Ref: AF/PR/2023/007 Date: 6th March 2023
The Africa Federation delegation to Mombasa was led by the Chairman Alhaj Amine Nassor, accompanied by the Vice Chairman Alhaj Aunali Khalfan, the Hon. Secretary Alhaj Zuhair Jaffer, Bilal Muslim Mission of Tanzania Chairman, Alhaj Hussein Karim and AFED Nominated Councillor from Madagascar Alhaj Ashik Nassor. The three days visit was from Friday 6th January to Monday 9th January 2023.
While in Mombasa, the delegation was joined by the Chairman of Central Bilal Board, Alhaj Mohamed Hemani, Chairman of AFTAB Board, Alhaj Sajjad Walji, Chairman of AFED Youth Board (AYN) Br. Ali Khalfan, AFED Nominated Councillor from Mombasa, Alhaj Amir Merali and AFED Electoral Commissioner Alhaj Gulamabbas Khaku. Bilal Muslim Mission of Kenya was represented by Alhaj Murtaza Hassan Jaffer.
On Friday night on the occasion of the Nikkah ceremony of Br. Maisam Dinani to sister Zahra Nisar Khalfan of Mombasa, Murrabbi Alhaj Dr. Mohamed Jaffer welcomed AFED Chairman Alhaj Amine Nassor to address the community members of Mombasa Jamaat.
Alhaj Amine bhai began by congratulating Mombasa Jamaat Chairman and his managing committee on the wonderful infrastructure and management of Jaffery Islamic Complex. AFED Chairman was pleased to witness the good progress made by Mombasa Jamaat on the sports ground and the new sports pavilion.
Alhaj Amine bhai gave a brief overview of the various activities being undertaken by the Federation and its various Boards.
He spoke on the wonderful work being carried out by the Tabligh Board under Alhaj Sajjad Walji in bringing up the levels of religious education in our Madressahs. He encouraged community members to use platforms like VSS (Virtual Safe Space) to ask questions and get answers from specialists, scholars, doctors and other professionals in different fields. He also mentioned that the Central Bilal Board under Mohamed bhai Hemani is planning on expanding the external Tabligh to other regions like Malawi, Mozambique and Rwanda.
He pointed out that Higher Education loan amount has been increased as stated in AFED Vision for 2022-2025. He however encouraged students to study locally for the first degree as it is more affordable and may pursue second degree in overseas universities, should this be necessary. He appreciated the Jaffer Family Foundation of USA for providing scholarships to female science students in Africa.
Alhaj Amine bhai also mentioned that the Central Health Board under Br. Aliraza Bandali are working on Medical and Life Insurance Schemes and is also looking into reviving the annual community health screening program in collaboration with the member Jamaats.
He mentioned that the Youth Board was also working at bringing more youth related content for the benefit of the community youth fraternity. Also, Sports Council is working on having a grand sports festival before end of 2023.
Alhaj Amine bhai pointed out that housing is still an issue in many Jamaats. The Housing Development Board has shared a survey and requested all the community members to complete the survey. The data gathered from the survey will form basis of a structured plan for future planning of projects in out constituent Jamaats.
Alhaj Amine bhai stressed regarding Mosques being place of worship and our heritage and therefore we should always aim to maintain them. Many mosques in small towns like Lindi, Mwanza, Lamu etc. need renovations and the AFED Housing Board has taken the responsibility to do the needful.
He further mentioned that our forefathers worked hard to build mosques and acquire properties, and now we should take care of these properties. Lamu is one such property that has depilated and in need of restoration. AFED has appointed Alhaj Amir bhai Merali to head this restoration project. Alhaj Amine bhai appealed to every community member to contribute any amount for the Lamu project and earn sawaab-e-jaariyah.
He urged all the community members to join the AFED mailing list to keep abreast with the activities of the Africa Federation. He also requested the Jamaats to circulate electronically the AFED News Bulletins, Circulars, etc. Amine bhai emphasized the importance of unity among ourselves and building bridges of cooperation with other faiths and communities in towns and cities we live.
On Sunday, the AFED Delegation paid a courtesy visit to the MCE training session for the Madressah teachers which was being held at the Jaffery Islamic Centre Complex. Thereafter, the Delegation visited Bilal Kenya Mtongwe Centre to witness the various the activities including Water Distillation Plant at Mtongwe.
VISIT TO BMM KENYA AND MTONGWE CENTRE
The AFED delegation consisting of AFED Chairman Alhaj Amine Bhai Nassor, Vice Chairman Alhaj Aunali Khalfan, Hon Secretary Alhaj Zuher Jaffer visited the BMM Kenya Imam Radha (‘A) Centre in Mtongwe on Sunday 8th January 2023.
They were accompanied during the visit to Mtongwe by the CBB Chairman Alhaj Mohamed Hemani, Bilal Tanzania Chairman Alhaj Hussein Karim, AFTAB Chairman Alhaj Sajjad Walji, AFED Nominated Councillor Alhaj Amir Merali, AFED Electoral Commissioner Alhaj Gulam Khaku, BMMK members who joined the visit were Alhaj Shamsheer Mawji, Alhaj Akberali Kassamali, Alhaj Murtaza Jaffer and Alhaj Mukhtar Yusuf Datoo.
The Centre in Mtongwe comprises of a Mosque, Madrassah, Classes where religious classes are offered and various training programs for ladies are held like tailoring, computer and microfinance projects.
On Monday 9th January 2023 a meeting between the AFED Delegation and Bilal Muslim Mission Managing Committee was held at the BMMK Head Office, the joint meeting provided an opportunity to both sides to present their views, discuss on future plans including the need to review the BMMK Constitution, restructuring of the management and operating systems, establishing a pre-Hawza classes at Mtongwe to enhance knowledge and skills of Bilal Shuyukh, also enhance cooperation between regional Bilals, i. e. Bilal Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania and other Bilals in our region.
The Secretariat records its appreciation to the Management of Bilal Muslim Mission of Kenya for their hospitality and all the arrangements made for the travel to Mtongwe.
MEETING WITH MOMBASA JAMAAT
A joint meeting was held over lunch on Monday 9th January with the Office Bearers, Managing Committee members and Trustees of KSI Jamaat of Mombasa kindly hosted by Alhaj Dr. Mohamed Jaffer at his office.
During the meeting, several pertinent issues concerning Jamaat and the situation of our Community and Institutions were discussed. Greater emphases were directed towards Tabligh, Secular Education and Economic Development of our Community members. It was noted that there are some core issues which are predominantly experienced in several Jamaats.
Both the AFED Chairman and Mombasa Jamaat Chairman stressed on newer avenues of opportunities to uplift our community economically and in building stronger infrastructure and improve relationships with other institutions to learn from each other. Alhaj Mohamed Jaffer bhai underscored the importance of insurance coverage which our members should be enticed to sign up.
We are thankful to the Chairman of Mombasa Jamaat, Alhaj Dr. Mohamed H. A. Jaffer, the Managing Committee and Trustees of Mombasa Jamaat for the warm reception and kind hospitality extended to the AFED delegation.
We also wish to express our appreciation to Alhaj Mohamed bhai Hemani, Alhaj Sajjad bhai Walji, Alhaj Hussein bhai Karim, Alhaj Amir bhai Merali and Alhaj Gulamabbas bhai Khaku for their support and for accompanying the AFED officials. Our thanks to BMMK Managing Committee for a fruitful meeting and a visit to Mtongwe Centre, named Imam Radha (‘A).
We pray to Allah (SWT) to grant the leaders, volunteers and members of our community more inspiration, courage and strength to continue with the noble work they do for the pleasure of Allah (SWT) and to ascend to greater heights of success in their endeavors – Ameen.
SECRETARIAT