical skills with her passion for community service to help create an immersive and engaging experience for the audience and contribute towards the success for each program/event.
Fatma joins Women’s Board with an aim to make meaningful difference in the community while combining her technical expertise with her passion to serve.
The AFED Secretariat extends its heartiest congratulations to Raihana bai and her team on their appointment and wishes them success in the accomplishment of the Board’s goals and objectives set out for the term 2022 – 2025.
The Email contact of the Board is women@africafederation.org
Secretariat