Hassan Ali M Jaffer
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Contents
Birth
Born in Mombassa
Books
The Endangered Species (Toronto, 2012, p. 514)
The Sowing and Reaping of Destiny – With ABCD Syndrome: Wither Khoja? (2008)
http://hamjaffer.com/files/SowingAndReaping.pdf
Relentless Endeavours – A biographical review of the life and times of Mulla Asgharali M. M. Jaffer
Messages
Message to Milton Keynes 25th Anniversary Celebration
Brothers and sisters gathered in Milton Keynes, Salaams and dua.
As Milton Keynes Jamaat celebrates 25th anniversary of the opening of the Zainabiyya Islamic Centre, it is only befitting that the organisers have displayed vision in organising an ‘Ancestors Day Exhibition’ to recall:
Where, when, why and how we emerged as a distinct Community to be known as the Khoja Shia Ithna-Asheri Muslim community?
How long and arduous has been our journey of survival to date?
In that spirit we need to ask: Where we stand today and under the fast changing world, what future do we envisage for ourselves and for our progeny for the next 25 years?
How well equipped we are to manage the envisaged change?
The first exhibition of this nature in Britain was held in Leicester on 19th January, 2014, which was well received. Glad to learn that Mr. Burket Walji will make similar presentation in Milton Keynes.
Why this Exhibition called Ancestors Day?
There is nothing special in belonging to any community, race or tribe. It is purely a matter of coincidence of birth, or shall we say, accident of birth!
What matters most is how righteous and virtuous life one lives in the sight of Allah Almighty.
Khalaqallahul Jannata leman Ata’ahu wa ahsana wa lav kana abdan Habashiyya,
Wa khalaqannara leman asahu wa lav kana Qurashiyya.
Allah swt has created heaven for those who obey Him and do good deeds, even if he be a bondage slave from Habasha (Ethiopia); And has created hell for those who disobey him, even if he be from the (renowned) tribe of Quresih.
- Imam Sajjad (A.S.) to Tavuse Yamani. -Masnaqib Aale Abdi Talib by ibne Shahr Aashub.(Vol.4, Page 151.)
Allah in His Mercy decided that we should be born in a certain community. Are we going to question that divine choice?
Can we run shy of having been born in any particular race or community? Or for that matter, can we be arrogant for being what we happen to be? What, if we were instead born as Eskimo or Aborigine?
Ladies and gentlemen, it is worth recognising here that the Cutchi and Gujarati speaking Khoja are not the only Khoja on this planet earth! There are also Sindhi, Punjabi and Kashmiri Khoja from the Indian sub-continent. Besides, there are also others known as Khoja in different parts of the world, about which I have made references in my book: “The Endangered Species.”
In Milton Keynes we have several families who are known as Khoja of Narwhal from the Punjab or from Kashmir.
We have had several such families in Nairobi, Kenya. I know of a good friend in Milton Keynes, Syed Nayab Haider who is a non Gujarati Khoja and a respected member of the community. I hope he is present in this gathering and I would like to greet him with: Ki Galla, changa? To Gujarati and Cutchi speaking participants I would say: Kee.n Ayo.n and Kem Cho!
I know also know of a well-known Punjabi Khoja who became a leading member of the Ismaili Khoja Jamaat and its leading Waez and Missionary. The environment and the dynamics at play for the Punjabi and Kashmiri Khoja have been somewhat different to that of the Sindhi, Cutchi and Gujarati Khoja.
For the converts in Gujarat and Sindh, considering their background and the particular environment they were living in, plus the multiple challenges posed to them as a result, retention of the Khoja identity and development of the structured community set up became crucial for their survival and for the preservation and promotion of their faith as Shia Ithna- Asheri. Besides, because of the split from the main body of the Khoja community on doctrinal grounds, social and economic boycott was practiced against them by their cousins. There were also incidence of physical threats against certain individuals and also some cases of assassinations are recorded.
All this provided added challenge for them to get better organised. This identity and the community structures put in place as a result have played crucial role in their emergence as a Shia Ithna-Asheri community in India and in their settlement and growth in Africa. Later on, this identity played no less crucial role, especially after the Uganda Exodus in 1972, in their rehabilitation as a cohesive religious community in Europe, North America and in the rest of the world.
Today, the world wide Khoja Shia Ithna-Asheri community numbering less than 150,000 are nationals of almost two dozen different states and settled in over forty countries. Despite their widespread dispersal, they are linked with each other – thanks to their organisations. In moments of crisis such as the Zanzibar revolution 1964, Uganda exodus 1972, unrest in parts of Madagascar in 1987 and evacuation of an entire community of 1,100 from Somalia in 1991, when no help or even message of sympathy and support was forthcoming from any quarters, the unity and the spirited outlook of the community provided a ray of hope, where, otherwise, everything looked bleak.
In the aftermath of the massive earthquake in Cutch (India) in 2001 that severely affected our small community of around 700 heads remaining in Cutch in different locations, it was the unity and the organisational structures of the community that promptly responded to the immediate needs of the affected people and at the same time generated global support for commendable rehabilitation and reconstruction work.
Historically, but for this identity and the organizational structures under which the Khoja community operated, their fate following their migration from India to Africa in the latter half of the nineteenth century and in their subsequent migration from Africa and from the Indo-Pak sub-continent for resettlement in the West during the latter half of the twentieth century would have been difficult to visualise. A look at what befell other migrant communities that lacked such identities and organisational structures will be revealing.
In my book “The Endangered Species” I have reviewed related developments at some length. There are a number of youngsters from within the Khoja community, including some who have acquired some religious education in Iran or Iraq who tend to question the need for retaining our Khoja identity and for operating as an organised cohesive society.
When individuals view issues from narrow personal socio economic angles only or simplistic emotionalism, they often tend to project themselves as a self-serving elitist group and miss out on the overall holistic perspectives.
To all youngsters, community leaders and the religious scholars, Mulla Saheban, Maulanas and Zakirs who ascend the Minber, I would respectfully suggest that they read the autobiography of Mulla Qader Husein Naif – Karbalai, first published in 1900, in order to understand and appreciate the trials and tribulations of the Khoja Shia Ithna-Asheri community as they emerged as a distinct community some 150 years ago.
In this context, they can also read about the guidance given to Mulla Qader Husein by Ayatullah Sheikh Zainul Abedin Mazindarani. Readers would then be able to understand and appreciate what proactive role a Muballigh can play in reforming a society and the way Mulla Qader Husein dedicated over three decades of his life with missionary zeal, driven by a sense of caring concern, love and compassion at much personal deprivation and risk to his own life.
Apart from running traditional Madressa for children, Mulla Qader Husein effectively applied the institution of Minber and Majlis as an extended form of Madressa to cater for the specific needs of the adults. A noble soul, Mulla Qader Husein was undoubtedly a great benefactor of the Khoja Shia Ithna-Asheri community to whom we owe an eternal debt of gratitude. He lies buried in the courtyard of the shrine of Imam Husein in Karbala.
I will respectfully recommend to all Zuwwar going to Karbala that after doing the first ‘izne dukhul’ as they enter the main gate of the Haram of Imam Husein, they need to recognise that they may possibly be walking over the grave of Mulla Qader Husein buried somewhere underneath. Please pause for a moment then to offer fateha for this great benefactor of the Khoja community.
The question we are now faced with is: But for this unity and the structured set up of our community, where would we have been today? Demolish these structures and the identity that go with it, and then try to visualise where we and our successive generations will end up in the next few decades?
A million dollar question is: What positive, passive or negative role each one of us is playing in this context in our daily lives Congratulations to Milton Keynes Jamaat for organising this Heritage Exhibition named as ‘Ancestors Day’.
Over the years I had the opportunity of visiting Milton Keynes several times with late Mulla Asghar and I recall the early formative stages of the Milton Keynes Jamaat and developments taking place for building the Zainabyya Islamic Centre. It is gratifying to observe that in Milton Keynes much importance has been given to local Madarassa. Here I fondly recall numerous discussions I used to have with late Bahadur Dallal and was always impressed with his enthusiasm to promote the activities of Milton Keynes Madrassah on modern lines and also for initiatives in interfaith activities. In the spirit of ‘let the light shine’, we have to reach out with goodwill, with love for all and malice towards none, and strive work to a culture of harmony all round.
There is a permanent Exhibition on Khoja Heritage in Toronto. You may like to visit the website of the Mulla Asghar Memorial Library and Research Centre, Toronto. http://marcresource.org/
Khoja History – Documentary Film You may also be interested to learn that a professionally produced documentary film by MARC on the evolution of the Khoja Shia Ithna-Asheri community commissioned by the World Federation is to be released on 18th May, 2014 in Daressalaam. You can preview a trailer of this documentary film on Www.khojajourneyoffaith.org
It will be worth for parents to sit with their children and watch this film. This documentary will help in understanding where we originated from; account of the long journey to reach where we are today; how our predecessors struggled in India and in Africa. Recalling our roots may also provide moments for reflection as to what challenges we are now facing and what we can do for our progeny? I wish your endeavours every success.
WASSALAAM.
Interviews
Interview with KHP
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T7m8Tp4t33c&feature=youtu.be&app=desktop
Interview with Khoja TV
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=wVPzHagwyqA
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=y1AMTrF-OnY
Speeches
Khoja Symposium
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sj4tXN5wlfE
Death
Marhum Hassanbhai Jaffer passed away on 23rd of February 2018 in Mombassa, Kenya.
Obituary
Africa Federation
A Quintessential Khoja Personality who Exemplified the KSI Community
The Africa Federation mourns the passing away of Murabbi Hassan Bhai Ali Mohamed Jaffer and conveys its heartfelt condolences to his wife, sons, daughters, siblings and his many grandchildren.
Generally, people are known by the community they belong to. And then there are those inspiring individuals through whom a community is recognized. Hassan Bhai Ali Mohamed Jaffer Shariff Devji Jamal was that quintessential Khoja personality who personified the KSI Community. Through his words and deeds, he reminded us all of who we were and should be. His thoughts and words, always inspiring, were direct and to the point, as he did not pull any punches reminding us all of some bitter truths. His passion for the betterment of the Khoja Community matched his candor, to make us self-reflect on our follies and foibles as a people. Above all, his thought leadership has had a major impact on shaping our Community.
As a thinker, writer, historian, scholar, he straddled several generations, both in his span of Community service as well as his unique ability to engage young and old alike. In the sea of service, he stood shoulder to shoulder with towering figures like Alhaj Mohamedali Meghji, Mulla Asgherali M. M. Jaffer, Hajji Abdulrasul Ahmed Lakha to mention just a few.
As a historian, his own history is quite remarkable. Having the erstwhile ancestor like Alhaj Devji Jamal, Hassan Bhai himself was part of our history. Hassan Bhai was born in Zanzibar in 1932 and spent his life in Mombasa from an early age. After completing his secondary school education in Mombasa, he undertook a practical course in agriculture at the Indian school of Agriculture in Morogoro, Tanzania. His journey of community service commenced in 1953 when he was elected Hon. General Secretary of the Jaffery Sports Club, Mombasa. Ever since then his services remained unabated. He was Secretary and Chairman of the Debate and Education Section of the Ithna-Asheri young Men’s Union, Honorary Secretary and the later Chairman of the Ithna-Asheri Education Board of the Alibhai Panju Jaffery Primary school. He was also Vice Chairman of the Mombasa Jamaat. In the Supreme Council, he served on as Executive Councilor from 1965 and was its Hon. Treasurer during 1965/67, under the chairmanship of late Alhaj Mohamedali Meghji and served with Mulla Asgharali M. M. Jaffer who was then the Hon. Secretary of Africa Federation.
“His death is a truly irreplaceable loss not only for his entire family but also for the entire global Khoja Community. His death does lead me to reflect on what makes someone an exceptional person, because to me, Alhaj Hassan Bhai that is what he was. It is difficult to describe him in mere words; he was an exceptional Mentor to me, a man with exceptional qualities and immense knowledge very rare in our Community. He enlightened the Community all along in the last several decades on our history, our roots and championing the Khoja heritage. The legacy of his devotion and gracious service to the Community shall be eminently enshrined in the history of the Khoja Community globally, and particularly in Africa” Shabir Najafi – Chairman, Africa Federation
His active involvement in the wake of the of the Zanzibar Revolution, the Uganda Exodus or the Somalia evacuation was critical to the success of each of these missions and demonstrated his dexterity at handling Community crisis.
His services to the wider community are also noteworthy. He served as a member of the Mombasa Municipal Council in 1963 and in 1959/60 he was an elected member of the managing committee of the Mombasa Muslim Association and Secretary of Eid Fete standing committee. In his professional capacity, he served as a member of the Mombasa Port Advisory and Productivity Council and as the Vice Chairman of the Mombasa Ships Agents’ Association.
It is remarkable that Hassan Bhai could contribute so much despite managing a very busy and thriving enterprise under the name of Murtaza Shipping Agency Limited in Mombasa, Kenya.
A key figure in the conceptualization of the Word Federation, he was elected as a member of the very first Executive Council of the World Federation of the Khoja Shia Ithna-Asheri Muslim Communities upon its establishment in October 1976. He was known to be close confidant of the founding President Marhum Mulla Asgherali and all the successive World Federation Presidents till today.
“Marhum Hassan Bhai Jaffer was a great pillar of strength for our Community and its leaders. He was always on hand to provide advice to me during my tenure at the Africa Federation or indeed World Federation. He was a strong visionary as well and he worked tirelessly as a Community Worker. Marhum will be remembered as being a beacon of light for our Community, an ardent advocate of our mother tongue – Gujarati which he himself spoke so eloquently. We pray to Allah (SWT) to place him amongst the proximity of our 14 Masomeen.”
Anwarali Dharamsi – President of the World Federation.
With the wealth of experience at his command, Hassan Bhai enchanted and enlightened the audiences during the Africa Federation and World Federation conferences and council debates, by the lucidity and a unique turn of phrase, with which he expressed himself. His interviews and speeches on social media continue to be followed with great enthusiasm.
In his golden years, as an elder statesman his advice and counsel was sought by many generations of leaders and social workers. He was also on the advisory board of the Khoja Heritage Project of the World Federation. His contribution in painstakingly compiling the history of the Khoja Community is unparalleled. His efforts revived the global interest in the heritage of a community, reconnecting us with our past. His feat of writing the Endangered Species - a tome on Khoja History was the first, after almost a century, when the likes of Sachedina Nanjiani and Adelji Dhanji Kaba put pen to paper.
“His seminal work The Endangered Species, is not just a mere narration of Khoja History but paints insightful visage of the Khoja Community as it was then, and as it is now. The epilogue of the book, is worth revisiting. It is a bitter-sweet reflection of who we have become as a people and where should we go”
Hasnain Walji. Chair Khoja Heritage Project - World Federation.
An unwavering champion for the well-being and respect for the Khoja Community he was always at the forefront and steadfast in defending the interests of our community worldwide. He will be dearly missed by us all. The indelible mark of his thought leadership will forever remain etched in the institutional memory of the Community for generations to come and a source of sawabe jaariya for him.
Alhaj Hassan Bhai very graciously accepted a mammoth task to prepare a booklet of the history of the Africa Federation from its inception in 1946, he was to do this work jointly with Dr. Hasnain Walji. Hassan Bhai prepared the framework and had put his thoughts into what would be the contents of the booklet. Insha’allah, Dr. Walji will continue to work on the booklet, which we intend to dedicate to Marhum Alhaj Hassan Bhai Jaffer.
In 2013, Africa Federation bestowed upon Alhaj Hassan Ali Mohamed Jaffer the Haydari Medal – highest Award in Africa Federation for his exemplary and selfless services to the Community.
Please visit these clips of interviews with Marhum Hassan Jaffer by Khoja TV of Reunion.
P1: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=wVPzHagwyqA
P2: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=y1AMTrF-OnY
May Allah (SWT) by His infinite grace and mercy grant Marhum maghferat and a lofty place in the proximity of the Masumeen (AS) - Ameen.
Please recite Sura-e-Fateha for the maghferat of the departed soul and all Marhumeen.
The Secretariat wishes to thank Dr. Hasnain Walji and Alhaj Aunali Khalfan for compiling this brief Obituary of Marhum Alhaj Hassan Ali Mohamed Jaffer.
