CIRCULAR NO: JMT/083/23 Date: August 21, 2023
“Inna Lillahi Wa Inna Ilayhi Rajeeun”
“To Allah we belong and to Him we shall return”
(Holy Qur’an, Surah Al Baqarah 2:156)
Alhaj Mohamed Hussein Ali Nathoo
Community bids farewell to a Legend
It is with immense sorrow and grief that the Africa Federation Secretariat received the sad news of the sudden demise of Murrabi Alhaj Mohamed Hussein Ali Nathoo, who passed away in Dar-es-Salaam on Thursday 17th August 2023 and was buried the same night.
Born in Zanzibar 11th February 1946 he was amongst the nine children blessed to his parents Hussein and Rukiya Nathoo. He obtained his primary and secondary education in Zanzibar.
He was the grandson of Murabbi Hajji Ali Nathoo, a selfless, devoted leader of the community and a philanthropist who played major role in the construction of the Zanzibar Kuwwatul Islam Jamaat Mosque, famously known as Junni Masjid in Kiponda area, the first Mosque of the Khoja Shia Ithna-Asheries in the world built in 1881 in Zanzibar. Hajji Ali Nathoo served as the President of Khoja Shia Ithna-Asheri Kuwwatul Islam Jamaat Zanzibar for 28 years, he passed away in 1957 at the age of 86.
Mohamed Bhai’s sporting career started in the narrow streets of Zanzibar with volleyball and cricket as his favorite games, he represented his primary and secondary schools in both these games and played for the Ithna-Asheri Gymkhana ‘A’ division in cricket and Zanzibar Combine in volleyball at the young age of 16.
On his migration to Dar-es-Salaam in 1967 he joined the Ithna-Asheri Union Sports Club (Union Sports Club) and played for its volleyball and cricket team until 1995. He was a proud part of the cricket championship that the club enjoyed for 18 years out of 20 years (1973 – 1992) and 4 years in volleyball 3 a side Championship (1968 – 1972) until the traditional volleyball style was abolished in Tanzania in 1972.
His consistency and flamboyant style in the in the game of cricket provided him the opportunity to play for the Tanzania National Cricket team for 15 years from 1972 to 1986 and had the privilege to lead the side for 4 years. During his captainship in 1984, Tanzania won the championship of East and Central Africa after a lapse of 16 years; for which he was honored with the Tanzania National Award in 1984.
He was declared the Sportsman of the Year and awarded the prestigious Abul Fazal Trophy by the Africa Federation in 1975 and was bestowed the Abbasi Medal in 2008 by the then Chairman of Africa Federation, Alhaj Ramzan Nanji.
On his retirement from active sports, he decided to serve Union Sport Club in leadership position and was its Chairman, from 1996 to 2000 before he took up the Chairmanship of Ithna-Asheri Union from 2000 to 2004.
He was elected as the Vice Chairman of the Dar-es-Salaam Jamaat in 2004 and continued to hold the position for three consecutive terms under the Chairmanship of Alhaj Anwarali Rajabali Dharamsi. In February 2010 he took over from Alhaj Anwarali Dharamsi who became Chairman of Africa Federation, Mohamed Bhai completed the remainder of the term as President of Dar es Salaam Jamaat up till July 2010.
At the Federation he served as the Chairman of the Sports Council for the term 1998 – 2001 and was also a nominated Councillor for nine years. He remained available to the AFED Office Bearers whenever required. He was also a member of the Constitution Review Committee (CRC) of Africa Federation from 2007 to 2010.
Marhum Mohamed Bhai was an ardent supporter of Ithna-Asheri Union and Union Sports Club during his entire tenure in Dar es Salaam, he would leave no stone unturned to defend Ithna-Asheri Union and Unions Sports Club during its thick and thin. Being one of the stalwarts of Union Sports Club he was highly respected by the sports officials and sportsmen from different clubs within and outside the country.
AFED Chairman, Alhaj Amine Nassor had conveyed the following message on the sad demise of Alhaj Mohamed Nathoo:
“It is with a heavy heart that I convey this message of condolences to the family of Marhum Mohamed Bhai Nathoo. Mohamed Bhai played a crucial role in the sports arena of the community in Zanzibar and Dar es Salaam. Equally, he was dedicated and a committed member of our community having served in various capacities both in the Jamaat and in Africa Federation, his sudden death is saddening and has deprived the community of a kind hearted and devoted member, may Allah (SWT) grant him maghferat and grant solace to the bereaved family members, Ameen”
Photographs from AFED Archives:
We convey our heartfelt condolences to his daughter Nasreen bai, his son in law Murtaza bhai Versi, grandson Aliraza Versi and all family members.
We pray to Allah (SWT) to grant Marhum maghferat and place his soul amongst the blessed ones in the vicinity of Chaharada Masumeen (AS) and who continuously receive mercy and grace of Allah (SWT).
Sura-Al-Fateha is requested for Alhaj Mohamed bhai Nathoo and all the Marhumeen.
SECRETARIAT