The Life and Legacy of Alhaj Hassan Ali Mohamed Jaffer

Alhaj Hassan Ali Mohamed Jaffer was born in Zanzibar on 25^th July 1932 and raised in Mombasa, where his lifelong engagement with community affairs steadily took shape. After completing his secondary education at Alidina Visram High School, he pursued practical agricultural studies in Morogoro, Tanzania. His early training reflected discipline and structure, qualities that later defined his approach to service and leadership.

On 1^st January 1953, he married the daughter of Mohamed Jaffer Rashid Nathani (Malim Mia) in Zanzibar. In that same year, both husband and wife commenced active social service in Mombasa, beginning decades of continuous community involvement.

From the early 1950s, he served the KSI community in numerous capacities. He was Honorary Secretary of Jaffery Sports Club; Honorary Secretary and later Chairman of the Education and Debate Section of the Ithna-Asheri Young Men’s Union; and Honorary Secretary and Chairman of the Education Board managing the then Alibhai Panju Jaffery Primary School. He later served as Vice Chairman of the Mombasa Jamaat during the chairmanship of Alhaj Mohamedhussein Gulamhussein.

In 1965, he became an Executive Councillor of the Africa Federation of Khoja Shia Ithna-Asheri Jamaats. During the chairmanship of Alhaj Mohamedali Meghji, with Alhaj Mulla Asgharali M. M. Jaffer serving as Honorary Secretary, he assumed the post of Honorary Treasurer. In 1980, he was unanimously elected Vice-Chairman of the Federation when Alhaj Abdulrasul Lakha was elected Chairman. His appointments reflected confidence in his financial stewardship, institutional knowledge and steady leadership.

At the international level, he was an elected member of the Executive Council of the World Federation of Khoja Shia Ithna-Asheri Muslim Communities upon its formation in October 1976. Through these responsibilities, he contributed to policy discussions and strengthened linkages between regional and global community structures remaining attentive to issues affecting the wider Khoja community worldwide.

Beyond community institutions, he was actively engaged in public life. He served as a member of the Managing Committee of the Mombasa Muslim Association and Honorary Secretary of the Eid Fete Standing Committee. In 1959 - 60, he was a member of the Mombasa Port Advisory and Productivity Council. In 1963, he served as an active member of the Mombasa Municipal Council. He was also elected Vice Chairman of the Mombasa Ships Agents’ Association.

Professionally, he served as Shipping Manager of the international firm Dodwell and later with the East Africa Commercial & Shipping Company Limited. In 1980, he established his own enterprise, Murtaza Shipping Agency Limited in Mombasa balancing business leadership with extensive community commitments.

With wide-ranging experience at his command, Hassan bhai was a prolific writer, public speaker, and historian of the Khojas and their migration history. From a young age, he maintained an unwavering interest in documenting community history and was consistently at the forefront in defending the interests of the community worldwide.

He possessed strong command over English, Urdu, and Gujarati, and was known for clarity and lucidity of expression. His speeches often incorporated Urdu poetry and Gujarati aphorisms, enlightening audiences with literary depth. His favourite Urdu poets included Mirza Ghalib, Muhammad Iqbal and Josh Malihabadi.

Over the years, he authored several researched works including The Sowing and Reaping of Destiny, Relentless Endeavours and The Endangered Species reflecting detailed study of Khoja history and community evolution.

In July 2017, the Archives Section of the Africa Federation hosted him at the AFED sub-office. Discussions during the visit focused on preservation of historical records and the need for modern archival equipment. During this engagement, he agreed to undertake the compilation of a comprehensive history of the Africa Federation from its inception in 1946.

Although he passed away on 23^rd February 2018, the framework he prepared for this historical project continued to guide the work. The effort eventually came to completion with the publication of Dhows to Diaspora, launched on 13^th June 2025 at the 29^th Africa Federation Ordinary Conference in Mombasa. The book stands as the realization of an assignment he had accepted with seriousness and foresight. 

As acknowledged by the author of Dhows to Diaspora, Alhaj Hasnain Walji, “This work is dedicated to Hassan Ali M.M. Jaffer, the visionary who first conceptualized this project. Though he left us before a single word of this volume was penned, his legacy lives on through his seminal work, The Endangered Species - a powerful narrative tracing the journey of faith of the Khoja Shia Ithna-Asheri community. It was his unwavering belief in preserving our history that ignited the spark for this work.”

On his death anniversary, we reflect on a life marked by principled leadership, careful documentation of history and meaningful institutional contribution. His work remains embedded within the evolving journey of the Africa Federation and the wider Khoja Shia Ithna-Asheri community.

Let us pray to Allah (swt) to envelope Marhum Hassan Jaffer in His infinite mercy and amply reward him for his noble services to the community. Ameen.

We request readers to remember Marhum Hassan Ali M. Jaffer and all Marhumeen with Surah al-Fateha.

SECRETARIAT

ARCHIVES SECTION OF THE AFRICA FEDERATION

20^th February 2026 / 2^nd Ramadhan 1447 AH