- Secretariat
- Apr 23
- 3 min read
In view of the recent allegations by a candidate for the position of Chairman of Africa Federation for the term 2025 - 2028, it behooves us to inform the Jamaats and members of our Community on the subject matter in order enlighten them and to safe-guard the integrity of our esteemed Institution – The Africa Federation (AFED).
In recent campaign trail addresses, Br. Mohsin (Sheni) Lalji has been misinforming members regarding the sale of Bilal Muslim Mission of Tanzania (BMMT) properties in Tanzania claiming that the funds have vanished. This claim by him is utterly irresponsible, trying to spread aversion in the minds of the members against AFED and its respected officials.
Just to give a brief background on this subject matter, in September 2009, the then Chairman of AFED Al Hajj Ramzan Nanji wrote to Agha’s office for permission to dispose of some of the BMMT dilapidated properties, which included two buildings and a few empty plots, all details were sent to Agha’s office vide the said letter. The aim was to re-invest the proceeds into alternate properties which would bring better income for BMMT to fund its recurrent activities perpetually. The properties listed were those plots which were lying idle and the two buildings which were not required, and did not yield any income, whilst maintaining them was costly.
There was no Waqf property of Bilal that has been sold, the properties which were sold by tender were those which were given to BMMT by the Government of Tanzania and by donors without conditions. No Mosque has been sold or demolished as claimed, the Mosque is still standing at Tabata in Dar es Salaam. On this matter, the Ijaza holder, a responsible person in his capacity as Chairman of AFED wrote a letter to Agha’s office and was replied accordingly, and the properties were disposed of. Total net amount realized from the sale was US$1,790,500.
In 2015 the Office Bearers and Trustees of Africa Federation decided to purchase the NI property which came up for tender and BMMT was successful in bidding for the property at US$2,500,000. The balance of the amount of US$709,500 was injected by AFED to complete the transaction of the purchase of the NI property in Masaki. The income from this property is used solely for Tabligh including for BMMT monthly expenses to cover, Bilal H.Q. and Bilal centers in Tanzania.
It is very surprising to observe that these allegations have surfaced during the election campaign after more than 10 years, during this period several AFED Supreme Council Sessions and Conferences were held. The question is – Why now when the Candidate was in Bilal since 2011 and was aware and involved as the Central Bilal Board Chairman of AFED, and attended these sessions.
The other serious misinformation and baseless allegations are to do with Kinondoni property sale - This property was not in good state and vacant. The sale was initiated by the board of Trustees upon direction from the conference. As always, the Trust board followed the full process, including Tendering, presale valuations and other processes. We also confirm that property was first offered to Bilal for their secondary school/hawza project as well as Dar Es Salaam Jamaat, and both declined.
Before confirming with the buyers, a letter (Ref: AFED/HH/22 of 3rd October 2022) was sent to Dar es salaam Jamaat asking them if they were interested in the property, and following their lack of response another letter (Ref: AFED/HH1/22 of 18th October 2022) was sent to them to confirm that AFED were now going forward with the sale. The accusations on social media platforms that Dsm Jamaat was not given the opportunity is incorrect and unfounded. The price obtained for the property at the time was in line with the value and fair to the sellers and buyers.
There are other baseless accusations that have been made against AFED, and it is paramount to note that the election platforms are meant to discuss what the candidates will do for the community and not to bring these wrong accusations and baseless allegations to tarnish the image of the Federation. This is not acceptable especially from a Councillor who is currently holding the position of Branch Chairman (Kigoma Branch) of Bilal Muslim Mission of Tanzania.
All the reports of the trust board and other boards will, as always, be presented in the June conference and supreme council where questions will be answered.
With Salaams and Duas,
Zuhair Jaffer
Hon. Secretary – Africa Federation
Date: 20th April 2025 (22nd Shawwal 1446 AH)
