BIS-MILLA-HIR-RAHMA-NIR-RAHIM

The International Chairman, Abbas Mooraj, The Dubai JIBA Chairman, Iqbal Mankani, Invited guests, Ladies and Gentlemen 

Salaam Alaikum. 

First of all, on behalf of the Africa Federation, I take this opportunity to congratulate the JIBA international Chairman Mr. Abbas Muraj for taking the initiative to hold this 11^th JIBA Conference in Dubai. 

At the same time, I sincerely wish you all very successful and fruitful deliberations and to achieve even a greater height whatever you intend to transact during this Conference. 

On the same note, I would also like to congratulate the Dubai JIBA Chapter for taking up the challenge and a step in the right direction to host this 11^th conference and would add that they have done a marvellous set up in organising this event. 

Ladies and Gentlemen 

I would like to pose a question here… 

What have we all gathered here for?………. 

Since its inception in 1991 in Stanmore, England, JIBA chapters have aimed to promote and enhance communal profession and business relationships on a global basis. 

For your information, the Africa Federation has seriously embarked on a policy of sustained economic upliftment of our community at large and has repeatedly addressed this factor through all the Jamaat’s visits in Africa, and more recently in the address to the Dubai Jamaat last Shaaban. 

To achieve this aim, we have already requested all the Jamaats in Africa to form economic sub-committees and the response is encouraging. 

As a matter of fact, to start the ball rolling, under the guidance of the Africa Federation, the Golden Crescent Group of Nairobi gathered and organised a delegation of 30 businessmen to visit China International Trade Fair last October and positive results were achieved. 

Turning to Africa, allow me to throw some light on business opportunities in Africa. There are a number of growing business and professional service opportunities in Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Congo, Mozambique, Madagascar and South Africa. And I can vouch that a particular community from India has taken advantage of the favourable business environment in all these countries and have greatly benefited in both economically and socially.  

For your additional information, I have just returned from Kinshasa and Lubumbashi in the Congo. The combined Jamaat is of about a total of 300 persons. I can assure you that one can do various kind of good businesses in practically any field in that country. My advice is, if you go there as professionals or businesspersons, Visa and permits are easily available and you do not need much help from the local Jamaat members. Carry out your surveys and you have to invest to get a handsome return.  

However, I am pleased to pass a message from the local community elders that they have offered their guidance and assistance to businesspersons and professionals and this could be a timely outlet for the professionals facing persecution in some parts of the world. 

Turning towards the role of JIBA, an area JIBA international could look into is to educate our youths to become professionals in diverse fields. As you all know that youths are tomorrow’s leaders and to give them the right guidance today will bear sweet fruits not only for themselves but also for their families and the Jamaat wherever they reside. JIBA Chapters could also organize visits to small-scale and cottage industries.  

On the same note looking at U.A.E. opportunities are immense where Jiba chapter can enlighten you more about relaxed Visa processing, travelling restrictions, festivals, free zones and of late investment on properties. 

Ladies and Gentlemen I pause yet another question 

How can the community benefit by having more professionals and businesspersons?  As a matter of fact this is a burning problem and we should address it as “needs of the time”.   Here I mean the times are so hard and tough that no community or institution can afford to waste time, and If we do not concentrate and focus on progressive objectives, the generations to come will lag behind time, and we cannot afford this?   

History proves that we have always been very successful, progressive, educated and have produced highly talented professional business community.  I strongly appeal that we should keep up with the times, with the view in mind to secure our families and become independent, rather than being dependent on Jamaats Welfare or otherwise.  Conqueringly the community benefits from the contributions they make back to the community and standard of living of the community is lifted. Above all, I am pleased to mention that our Community stands out in all the aspects from other communities all over the world. 

Ladies and Gentlemen, diverting from the business world 

I wish to re-lay some extra information for our brothers from the sub continents especially from India.  Dual citizenship for people of Indian origin is being discussed in the New Parliament; if the bill passes then some of the countries citizens of Indian Origin will be given Citizenship of India. 

Last but not the least, I need a very important pledge from all of you. Let us all make a commitment today that we shall do a decent and honest business within ourselves first and support each other as much as possible to uplift the standard of ourselves and of our people. 

Lastly, on behalf of the Office the Bearers, the Trustees and Jamaats of Africa, I would like to sincerely and humbly thank the Officials of JIBA International and the JIBA Dubai chapter for according me the honour to grace this 11^th Conference as their Chief Guest. 

May God bless you all. 

Wasalaam Aleikum. 

Zulfikar H. Khimji
Chairman – Africa Federation.