He also reiterated on the need for the Council of European Jamaats to become a member of the World Federation and expressed satisfaction that his earlier appeal to have the World Federation Executive Council meetings at different venues has been honoured.

On Education he said that in the past six years, the Supreme Council had assisted 60 students for higher education at a cost of about $600,000. He said that $282,155 of this had been repaid in the last three years, which has allowed the Council to entertain more requests for higher education. He said that the increasing number of local universities has made it possible for almost all serious students to pursue higher education.

He called upon the four Jamaats where schools have been established, namely Mombasa, Dar es Salaam, Arusha and Nairobi to consider building a college particularly to train teachers for our schools.  

GRANTS

To end his term in office Mohamedbhai announced  $5000 grant to Nakuru Jamaat for the Mosque and Imambara project, T Shs. 30 million grant to Mwanza Jamaat for the Madrasah and Bewakhana project,  $25,000 grant for the Mombasa Jaffery Academy Multipurpose Hall and $25,000 grant for the proposed Dar es Salaam Tabligh Centre.

Mohamedbhai then made presentations to his fellow OBs, trustees, the Chairmen of the Boards of the Supreme Council and the staff of the Supreme Council offices.  

FATEMI AWARD

Mohamedbhai then announced the presentation of the Fatemi Award to Mrs. Raziyabai Gulamabbas Janmohamed for her dedicated services to the Community over the years.

Raziyabai is the third recipient of this award since the inception of the Africa Federation – the others being Mrs. Kulsumbai Alarakhia of Kampala and Kulsumbai Abdulla Khimji of Dar es Salaam.  

CHAIRMAN'S ADDRESS

The elected Chairman of the Africa Federation, Zulfikarbhai Khimji, inviting Mohamedbhai to chair the meeting, proceeded to praise Mohamedbhai's effort in guiding the Africa Federation for the past two terms and said that his objective is to vie for communal progress in expectation that he would receive due co-operation from all constituent Jamaats.

He emphasised the need for Community members to pay their khums dues in time and said that the Federation has now to consider centralisation of the collection and disbursement of huquq income through relevant Federations and with the World Federation.

On spreading religious awareness he praised the Bilal Muslim Mission for consolidating its activities and declared the coming year as the 'Year of Quran' in expectation that more emphasis will be drawn to the importance of this Holy Book.

Zulfikarbhai said that the Federation would keenly eye Educational progress in the Community with the objective to ensure that not a single youth of the community is deprived of higher education through lack of funds.

On the economic front, he explained the plight of the middle class whose income has steadied due to competitors while the cost of living has increased. He called on the Community to exercise caution in spending.

On the Somalia brothers who have not been resettled he said a solution needs to be found for the individuals or families who are still in a state of uncertainty on their future. He said the community has so far spent $2 million to address their plight.

On the administration side he said that the Supreme Council would maintain two offices - one in Nairobi where a donor has provided a fully furnished office and the other office being the present one in Dar es Salaam.  He meanwhile emphasised on all Jamaats to have email facilities to enhance communication.

On the media, he said that the Federation Samachar is now the most popular Community media and said that the objective would be for the Samachar to be the international media for our Community worldwide.

He praised the Central Health Board for raising health awareness in the Community and for hosting a successful convention at the time of the Conference. He suggested that a medical insurance scheme be launched in order for members to be financially protected against illnesses and enabling them get affordable treatment.

He said that during his term the Africa Federation will continue to focus on promoting youths and said that the next Sports Festival will be held in Dubai during the Christmas holidays this year.

Following the election of the Vice Chairman, Hon. Treasurer and Trustees the Chairman then announced his appointments to the OBs team (a circular outlining the full team along with sectional secretaries has been issued earlier – this can also be read on the Africa Federation web page).

WF PRESIDENT'S ADDRESS

The World Federation President, Hasnain Walji acknowledged Mohamedbhai's long service to the community and expressed hope that the World Federation will work hand in glove with the new Africa Federation team.

He said that the presence of delegations from far and wide at the Conference was an indication that ours is an active Community that believes in democratic discussions prior to charting out the course of future planning. He said that we are primarily a religious institution and tabligh encompasses all our activities be they for child education sponsorship or for building of houses for the poor.

He emphasised on the need of activities around the world to be centralised and cited an example of the recent Gujarat earthquake whereby in 24 hours after the first tremors a delegation from the Council of Gujarat visited our brethren after due consultation with the World Federation.

He said that for the world Khoja population of 125,000 members it is important that we maintain unity because at times of crisis we cannot expect any external help. He said that to fulfill our religious obligations we continue to assist other Shias but history has proved that during various crisis faced by the Community including the recent earthquake in Gujarat, there has been almost no support from outside.

On Education, he said this is the first priority of the World Federation, which is why the World Federation has declared this as a term of Education. He said the four schools in Africa should work jointly to uplift standards and praised the schools belonging to the Mehfile-e-Murtaza in Pakistan as offering a very high standard of education.  It declared three scholarships worth Pounds 90,000 from the World Federation.

He said that the Career Education and Training Board of the World Federation would try to get all school boards around the world to share notes and form an international board to uplift religious and secular education at our educational institutions.

On higher education he emphasised for more support from the community towards a centralised Fund that would vie to cater for all requests for assistance towards higher education. He said that community members should consider reducing frequent Ziyarat or Umra trips and instead spare their money for a more noble cause, that of supporting the less privileged to pursue higher education. He also stressed that gifted children in the community should be promoted while handicapped children should be given more personal attention.

He too reiterated on the need for Community girls to be educated and said establishment of colleges by the Community would ensure that these would offer a conducive study environment to our girls.

He questioned that if the Toronto Community could collect $3.8 million in one night for the Bathurst project and the Vancouver Jamaat with only 500 members could venture on a $10 million project for an Imambara why should the Community in Africa not be able to pool resources for financing higher education. He reminded the Community that "if you think higher education is expensive, try ignorance."

He said that the maxim of the World Federation emphasises on the need for the Federation "to be enablers and facilitators" by working in unity with other regional organisations.

He said the World Federation is keen to work together with the Africa Federation to make the Federation Samachar, to now be an international magazine for the entire Khoja Shia population around the world. He said that in addition to the current African and North American Edition an edition can also be printed in London to cover Jamaats in Europe.

On medical support he said the Medical Advisory Board (MAB) of the World Federation has been actively involved in supporting Community members from around the world who suffer health ailments. He said the MAB intends to support dispensaries and hospitals belonging to the community in Africa as it does elsewhere.

Hasnainbhai then introduced the 'Transforming Vision to Reality' paper prepared by the World Federation that outlines the short and long-term objectives of the World Federation. He also briefly revisited the community's history after emigrating from India and landing on the East African and Madagascar shores some 100 to 125 years ago.

He said that through the efforts of many individuals and organisations the Community has grown strong worldwide with an infrastructure that we should be happy but not complacent about. He decried the habit by some individuals who resort to self-defeating prophecy warning, "If we keep talking ourselves down we actually will go down."

On huquq funds, he said that it is important that a delegation consisting of members of each of the regional Federations plus the World Federation visit the Marja-e-Taqleed, Agha Seestani requesting that he allows their reinvestment into the development of Community affairs.

He also supported the need for a joint effort to re-deploy Somalia brothers who are still living precariously clarifying that the World Federation has previously provided moral and financial support.

He ended his address by calling on the Community to give due importance to Gujarati in order to preserve our heritage.

SECRETARIAT REPORT

The following morning the Past Hon. Secretary, Asghar Dhanji presented the Secretariat report for the year, which outlined the activities of the Supreme Council and its various boards.

REPORT OF THE REGIONAL COUNCIL OF KSI JAMAATS OF INDIAN OCEAN ISLANDS

The Chairman of the Regional Council of KSI Jamaats of Indian Ocean Islands (formerly Madagascar Territorial Council), Roshanbhai Jameel expressed happiness that most deliveries at the session were in Gujarati and called for the Federation Samachar to also be translated in Gujarati.

On Educational progress in Madagascar, he said that a large primary and secondary school is to be built in Tananarive that would also provide boarding facilities. He said a large piece of land had been donated for this purpose and construction work is scheduled to begin later this year.

For religious education he said almost all Jamaats in Madagascar have their own madressa and reported that the Regional Council organised a national examination wherein about 500 children participated for three top prizes, one of which included a free Ziyarat trip. He said currently nine boys in the 18-22 years age group are studying religious education in Qum along with one girl.

He said the economic situation in Madagascar is tough and to brace with the situation a sub-committee has been formed to assist small businessmen. He said though the working capital of this committee is only $200,000 yet 100 businessmen have so far benefited from this scheme.

He also talked about plans to build a hospital in Madagascar in wake of poor health facilities there.  

OBSERVATIONS

 During observation time, thoughts and opinions were raised on:

• Religious and secular education;
• Duplication of services by different Regional Associations;
• Centralisation of khums and other funds, Need for the Community to have its own molvis and mulyanis;
• Encouragement of youths;
• Need for Joint School Boards;
• Need to establish a college;
• Grooming of future leaders;
• Emphasis on Gujarati;
• Need for unity between our different Federations and Regional Councils or organizations;
• and a need to encourage Community individuals to pay their khums to our institutions which are working democratically and which provide transparency for members to peruse and question.

 RESOLUTION

A resolution tabled by the former Secretariat was then tabled for adoption. This resolution read: "Be it hereby resolved that this Conference authorises the Trustees of the Federation to purchase the properties of Mombasa Jamaat whose beneficiaries are the Alibhai Panju School, Mombasa and which consist of godowns situated on Chuma Road, Changombe, Dar es Salaam.

“That the Trustees of the Federation shall acquire the said properties at a fair and reasonable price taking into consideration the market value and acceptable return on the investment.”

To this effect the Office Bearers of the Supreme Council were handed over the authority to carry on with negotiations on the property.

REPORT OF THE IMAM-E-ZAMANA MISSION

After the lunch break, Salimbhai from Imam Zamane Mission, Hyderabad briefly narrated the situation of Shias in India as being difficult with most living in shabby houses, poor health conditions, lack of educational facilities and with traditional customs like dowries hampering the marriage trend.  He called upon the Community at large to have smaller families, to pay their huquq, have modest marriages and for girls to marry late after spending a few years in studying.  

BOARD REPORTS

Reports of various Boards were presented by their respective Chairmen:

• Pyaralibhai Shivji - Bilal Muslim Mission of Tanzania
• Roshanbhai Jamil -  Bilal Muslim Mission of Regional Council of KSI Jamaats of Indian Ocean Islands report.
• Mohamedbhai Nathoo - Sports Council.
• Asgherbhai Manji - Education Board.
• Roshanbhai Fazal - Setwel Board.
• Aunalibhai Khalfan - Central Health Board  
• Munirbhai Daya - Federation Samachar Editorial Board and Africa Federation Webpage report.

 DUBAI SPORTS FESTIVAL

During the presentation of the Sports report, Mohamedbhai Nathoo called on the Chairman of the Dubai Jaffery Sports Club Mohamedraza Somji to officially invite all Jamaats to take part in the Sports Council Festival to be held in Dubai during the Christmas holidays this year.

JAFFERY SETTLEMENT SERVICES

During the presentation of the SETWEL Board report, Roshanbhai Fazal invited Br. Munir Daya to explain the role of the Jaffery Settlement Services (JSS) in Toronto in assisting Community members who intend to migrate to Canada.

 WORLD FEDERATION REPORT

The Secretary General of the World Federation, Dr. Sibtain Panjwani presented the World Federation report wherein he highlighted the main objectives behind the 'Transforming Vision to Reality' paper produced by the World Federation.

Sibtainbhai said that to mark the 25th anniversary of the World Federation it is planned to hold six conventions at various international venues. These are:

1] Health Care Professionals Convention in the USA;

2] JCSA Convention in India

3] Tabligh Convention in Africa

4] Education Convention in Pakistan

5] International Women's Convention in the UK and

6] Youths Convention in Dubai to coincide with the Sports Festival.

He said that a special committee under the Vice President of the World Federation, Dr. Ahmed Hassam is monitoring implementation.

On the earthquake in Gujarat he said that in two minutes a major part of the Community's infrastructure was brought down to debris but said that despite this tragedy the Community there has been strong, with faith in the Almighty being the ultimate Protector.

In his concluding remarks, Sibtainbhai went down memory lane to explain how our youths were involved and persevered to form the Africa Federation. He called upon the youths of today to be more involved in Community affairs with an intention of contributing towards constructive and pragmatic development of our Community.

MEDICAL FACILITIES

The Chairman of the Medical Advisory Board (MAB), Dr Mohamedtaki Walji said that the MAB is negotiating improvement plans at the Community's medical facilities in Dar es Salaam and Arusha so that many patients would not need to travel for further treatment.

With regard to the appointment of MAB liaison officer in Africa by the World Federation, it was agreed that such appointments be made through CHB rather than through individuals.

RELIGIOUS, ECONOMIC & SOCIAL ISSUES

Mohamedbhai Khalfan of Dar es Salaam spoke of the Community in context with the globalised economy.

Anverbhai Rajpar of Dar es Salaam related the effects of indigenisation on the Community

Dr. Asghar Moledina of Kampala spoke of the drain on the resources of third world countries by some multi-national firms. He also encouraged businessmen to consider service business to brace with stronger competition.

Hassanbhai Jaffer of Mombasa decried the over dependence of our Community on molvis who are trained to perpetuate a system which does not allow reform. He appealed to the Community to consider revamping the current system of recruiting molvis.

 VOTE OF THANKS

Dr. Asghar Moledina provided the vote of thanks to bring the curtains down on yet another grueling albeit shorter session of the Triennial Conference.

Secretariat

Africa Federation

July 2001