(Ahlul Bayt News Agency) - The Africa Federation Tableegh Board (AFTAB) recently held a conference for all Resident Alims serving under Africa Federation. This was the first such conference since 1982. The conference was organised in Dar es Salaam from 29 – 30 October 2010, and was chaired by Sayyid Hassan Naqvi, chairman of AFTAB. Maulana Zaheer Abbas of Mumbai was invited to moderate the conference. A total of 17 Residents Alims attended the conference from all Jamaats under Africa Federation, including Jamaats in Congo and Bujumbura.
Attendees and Guests
The opening session was graced by the presence of the Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Iran to Tanzania, His Excellency Mr Movahhidi.
In addition to Mr Movahhidi, the Chairman of Africa Federation: al-Hajj Anwarbhai Dharamsi, the Chairman of Dar es Salaam Jamaat: al-Hajj Shirazbhai Walji, the Chairman of AFTAB: Sayyid Hassan Naqvi, The World Federation’s Assistant Secretary General for Islamic Education: Sayyid Aliraza Naqvi, representative of Jamia al-Mustafa of Qum: Sayyid Shaheedi, Africa Federation Office Bearers, and past leaders of the community were present.
Comments by Africa Federation Officials
In his opening remarks, Anwarbhai Dharamsi recognised and praised this landmark initiative. Anwarbhai urged the conference to address the pertinent issues affecting the community, and especially the youth. He stated, “I am confident that with the vast experiences of the Alims who have gathered here from different parts of Africa this conference will discuss the current needs of our community, and particularly the younger generation, in depth and come up with new ideas and programmes to face our current challenges.”
Al-Hajj Anwarbhai Dharamsi, AFED Chairman, Speaking at the opening ceremony
Following this, AFTAB Chairman, Sayyid Hassan Naqvi, first paid tribute to the hard work and honourable commitment displayed by the Resident Alims in their roles. He further said that he was committed to creating a partnership with the Resident Alims to deliver high-quality and effective Islamic teachings, whilst using modern skills and technology in order to enhance their content. He assured the Resident Alims of AFTAB’s pledge in providing them with the resources they required to undertake their work in this way. He concluded his remarks with a challenge to the Resident Alims: to be proactive in their work and to drive the Jamaats forward with innovative approaches in Tableegh. He furthermore committed to provide each Resident Alim with a personal laptop and promised to liaise with the Jamaats to ensure IT training of their Resident Alim is undertaken.
Sayyid Hassan Naqvi, AFTAB Chairman (left) and Maulana Zaheer Abbas, moderator (right)
Input of WF Islamic Education
The WF Assistant Secretary General, Sayyid Aliraza Naqvi, touched upon his personal memories of living in Africa being the son of a former Resident Alim. This experience had given him a true insight of the difficulties and often sad plight of Resident Alims. He appealed to the community to acknowledge this reality and to begin to treat the Alims with utmost respect. Sayyid Ali outlined the importance of the Alims to maintain freedom to preach Islamic teachings without undue hindrance.
To the Alims he humbly advised they bear in mind their objectives at all times and maintain Allah in the forefront of their missions. He pledged the full support of WF Islamic Education to AFTAB in assisting with the training and development of Resident Alims. He furthermore urged AFTAB to reassess the remuneration packages of Resident Alims.
Discussions
Conclusion
The Conference deliberated extensively on the way forward in the ongoing development of Resident Alims. The Alims shared their own experiences in their respective Jamaats, which developed into a general discussion on the role of Resident Alims. The Alims were pleased to be in partnership with AFTAB and pledged their cooperation and expressed their optimism in the present leadership of AFTAB and AFED.
The conference ended with an action plan to be implemented by AFTAB with the support of The World Federation.
Group photos
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