Dear Community Members

Salaam Alaikum,

May I, first of all thank Allah (SWT) for giving me the opportunity to serve the Community as Chairman of Africa Federation for the period 2004 through to 2010. Allow me to also thank and express my gratitude to the entire community for your support, assistance, consideration and understanding which certainly made my task that much more manageable and less arduous. I pray to Allah SWT for the advancement, progress and prosperity of our fine community, showering us with His blessings, keeping us totally united and firmly steadfast in our Faith, as well as our love for The Ahlul Bayt.  Ameen.

In 2004, a few months into the term 2004-2007, the community was confronted and confounded with the tragic loss of my predecessor Alhaj Zulfikar Ali Khimji, a dedicated, spirited and committed volunteer and leader. Unexpectedly, I had to assume the leadership of this August body, extensively and typically referred to as “ The Mother of All Federations “ I very quickly recognised that with leadership came immense responsibilities and high expectations, requiring one to rise to the challenges.

Alhamdulilah, having seen through the term 2004-2007, it was encouraging to note that the community entrusted me with a further period as Chairman for the term 2007-2010. The focus of this term, led by the requirement of the community, was Economic Upliftment, with the primary emphasis being on education, in particular Higher Education. I am delighted and encouraged to inform you that a foundation fund of $.6.75 Million has been established, the income from which funds all our current higher education commitment.  Apart from education, the constantly increasing budget for Tableegh, Health, Welfare , Housing, not to mention capital projects, necessitated a close scrutiny of the Federations investments, most notably the rationalisation of the property portfolio. The Community should be proud to learn that the current value of the Federation’s property portfolio is an impressive US$10 Million, producing an annual income of US$1.2 million, an increase of 500% compared to the income at the beginning of the term. I can confidently say that my team and I have conducted the affairs of the Community not only in a totally transparent manner, but with tremendous passion and in a dedicated and disciplined manner. The motto of our service has been for the pleasure of Allah SWT and in the interest and benefit of the Community.  We are now approaching the conclusion of this term, and I feel duty bound to present a summary of the progress made by Africa Federation during the last five years. [See Executive Summary Below]

In the last few weeks, our worldwide Community has regrettably been embroiled in an unprecedented controversy surrounding the Presidential Elections and the recent Triennial Conference of The World Federation held in Toronto. At such a critical moment, it is important for leaders to demonstrate transparency, high regard for good governance with total respect for our Constitution and High Moral Islamic values. We risk falling prey to rogue forces determined to destabilise not only our institutions but our faith as well. May I therefore urge the hierarchy at The World Federation to resolve this matter sooner rather than later. It is explicitly evident that the ripples of the current World Federation crisis have reached the shores of Africa. There is a frightening and genuine concern that such a distasteful saga may polarise us. I am confident you will all agree that our strength is in our unity, and any act that threatens our unity must be resisted at all costs.

Frankly, I am at a crossroad. On one hand ready and willing to continue serving for a further term, dealing with some unfinished projects and on the other hand by contesting the election, there is a danger of creating disunity and disharmony within our African Community. As I have previously mentioned, I have served purely for the pleasure of Allah SWT and in the interest and benefit of the Community. In the circumstances, after careful consideration and consultation with close associates, advisors and elders, I have decided NOT to contest for the leadership of Africa Federation. I pledge, that my team and I will assist the incoming team to the best of our ability to ensure a smooth transfer.

May I express my sincere gratitude to Nairobi, Bujumbura, Moshi, Zanzibar, Tanga, Morogoro, Mozambique (Nampula and Maputo), Nakuru, Kinshasa, Bukoba and Mombasa Jamaats for nominating me for the ensuing term. Your confidence and trust in me is greatly appreciated.

Last but not least, may I once again thank each and every one of you for your support, consideration and assistance, wishing my successor every success in taking Africa Federation to even greater heights and to maintain the unity of the community which is paramount.

With Salaams and Duaas

Ramzanali Mulla Nanji

Chairman

Federation of K S I Jamaats of Africa – 20004 – 2010

22nd January 2010  

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

TABLEEGH

·         In order to ensure that the various Jamaats are not deprived of the services of a resident Aalim the Federation has played an active role in securing these resource and finances the Hadiya for Resident Aalims in 9 Jamaats.

·         Funded 5 students to further Islamic Education in Qum and Damascus.

·         Promoted and Subsidized Students to go to Iran for Summer Camp with other Youths of the Community worldwide.

·         Established as a calendar item the Quran Competition amongst the youth of the community.

EDUCATION

·         The Zulfikar Ali Khimji Memorial Education Fund (ZAKMEF)  launched in September 2004.

·         Aim to increase AFEDS participation towards Higher Education Loan Program (HELP)

·         Funds raised $ 1.8 Million through Donations and US$ 5 Million Through Rationalization of Properties.

·         Loan amount per student increased from $.6,000 in 2001 to $ 18,000.- in 2009. Looking at taking it to US$27,000 by 2012.

·         Individual Jamaats no longer need to contribute towards this Program.

·         Total Roll of Students stood at 68 in 2001 and is now at 476.

QUOTE FROM AN INDIVIDUAL IN DARESALAAM

Education is the single most important tool we can arm our youths with. The Africa Federation has chosen wisely to arm its youth to face the manifold challenges of the world.

WELFARE

·         Total disbursements for welfare increased to $ 1.5 Million through the term 2004 – 2009 with the Major Disbursements to the following Jamaats.

Daresalaam – US$550,000, Arusha – US$ 330,000, Other – US$ 190,000. 

·         Facilitated 450 displaced brothers from Somalia with Nationality at the cost of US$ 360,000.

·         36 families provided with shelter.

BILAL

·         Bilal Institutions of Kenya and Tanzania commenced received Full Budget Deficit towards their running expenses. AFed spent US$ 2.1 Million since 2004 towards this vote.

·         This paved way for these institutions to focusing in delivering the message of Ahlul Bayt (a.s.).

·         AFed facilitated the renovations of dilapidated centers. Spent Over US$300,000 towards this program

·         AFed promoted Economic Upliftment Programs to be rolled out to the local community.

·         Working on rationalizing the real estate of the Bilal Missions with a view to improve their self sustainence.

  HEALTH

·         Very active portfolio assisting members from constituent Jamaats with their specialized medical needs if necessary overseas treatment.

·         Conducted active Medical Screening programs in Daresalaam, Morogoro, Zanzibar, Moshi, Arusha, Mwanza, Bukoba, Lindi, Mtwara, Nairobi and Mombasa.

·         Thalesaemia and Cancer Screening programs also rolled out for community awareness. Invested in equipment for Thalesaemia testing. Test Equipment installed at Ebrahim Haji Charitable Hospital Daresalaam.

·         Facilitated and financed a program whereby over 20 of our community members underwent Total Knee Replacement in India expending over US$120,000.

·         Facilitated and solicited for funds to establish Medical Clinics in Moshi and Mombasa.

ECONOMIC UPLIFTMENT

·         Identified the need to assist members with funding to uplift them economically

·         Availed Loans to 30 Applicants to date totalling to US$300,000.

·         Need to secure a formal arrangement through a financial institution to ensure smooth and professional approach to this scheme.

HOUSING

·         Launched the program with Jamaats advising them that minimum requirement is provision of land by the respective Jamaats.

·         Repeated requests to seek this minimum requirement to move forward.

·         Managed to secure this from Daresalaam Jamaat after 4 years of persuasion.

·         Immediately lined up the funding and launched the AL Ghadeer Project. Valued at US$600,000.of which US$200,000 each from the World Federation, Africa Federation and Various Donors.

·         Viewing this Housing Scheme as a Pilot Project for other Jamaats.

·         During the Property rationalization created 28 New Home Owners in Daresalaam

JAMAATS

There have been many programs which were with the intention of developing the Jamaats existing status which were entered into.

·         Arusha – School was guided to come out of the Red and become an income earner for the Jamaat. The Federation facilitated this by releasing US$ 200,000 to alleviate their predicament. The Arusha Jamaat now receives an income of US$ 25,000 annually from the school.

·         Daresalaam – Assistance program was initiated whereby the Jamaat secured the property adjacent to the existing Imambargah. The Federation accorded US$750,000 towards this purchase.

·         Bukoba – School was established to allow it to assist the Jamaat income. US$ 50,000 was solicited for and disbursed to establish the institution.

·         Morogoro – Assistance was accorded in renovating their Musafirkhana to become an income earner for the Jamaat.   

·         Through the term, I have given extra attention to personally visiting Jamaats with a view to get closer to the membership through the respective Managing Committees. At one of my first visits in 2001 as the Vice Chairman of the Africa Federation, received comments that it has been more than a decade since the Jamaat was honoured by a visit from the Chairman of the Africa Federation and that the visit had given them a better sense of belonging. I have been visiting almost all the Jamaats on a regular basis

ADMINISTRATION

·         Revamped the Federation Archives Department. Historical records now saved securely in soft copy and can be accessed from the Federation Secretariat Office by the community members.

·         Strengthened the Secretariat by employing full time staff to deliver better service. Boards also established with full time staff for improved service delivery. Education, Health and Archives Portfolios with Full time staff for improved service delivery.

·         Increased Income to US$17 Million since 2004. Of this US$12 Million was Khums Income. Enabled the Federation to accord more assistance in different areas.

·          Plan is to further strengthen the Administration to better the service delivery to the constituent Jamaats of the Federation.

PROPERTY RATIONALIZATION

·         Property portfolio not providing suitable returns to sustain the activities.

·         Embarked on a concerted program to rationalize the portfolio for maximum possible return.

·         Successfully concluded the program increasing the rental income from US$200,000 to US$ 1.2 Million Gross per annum.

Property Portfolio as at 2004

·         With The Property Portfolio now Completely Rationalized the Value of the Investment stands

at US$ 10 Million with a Rental Income of US 1.2 Million translating to a gross income of 12%.

Property Portfolio as at January 2010