FEDERATION DELEGATION VISITS MAURITIUS.

 

Due to commitments the delegation could not be together during the whole trip and thus divided into two groups, Br.Yusufali Fazal Chennai, Br. Jafar Rahim and Br. Muhamadrafik Somji stayed back in Tananrive while the president Ebrahimbhai and the Vice President left by "Air France" on Wednesday 13^th September 1961 and arrived around 6 p.m. on the Island of Lareyo in Reunion and reached their destination "Port- Louis" at 7 p.m. The small but determined Jamat of around 90 who had gathered at the airport which is 30miles away from the city welcomed the delegation. The respected elders and the President of the Jamat Mulla Haji Kassamali Esmail garlanded the guests on arrival and introduced them to the members.

 

Br. Hassanali a well known businessman and son-in-law of Haji Kassamali hosted the delegation at his home. After prayers and dinner they spent time up to midnight with the members and discussed at length the aims and objectives of "The Federation"

 

On Thursday 14^th September, Br. Kassamali took them around the shops of the members doing different businesses and showed them the city. In the afternoon the guests were taken for a tour of the beautiful Island, they visited different places like the wonderful garden, worth to be visited which has various trees and colorful flowers, one such rare tree which blossoms only once a century is seen here. This garden is the 3rd best worldwide.

 

At night a majlis was held at Haji Kassamali's residence which is being used as the imambargha. After the sermon the President of the Federation delivered a speech and briefed the members about the activities of the Council.

 

In the afternoon they visited a unique area where "colored earth" is set on a hillside torch of approx 200sq.ft, at least 21 different colors is arranged naturally, immediately the Quranic verse of 'Fatabarakallahu ahsanil khaliqeen" comes on the lips.

 

At night another sermon was arranged, the Federation President had to shoulder the responsibility of reciting it. While delivering the sermon he informed, that our brothers have been living for the last 70 years yet they lack the facility of an imambargha thus pleaded for an immediate fund to raise one in near future. By the grace of Almighty the fund of 13000/25 Rupees was instantly collected at the end of the sermon. Free hold lease plots of 100 by 100 worth 30 to 40000 to be bought. Moreover he suggested a small simple imambargha worth 60000/ to be built. Besides 13000, another 7 to 10000 can be raised from the Mauritius Jamat members, the deficit of 80000/ to be raised by other jamats which the delegation promised to do the needful. Immediately after the funds collection Br. Hassanali Pirbhai was requested to search and purchase a plot He added that it is important to build the first Shia imambargha within 6-8 months for which the Jamat and delegates looked very promising.

 

On Saturday the President met the youths who were encouraged to study further, one volunteered to pursue religious knowledge and another agreed to go to India for medical degree. Two young men promised to grow beard.

 

On Sunday 17^th September the delegation flew to the island of Reunion where the Chennai family had just established themselves for the last 3 years from Madagascar. The delegation was hosted by Br. Haidarali Muhamadali Kassamali Chennai for 2 days.

 

On Monday 18^th September, a sermon was held at a newly built mansion of Chennai family worth 1200000/, in absence of maulana the Federation President recited Hadithe kisa and Majlis-e-Hussain the first ever majlis there. Finally on Wed 20^th September 1961, the delegation boarded “La Bordon” for Tamatawa and were gracefully received with flower bouquet by Br. Hussain Nathu. At night the President briefed the members on the activities of the Federation. Later they visited Diego-Swarez to join their colleagues.     

 

Port Louis – Mauritius – Group Photograph of Khoja Shia Ithnasheri Jamat - 1961

 

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