Ref: AK/PR/2011/36 Date: 14th September 2011
The Africa Federation Chairman, Alhaj Anwarali Dharamsi Visits Zanzibar to express condolences.
On Tuesday, 13th September 2011, the Chairman of The Africa Federation accompanied by the Hon. Secretary, Alhaj Aunali Khalfan, AFED Nominated Councillor, Alhaj Mohamed Nathoo and the Resident Aalim of Dar es Salaam Jamaat, Sheikh Murtadha Alidina visited Zanzibar to convey condolences on behalf of the Khoja Shia Ithna-Asheri Muslim communities in Africa and the rest of the world to the President of Zanzibar, H.E. Dr. Ali Mohammed Shein.
In Zanzibar, the delegation was joined by the Zanzibar Jamaat President and AFED Councillor, Alhaj Mohamedraza Dharamsi (pope), his Vice President, Alhaj Sajjad Virjee and Br. Mohamedhassan Mohamedraza (Pope). The Chairman, Alhaj Anwarali Dharamsi and the delegation were received by the Personal Secretary to the Second Vice President of Zanzibar at his office.
After a brief introduction by Alhaj Mohamedraza Pope, a message from the Africa Federation and the World Federation was read out by the Hon. Secretary, Alhaj Aunali Khalfan, expressing deep sorrow and shock on the tragic accident of the Ferry, “Spice Islander” which was carrying more than 800 passengers and cargo that capsized on her fateful voyage from the island of Unguja to the island of Pemba.
Alhaj Aunali said –
“At this difficult time of tribulation, the Khoja Shia Ithna-Asheri Muslim Communities in Africa and the rest of the World are together with the Government of the United Republic of Tanzania and the Zanzibar Government in support of the efforts to assist the victims of this tragic accident, he further said, we have come here today to express our condolences and pray to Allah (swt) to give patience and strength to the bereaved families who lost their dear ones in this terrible accident”
“On our part, whilst we join hands with the millions of Tanzanians in expressing our grief, and we, on behalf of The Federation of Khoja Shia Ithna-Asheri Jamaats of Africa, whose Head Office is in Dar es Salaam and The World Federation of Khoja Shia Ithna-Asheri Muslim Communities, our parent body, whose office is in London, United Kingdom wish to handover to Your Excellency our contribution of Tanzania Shillings Thirty Million (TShs.30m) to the Zanzibar Government for assistance to the bereaved families of this tragic accident”.
Alhaj Anwarali handed over thirty million shillings (TShs.30M) cheque to H.E. Ambassador Seif Ali Iddi, the Second Vice President of the Zanzibar Government who is also the Chairman of the Ferry Disaster Fund Raising Committee appointed by the President of Zanzibar, Dr. Ali Mohammed Shein.
In his reply, H.E. the Second Vice President expressed the Zanzibar Government’s appreciation and thanked the Africa Federation and the World Federation for their timely contributions towards the fund. He pointed out that the Khoja Shia Ithna-Asheri community has always been very generous and supportive for the good cause in Zanzibar.
The World Federation and Africa Federation have each contributed $10,000 USD for families of the deceased victims of the accident.
A day earlier, the President of Zanzibar Jamaat, Alhaj Mohamedraza Pope handed over ten million shillings (T.Shs.10M) to the Second Vice President of the Zanzibar Government on behalf of the community members of KSI Jamaat of Zanzibar as their contributions to the fund for the victims of the Ferry accident.
Sheikh Murtadha Alidina gave a brief message with references to some verses from the Holy Qur’an and from the sayings of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (SAWW) when such calamities befall and how we as human beings are required to act and assist the victims of such calamities and disasters pointing to the Ferry disaster which claimed over two hundred lives. Similarly, he reminded on our duty as Muslims to console and to support the traumatized victims and the bereaved families of this terrible accident. Sheikh Murtadha Alidina concluded the meeting with a dua’a for the souls of the deceased and prayed to Allah (swt) to give solace and patience to the families.
The AFED Secretariat wish to thank the Dar Es Salaam Jamaat for facilitating Sheikh Murtadha Alidina to join the delegation to Zanzibar. We also like to express our deep appreciation to the President of Zanzibar Jamaat, Alhaj Mohamedraza Pope for making the appointments with the offices of the President and Vice President of Zanzibar and for all other the arrangements made by him for the visit to Zanzibar.
The delegation returned to Dar Es Salaam on the same day in the afternoon.
Secretariat