Ref: PR/AF/024/24 Date: February 12, 2024
A visit to KSI Jamaat of Morogoro by the Federation of KSI Jamaats of Africa (AFED) took place on 7th December 2023. A one day visit to Morogoro Jamaat was made by the Vice Chairman Alhaj Aunali Khalfan along with the Africa Federation Tabligh Board (AFTAB) Chairman Alhaj Sajjad P. Walji. The distance from Dar es Salaam to Morogoro being 196 Km by road took about 3 hours due to traffic and the speed control all the way.
Presently, Morogoro Jamaat has about 60 members, this includes male, female, youth and children. The population of the Jamaat has dwindled over the past several years as some families moved to other cities and towns in Tanzania, mainly due to lack of good education standards for children and medical facilities. Morogoro, was once a thriving Jamaat with over 200 members, who were mostly involved in wholesale and retail businesses.
Morogoro itself is a beautiful town and growing rapidly. Agriculture and related industries make up the bulk of the region’s economy. Besides small-scale agriculture, production of food and cash crops, cattle raising, plantations and estates of sisal, sugar, cocoa, rice paddy farming etc. are flourishing. Good opportunities for businesses and industries, especially in agriculture and livestock for those who are interested to venture.
Morogoro Jamaat is closely bonded with good team work. Jamaat conducts religious and social activities with great enthusiasm, this includes daily prayers, Thursday majlises, Muharram, Safar and the holy month of Ramadhan programs and are well attended. The Madressah for boys and girls classes are conducted once a week. All teachers have undergone TSP (Skills) training organized by AFTAB. There are 12 to 13 children in the Madressah with 5 female teachers – all are volunteers and the Resident Aalim, Maulana Syed Jauhar Abbas conducts boys’ classes. There is a plan by AFTAB to carry out teachers training on MCE syllabus for the Madressah.
Sports is another section whereby the Jamaat takes pride in, the Jamaat organizes regular volleyball tournaments and invites other member Jamaats and other communities’ sports clubs to participate. Recently, Morogoro won the volleyball game in the finals at the Unity Games – 2023 in Dubai – Congratulations to Morogoro Jamaat team for this wonderful achievement.
The volleyball ground is within the Mosque compound, one of the advantages of having this is bringing the youth together on a common ground through sports, thereby they also participate in the daily prayers and other religious programs being held in the Mosque.
The Mosque is located on Station Road in the center of the town. Mosque, Imambargha, Madressah, Mehfil-e-Abbas (‘A), two residential apartments and a volleyball court with separate access are all within the Mosque compound.
A visit was also made to the KSI Jamaat Kabrastan which consist of about 3.5 to 4 acres plot donated by our community member for the purpose of graveyard, there are only 6 graves in this huge plot. Originally it was about 5 acres, due to the road expansion by the Government part of the plot was taken for the road expansion for town planning of Morogoro Municipality. Jamaat Managing Committee and Trustees are currently in discussion to find best way forward to safeguard the plot.
After Zohrayn prayers, a meeting was held with the Managing Committee and Trustees of the Jamaat in the Imambargha, a number of issues of common interest were discussed amongst these were; (a). Business development opportunities advice and information for our Community members to attract a reverse migration to Morogoro. (b). The future plan of the Kabrastan plot. (c). Renovations of the Mosque, Madressah, Imambargha and other facilities all are within the Mosque compound, some requires minor repairs and painting. (d). Encouraging and facilitating for the ladies to come to the Mosque for Namaz-e-Jamaat in the evenings. (e). Qur’an recitation with translation and reflection by the Resident Aalim.
Africa Federation will support the Jamaat for the renovations of the Mosque and other amenities to improve/upgrade the facilities and also the repair/painting externally of the entire mosque. The AFED Housing Development Board Chairman, Akil Bhai Hirji will soon visit Morogoro to assess the scale of the work involved. There is a need to also facilitate the ladies’ entrance to the Mosque, separate Wudhu area and a collapsible partition inside the Mosque.
We would like to thank most sincerely the Chairman of Morogoro Jamaat, members of the Managing Committee and the Trustees for their warm hospitality and cooperation extended to the Africa Federation officials during the visit to the Jamaat and for a fruitful meeting. We are also grateful to the Resident Aalim, Maulana Jauhar Abbas Rizvi for sparing his time and in meeting the AFED officials.
We pray to Allah (SWT) to grant every success to the Jamaat in their endeavors in ensuring the Jamaat operates efficiently for the benefit of all members of the Jamaat in Morogoro. We pray for the tawfeeqat of all our community members and for their safety and good health, Aameen.
Let us remember all the past leaders of Africa Federation, Leaders of our member Jamaats, Volunteers and all the Marhumeen with Sura-e-Fateha.
Secretariat