The demise of an iconic lady, Hamidabai Pyarali Manji in India on November 11, 2002 had left people across the world crying even though people had never met her. She was an icon; people were used to her image everywhere. She had created special bond and people were very saddened by her death. After her death, I thought...
Imam Hussein’s (‘a) Azadari is a religious and worldly gain but do we take its advantages? Its actual season is Muharram; however, we can perform the good deeds throughout 365 days. The Azadari is one’s desirous contemplation however when we hear the history, our hearts cry and the lovers grieve over it with a heavy heart. Those who...
For the last 25 years (since 1940), in Mombasa on the eve of Ashura (10th Muharram) the procession is organized but this year there were noticeable changes. Firstly, during the procession, every year the “‘marsia” (poems) are recited in “Urdu” and for the last five years some Arabic marsia have been recited. This year in addition to these,...
EXCERPTS FROM SALSABIL NEWS OF AUGUST 1956 The Islamic New Year commences on the first day of Muharram, the first month in the lunar Islamic calendar, which differs from the Gregorian calendar. The occasion comes with very little celebration as compared to January 1st in the case of the Gregorian calendar. Except for Muslim dominant nations, it is...
Asser Damani or The Asserwala family originated from Madhapar, Cutch, India. Asser had five sons and two daughters; Ladha, Jaffer, Moledina, Khalfan, Karim, Rehmat and Fatma Asser. Many of his grandsons migrated from Madhapar to Bukoba, Tanzania. It was believed that 75% of all the earliest members of Bukoba Jamaat were from this family. The first Imambargha in...
In the evolution of the Khoja Shia Ithna-Asheri Muslim Community, acquisition of graveyard or cemetery as a burial place has been of prime importance. Wherever they settled, members of the Khoja community have paid special attention to the acquisition of burial place before even building of a Mosque or Imambargha. There is a historical background to this outlook....
On December 3rd, 1941, Fatima Bai Ebrahim Paryani, gave birth to the first of her three children, Nargis Rehmtulla. Nargis was a very active and curious child. She enjoyed running around with her friends, climbing trees, picking flowers and reciting the holy Qur’an. She attended Government Secondary school in Lindi where she graduated in 1961, taking her grade...
AFED Loan Recipient Memoir – “My Life Experience” Alhaj Kassamali Akberali Parpia Since the inception of the Africa Federation 75 years ago hundreds of our community students have been able to pursue their studies through Higher Education Student Loans, known as ‘HELP’. Many of the recipients till today remember and have deep gratitude for the loans given to...
VERSI ADVANIIn 1835, Versi Advani migrated to Zanzibar from Bhuj, Gujarat, India with his three brothers: Khalfan, Abdulrasul and Gulamhussein. The other two brothers Mohamed and Khatau migrated later on.It is thought that Versi Advani was probably a Sindhi Khoja who may have intermarried with Khoja of Cutchi and Kathiawari origin. He was among the first converts to...
JOURNEY DOWN MEMORY LANE A personal reflection of Marhuma Baiji Sherbanu Ahmed J M Jaffer The word luminaries comes from the Latin word Lumen. The word literally means ‘a person who is an inspiration to others.’ I use the word luminary as gender-neutral word, applying it to both men and women. All societies need luminaries because they define the limits...
