12/04/2024
Message from the Chairman of the Federation of Khoja Shia
Ithna-Asheri Jamaats of Africa, Alhaj Amine Nassor Goulamaly
In the name of Allah, the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful
Respected President/Chairman of the Khoja Shia Ithna-Asheri Jamaat/Territorial Councils,
Respected Elders of our Community,
Brothers, Sisters, Youth and Children of our Community.
As-Salaamu Alaikum wa Rahmatullahi Wa Barakatuh
As the sun sets on the blessed Month of Ramadhan and our eyes seek the crescent of Shawwal, we must thank Allah (SWT) for His infinite grace and mercy having guided and granted us the opportunity to successfully complete the great mission and to celebrate the various achievements we have been blessed with during this Holy Month of Ramadhan.
We raise our hands to Almighty to accept our supplications and deeds during the Holy Month and to grant us tawfeeqat to remain on to the right path as ordained upon us. For reflection to this, let me quote Ayat 29:69 from the Holy Qur’an, Surah Al-Ankabut, Allah says; “And as for those who strive hard for Us, We will most certainly guide them in Our ways; and Allah is most surely with the doers of good.”
Eid is a day of great celebration. On this blessed occasion, on behalf of the Africa Federation Office Bearers and Trustees, I extend our warm wishes and heartiest felicitations to all members of the Community and wish you all; joy, peace, good health and prosperity with strength in Imaan.
It is my duty to once again stress on the importance of Unity within the Community, whilst as it is natural for all of us to have our own differences, it is vital that we stand as one united Community, taking into consideration that we are a small entity amongst the Muslim World, our unity should be our doctrine that others may be envious for. The famous slogan by the late Chairman of Africa Federation, Alhaj Ibrahim Sheriff Dewji in early 60s, said; એક બનો નેક બનો - “Ek Bano, Nek Bano” his profound words still reverberate in our minds, something that drives us towards deep thinking with our wisdom and to let go all our differences in order to build a strong and united Community. The fundamental basis of strength and progress hinges upon our unity and empathy for each other.
On the current affairs, I wish to alert the Community on the global economic situation with no sight for improvement in the coming year. We have witnessed the adverse effects of the global crisis of Covid-19 pandemic and now the wars in Ukraine in Eastern Europe and Gaza in Palestine causing enormous human sufferings, deaths, destructions and displacement of millions of people from their homes. Sadly, Gaza is a massive human rights crisis and humanitarian disaster. We pray to Almighty to ease the sufferings of the innocent civilians and pray for peace and security to prevail in all parts of the world, Aameen.
The Africa Federation appealed to the Community to donate towards the Gaza Humanitarian Relief Fund, alhamdullilah our Community in Africa responded kindly with donations.
Since last year, Africa Federation through its Housing Development Board have embarked on a rehabilitation and renovations program for Mosques, Imambarghas and Madressahs in our region. Some of these religious places in smaller Jamaats have been neglected without proper maintenance for many years. The AFED Housing Development Board in collaboration with these Jamaats have started the rehabilitation program. I am thankful to our Community members who have been supportive towards this program, I appeal for the support to continue as the needs are much more as we embark on this noble mission of Thawab-e-Ja’ariyah.
In my message this year, I wish to strongly emphasize to our Community to read, reflect and understand the Holy Qur’an. The teachings of the Qur’an are universal and holds profound importance in Islam, serving as a comprehensive guide for belief, practice and morality. Embodying its teachings, Prophet Muhammad (SAWW) and the Ahlulbayt (AS) exemplified the Qur’an’s values in their lives, we must follow this Sunnah. The Qur’an acts as a beacon of light and holds immense importance in our lives, offering guidance, purpose, and spiritual elevation. It serves as a divine roadmap for worshiping Allah (SWT) in a manner that aligns with His approval, emphasizing obedience to His commands and avoidance of prohibited acts. By following the teachings of the Holy Qur’an, we aim to live a life dedicated to worshiping Allah (SWT) alone and contributing positively to society, thus fulfilling the true purpose.
In Surah Al-An’am Verse 155, Allah says;
“And this is a Book (the Qur’an) which We have revealed as a blessing; so follow it and be righteous, that ye may receive mercy.”
Every year, Africa Federation through its Tabligh Board (AFTAB) organizes the Qur’an Competition inviting all Jamaats under AFED to participate in the Competition, this year the 17th Qur’an Competition is being held in Mombasa Jamaat from 12th to 15th April, we are grateful to Mombasa Jamaat for hosting this prestigious event. About 300 participants and over 100 accompanying parents from various member Jamaats are expected to participate in this annual event.
In this regard, I am appealing to all our member Jamaats to put more emphasis in teaching Holy Qur’an in our Madressahs, and also to promote the reading and understanding of Qur’an to our Community members. It is heartening that some of our Jamaats have already started this program with some encouraging results, Alhamdullilah.
This Holy Month, like in the previous years, we were able to provide Ramadhan Relief Funds for food parcels, iftar and basic essentials within our Jamaats and to our external Tabligh Institutions in our region, thereby assisting the needy and underprivileged families making the holy month of Ramadhan somewhat more comfortable. Zakat-e-Fitrah was also distributed to our institutions like we do every year. We are thankful to the World Federation of KSIMC, the Mainstay Foundation of the U.K. and NASIMCO for their close collaboration and assistance in supporting these Relief efforts in our region.
My earnest appeal to all our members is to use the centralized system of the Africa Federation which is in place to remit religious dues, like; Zakat, Sadaqah, Khums, Donations etc. This will enhance our efforts to assist our Jamaats and community members who are deserving for assistance. Similarly, it will enable us to support our member Jamaats towards their projects which require funding.
The Africa Federation shines through the support of its member Jamaats, despite the challenges and difficult times, there exists an energy and hope that propels us forward, and together, we must continue progressing. Righteousness, empathy, courage and ambition should remain our guiding principles. Africa Federation stands as an esteemed Federation, and we must have unwavering confidence in it to shape our community's destiny positively.
Let us embrace confidence and redouble our commitment. I urge the involvement of our youth to contribute their knowledge and enthusiasm towards building our Community. Our shared religious values including our deep understanding of the Qur’an and devotion to the Ahlulbayt (AS) preserves our heritage which is vital in upholding our identity as Khoja Shia Ithna-Asheri.
Our Boards, including Bilal Muslim Mission are the backbone of the Africa Federation Secretariat, they carry out their roles and responsibilities effectively within their scopes aligned with the Africa Federation’s vision. The demands for their services are increasing largely due to the various activities and projects being undertaken by them. The Boards also support our member Jamaats to achieve the common objectives and aspirations, there are obviously increasing needs and demands. Community members are urged to read the Africa Federation Newswires and News Bulletins which provides more information about the Boards and their various activities. The newly upgraded AFED Website also provides more information.
I take this opportunity to thank the AFED councillors for collectively working together for the betterment of our Community and for their support to the Africa Federation throughout the year, May Allah (SWT) shower His infinite blessings upon them and their families on this auspicious day of Eid, Aameen.
On behalf of my office bearers and trustees, I wish to thank all our donors and well-wishers for their unflinching support in our efforts to carry out several of our projects, activities and programs throughout the year.
May Allah (SWT) by His infinite grace and mercy grant good health and long life to our Marjah-e-Taqleed, Ayatullah Al-Sayyid Ali Al-Husseini Al-Sistani and Ulema-e-Deen.
Let us pray for the protection and sanctity of the Holy Shrines of the Holy Prophet (SAWW), his progeny and the faithful companions who sacrificed their lives for Islam and for Humanity.
In concluding the message, I request a Sura-e-Fatiha for our past leaders, volunteers and all the Marhumeen including those who were around with us last Eid-ul Fitr.
Wa Salaamu Alaykum Wa Rahmatullahi Wa Barakatuh.
Amine Nassor Goulamaly
Chairman
The Federation of KSI Jamaats of Africa
1st Shawwal 1445 A.H. (April 2024)
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