From The Africa Federation Archives


1. Message to Scouts by Mr. Vyaz Dev Misra

2. Tanga Scouts & Muharam in Zanzibar

 

MESSAGE TO SCOUTS

MESSAGE FROM MR. VYAS DEV MISRA, M.A., LL.B.. BAH-AT-LAW.

CHIEF COMMISSIONER FOR INDIA FOR BOY SCOUTS.

 

Scouts, you will notice that your Muslim Brothers will commemorate the Martyrdom of Imam Hussein on the 24th July 1961 (10th Moharram). It was on this day, more than 1,300 years ago, that Imam Hussein grandson of Prophet Mohamed, along with his relatives and friends was slain in the desert of Kerbala. In memory of this unique sacrifice, Muslims observe the month of Moharram as a month of mourning and take out tazias reciting the great deeds of Martyr and weeping over their sufferings. I am giving below the tragedy in   brief so that you may take lesson from it

 

Hazrat Imam Hussein was the son of Hazrat All and the grandson of Prophet Mohamed, Now Hazrat Imam Hussein had been asked to spread his teachings among the people.    He exhorted people to reverence God, abstain from violence of word, thought and action, and have brotherly feelings and lead an honest and virtuous life. He was asking people not to be selfish and give sacrifices for the welfare and happiness of humanity. The ruler in those days was Yazid who used to drink wine throughout the day was going against all the teachings of his Prophet Mohamed, People had become tired of him but dare not criticise him. There were some who were so much interested in his wealth that they were always ready to carry out his wishes.  He was very much upset of by the teachings of Hazrat Imam Hussein. So heo planned to kill the great Imam along with his family and friends.

 

An invitation was sent to the Imam by the residents of a city called Kufa. The Imam left for Kufa along with his family members and his friends also joined him. While on way to Kufa an army of Yazid surrounded him but since the soldiers were thirsty they requested the Imam for water. Finding that every one would die of thirst, the Imam asked his followers to give the water from his reserve. After quenching their thirst the army retreated. The Imam proceeded further and when he reached the desert of Kerbala on the banks of Euphrates river more armies of Yazid appeared and surrounded him. These armies cut off the water supplied to the Imam and his camps and asked him to give an undertaking to Yazid that he would not spread the gospel of truth and will carry out all the commands of Yazid or he should  be  ready  for a  battle,

 

Here   you    will    be   surprised   to   know   that   Hazrat   Imam   Hussein  had only  72  male  members  whoso ages  varied  from  six  months  to seventy years. The armies of Yazid facing the Imam numbered about 35,000 trained soldiers. But   the Imam and his   followers were   not afraid of death. He  refused  lo give  up  path  of truth  and  nor did  he  try  to  save his  life by giving   false promises.  On  the   10th  day  of Moharram  these 72 God  fearing persons  who did   not  have  a drop of water   for the  last three  days came out to  battle with  35,000 soldiers  of Yazid. In spite of those great hardships none of them was worried and everyone was bent on facing the difficulties.   The   battle started in the morning and by three O'clock every relative; friend and follower numbering 72 had sacrificed their lives for the noble Imam. Then the Imam once again called upon the people to follow the path of truth and honesty. But Yazid’s armies, who had been promised great rewards, did not listen to the Gospel and attacked him. For over  an  hour  the  Imam   fought  with   the armies of Yazid   and  when  the  time   of prayers  came  he dismounted   from   his horse and   asked   the enemy  to let him  say  his  prayers.   The   enemy agreed   but while   the Great and Noble Imam   was busy in   prayers they slew him.   Today none in this world approves of the misdeeds of Yazid whereas every one hails Imam Hussein as the greatest martyr the world has produced.

                                                                                                                                      

Brother Scouts, here is a lesson for you. See how the great Imam was honest and truthful, helped even the enemy in distress, faced the hardships with courage and sacrificed his life and everything dear to him in order to show to the straight and honest way

 

Retrieved from Federation Samachar – November 1961

 

TANGA YOUTH GOING FORWARD
Tanga’s 9th Ithnasheri Boys Scouts Group Photo

On 15th January 1961, the boy scout group began its activities in Tanga.  This Group now has 7 senior scouts, 12 juniors, 16 cubs and 6 leaders.  This group under the leadership of Haiderali Meghji has succeeded, and the youth have taken interest and are doing a wonderful job.  Recently this group raised our Community flag and took oath to be loyal to the Federation
 

MUHARRAM IN ZANZIBAR IN THE 1950s
Anyone with more details on these Photographs is requested to provide

 

Members of the Community are requested to forward this to contacts on their mailing list.

Any suggestions/comments can be sent to federation@raha.com