REPORT ON THE 20th TRIENNIAL CONFERENCE OF THE AFRICA FEDERATION
The 20th Triennial Conference of the Africa Federation was held at the Dar-es-Salaam Imambara from Friday 10th to Sunday 12th April, 1998 (the Session actually extended to about 3.00 a.m. on Monday 13th April, 1998). The Session was a success with deliberations covering a wide range of communal issues including the discussion of various proposed resolutions. Most of the sessions were conducted with packed attendances.
The visitors from outside Tanzania who attended included: Chairman of Conseil Regional Des Khoja Shia Ithnaasheri Jamaats de L’Ocean Indien at Antananarivo Alhaj Moajiz Khamis, Stanmore Jamaat Chairman Dr. Amir Lakha, Aden Jamaat Chairman Alhaj Ramzan Jaffer, Kenya National Assembly Member Hon Sajjad Rashid Mombasa, Alhaj Ahmed Daya and Alhaj Kassim Manji, UK, Alhaj Fidahussein Gulamhussein, Toronto, Riyazhussein Gulamhussein Maputo, Alhaj Asad Dhalla and Alhaj Gulamhussein S. Ahmed Saudi Arabia, and Alhaj Ansar Hemraj Dubai. Other guests included Professor Kamoonpuri and Alhaj Anver Rajpar , Chairman of Zainabia Trust who currently resides in Dar-es-Salaam.
The Session commenced with the recitation of verses from the Holy Qur’an by Aliasgher Kermalli which was translated into English by Sameer Parmar. This was followed by Dua-e-Wahdat which was led by Alhaj Mehboob Somji, the Chairman of the Tabligh Committee of Dsm Jamaat. The Chairman of the Organising Committee Alhaj Aunali Khalfan then officially welcomed all to the Conference and after introducing his team members who were ready to assist at all times, he read out various messages gracing the Conference which were received from overseas.
The Chairman of Dar-es-Salaam Jamaat, Alhaj Asgher Bharwani then delivered his welcome address assuring one and all that volunteers were available for assistance to handle individual requirements. In his address he accentuated on the importance of the Africa Federation towards getting African Jamaats together to solve common problems and to achieve common objectives.
After the welcome address, citations were read out by the Vice Chairman of Africa Federation Alhaj Mohamed Pirbhai to Alhaj Ramzanali M. Nanji to whom a Husseini Medal was conferred for the philanthropic services rendered by him to individual members, Jamaats and the Africa Federation. Ramzanbhai is currently the Chairman of Nairobi Jaffery Academy and is also the Vice Chairman of the Setwel Board along with being a Trustee of the Africa Federation. The Husseini Medal was presented to him by the Chairman of Aden Jamaat Alhaj Ramzan Jaffer.
A dilatory Citation was then read out to the Past Chairman of the Africa Federation Alhaj Habib J. Mulji for the Husseini Medal awarded to him in 1995 at the end of his 12 years at the helm during which he served six years as the Vice Chairman and six years as the Chairman. The Current Chairman Mohamed Dhirani explained to the congregation that the Citation was not read out at the time the medal was awarded because of his sudden appointment. The copy of the Citation was presented to Habibbhai by the Chairman of Stanmore Jamaat, Dr. Amir Lakha.
CHAIRMAN’S SPEECH:
After the presentations, the Africa Federation Chairman Mohamed Dhirani then delivered his key-note address in Gujarati. After welcoming all guests and thanking the host Jamaat, which he said has traditionally been hosting the Conference every three years, he revisited the deaths of prominent community personalities who passed away last year following which he began his key-note address.
The Chairman expressed satisfaction that some important projects were completed during the last year. He said that in Nakuru, the Imambara, Mosque and residential Flats were officially completed. He said the residential Flats are expected to raise revenue by way of rental income thereby helping to finance the Nakuru Jamaat’s costs. He then referred to the new Jaffery Islamic Centre in Nairobi which was officially opened on 8 March, 1998. He said this Complex, lying adjacent to the plush Nairobi Jaffery Sports Club, is a proud achievement for Nairobi Jamaat and includes a Mosque, Haydari Madrassah, the Nairobi Jaffery Academy and an Imambara for ladies and gents. He said plans are also underway for the construction of a Musafarkha, Girls College and Students’ Quarters. In Tulear, Madagascar he said that a Musafarkhana and Madrassah were completed while in Majunga, a widow’s home was completed.
Outlining the projects, that are in the pipeline for completion, Mohamedbhai said that these include a Madrasah and Widows home in Mwanza, and Imambada, Madrasah, Musafarkhana and Alim’s flat in the main port city of Tamatatavo, Madagascar and a Dispensary and renovation to the Imambada in Majunga, Madagascar. He said that in Reunion, plans to build a Bait ul Salaat are ready for implementation but the Jamaat there was awaiting approval from the City’s planning Commission.
The Chairman then spoke on the difficult economic times facing the Community and stressed on the need for members to avoid lavishness. He said that the difficult times had a direct bearing on income from khums and donations to the Supreme Council which have dropped, thereby restraining the general performance of the Council by way of providing business loans and other welfare and housing assistance.
He said that the Supreme Council has one building in Dar-es-Salaam and three buildings in Mombasa which fetch rental revenues to the tune of $ 70,000 per year. He said this income would be supplemented with additional income due from a building in Kampala which was recently reclaimed by the Supreme Council. The Kampala Ebrahimbhai Memorial Building is expected to fetch an income of $ 70,000 per year after its current face-lift while in Mombasa the at Unity House building he said that an extra floor is being added which would be rented out to bring in an additional $ 60,000 to $ 70,000 per annum. He said these additional finances plus the income from the Foundation Fund are expected to ease the financial constraints of the Africa Federation in the years to come. Until then, he said that the Federation would have to exercise restraint in its expenses.
On education, the Chairman expressed satisfaction that the Community now generally understands the importance and need of higher education for our children. He said a number of students were provided funds for further education through pledges availed in 1995 which were for a three-year period expiring this year. He said that beginning from next year fresh loans would have to be secured and to this effect he said that the time is now ripe for Jamaats to also share the cost of education for their students.
He said involving Jamaats in financing part of the educational costs would be a pragmatic way of ensuring that educational loans are repaid because individual Jamaats can be more aggressive on its own members and their families when it comes to obtaining repayments. He furthermore said that one possible way of obtaining revenue to finance further education is for Jamaats, which have schools, to increase school fees by a certain percentage and to allocate this percentage towards a fund for higher education.
He decried the attitude of many educational loan beneficiaries who are now repaying the money advanced to them. He said last year only $30,000 was collected from five students while seventeen did not pay their dues. He said lack of repayments was depriving other potential beneficiaries from taking advantage of similar loans.
On overseas education, Mohamedbhai said that higher education costs are prohibitive in Europe and America. He said that for many courses similar professional training is now available in East Africa and India. He said students should be encouraged to study in Africa and to this effect he said the Supreme Council would give priority to students seeking educational training here.
He praised the outgoing Education Board Chairman, Alhaj Hussein Rashid and his team for the excellent work done during their term. He said the Education Board has established good contacts with various colleges and universities and raised awareness of the importance of education to our community thereby facilitating communal youths to take advantage of the facilities available by the Federation and individual Jamaats.
On schools he said the Community now has four schools in East Africa rendering education upto Form six level plus four schools in Madagascar while a number of other Jamaats have primary schools or are planning to establish new schools. He said that in Dar-es-Salaam the demand for student places is high and he praised the decision by the Jamaat to procure the 3-storey high North Korean Embassy Complex Centre at a cost of U.S.$ 1.6m which would help extend the Al-Muntazir School, which lies adjacent to it.
He said the time is now ripe for the Community to think of universities and colleges. He said in Nairobi the building of a Girls College is seriously being looked into with a provision to provide accountancy, secretarial and management studies among other courses. In Dar-es-Salaam, he suggested to the President of the Dsm Jamaat to commence a girl’s college in the new Complex. He also emphasised on the need for the Community to produce its own teachers so that our youths are not unduly exposed to other teachers who lack religious background or lack good educational backgrounds. He suggested that establishments be incorporated in Dar-es-Salaam and Nairobi that provide teacher training degree courses.
The Chairman also suggested that with the Community having so many schools in Africa, a time has come whereby the schools need to get together and discuss their problems and progress. He suggested that a Central Board of Schools be set up which could then get the schools to co-ordinate.
Mohamedbhai then referred to the regions in Tanzania which do not have good facilities for education. He said in such regions families have had to wind up their business and move to Dar-es-Salaam in order to secure better education for their children. He suggested that to enable upcountry Community businessmen to continue with their business operations undeterred, the Dar-es-Salaam Boarding House be revived into its old purpose – that of providing boarding facilities to upcountry students.
The Chairman commended the madrasahs in the Community for doing a good job by providing our children with religious education. He said that women have also been actively involved in madrasahs and suggested that a super or adult education class be introduced for adults and youths wishing to learn religious education. He also stressed on the importance of Gujarati which, he said, should be taught in madrasahs so that our youths are able to read and write the language.
On molvis he said the Community lacks its own molvis and because deliverance are not to the required quality youths are losing interest, hence their poor attendance in majlises. He offered the Community’s youth who have studied up to Form 4 or Form 6, a free scholarship to Qum to study religious education for a 4-5 years course in any recognised Hawza. He said priority for educational loans would be given to students seeking to pursue further careers in Islamic education.
The Chairman then revisited the Sports Festival held in Dar-es-Salaam and said the next festival will inshallah be held in the year 2000 because for the next two years Christmas will coincide with the holy month of Ramadhan. He said the offer by Dubai Jamaat to host the next festival is being seriously considered.
He also accentuated on extracts of his last Eid Message wherein he stressed to the Community to maintain etiquette and discipline. He said the Community is viewed in the eyes of the world less by the wajibats it performs and more by the general attitude of its members.
The Chairman then talked about the increasing responsibilities of the Africa Federation, with some Community members now residing in new towns and countries including South Africa, Mozambique, Malawi and Zambia. He said to effectively perform duties and to handle the scope of work involved, the Chairman needs to have assistants and advisors to help and guide him.
Finally the Chairman thanked the Chairmen of all the Africa Federation Boards for their devoted service during the term and also thanked his fellow office bearers and all constituent Jamaats for their support.
After the Chairman’s address, the Chairman of the Conseil Regional Des K.S.I. Jamates de L’Ocean Indien Alhaj Moajiz Khamis, Stanmore Jamaat President, Dr. Amir Lakha, Aden Jamaat Chairman Alhaj Ramzan Jaffer and Alhaj Gulamhussein S. Ahmed from Saudi Arabia addressed the gathering outlining the situation at their end.
NEW OFFICE BEARERS:
The following morning after the confirmation of the minutes of the 19th Constitutional Conference held in Dar-es-Salaam, the following office bearers were elected.
The following appointments were made by the Chairman by virtue of the power granted to him under Article 16(a) and (b) of the Constitution.
The Chairman under the power granted to him vide Article 27 (c) and as announced in the Conference has co-opted the following:
AMENDMENT TO ARTICLE 35(a) of the Constitution
During the course of discussions and deliberation the following Resolution proposed by the Secretariat to amend the Constitution was adopted at the Conference. Article 35(a) of the Constitution of the Federation of the Khoja Shia Ithna-Asheri Jamaats of Africa was replaced with the new article with the same number and was unanimously approved in the Triennial Conference held at Dar-es-Salaam on 11th April, 1998. Article 35 (a) now reads:
TRUSTEES: (Effective date of the amendment 11th April, 1998)
"The properties and other assets of the Federation shall be vested in eight trustees of whom the Chairman and the Honorary treasurer shall be ex-officio Trustees. The other six trustees shall be elected at each Ordinary Conference, of whom two each shall be from Tanzania, Kenya and Uganda, all six to be citizens of any member country of the Federation of Khoja Shia Ithna-Asheri Jamaats of Africa and/or bonafide resident for five years or more in that Country and/or to have immovable property. The Supreme Council shall cause a Deed of Trust to be prepared in accordance with the Law. The Trustees shall abide by the provisions of such deed and the law".
The old article 35(a) which has been replaced read as follows:
TRUSTEES: (Replaced and absolute from 11th April, 1998)
"The properties and other assets of the Federation shall be vested in six trustees of whom the Chairman and the Honorary treasurer shall be ex-officio Trustees. The other four trustees shall be elected at each Ordinary Conference, of whom two shall be from Tanzania and the other two from Kenya, all four being citizens of any member country of the Federation of Khoja Shia Ithna-Asheri Jamaats of the respective countries. The Supreme Council shall cause a Deed of Trust to be prepared in accordance with the Law. The Trustees shall abide by the provisions of such deed and the law".
RESOLUTION ON RESTRICTING ABDULAZIZ SACHEDINA
Another resolution discussed was that relating to Abdulaziz Sachedina. The following was adopted after a lengthy debate which resulted in Secret Ballot where 110 councillors and delegates voted.
1 Spoilt vote
Total 110
The original Resolution was amended as proposed by Mombasa Jamaat and approved by Dar-es-Salaam Jamaat. It now reads as follows:
"This Conference notes with concern aspects of writings by Dr. Abdulaziz Sachedina in "Islamic Messianism" and in "Encyclopedia of Bio-ethics" which run contrary to the accepted Shia Ithna-Asheri beliefs."
"In order not to give credence to those aspects of writings which run contrary to our beliefs and be recognised as "accepted shia beliefs":, emanating from an author recognised by the Shia Community, this Conference places on record its condemnation of all such writings that run contrary to Shia Ithna-Asheri beliefs. As a mark of our protest against such writings and in taking a moral/religious stand on principle affecting our faith and in order to ensure that our progeny is not unduly misled as a result of such writings, this Conference hereby collectively resolves to call upon the Shia Ithna-Asheri Jamaats in Africa not to grant Dr. Abdulaziz Sachedina any forum for propagation or dissemination of his thoughts, ideas or philosophy until such time as he rescinds and abrogates in writing his objectionable written views which are not according to the tenets of the Shia Ithna-Asheri faith".
RESOLUTION - EDUCATION LOANS
It is hereby resolved that the Education Board of the Khoja Shia Ithna-Asheri Supreme Council shall grant Higher Education Loans upon the following principles and conditions:
RESOLUTION – TANGANYIKA EDUCATION COUNCIL
The following resolution submitted by the Secretariat was unanimously approved in the Triennial Conference held in Dar-es-Salaam on 11th April, 1998.
In terms of Article 34 of the Constitution, at the request of the Khoja Shia Ithna-Asheri Tanganyika Education Council, all assets, liabilities, commitments and other affairs of the said Khoja Shia Ithna-Asheri Tanganyika Education Council, which is being wound up, be taken over in trust and managed by the Federation of Khoja Shia Ithna-Asheri Jamaats of Africa on the terms and conditions to be agreed upon, and in accordance with the same aims and objects and for the same categories of beneficiaries as was provided for in the Constitution of the said Khoja Shia Ithna-Asheri Tanganyika Education Council.
The handing and taking over will be finalised when Tanganyika Education Council will complete the handing over notes, documents, files and most importantly the accounts.
RESOLUTION ON TESTING FOR HIV PRIOR TO NIKAH
This read:
"CONSIDERING
It is hereby RESOLVED that no nikah will be recited until both parties to the marriage produce satisfactory evidence that neither party is a carrier. Such evidence shall be in the form of a blood test which shall be carried out in line with the modus operandi set by the Jamaat performing the nikah or such other body which is recognised by the said Jamaat.
On the recommendation the resolution was amended to read: "We resolve that prior to recitation of Nikah by any member of the Jamaat, the proposed groom and bride shall produce satisfactory evidence of each of them being free of the HIV AIDS virus. Each Jamaat shall establish necessary modalities with the advice of the Central Health Board on blood testing, pre and post death counseling of the parties, confidentiality of the information and other necessary support services.
Consent for Nikah shall only be sought after all such independent information as is necessary has been obtained to give informed consent to the proposed marriage.
The amendment was accepted by Mombasa Jamaat and was also supported by the Central Health Board but because there was an objection the amendment was voted in through a show of hands.
RESOLUTION ON RESTRUCTURING OF THE SUPREME COUNCIL
In order to fulfil the aspirations of the Community and face up to the challenges ahead as we approach the next millennium, it is only appropriate that the Supreme Council undergoes a major structural change and at the same time, strategies are laid out that would bequeath to the new generation of leadership that will emerge after the expiry of the current three term, with an organisation that is vibrant and with appropriate relevant outlook and approach.
To this end, this Conference resolves to direct the office bearers to appoint a commission to look into the ideals and aspirations of the Community and the current structure of the Supreme Council and to make recommendations, within an agreed time frame, for necessary structural re-organisation. Members of the Commission may be drawn from among the experienced social workers, professionals, educationists, economist/industrialists with corporate experience and individuals with appropriate religious background.
Recommendations of the proposed Commission to be tabled before the next Council meeting in 1999 and if need be, a special conference convened at the same time to consider any constitutional changes required as a result.
To this Resolution the Chairman said that the work involved would be extensive for the Secretariat to handle and he suggested that a pragmatic solution would be for a commission to be formed in Mombasa to discuss the issue and thereafter to come up with proposals. This was accepted by Mombasa Jamaat.
RESOLUTION ON RECONCILATION WITH THE WORLD FEDERATION
"Considering the need for reconciliation between the Africa Federation and the World Federation and recognizing the fact that the existing solution is injurious to the interest of the Community, this Conference resolves to rescind item No. 13 of the Agenda and urges the Africa Federation to amicably resolve any difference of opinion or dispute it might have with the World Federation in a much more magnanimous manner and in the long term interest and unity of the Community.
After this resolution was introduced the Chairman stated that in terms of Clause 36d of the Constitution this resolution was Ultra Vires. The Conference on the proposal of Mombasa Jamaat gave the Chairman full power to deal with this issue in the interest of Africa Federation.
The most deliberated resolution was the one relating to Abdulaziz Sachedina which extended close to six hours. Voting on this ended just minutes before Maghrib Prayers on Sunday evening. At night the resolutions from Mombasa Jamaat were discussed following which the Report of the Conseil Regional K.S.I. Jamaats of Indien Ocean Islands was presented. Therefore reports of all the Boards were presented and this extended to 3.00 a.m. on Monday morning when the Conference ended with a vote of thanks.
During the course of the deliberations, the Sportsman Award for the Year for the Abul Fazl trophy was announced, the winner being Br. Noor-el-Ain Shariff of Dar-es-Salaam. During the Conference the Central Health Board also arranged to have three doctors from India to lecture on various health issues.
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