Appointment of Br. Mazahir Dewji as Chairman of the AFED Economic Development Board (2025 – 2028)

A New Era of Economic Development

The Africa Federation Chairman, Alhaj Amine bhai Nassor, is pleased to announce the appointment of Br. Mazahir Dewji as the Chairman of the AFED Economic Development Board for the term 2025 – 2028.

Mazahir has assembled a dedicated team with a shared vision and passion for bringing about economic change within our community.

Meet Mazahir Dewji

Mazahir Dewji, based in Dar-es-Salaam, is a visionary leader, entrepreneur, and community enthusiast. He is committed to driving economic growth, innovation, and social impact. Currently, he serves as the Strategic Partner and CEO at Chem and Co. Ltd. This company specializes in importing chemicals for mining plants. Here, he leverages his technical and business expertise to foster growth and deliver measurable outcomes.

In addition to his corporate leadership, Mazahir provides consultation services to businesses and organizations. He helps them enhance sales, marketing impact, and brand visibility through strategic guidance in media, advertising, and communications.

Community Service and Leadership

Mazahir’s dedication to community service spans over a decade. He served the Africa Federation across three boards in the previous term (2022 - 2025): as Vice Chairman of the Economic Board, a member of the Media/Editorial Board, and a member of the Sports Council. He has volunteered extensively within the Dar es Salaam Jamaat, currently engages with JIBA Tanzania, and is a member of the Lions Club International.

Globally, Mazahir leads Media and Communications for the Who Is Hussain Dar es Salaam chapter. He has also contributed to the Dar Ahlulbayt Society (DABSOC) under the Global ABSOC Network.

Mazahir’s professional and volunteer endeavors reflect his commitment to service, innovation, and the empowerment of others through technology, strategy, and media. As Chairman of the Economic Board, he brings a strategic vision, innovative mindset, and commitment to inclusive development. His aim is to empower and strengthen economic initiatives while driving transformative projects that create lasting value.

Introducing the Board Members

Zahra Bandali-Jacksi – Vice Chairperson

Zahra Bandali-Jacksi, also from Dar-es-Salaam, has over 14 years of experience as a Personal Assistant. She supports senior management, HR, and legal functions. Zahra has been actively involved in community service since 2010.

She was an active member of the Umoja Ladies Sports Festival, is a CBG Alumni, and serves as an Executive Member of JIBA Tanzania. Zahra has also led and assisted in organizing the JBEX – JIBA Business Expo, JIBA Home Business Expo, and JIBA Ramadan Souk held in Dar-es-Salaam.

Her strong organizational skills and event leadership experience will greatly assist her in her role as Vice Chairperson of the Board.

Mehtab Ladak – Member

Mehtab Ladak hails from Mombasa and works with a global network of audit, tax, and consulting professionals. Her role places her within a dynamic team that supports clients across the region, providing her with exposure to diverse business environments.

She has developed strong competencies in financial advisory and Kenyan tax regulations, offering guidance to both individual and corporate clients. Mehtab holds a degree in Accounting & Finance and is currently advancing her professional qualifications.

Re-appointed to the board, Mehtab is eager to contribute and hopes to leverage her expertise to uplift and empower young individuals within the community. She is passionate about equipping youth with the knowledge and tools to make informed, sustainable economic decisions that foster independence and opportunity.

Nusrat Fatema Virani – Member

Nusrat Fatema Virani, based in Kampala, has spent her life across Africa. Growing up in Lusaka, she completed her Business Diploma (ABE) in Dar es Salaam and now calls Kampala home. Nusrat began her career in Interior Furnishings, spending seven years in sales before moving into the telecom and messaging sector. Over the past six years, she has worked with both regional and international telecom companies.

Driven by the meaning of her name, "help," Nusrat is passionate about supporting people and creating a positive impact wherever she can. She has volunteered with Who is Hussain Uganda, contributing to blood drive initiatives and food distribution during Ramadan.

A dedicated lifelong learner, Nusrat enjoys spending time in libraries, nurturing her love for books and expanding her knowledge across various fields. She has also assisted several SMEs in building their market identity and achieving their desired turnover, reflecting her commitment to empowering others and fostering growth within her community.

Ali Abbas Panju – Member

Ali Abbas Panju is a Canadian entrepreneur living in Malawi. He works across the healthcare and retail sectors and is known for his practical approach to business. Ali focuses on improving systems, increasing access to essential services, and building reliable, people-centered operations. He believes in leading by example and creating opportunities through consistency, discipline, and vision.

Ammar Canani – Member

Ammar Canani, based in Nampula, holds a Master's degree in Information Systems from the University of Cape Town. He is the founder of One Click Solutions, where he automates tedious tasks for businesses by creating smart tools that enhance everyday operations. His company also develops ERP and POS systems, helping businesses work in a more organized and efficient manner.

Ammar's passion for technology and problem-solving has shaped his work and strengthened his understanding of real-world economic needs. He serves as a mentor, teacher, consultant, and technical advisor at the University of Cape Town, guiding students and supporting innovation.

During his university life, Ammar was actively involved in various societies and sports clubs. His technical expertise, community spirit, and leadership experience, along with his volunteer services within the Nampula Jamaat, reflect his commitment to serving and giving back to the community. He hopes to contribute meaningfully to the Organization’s growth and future initiatives.

Conclusion

The AFED Secretariat extends its heartiest congratulations to Br. Mazahir and his team on their appointment. We wish them every success in achieving the goals and objectives of the Board for the 2025 – 2028 term.

For inquiries, please contact the Board via email at afed.edb@africafederation.org.

Capacity Building Board - Visit of the CBG Chairman to Kigali Jamaat

Towards a Stronger Tomorrow -

Visit of the CBG Chairman to Kigali Jamaat

The Chairman of the Capacity Building Board (CBG), Alhaj Shabbirhussein Khalfan visited Kigali on 13th November 2025 and had an opportunity to have a constructive engagement with the Jamaat’s Managing Committee and members of the community.

During the visit, Shabbir bhai addressed the community on the importance of capacity building initiatives, highlighting how such programs are designed to unlock individual potential, enhance self-awareness and nurture personal growth. He emphasized that when community members develop confidence, acquire new skills and strengthen their knowledge, they become more empowered, productive and capable contributors to the long-term progress of the community.

A short talk on mental health was also delivered, underscoring its significance in personal wellbeing and community development.

The dialogue also focused on identifying the capacity-building needs of the Kigali Jamaat and exploring empowerment tools that can be facilitated to support their development journey. Capacity building, he noted, fosters a deeper sense of ownership and responsibility within the community enabling individuals to take active control of their own future advancement.

It was a fruitful and inspiring gathering and there is optimism that tailored programs for the Kigali community will take shape soon responding directly to their aspirations and needs.

The Capacity Building Group extends its sincere appreciation to the Managing Committee of the Kigali Jamaat for the well-organised arrangement and warm hospitality. We pray for continued cooperation, lasting success and increased tawfiqat in our collective efforts to empower individuals for the progress and posterity of the community.

CBG Secretariat

Appointment - AFED Archives Sub Section 2025 - 2028

The Africa Federation Chairman Alhaj Amine bhai Nassor is pleased to announce the re appointment of Dr. Abbasaley Mazaher Abbas as the Sectional Secretary of the AFED Archives Sub Section for the term 2025 – 2028.

Dr. Abbasaley has finalized his team consisting of youths and ladies with a passion in Community history and the zeal to promote and preserve the Khoja Heritage.

Dr. Abbasaley Mazaher Abbas born and raised in Dar es Salaam, is a medical doctor who graduated from Hubert Kairuki Memorial University in 2022. While his journey in community service was already well underway, 2016 marked his first involvement with the Africa Federation through the ‘Solidarity Day’ and AFTAB Qur’an Competition teams. This drive to serve, nurtured by the support and encouragement of his parents, led him to contribute in various capacities within the Dar es Salaam Jamaat committees and as a dedicated Madrasah teacher. He remains a firm believer that serving the Creator and the community is a core value, which in return enables a healthier society and fosters progress in one's own skill set.

His commitment to preserving the community's narrative deepened when he joined the Archives Section under the mentorship of Marhum Murtaza Jivraj (Karbala) where his interest in Khoja history grew exponentially.

Having led the Archives team from 2022 to 2025, Dr. Abbasaley has focused on long-term strategic planning for the section. During this tenure, he has prioritized the digitalization of all available archived materials to ensure that the community’s rich legacy is preserved for future generations in a modern, accessible format.

Looking forward, Dr. Abbasaley’s vision is centered on bridging the gap between historical heritage and the younger generation. He aims to foster active engagement by moving beyond traditional methods, utilizing creative content creation and hosting physical events that make history tangible for the youth. By combining strategic foresight with a diverse range of digital and physical mediums, he seeks to raise awareness and instill a lasting interest in Khoja heritage throughout the global community.

Arifa Somji – Dar-es-Salaam brings with her over 15 years of devoted service to the Archives Section, having joined in 2010 as an administrator during the term of Alhaj Roshan Fazal. From the outset, her work focused on preparing articles and digitizing archival records, a role through which she developed a deep appreciation for the responsibility of preserving community history.

She worked closely with respected seniors such as Marhum Roshan Fazal and Marhum Murtaza Jivraj (Karbala), whose guidance played a key role in shaping her approach to archival work. Their dedication to preservation and integrity inspired her to value not just the records themselves, but also the stories, identities, and memories they represent. Over the years, she has been instrumental in strengthening archival practices, particularly through digitization, ensuring that important documents are protected and accessible for future generations.

For Arifa, archives are far more than old papers stored away. She sees them as living memories that preserve truth, restore identity, and give voice to those who are no longer here. Whether through a document, a photograph, or a written record, she has witnessed how archives can reconnect people to their roots and history. With this belief at her core, Arifa continues to serve with passion, carrying forward a legacy of responsibility, continuity, and care for our shared heritage.

Sukaina Samir Habib- Dar-es-Salaam. Her love for archives and history was nurtured from a young age through the influence of her late father Murtaza Jivraj (Karbala), who served as the Archives Section Head. Inspired by his legacy, she continues to carry forward his passion for preserving community heritage.

Sukaina currently serves as the Vice Principal of Husayni Madrasah in Dar es Salaam, where she is dedicated to nurturing young minds and strengthening Islamic education. Over the years, she has also contributed to community wellbeing through her involvement in the Marriage Support Group, offering guidance and support to couples. In addition, she served as a Patron for the Development Society, a youth group focused on growth, leadership, and service.

Grounded in service, legacy, and lifelong learning, Sukaina embodies a commitment to both community and continuity honouring the past while shaping the future.

Aasiya Dhala – Dar-es-Salaam is a passionate explorer of her heritage, deeply committed to understanding the roots of her faith, identity, and community. Her longstanding love for politics and history has enriched her worldview, strengthened her beliefs, and deepened her appreciation for the sacrifices made by her ancestors to preserve their religion in the face of adversity. She thrives in conversations that bridge the past and the present, engaging thoughtfully in political and historical discussions with a solution-oriented mindset. Her goal is to inspire today’s youth to value their heritage and recognize the resilience that has shaped their community.

Aasiya currently serves as the Vice President of the Youth Council (Girls) under the Development Society, where she helps organize meaningful events for the community. Guided by the motto “to learn, serve, and teach for the Almighty,” she works with dedication to create programs that foster growth, unity, and spiritual development.

In addition to this role, Aasiya is one of the leads behind the Noor Fun initiative under Husayni Madrasah. Through this project, she helps revive the love of reading among older girls by curating engaging book-club style events that encourage reflection, learning, and connection. Aasiya seeks to align her efforts with what is pleasing to Allah (swt) and the Imam of her time (atfs) embodying sincerity, service, and purpose in everything she does.

Zeba Merchant – Nairobi is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Microbiology and Biotechnology. Her academic journey was guided by a deep curiosity for Science and a sincere desire to use knowledge in the service of humanity. Alongside her studies, she serves as a teacher at the Madrasah, where she finds immense fulfillment in nurturing young minds and helping them grow in both faith and understanding.

From a young age, she has been actively engaged in community service, and currently serves as the Assistant Secretary of the Women’s Development Committee and is also a member of the Ladies Tabligh Committee. As a very active youth, she feels a profound sense of accomplishment from being deeply involved in community affairs, participating wholeheartedly in initiatives that foster growth, unity and collaboration within the community. She is inspired by the words of Imam Ali (A), “The best of people is the one who benefits others.”

As a public speaker, she is very passionate about using her voice to inspire and connect. She strongly believes in the preservation of language and culture, which is why she often delivers her speeches in Urdu, bridging generations and keeping our cultural identity alive through words and reflection. For her, service is not limited to a role, it is a way of life rooted in faith, sincerity and compassion. She strives to leave behind a legacy of kindness and purpose where every effort, no matter how small, becomes a step towards uplifting others.

Tatheer Fatima Vakil – Dar-es-Salaam is pursuing Computer Science and completing studies in Social and Employability Coaching. She is a passionate community leader, educator and creative visionary devoted to nurturing faith, well-being and purposeful growth within the community. She serves as the Founder and CEO of Al-Vakil Foundation, an initiative rooted in the belief that education, creativity and spiritual values play a vital role in shaping confident, resilient and purpose-driven individuals.

Her journey of service reflects consistent involvement in mosque and community initiatives as well as long-standing participation in the Development Society, through these platforms, Tatheer has served in various capacities, including as a Communications Coordinator where she led visual storytelling and outreach through photography, editing, live event coverage, highlight reports and the design of promotional materials. These experiences strengthened her ability to communicate meaningful messages and engage diverse audiences.

Through Al-Vakil Foundation, Tatheer leads the creation of story and activity books, board games and card games inspired by the lives and teachings of holy personalities, making learning engaging and reflective for children and youth. Alongside content development, she facilitates creative workshops in Karbala and Dar es Salaam, organizes reflective programs centered on the lives of the Ahlulbayt (AS) and actively teaches Qur’an both in person at a madrassah in Dar es Salaam and through online classes, with a strong focus on Tajweed and foundational rules.

Miqdad Mahmood Rajvani – Dar-es-Salaam is an aspiring lawyer and an award-winning public speaker who has dedicated his time to serving the community through various voluntary roles. He was an active member of the Development Society for three consecutive years, serving as the committee head of multiple boards and organizing numerous events for Madrasah students.

In addition, Miqdad has been teaching at Husayni Madrasah for over two years, imparting knowledge and serving as a role model for the younger generation. He also extends his passion for teaching beyond borders by serving as an online teacher for Madrasahs based in the UK.

His experiences with the Development Society and Husayni Madrasah have provided him with valuable insights into youth engagement and guidance. Through these roles, Miqdad has developed strong leadership, communication and organizational skills which are qualities that have inspired him to take a step forward and serve as a member of the AFED Archives Section.

Abbasali Jaffer Raza – Dar-es-Salaam is currently in Year 10 at Al Muntazir Islamic International School and in Year 11 at the Husayni Madrasah Boys Section. He has been involved in community activities since a young age particularly through Qur’an and eulogy recitations which have contributed to his confidence, grounding and sense of responsibility to serve the community.

Abbasali has been volunteering at Mehfil-e-Ali Asghar since 2024, where he supports ongoing activities and is also an active member of the Development Society; he has served in various roles over time, and will be its Vice President for the 2026 term providing him with practical experience in teamwork and leadership.

Abbasali is also a member of the KSIJ Dar Scouts Team where he actively participates in the Karbala Project during Muharram and is also actively involved in organizing and participating in various programmes within his school environment.

His interest in community heritage developed during his portrayal of Mulla Qader Hussain Karbalai at Khoja Heritage Day 2023. This experience encouraged greater awareness of the community’s history and the importance of preserving it for future generations particularly among the youth. Abbasali hopes to contribute positively to the AFED Archives Section by supporting its efforts to document, preserve and share the history and heritage of the community.

Husayn Moledina – Dar-es-Salaam pursued his early education at Al-Muntazir Islamic Seminary and graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics and Applied Statistics from the University of Cape Town.

Passionate about education and youth development, Husayn serves as a teacher of Mathematics, where he strives to inspire curiosity, critical thinking and a love for learning among students. Though early in his professional journey, he is deeply committed to redefining how young people engage with education and to fostering a culture that values understanding over rote learning.

Husayn draws strength and purpose from his faith and community. His service is guided by a strong belief that the youth are the heartbeat of the community, source of creativity, innovation and long-term growth. He aspires to contribute to meaningful educational reform within the community.

The AFED Secretariat extends its heartiest congratulations to Dr. Abbasaley and his team on their appointment and wishes them every success in achieving the goals and objectives of the Board for the 2025 – 2028 term.

The Email contact of the Board is archives@africafederation.org

Secretariat