The sun rises again in the pearl of Africa ...as Supreme Council convenes for its 55th session in Kampala
The 55th Supreme Council Meeting which was held at the KSI Jamaat Imambara in Kampala from 28 to 31 March, 1997 (18 to 21 Zilhaj, 1417 A.H.) was a historic one because this was the first meeting held there since the political turmoil in Uganda, 25 years ago, in 1972, forced most Asians out of the country. The hosting of the Conference in Kampala proved beyond doubt that Uganda, after 25 years, is once again a formidable member of the Supreme Council. On record, the last Supreme Council Meeting was held there in 1955 under then President, Marhum Gulamhusein Kurji Jetha.
As per available records, our brothers first settled in Uganda in the 1880s and a Jamaat was formed in the 1920s with the first constitution being drafted and registered in 1926. Majlises were then held at private homes until the Jamaat's first President, Marhum Khimjibhai Bhanji offered a roofed structure for use as an Imambargah. The Mosque Complex which was the venue for the 55th Session was inaugurated in 1960 and a Housing Complex was founded in 1967. The sad political events in 1972 saw most of our brothers migrate to Europe and North America and a few to Pakistan and India.
Only five families stayed behind and all properties were taken away except for the small Mosque at the Kabrastan which was protected through the efforts of Haji Pyarali Khimji. This is where the few who remained, congregated for religious functions.
When Idi Amin fell, we had 10 families in Kampala. In 1992, the Jamaat obtained Certificates of repossession of all our Jamaat properties. Gradually members began to return from overseas and today the Jamaat prides of 60 families with about 250 members.
This year's meeting was attended by over 100 participants amongst whom included Presidents and Councilors from many constituent Jamaats plus local and overseas invitees. The meeting commenced on 28 March, 1997 with the Confirmation of the minutes of the 54th Supreme Council Meeting held in Nairobi in April, 1996 following which the audited accounts for the year ending 30 September, 1996 were deliberated and adopted. Budget proposals for the forthcoming years to 30 September, 1998 were also outlined and approved.
At night a reception was held at the Mosque compound which various dignitaries from outside the community also attended. The Chief Guest was the Special Representative of the Mufti of Uganda and a member of the Muslim Supreme Council of Uganda, Haji Simba. The speakers that night included the Chairman of the Federation, Mohamed Dhirani, President of the host Jamaat, Shabbir Najfi and the Chairman of the Kampala Jamaat Board of Trustees, Mohamedali Husein Punjani all of whom highlighted the activities of the Africa Federation and its investments and social work in the countries where its members reside.
With proceedings running late, the planned key-note address by the Chairman was forwarded to the next morning session which commenced with recitation of Dua e Wahdha recited by Mulla Anu from Mombasa. The President of the Kampala Jamaat, Shabbir Najfi then officially welcomed participants.
He then welcomed participants who came from far and wide for attending the meeting. He also acknowledged the contributions made to the community by those who had passed away in the last year and decried the attack made on the life of the son of our Marja, Sayyid Al-Seestani Seestani in Iraq in November last year.
The Chairman revisited the turbulent spots in Africa including Bujumbura and Zaire (where the situation has since stabilised) and said that the Federation has been in constant liaison with these Jamaats for the well-being of our members.
He said the Foundation Fund launched last year in Nairobi had drawn pledges to the tune of $700,000 but clarified that these funds would be invested and only the returns therefrom would be used for disbursing the community's various demands like education, housing, tabligh and the like. He said the target is to collect about US$2 million and that in the meantime a committee has been formed to study on the options available for investing the funds.
He said that in Mombasa, the community's old Musafarkhana had been demolished and will be replaced by a new Musafarkhana and residential Flats to be built at a cost of US$ 300,000. In Mwanza, he said there are plans to build a Madrasah and Widows home at a cost of US$100,000 whilst in Dar es Salaam he mentioned that the Daya Walji Madrasah is to be extended.
On Higher Education, he said that the demand for scholarships was increasing and with returns from the Foundation Fund only expected after two years, he called upon Jamaats to supplement the Council's efforts in supporting youths who qualify for such scholarships. He expressed bitterness on the fact that some youths did not easily repay their loans and appealed to them to do so immediately so that other students could also be provided with funds. He praised the Education Board of the Supreme Council for its efforts in uplifting educational standards in the community.
The Chairman also acknowledged the presence of Kuwaiti Shias who have been spreading the True Faith in Jinja and a small town some 110 km from Kampala in Uganda and have also built a Hawza, Mosque, Imambara and School in Lamu. He also praised the Ahle bait (A.S.) Propagation Organisation in Mauritius for its efforts to spread religion.
On sports, he appealed to all Jamaats to encourage sportsmen and to provide facilities for youths to play. He also commended the Mwanza, Bukoba and Kampala Jamaats for organising a mini Sports Festival.
The Chairman said the community had good sporting facilities in Mombasa and Nairobi and said that plans are already underway to build a fine sports Complex in Dar es salaam and Arusha.
On the Supreme Council tournament, he said this is now held biennially and that the next one would be held in Dar es Salaam in December, 1997. He also congratulated Mombasa's Jaffery Sports Club for marking its 75th Anniversary.
Mohamedbhai ended his delivery with a reminder to all that he had pledged only to serve for one term ending next year and called upon the Community to look for a new leader at least three months prior to next year's triennial Conference so that he would have adequate time to hand over office.
Dignitaries from overseas were then invited to say a few words and those who spoke were the Chairman of Regional Council of KSI Jamaats of the Indian Ocean Islands (formerly Madagascar Territorial Council), Asgher Hirani, Treasurer of Imam e Zamana Mission, Hyderabad, Captain Hadi, Cutch and Gujarat Federation representative, Aunali Salehmohamed and Nazir Moez of Paris Jamaat. All commended the Africa Federation for its efforts to uplift living standards and spreading religion. They also provided an update on the activities and bottlenecks in their areas. Also present was Anver Rajpar, Chairman of JIBA International and Mehfile Murtaza in Karachi.
During the course of the meeting, two proposed resolutions from the Kampala Jamaat were deliberated on. One stressed on the importance of education, medical care and housing within the community and intended to make this as a right for all deserving and eligible members failing which the onus would ultimately be on the constituent Jamaat or the Africa Federation. The second proposal was to set up a Community hospital in East Africa.
For the first proposal it was felt that education, health and housing needs are already being handled by individual Boards of the Supreme Council. It was also felt that passing the resolution would put undue onus on Jamaats and the Federation to fulfil individual demands. For the second proposal, it was felt this could be covered in the resolutions forwarded by the CHB.
As an Agenda item this was deliberated at length. To allow free discussions, the Chairman maintained an impartial stand and ultimately in a secret ballot 30 voted in favour of retaining the Clause and 14 voted against whilst one abstained. (This Clause was removed from the WF Constitution at the Extra-Ordinary Conference held in Stanmore on 7 June, 1997 where in a public ballot, 98 voted for a deletion and 20 against).
The following morning annual reports from various committees were presented for adoption. The adopted annual reports included the Secretariat's report, Tabligh reports, Bilal Muslim Mission (Tanzania and Kenya) reports, Settlement Welfare Board report, Education Board report, Central Health Board report, Federation Samachar report, the Sports Council report and the Foundation Fund report.
The CHB presented resolutions and seven further recommendations (outlined on page 40 under Medical Convention article) and it was proposed that the resolutions be circulated to all Jamaats in Africa in order to give sufficient time to the Jamaats to discusss them to facilitate adoption.
The Education Board suggested that to ensure more efficiency, the Board, at the end of its present term, be transferred to where the Federation's Secretariat is located or the Board be properly incorporated or all its financial aspects including approval of loans be handled by the Secretariat thereby leaving the Board to handle the technical aspects of higher education.
The Education Board also suggested that the Supreme Council and Jamaats should undertake Education and Life Insurance schemes for the benefit of individuals and the community at large.
The host Jamaat, despite being a small Jamaat, were great hosts and the volunteers worked with great zeal and enthusiasm. Guests were always picked on time and appetizing meals were served. A picnic for all was arranged on the day after the Conference and how nice it was to pray at the historic Mosque in Jinja and lunch at the Iranian Camp and finally observe the sunset at the source of the Nile ...a sunset which was to see dawn the following morning and not after 25 years!