The Africa Federation Tabligh Board (AFTAB) successfully hosted the AFTAB Scholars and Tabligh Officials Retreat from Friday, 17th January 2025, to Sunday, 19th January 2025, at Seascape Hotel & Conference Centre in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. This gathering brought together scholars and Tabligh representatives from across Africa for a dynamic and insightful exchange of ideas, strategies, and best practices in Tabligh.
A total of 23 participants representing 11 Jamaats across Africa attended the retreat, including participants from Arusha, Bujumbura, Dar es Salaam, Kampala, Madagascar, Mombasa, Morogoro, Mwanza, Nairobi, Réunion, and Zanzibar. In addition, we were honored by the presence of three distinguished scholars from the AFTAB Guidance Council:
Shaykh Muhammad Khalfan
Shaykh Ali Rajani
Shaykh Yassir Rajabali Alidina
Alongside them, we were also privileged to have Shaykh Dr. Murtadha Alidina in our midst, a highly learned and esteemed scholar who currently serves as the Head of the World Federation Islamic Education (WF IE).Bringing the total number of participants to 27, the retreat was primarily facilitated by Shaykh Ali Rajani and Shaykh Yassir Rajabali Alidina, with additional insightful presentations delivered by esteemed scholars, including members of the Guidance Council.
Purpose and Objectives
The retreat aimed to strengthen the Tabligh network within Africa by fostering collaboration, enhancing knowledge-sharing, and addressing the contemporary challenges in religious outreach. This initiative provided a platform for scholars and officials to engage in discussions, develop strategies, and enhance the effectiveness of Tabligh activities in their respective regions. The primary objectives of the retreat included:
Strengthening the bonds between scholars and Tabligh officials across Africa.
Facilitating the exchange of ideas and experiences to enhance religious outreach.
Developing practical strategies to address contemporary challenges in Tabligh.
Empowering participants with effective tools for community engagement and religious propagation.
Identifying key challenges faced in Tabligh and collaboratively formulating practical solutions. This exercise was carried out by the participants themselves, ensuring that the proposed strategies were directly relevant to their on-the-ground experiences.
Event Overview
Over the course of three days, the retreat featured interactive workshops, engaging discussions, and thought-provoking presentations designed to enhance the effectiveness of Tabligh efforts. The sessions focused on critical topics such as:
Leadership in Tabligh and its evolving role.
Modern approaches to Islamic propagation.
The responsibilities of scholars in nurturing spiritual growth.
To gain a more accurate understanding of the challenges faced, sessions were conducted in parallel for scholars and Tabligh officials separately. This structure allowed each group to engage in discussions specific to their roles, fostering a more targeted and insightful exchange of ideas.In addition to the structured sessions, the retreat provided an invaluable platform for networking, knowledge exchange, and collaboration on future Tabligh initiatives, reinforcing a unified commitment to the advancement of religious outreach efforts across the continent.
A Successful and Impactful Gathering
The retreat was widely recognized as a remarkable success, with participants expressing deep appreciation for the opportunity to engage in meaningful discussions and gain insights from esteemed scholars and colleagues. The spirit of collaboration and shared vision ensured a rewarding and impactful experience for all attendees.
The retreat culminated in a closing ceremony graced by esteemed dignitaries, reaffirming the significance of this initiative in strengthening Tabligh efforts:
Alhaj Amine Nassor – Chairman, Africa Federation (AFED)
Alhaj Safdar Jaffer – President, The World Federation
Alhaj Aunali Khalfan – Vice Chairman, Africa Federation (AFED)
Alhaji Zuhair Jaffer – Secretary, Africa Federation (AFED)
Alhaj Habib Meghjee – Vice President, The World Federation (WF)
Alhaj Dr. Kazim Dhalla – Tabligh Board Chair, KSIJ DSM Jamaat
Alhaj Arifali Hirji – COEJ President
Addressing the gathering, AFED Chairman Alhaj Amine Nassor expressed gratitude for the dedication of scholars and Tabligh officials in guiding the community. He emphasized the responsibility of delivering messages from the mimbar with care, ensuring alignment with the Qur’an and Ahlulbayt, and safeguarding against misleading ideologies. He commended AFTAB for organizing this retreat, recognizing its value in fostering meaningful discussions and strengthening connections between scholars and Tabligh representatives. Reaffirming AFED’s full support, he concluded with a call for unity and responsibility, expressing hope for the continued success of such initiatives.
In his vote of thanks, AFTAB Chairman Alhaj Mulla Sajjad Walji expressed heartfelt gratitude to all dignitaries, scholars, and Tabligh officials for their unwavering commitment. He acknowledged AFED’s leadership, OBs, and the Guidance Council for their continuous support, emphasizing the need for such retreats annually to assess progress and tackle emerging challenges. He extended special thanks to facilitators Shaykh Ali Rajani and Shaykh Yassir Rajabali for their tireless efforts, as well as the dedicated AFTAB team and volunteers. He also appreciated the sacrifices made by scholars, Tabligh officials, and their Jamaats to attend and contribute to the retreat’s success. Lastly, he thanked Seascape Hotel, particularly manager Ragesh, for their exceptional hospitality. The ceremony concluded with a collective recitation of Dua Hujjah, seeking divine blessings and remembering the Imam of our time (ATFS).
Conclusion
The AFTAB Scholars and Tabligh Officials Retreat successfully achieved its objectives, reinforcing the need for strategic planning, collaboration, and continuous development in Tabligh work. Moving forward, AFTAB remains steadfast in its commitment to supporting scholars and officials, ensuring the sustained growth and effectiveness of Tabligh initiatives across Africa. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to all participants, facilitators, organizers, and esteemed guests for their invaluable contributions. We look forward to future initiatives that will further strengthen our collective mission in Islamic propagation.
SECRETARIAT
TABLIGH BOARD OF AFRICA FEDERATION (AFTAB)
27th February 2025
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