From The Africa Federation Archives
1. Loss of a Dedicated Servant – Marhum Hussein Hasham Dewji - Singida
2. Photograph of the Opening Ceremony of Singida Mosque
Loss of a Dedicated Servant - Article extracted from Federation Samachar – July 1966 Volume 6 No 3
A Dedicated servant of Singida Jamaat Murabbi Husseinbhai Haji Hasham Dewji passed away on *25th May 1965. May the Almighty Lord (s.w.t.) shower His mercy and grant him a high rank in the hereafter.
Husseinbhai was born in Dodoma, Tanzania on 18th December 1917, his late father Haji Hasham Dewji was a good businessman thus the youth at a tender age of 16 took over the business and was running it wholeheartedly up to date as Hasham Dewji & Sons.
The late served Singida Jamaat physically and financially.
He served as the President of Singida Jamaat for many years and was a social worker. Those who had a chance of meeting him would surely know how he cared for the Jamaat and would help solve out every problem willingly.
Anyone visiting Singida for business or any other purpose would always be warmly welcomed and served by him.
The late Husseinbhai was courteous and philanthropic by nature and an outstanding figure in general public. He served as a trustee of Muslim School, Manager as well as trustee of Indian Public school up to his death. Moreover he served as the Chairman of Indian Association up to his last breath.
Marhum was punctual and regular in his prayers and served many guests.
He suffered from heart disease (Angina). On *25th May 1965 whilst performing his dawn prayers in the second unit’s ruku position, he collapsed and left this world forever for the pleasure of the Almighty.
On *25th May 1965 Tanzania Union Day was being celebrated when all business were closed, all the communities were participating in religious functions and the current Area Commissioner of Singida whilst delivering a speech in public, mentioned the death of Husseinbhai and gave heartfelt condolence. He even informed the public that although today is a happy occasion we even have sad news of loosing a person like Husseinbhai.
His funeral was attended by a large number of people from different communities. The Ismaili brothers’ prayed for him in Jamatkhana, the Sunni brothers even prayed for him and a “Fateha Khwani” was conducted for his “ithale thawab”.
The Jamaat has indeed lost a generous, elderly personality and a caring parent. May the Almighty grant the late with mercy of 14 infallibles a grand place in the hereafter. Ameen.
** We have confirmed with the Family that Marhum passed away on 26th April 1964; the dates mentioned above are probably a printing error in the Federation Samachar.
Translated by F. Ali
At present Singida Jamaat has a handful of members only, but in 1960 it had a good number and some of the well known figures originating from Singida are Alhaj Zulfikar Dewji, AFED Vice Chairman and Alhaj Mohamed Gulam Dewji, the youngest elected Member of Parliament in Tanzania for Singida Constituency.
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The Opening Ceremony of Singida’s Masjid and Musafarkhan performed by the Federation’s Chairman Haji Mohamedali Meghji, standing next to him is Bukoba’s Maulana Syed Khalil Abbas.
Photograph extracted from Federation Samachar December 1966
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