Mr Abdurasul S.Somji's Speech on Federation Day in Mtama, Tanzania on 13^th May 1963

 

Today we are celebrating "The Federation Day" this is the day when all East African Jamats of Ithnasheri were united to be under one roof. “The Federation" was formed under the presidency of Mr. Abdulrasul Nurmuhamad Kalyan of Mombasa on 14th March 1946.

 

Later the federation was strengthened by the honorable Al hajj Ebrahim Shariff Dewji who sacrificed for humanity that today we see the union of every Ithnasheri Jamat from Tanganyika, Uganda, Kenya and Madagascar who is ready to help each other in every way. 

 

The aim of the Federation is to unite people from different areas, to propagate Islamic mission through preachers and provide education to the children in the careers of their choice by sponsoring them to attend in foreign universities Totally 24 students have been granted scholarships from which 3 have completed, attained degrees. An accountant. a lawyer and a medical doctor have returned to serve. Four are studying in Nairobi, two more pursuing theology in India, all through the assistance of the Federation.

 

Since December 1958 the elected president Mr. Ebrahim Shariff Dewji traveled far and wide (1800 miles) at his own expenses to raise funds and after meeting many businessmen was able to collect a total sum of shs 850,000/, which has enabled to run the Federation's activities smoothly. Today we are indebted to this personality whose intention is to serve the humanity and we pray for his success in each and every task. Ameen.  Furthermore in 1960 the same personality went out of his way, on his own expenses (T. shs 4000) traveled throughout Tanganyika to collect shs 100,000/ for Tanganyika College and presented it to Mw. Julius K Nyerere on behalf of all Ithnasheri of Tanganyika.

 

The Federation has succeeded in bringing 70 different Jamats under one roof when it made its bye-laws and constitutional rites. As of 1961 all the Ithnasheri Jamats of Kenya, Uganda Tanganyika Congo and Madagascar, constitute of 50 main and 22 sub jamats, 144 committees 2200 families and a total population of 14,892 members. Amongst these 22 families are financially weak so the Federation assists them for their necessities.

 

The Federation has come up with a project of "Economic upliftment" for the members, the councillors meeting was held in Kampala where "Mtama" Jamat was the first to contribute shs 7,000/ towards the envisioned5m fund, Though no further information has been received. There is a lot of emphasis on expansion of agriculture and industries to boost the country's economy.

 

Together with this there are 40 preachers, 6 male and 14 female teachers catering for the religious needs in 22 madressa.

 

Overall the Federation's objective is to erect good projects for the benefit of the country's citizens. May the Almighty make its every task prosperous Ameen.

 

Let us celebrate this "Federation day" for the good cause of humanity and may the lord shower His blessings upon the leaders who run it.

 

 

 

Anyone with details on this Photograph 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