1. Extracts from the First Edition of Manzil Magazine - November 1955
2. Photograph of Office Bearers of Lindi Jamaat -  1960.

MESSAGE FROM HUSSEIN A. RAHIM OF ZANZIBAR

I am pleased to learn that the Ithnaasheri Society of Kampala has resolved to publish a bi-lingual monthly journal to be called “Manzil”.  The Society deserves the congratulations and support of every Ithanashery in East Africa.   The press is the back-bone of the Community in this progressive age, and it is only proper that, for a progressive faith like Ithnaasherism, there should be a strong and independent press to guide its youth in the true progressive path and prevent them from assimilating the vices of the so-called races of the west. The Ithnaasheri community does not need to look in the West or the East for its inspiration.  The Ithnaasheri civilization is as old as Islam itself and traces of its culture can be found in many states in India where Ithnaasheri princes at one time of the other occupied the thrones.  In Iran, where Ithnaasherism is the State Religion, its progressive influence and stablising factors have saved that ancient country from disintegration in recent years.  Once again the Shia Ulemas, the torch-bearers of Ahlel-Baet’s learning and culture saved the kingdom not only from its international disruptive forces but also from being assimilated by the irreligious influence of its ungodly neighbour.

Let “Manzil” be a guide and friend to all those who are anxious to follow in the foot-steps of their great Imams to attain a true “Manzil” and goal.

With “Salsabil” in Zanzibar, the “Rehbar” in Kenya and the “Manzil” in Uganda we can look forward with confidence to the future of our children in East Africa.  I hope it will not be long before Tanganyika is able to provide the fourth limb to the progressive corpus of the community.

Ithnaashariat Zindabad.              “Manzil” Zindabad”              Ithnaasheri Federation Zindabad.

Ithnasharies Sports Activities in Kampala

By the Grace of Allah, our Club has experienced an uplifting of Spirits amongst its playing members in the past season. Similar uplifting of Spirits of non-playing members and non-members of the club was apparent for a while when

a.      Alama Rashid Turabi lectured to the Youths and their parents.

b.      When Ithanashari Sports Club, Mombasa, visited us here for their return games

c.      Test Matches between Pakistan and India were in progress.

It was very heartening to see our Buzurgs attending our Games, and their mere presence worked as tonic. No doubt, we have no Haneef, Imtiaz, Fazal, Mathews or Drobny in our ranks, but whatever material is there is very promising, Only we play without any backbone- which is members of our club to be there as spectators. I am sure that all our elders, elderly youths and armchair sportsmen would like to see our youngsters playing' in representative games, representing our Club at various Committees and taking part in all other extra - Club activities - our youngsters are willing enough with a little encouragement to  their Club.

It is with great pleasure that we, announce that our club has been allocated two plots for Pavilion Sites at the Lugogo Playing Fields. The final arrangements will come through in the next fortnight's time, and then we look forward to all of us and you to give us a pavilion worthy of our COMMUNITY, of our AIMS, of our YOUTH and our SPORTS.

In our opinion an Ideal Pavilion would consist of a Central Hall large enough to be utilized as an Assembly Room and can be converted into an indoor Gymnasium where Table Tennis, Basket Ball, Indoor Badminton, Roller Skating etc, could be played, Also to have a Committee Room, a Reading Room, a Kitchen, with Pantry opening into a Milk Bar. Hot & Cold Showers in the changing Rooms, and a changing room for visiting side. These are essentials and should take care of our elders, elderly youths, and armchair critics, and keep them happy. For more energetic, there should be at least two Tennis courts to start with, two Badminton Courts, a Volleyball Pilch and it least two Cricket Practice nets. And this should lake care of our Hanifs, Mathews and Drobnys. And we wish to have something to please everybody - from a child to our most reverend Buzurg.

And all this should take some doings - Money, Material, Labour - only a few to start with. And I am sure that when we will build our Pavilion, all consideration will be given to the needs of our youths rather than the amount of money available. And please do not disappoint us. Let us have something in which our future generations could take pride and inspiration.

LINDI JAMAT 1960 -L-R-STANDING: EBRAHIM ESMAIL, HUSSEIN DHANJI, RAMZAN BHOJANI,
KASSAMALI MANJI L-R SITTING: BABUSETH, FIDAHUSSEIN RAWJI, MAULANA MOHAMED ABBAS,
MOHAMEDALI RASHID ALIDINA, YUSUFALI PIRMOHAMED