AFED 80th Anniversary - 80 Years, 80 Achievements - Part 1

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In the years leading to 1945, the Khoja Shia Ithna Asheri community of East Africa faced a shared challenge. Jamaats were spread across vast distances, with limited transport and communication, yet many of their religious, educational and social needs were common.

The call for unity had emerged earlier. In the 1920s, members of Mombasa Jamaat proposed an umbrella organisation for Jamaats in Africa. In 1932, Marhum Abdul Husein Sachedina, known as Azad, renewed this call through the Gujarati monthly Munadee, advocating stronger organization and cooperation amongst Jamaats.

This vision took a significant step forward in November 1945, when 45 representatives from 33 Jamaats gathered in Dar es Salaam to discuss the community’s social, economic and religious concerns. They agreed on the need for a central organisation and appointed an adhoc committee to advance the proposal.

In May 1946, the Federation of the Khoja Shia Ithna Asheri Jamaats of East Africa was formally established, with Alhaj Abdulhussein Nurmohamed as its first Chairman, providing a common platform for Jamaats to coordinate their efforts and address shared needs.

Under the leadership of Alhaj Abdulrasul Nasser Virji, who became Chairman in 1950, dedicated Welfare and Education sections were introduced. AFED also arranged for resident Aalims from India and Pakistan to serve Jamaats across Africa, providing religious guidance and instruction, particularly to smaller and more isolated communities.

In 1962, Chairman Alhaj Ebrahim Sheriff Dewji travelled to Najaf, Iraq, where he received an Ijazah from Ayatullah al-Uzma Sayyid Muhsin al-Hakim. The visit strengthened AFED’s religious links and marked the beginning of the centralisation of hukuk, or religious dues, through the Federation. During this period, outreach to Madagascar, Mauritius and other Indian Ocean islands further extended AFED’s connections.

The events of 1964 tested the Federation’s ability to respond to the community’s needs. Following the sudden death of Alhaj Ebrahim Sheriff Dewji during a visit to Zanzibar and the upheaval of the Zanzibar Revolution, AFED, under the leadership of Mulla Asgharali M. M. Jaffer, then the Honorary Secretary, helped relocate affected families to Dar es Salaam. Loans and grants supported those whose businesses had been looted or destroyed, while assistance was extended to community members facing danger.

That same year, following discussions with Ayatullah al-Uzma Sayyid Muhsin al-Hakim, the AFED Conference in Tanga adopted a resolution to establish a body dedicated to Islamic outreach and social service. This laid the groundwork for the Bilal Muslim Mission.

By the mid-1960s, AFED had established a foundation for collective work in religious guidance, education, welfare, outreach and crisis assistance. These developments reflected the commitment of successive leaders and Jamaats to addressing common needs through cooperation.

Eighty years later, the circumstances may have changed, but the principle behind AFED’s formation remains significant: a community can achieve more when it works together towards shared goals.

The story of AFED’s beginnings is therefore more than an account of its formation. It is the story of how a shared concern became a common purpose, and how that purpose took shape in an institution whose work would continue across generations.

The 20 achievements that follow trace the key developments of this formative period, from the early calls for unity to the initiatives that broadened the Federation’s role and reach.

20 Key Achievements: The Foundations of Unity (1945–1965)

1. The Early Call for Unity – 1920s

Members of the Mombasa Jamaat proposed forming an umbrella organization to unite Jamaats in Africa.

2. Renewed Advocacy for Federation – 1932

Marhum Abdul Husein Sachedina, known as Azad, used the Gujarati monthly Munadee to advocate stronger organisation and cooperation among Jamaats.

3. The Preparatory Conference – November 1945

Forty-five representatives from 33 Jamaats gathered in Dar es Salaam to discuss the community’s shared social, economic and religious concerns.

4. Formation of an Adhoc Committee – November 1945

The conference appointed a committee to take forward the proposal for a central organisation serving the community across East Africa.

5. Formal Establishment of AFED – May 1946

The Federation of the Khoja Shia Ithna-Asheri Jamaats of East Africa was formally established, providing a common platform for the community.

6. Appointment of the First Chairman – 1946

Alhaj Abdulhussein Nurmohamed became the Federation’s first Chairman, guiding its early development.

7. Establishment of the Welfare Section – 1950–1953

Under the leadership of Alhaj Abdulrasul Nasser Virji, welfare became a dedicated area of the Federation’s work.

8. Establishment of the Education Section – 1950–1953

Education was formally incorporated into AFED’s work, recognising its importance to the community’s development.

9. Introduction of Resident Aalims – 1950s

AFED arranged for religious scholars from India and Pakistan to serve Jamaats across Africa, providing more consistent access to religious guidance.

10. Religious Instruction in Smaller Jamaats – 1950s

The placement of resident Aalims helped smaller and more isolated Jamaats access religious teaching and guidance that might otherwise have been difficult to obtain.

11. Continuity in Leadership – 1953–1959

Alhaj Abdulhussein Nurmohamed returned as Chairman for two successive terms, continuing the Federation’s early work.

12. Strengthening Links with Najaf – 1962

Alhaj Ebrahim Sheriff Dewji travelled to Najaf, Iraq, strengthening AFED’s relationship with Ayatullah al-Uzma Sayyid Muhsin al-Hakim.

13. Receiving an Ijazah from Ayatullah al-Hakim – 1962

During his visit to Najaf, Alhaj Ebrahim Sheriff Dewji received an Ijazah from Ayatullah al-Hakim, marking an important development in AFED’s religious connections.

14. Beginning the Centralisation of Hukuk – 1962

The visit to Najaf marked the beginning of the centralisation of hukuk, or religious dues, through the Federation.

15. Outreach to Madagascar and Mauritius – 1960s

AFED initiated outreach to Jamaats in Madagascar, Mauritius and other Indian Ocean territories, inviting them to integrate under the Federation’s umbrella.

16. Assistance During the Zanzibar Revolution – 1964

AFED helped relocate affected families to Dar es Salaam and assisted community members whose lives and livelihoods had been disrupted.

17. Loans and Grants for Affected Families – 1964

Families whose businesses had been looted or destroyed received loans and grants to help them through the aftermath of the Zanzibar Revolution.

18. Support for Families Facing Danger – 1964

AFED extended assistance to community members facing danger during the upheaval, demonstrating the importance of collective support in times of crisis.

19. The Tanga Resolution for Islamic Outreach – 1964

Following discussions with Ayatullah al-Uzma Sayyid Muhsin al-Hakim, the AFED Conference in Tanga adopted a resolution to establish a body dedicated to Islamic outreach and social service.

20. Laying the Groundwork for the Bilal Muslim Mission – 1964

The resolution adopted at the Tanga conference laid the groundwork for the Bilal Muslim Mission, extending the community’s focus towards Islamic outreach and social service.