Khoja Heritage Program - Honoring the Life and Works of Allamah Haji Naji

The Archives Section of the Africa Federation hosted the Khoja Heritage Program on 29th November 2025 at AFED Tower, bringing together community members for an evening of reflection and remembrance. The program opened with a recitation from the Holy Qur’an by Dr. Abbasaley Abbas followed by a warm welcome from the Master of Ceremonies Br. Miqdad Rajwani.

An opening address was delivered by the Hon. Secretary, Br. Alihassan Kassam who reiterated AFED’s commitment in prioritizing our Khoja heritage and holding more of such events to continuously remind ourselves of the struggles made by our fore fathers and visionary personalities such as Allamah Haji Naji. A highlight of the evening was a video on Allamah Haji Naji showcasing his remarkable contributions to religious education and Gujarati literature. He authored and translated hundreds of books including Qur’anic commentaries, collections of prayers and devotional works making religious knowledge widely accessible to Gujarati-speaking Khojas. The video also highlighted his pioneering efforts in publishing nearly 400 Gujarati books and the long-running magazine Rahe Najaat which reached Khoja communities in Gujarat, Africa, Muscat, Burma and beyond. It also touched upon the challenges he faced including a devastating fire that destroyed his printing press, demonstrating his patience, integrity and unwavering dedication to serving the community. The presentation concluded with a reflection on the resilience of earlier generations inspiring attendees to consider their own steadfastness in faith today. 

Following the video, the audience enjoyed lighthearted moments presented by Shabbirbhai Jaffer and a panel discussion moderated by Br. Farhan Yusuf with panelists Alhaj Hussein Datoo, Sr. Shirin Jeraj, Br. Husseinali Sherrif and Sr. Maryam Shariff. 

The discussion offered thoughtful reflections on what Khoja heritage means and how it continues to shape identity across generations. A particularly moving moment came when Sr. Shirin Jeraj shared her personal connection to Allamah Haji Naji, noting that he was her maternal great-grandfather and expressing her sense of honour at being part of an event celebrating his legacy.  Drawing from family experiences, she reflected on the importance of honouring elders within the home, valuing their stories, lived experiences and words of wisdom and preserving these narratives as an essential part of heritage rather than allowing them to fade with time. 

From the perspective of the younger generation, the discussion highlighted the role of active community engagement in nurturing a sense of belonging. The youth panelists spoke about how involvement in Jamaat activities, mosque programs and communal initiatives helps young people remain connected not only to the community but also to their roots and values. 

The conversation also touched upon the importance of preserving the mother tongue, particularly Gujarati as a living link to heritage, culture and religious understanding. Panelists collectively emphasized that sustained efforts by families, Jamaats and regional institutions are key to safeguarding Khoja heritage whether through education, community spaces, cultural programming or intergenerational dialogue. The session concluded with a brief Q&A allowing attendees to reflect further on their shared responsibility in carrying this legacy forward.

Q & A Session

The evening concluded with the recitation of Pratham Ali with attendees enjoying traditional kitumbua and chai, adding to the warm and reflective atmosphere of Khoja history and legacy.

SECRETARIAT

ARCHIVES SECTION OF THE AFRICA FEDERATION

22^nd December 2025