Archives Book Launch Announcement - From Dhows to Diaspora

Secretariat
Jun 12
3 min read

“There are books that chronicle events, and there are books that awaken collective memory. From Dhows to Diaspora belongs firmly in the latter category… This is not merely a history of a community. It is a book of belonging — written not just for Khojas, but for anyone who has ever searched for home in distant lands or carried heritage in a suitcase of memory.”

With great pride and anticipation, the Africa Federation announces the official launch of From Dhows to Diaspora: The Khoja Journey and the Legacy of the Africa Federation at the upcoming AFED Conference in Mombasa on Friday, June 13, 2025.

Commissioned by the Archives Section of the Africa Federation, From Dhows to Diaspora is the most comprehensive work to date on the development of the Federation and the community it serves. But this is no dry institutional record — It is a living, breathing narrative that brings history to life through story, language, and emotion.

A Legacy Told Through StoryThis landmark publication, authored by Dr. Hasnain Walji, captures the spiritual, historical, and institutional journey of the Khoja Shia Ithna-Asheri community across East and Central Africa — a community that has navigated migration, faith, and modernity without ever losing its anchor in collective identity and service.

Opening with a fictional yet historically grounded dialogue between a young man and an elder—Pirbhai Kaka—the book takes readers on a journey from the dhow ports of Gujarat to the bustling towns of East Africa. It charts the birth of Jamaats, the community’s theological transformation from Satpanth to Twelver Shiism, the challenges of colonialism and exile, and the rise of institutions such as the Bilal Muslim Mission and the Africa Federation itself.

Chairman Amine Nassor on the Importance of This Work

“This book is not just a record—it is a legacy,” - AFED Chairman Alhaj Amine Nassor.“

For generations, we have navigated faith, migration, adversity, and opportunity. From Dhows to Diaspora captures that journey with honesty and reverence.”

As the Africa Federation approaches eight decades of service, this publication stands as a tribute to the quiet builders of our community—those who established masjids in remote areas, taught Qur’an under mango trees, led with integrity, and served selflessly without seeking recognition.

A Call to the Next Generation

In his own words, Dr. Hasnain Walji reminds us:“This story doesn’t end with the last chapter. It begins with YOUR next step.”

This is not only a book of remembrance—it is a call to action. It invites the younger generation to reconnect with their roots, not merely to admire the past, but to carry forward its mission with renewed passion and purpose.

Join Us for the Official Launch

We warmly invite all conference delegates, Jamaat representatives, scholars, youth leaders, and community members to attend the official launch of From Dhows to Diaspora on Friday, June 13, 2025, during the Africa Federation Conference in Mombasa.

The launch program will feature remarks from the author, reflections from the Archives Section, and acknowledgments of key contributors who made this publication possible.