Ref: AF/PR/71/19 11th April 2019
The Conseil Régional des Khojas Shia Ithna-Asheri Jamates De L’Ocean Indien (CROI) Annual General Assembly took place at Mehfile Imam Houssen (a.s.) – Imambargha at Ankorondrano in Antananarivo from Friday, 29th to Saturday, 30th March 2019, hosted by Tananarive KSI Jamaat. The sessions were well attended with dignitaries congregating from the World Federation, Africa Federation, Reunion, Mauritius and Madagascar itself.
A session introduced for the first time titled – “The Future of our Community and the Challenges Ahead” was held on Friday afternoon preceding the Assembly. The session was chaired by Dr. Asgher Moledina, past President of the World Federation (WF) and World Federation Nominated Councillor. The Panelists were Alhaj Anwarali Dharamsi, President of the WF, Alhaj Shabir Najafi, Chairman of Africa Federation (AFED), Sheikh Haniphe Akbaraly, Chairman of CROI and Sheikh Safder Jaffer from Islamic Education of the WF. There was an overwhelming attendance by ladies and gents, likewise the discussions were constructive and some critical questions were raised by the participants on the current diversified and complex situations which sometimes mislead our youth and even elderly people leading to confusion, misconceptions and misinterpretations of our faith – the Madh’ab of Ahlulbayt (AS). Sheikh Safder Jaffer explained clearly on various issues which have cropped up recently in our midst and how these are perceived in the broader community circles.
Alhaj Anwarali Dharamsi spoke on the misuse of the Social Media which he said is a huge problem that has engulfed our community in the recent years, he said people do not contemplate or check facts before forwarding messages which many times are damaging and embarrassing to our community. He cautioned that Social Media knows no boundaries; it’s incredibly dangerous and can expose community and people for no apparent reason.
Dr. Moledina spoke on the religious tolerance and effective use of pulpits by our Scholars to relay the noble message of Islam in its true form and to avoid undermining other religions and faiths. He stressed on the importance of Madressahs and proper training of our children.
Shabir Bhai Najafi addressed on the social aspects and economics whereby our community needs to make greater strides in meeting the expectations of our youth from both genders and how we can engage them in the community social and religious services etc. He further pointed out that the community must maintain its culture and the language. He said Gujarati language is slowly disappearing within our community and we must act to preserve it.
- Address from the Chairman of Conseil Regional and AFED Vice Chairman from Madagascar, Alhaj Sheikh Haniphe Akbaraly.
- Address from the Chairman of UAKSIR and AFED Vice Chairman from Reunion, Alhaj Amine Nassor.
- Address from the Chairman of the Federation of Khoja Shia Ithna-Asheri Jamaats of Africa, Alhaj Shabir Najafi.
- Address from the President of the World Federation of KSIMC, Alhaj Anwarali Dharamsi.
The above leaders spoke passionately on the various important
issues and on the current challenges as well as the progress and developments
the community has made in so far. The pathway is identified with a good and
practical plan of action to take our community in Africa to higher levels of
success and progress.
A common message that echoed was on Unity, Spirituality, Education, Tabligh and
Prosperity. They also mentioned about the current trends, the adversities of
Islamphobia, as was evident in the recent mass and senseless killings in two
Mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand ring an alarm bell. As peace loving
community, we must brace up ourselves to create an environment of good
relationships and cooperation with other communities, sects and faiths. It is
important to treat our neighbors and citizens of the countries we live in with
good respect and live together in peace and harmony.
A report on the MCE (Madressah Centre of Excellence) program which started way
back in 2011 was presented by Sheikh Safder Jaffer during the Session. Sheikh
was accompanied by Alhaj Naushad Mehrali – Head of the WF MCE program based in
the U.K. and Seyed Hassan Naqvi who is the MCE Africa Coordinator and the
Africa Federation Tabligh Board (AFTAB) Chairman. They met and discussed with
the Administrators of Husseini Madressah of Tananarive Jamaat on the
implementation of the MCE program, including teacher’s training.
Other dignitaries present from overseas were; Dr. Asgher Moledina (past
President of the WF), Alhaj Aunali Khalfan (AFED Vice Chairman), Alhaj Mohamed
Dhirani (past Chairman of AFED), Alhaj Akil Hirji (AFED Housing Development
Board Chairman), Alhaj Mohsin Lalji (AFED CBB Chairman), Alhaj Zamir Jaffar
Bandjee (President Saint Denis Jamaat), Alhaj Azim Issoufaly (President Saint
Pierre Jamaat), Alhaj Moise Jivan (Saint Denis Jamaat Sec General), Alhaj Azad
Mandou (past President Saint Denis Jamaat). Also present was Alhaj Navazaly
Molou (AFED Nominated Councillor from Madagascar) and Alhaj Mohsin Pirbhai
(President of Mauritius Jamaat).
The General Assembly was paperless – CROI is commended for making a great
stride in cost cutting as well reducing environmental impact to become
ecofriendly. The discussions were fruitful, enlightening and the entire session
was conducted aptly by the Chairman, Sheikh Haniphe and the Secretary General,
Alhaj Rizvane Abdoulmomin. Each department presented their reports through
Power Point presentations followed by question and answer sessions on each
report. Strict times were adopted for each report, they are:
- Women
- Health, Sports and Education
- Tabligh and Madressah
- Welfare, Finance & Accounts
- Reports from all the Jamaats under CROI
- Buildings/Housing Project/Depot/School Boarding & Musafarkhana
ZAHRA RESIDENCY PROJECT IN MADAGASCAR
A visit was made to the site on Sunday morning, the AFED Housing Development Board Chairman Akil Hirji; with AFED, CROI and Antananarivo officials joined in. The project started in August 2018 and is expected to be completed by February 2020.
This is a quadripartite project between the World Federation, Africa Federation, Conseil Regional and Antananarivo Jamaat. The plot measuring 925 sq.m, located at the Ambodiovanjo Ivandry – a prime residential district; which has been purchased jointly by CROI and Antananarivo Jamaat. The project is based on Rent-to-Own scheme for the first-time buyers, to provide them with decent and reasonably priced apartments in Antananarivo city.
The project will consist of 5 floors with 6 apartments per floor – total 30 apartments (2 units 3-BHK and 4 units 2-BHK) and a parking lot on the ground floor to accommodate 30 cars. The project will take 21 months to complete and has been awarded to a renowned French construction company, COLAS. This project is managed by CROI and in support of Africa Federation Housing Board.
AFED Secretariat wishes to express its sincere appreciation to Conseil
Regional of Madagascar (CROI) Chairman, Sheikh Haniphe Akbaraly, the Office
Bearers and Managing Committee Members for the warm reception and for the
wonderful hospitality accorded to the AFED delegation led by the Chairman,
Alhaj Shabir Najafi. Our sincere appreciation to the Host Jamaat – KSI Jamaat
of Tananarive President, Alhaj Arzou-Raza Pyaraly Hassam, Managing Committee
Members and Volunteers for being a wonderful host throughout the period of the
stay in Antananarivo. There were many individuals who were so kind and
hospitable throughout the delegation stay in Antananarivo. Lot of efforts were
put in organizing the meetings, visits to the site and institution etc. we say
Thank You to them all, May Allah (SWT) reward them all with good health, long
life, happiness and prosperity – Ameen.
We pray to Allah (SWT) by His infinite grace and mercy to grant maghferat to
all the past leaders, volunteers and social workers who are no longer with us
in the world, Let us recite Sura-e-Fateha for the maghferat of the departed
souls.
Secretariat