Five Projects, One Vision: Dar es Salaam Jamaat 1969 - 1970

Secretariat
8 hours ago
2 min read

The years 1969 - 1970 marked a historic milestone for the Dar es Salaam Jamaat as five major community projects were inaugurated almost simultaneously each reflecting foresight, collective effort and a deep commitment to serving both present and future generations.

Foremost among these initiatives was the construction of a new Imambara on the site of the former playground and gymnasium previously used by students of the Husseini Society. Built at a cost of Shs 150,000, the new Imambara provided a spacious and dignified venue for religious programmes and community gatherings. It was designated for the menfolk who until then had shared the 1944 Imambara with the ladies separated only by a partition. The Jamaat’s Managing Committee also proposed the future addition of an upper floor to accommodate the ladies.

Central to these developments was the construction of a new mosque to replace the original structure built in 1908. The new mosque - four times the size of its predecessor was commissioned at a contract cost of Shs 358,500. During the construction period, daily prayers were temporarily conducted in the newly built Imambara ensuring that religious services continued uninterrupted.

Fundraising for both the mosque and the Imambara was led with dedication by Marhum Mulla Asgharali M. M. Jaffer and Marhum Mohamedali Janmohamed who visited shops and approached community members to seek donations. Among the principal donors were Mohamedali Janmohamed, Nazerali Alibhai Panju, Juma Haji, Abdulrasul Moloo Chatoo, Noormohamed Jessa, Mohamed Abdulla Khimji, Habib Nasser Rattansi, Rajabali Amarsi Alibhai, Mohamed Hussein Mohamed Walji, Abdulrasul Datoo, and Fidahussein Fazal Rawji.

Addressing the growing need for housing, the Jamaat also launched two tenant-purchase residential schemes: Mohammedi Flats, comprising 12 units and Tauheed Flats with 21 units. The combined construction cost of these two buildings amounted to Shs 887,000. The flats were built on land originally donated by Haji Sachoo Peera for use as a Kabrastan. When a government road later cut through the donated land, the remaining portion was redesignated for residential and commercial purposes enabling the Jamaat to develop the housing schemes. To protect the cemetery, a boundary wall was constructed around the Kabrastan at a cost of Shs 23,000.

The fifth project inaugurated during the same time was the Bilal Mission Mosque and Madressa in Temeke which provided much-needed facilities for religious worship and Islamic education for the growing community under the Bilal Mission.

The opening ceremonies of the five projects stood as an enduring testimony to the vision, unity and determination of our community.