Ref: AF/PRESS/2014/41
The Chairman of the Central Bilal Board (CBB), Alhaj Mohsin Lalji, also popularly known by the name of Sheni, led a delegation of Bilal Muslim Mission of Tanzania to Kenya, for a three days familiarization visit to Mombasa and Lamu from Thursday, 13th to Saturday, 15th November 2014. (Muharram 19th to 21st 1436 A.H.). The CBB Chairman was accompanied by Seyed Arif Naqvi, head of Tabligh and Alhaj Amir Ahmed, the CEO of Bilal Muslim Mission of Tanzania. Separate report on the visit to Lamu will follow soon.
The CBB along with the AFED officials also met with Sheikh Abdillahi Nassir at Bilal Muslim Mission of Kenya Head Office in Mombasa on Friday 14th November 2014. Present at the meeting were; the Africa Federation Chairman, Alhaj Anwarali Dharamsi, Vice Chairman, Alhaj Shabir Najafi, Hon. Secretary, Alhaj Aunali Khalfan, Chairman of AFTAB, Seyed Hassan Naqvi, Chairman of CBB, Alhaj Mohsin Lalji, BMMT Head of Tabligh, Seyed Arif Naqvi, BMMT CEO, Alhaj Amir Ahmed, Hon. Treasurer of BMMK, Alhaj Hussein Khaki, BMMK Vice Chairman, Alhaj Shamsher Mawji, BMMK CEO, Alhaj Mujtaba Peera and BMMK Secretariat staff, Alhaj Ahmedaly and Alhaj Sajjad Mulla Bishon.
The CBB delegation during the three days visit to Mombasa and Lamu had the opportunity to visit the BMMK Head Office facilities, including the Library and the new Radio Broadcasting Room; the visitors met with the officials of BMMK and held meetings with them covering several key areas of Tabligh, developments and future plans.
The Central Bilal Board Chairman (CBB), Alhaj Mohsin Lalji, Bilal Muslim Mission of Tanzania Head of Tabligh, Seyed Arif Naqvi and the CEO, Alhaj Amir Ahmed visited the BMM Kenya Centres at Mackinon Road and Samburu. They were accompanied by the BMMK Vice Chairman, Alhaj Shamsher Mawji, BMMK CEO, Alhaj Mujtaba Peera and BMMK Secretariat staff, Alhaj Ahmedaly.
BMMK are presently operating fourteen (14) Bilal Centres in Mombasa which are spread around in large area of Mombasa suburbs. Most of the Centres have a Mosque, a Madressah, Pre-Primary School, Vocational Class Rooms & a flat for the Resident Sheikh.
A get-together session involving BMMK Managing Committee and Trustees with the AFED Office Bearers, CBB delegation and invitees was organized on Saturday, 15th November 2014 over a dinner at the terrace of Alhajj Hussein Khaki. A report on the various activities of BMMK was presented by BMMK Chairman, Alhaj Abbas H. M. Nasser followed by a Video presentation and an overview by BMMK CEO, Alhaj Mujtaba Peera. This followed with deliberation on the future plans and a long term strategy to make BMMK self-financing and self-dependent.
BMMK Chairman and the CEO thanked CBB Chairman of extending his personal support in economic upliftment programs involving women at the two centres he visited.
The CBB Chairman, Alhaj Mohsin Lalji reassured BMMK of CBB’s full support and encouraged the Mission to continue with the good work they were doing, he underscored the need to reach out to other faiths and communities in order to build bridges of good relationships and cooperation. He pointed out that the visit was also an eye opener for the BMMT officials who accompanied him, similarly there was a lot to share between the two sister organizations.
The Hon. Secretary, Alhaj Aunali Khalfan on behalf of the AFED delegation thanked the family of Alhaj Hussein Khaki for hosting the dinner meeting and for the warm hospitality extended by BMMK during the visit. He also thanked the AFED and BMMK Trustee, Alhaj Sultan Molu (who was unable to attend the session) for his cooperation and support to AFED. Aunali Bhai spoke highly of Sultan Bhai’s dedication and devotion towards AFED, he requested members to pray for the good health of Mrs. Sultan Molu and towards her full recovery.
The AFED Secretariat commends the Bilal Muslim Mission of Kenya team for the wonderful work being undertaken by them, there has been visible and consistent progress over the past several years, with well planned developments and management system and controls.
On behalf of the Chairman of the Central Bilal Board, Alhaj Mohsin Lalji and his delegation, we wish to express profound thanks to BMMK leadership for their warm hospitality and wonderful reception in Mombasa.
We are very thankful to the Chairman of Bilal Muslim Mission Alhaj Abbas Nasser, the Managing Committee members, Trustees and the CEO Alhaj Mujtaba Peera for the arrangements made for the delegation and the meetings organized during the visit.
We also record our appreciation to Alhaj Husseinali Khaki for hosting the dinner meeting for the delegation, BMM Kenya Officials and invitees.
SECRETARIAT