Khoja Shia Ithna Asheri Community in Reunion
In 1958, the vibrant tapestry of Reunion Island was woven with the arrival of a pioneering personality, Alhaj Haydarali Mohammadali Cassam Chenaï. Emerging from the northern landscapes of Madagascar, specifically Diégo Suarez, he embarked on a remarkable journey that unfolded through the bustling capital, Antananarivo, and eventually found its serene anchor in the beauty of Reunion Island. Enroute, he paused briefly in the captivating charm of Mauritius, marking a chapter of connection and exploration. Against the backdrop of this odyssey, Alhaj Haydarali Chenaï not only established his residence on the picturesque Mascarene Island but also adorned the landscape with the flourishing branches of his Malagasy company, etching his legacy into the island's history.
Following Alhaj Haydarali's arrival, other Khojas began migrating to Reunion Island, primarily from Madagascar. This influx occurred after the political events of 1972 that had a significant impact on Madagascar.
Marhum Mulla Abdallah Manjée Tahora, a renowned preacher and Zakiré Hussain (as), undertook a significant journey across the ocean to bring the teachings of the Ahlul Bayt (as) to Reunion Island, which is located 700 km from Madagascar within the Mascarenes Archipelago. He played a crucial role in instilling spirituality and fervor into the Azadari of Imam Hussain (as), which encompassed the mourning rituals of Muharram, the significant days of commemoration, and the gatherings of Majaalis.
Between 1971 and 1973, Mulla Abdallah Manjée Tahora was elected to lead the Territorial Council of Madagascar, uniting the 18 Jamaats of the island, which later became known as the Conseil Regional Des KSI Jamates de L’ocean Indien and is now known as Association Khoja Shia Ithna Asheri of Madagascar – AKSIAM. He dedicated himself entirely to the well-being of the community until his demise at the age of 67.
In January 1974 (Muharram 1394), the Khoja community in Reunion Island consisted of around 40 members. They initially gathered at Saint Denis, utilizing a room provided by the Cassam Chenaï family for events related to the wiladah and wafaat of the Ahlulbayt, and Thursday evening Majaalis.
The "Association Shia Ithna Ashery Jamate de la Réunion" was officially founded on October 8, 1977, under the leadership of Mulla Abdallah Manjée Tahora. A renowned dynamic zakir (preacher), Mulla Abdallah possessed the unique ability to captivate audiences with his soul-stirring sermons delivered from the Mimbar in impeccable Gujarati. His poignant and eloquent words had a profound impact on the hearts of the Azadarané Imam (as), establishing a deep connection between the congregation and the spiritual teachings he shared.
The Association's constitution was submitted to the District just five days later. In December 1977, they secured premises for prayers in a rented property in Sainte Clotilde, marking the relocation of the Association from Jules Auber Street. On January 2, 1978, the Association officially moved its headquarters to this new location.
Due to the limited space and a rapidly increasing number of faithful members, they further relocated the Association to 68, Cité des Deux Canons, in Sainte Clotilde, on April 20, 1978.
The residential subdivision faced challenges related to neighbors and limited space. To address these issues, late Marhum Seraly Akbaraly, known as Dilou Serami, generously offered support to the community, for the 12 days of Muharram. During this period, all other activities in these spaces were halted.
With the assistance of the 1st Secretary General of the Association, another dedicated individual named Marhum Mohammadaly Alibay Ismaél, Mulla Abdallah worked tirelessly to help the small community acquire a 1000 m² piece of land in the Moufia district between 1981 and 1983. This endeavor was made possible through the support of the District. Marhum Mohammadaly was the only member of the UDF political party from our community.
Construction work began in February 1984, and the first Imambargah of Reunion Island was inaugurated in its capital, Saint-Denis, on August 31, 1986. Consequently, the Association's headquarters relocated from 68, Cité des Deux Canons to 3, Avenue René Cassin in Moufia on December 18, 1986.
Mulla Abdallah, a driving force behind this remarkable Mosque, devoted himself to this project as soon as he arrived on the sister island after the political events of 1972. Unfortunately, he passed away on August 28, 1986, just three days before the completion of his project, leaving behind a valuable legacy.
Initially, Moufia was a small agricultural area, but it has transformed into a spiritual and administrative district over the past forty years. Additionally, it has become a student hub, housing the magnificent Maqame Massoumines Mosque. This mosque has an octagonal design, and its interior walls are adorned with the 99 Sacred Names of Allah (swt). It is surrounded on one side by the Region, a Territorial Community in its own right, and on the other by the major French University of the Department, the only European university in the Indian Ocean region.
The Minaret, with its gleaming copper-colored dome, stands between the inverted pyramid of the Region and the vast University Campus of Reunion, a sight that is rare in the world. Daily and Friday prayers were conducted in this two-storey Imambara, which was named "Maqamé Ma'assoumines" or the "House of the Fourteen Infallibles," as there was no proper Masjid. The second Shia Masjid on the island was established on March 17, 2005.
Despite the dispersal of our Community to different parts of the island, faithful members, driven by their commitment and dedication, continued to attend majaalis in Saint-Denis, even though it meant traveling long distances on challenging roads. To make it more convenient for them, rental premises were secured in Saint Pierre, Saint Paul, and Saint Andre for organizing Prayers and Majaalis.
As the 20th century was drawing to a close, the Terre Sainte district of Saint Pierre, the capital of the South, witnessed the inauguration of a Shia Masjid on October 8, 2000. The magnificent masjid is located on the main thoroughfare, Avenue François Mitterrand, not far from the Catholic Parish. It was constructed with its prayer hall situated upstairs and Imambara rooms on the ground floor, where the Mehfil-e-Imam Zamana (as) gatherings took place.
On the Chaussée Royale, the primary street leading to Saint Paul, the metropolis of the land of the setting sun, with its Church, Franco-Chinese School, and Tamil Temple on the adjacent street, a symbol of multicultural and Reunionese coexistence, another splendid Shiite Islamic place of worship was unveiled on November 23, 2011. It featured a resplendent copper-colored dome, which enhanced its brilliance. This building had its Ibadatkhana on the upper floor and Madrasah rooms on the ground floor, where the Mehfil-e-Imam Ali (as) activities were held.
Meanwhile, to the East in Saint André, where the first rays of the sun light up the Reunion horizon, a venerable religious building known as the Mehfil-e-Mourtouza has fulfilled the community's religious needs for quite some time.
Since 1985, almost five presidents have succeeded Mulla Abdallah Manjée Tahora, the founding president, at the helm of the ASIJ, the sole Association that led the four Jamaats situated in different directions across the island: Alhaj Amiraly Nouraly, Alhaj Rossanaly Goulamaly, Alhaj Hassanaly Moustafa (two terms), Alhaj Razaly Asgaraly, and Alhaj Mounir Hassam Alibay.
Starting in 2005, these four religious centers transformed into Jamaats in the form of associations, each electing its president from among its members: Saint Denis Jamaat AKSIN (North), Saint Pierre Jamaat AKSIS (South), Saint Andre Jamaat AKSIE (East), and Saint Paul Jamaat AKSIO (West).
The umbrella of UAKSIR, the Union of Khoja Shia Isna Asheri Associations of Reunion was established following a General Assembly held on July 31, 2005. Alhaj Hassanaly Moustafa assumed the responsibility of leading it for three years, followed by Alhaj Mounir Hassam Alibay. Subsequently, Alhaj Amine Nassor took the helm for eleven years before Alhaj Razaly Asgaraly assumed the current presidency in December 2022. It is noteworthy that Alhaj Amine Nassor was elected Chairman of the Africa Federation in 2022.
During Alhaj Hassanaly Moustafa's tenure, UAKSIR acquired Khoja TV/Radio in 2008, a channel serving French-speaking Khoja Shia Ithna Asheri communities around the world. This channel was created and directed by Alhaj Salim Badouraly Daya. Over its fourteen years of existence, Khoja TV/Radio has achieved remarkable success and exceeded expectations. Today, it serves as an invaluable resource for the elderly or the infirm who are unable to attend the Mosque in person, enabling them to listen to Majaalis and Duas and participate in all programs from the comfort of their homes.
Khoja TV/Radio's success is attributed to Alhaj Salim Badouraly Daya, assisted by Alhaj Riad Daya, Sheikh Mujtaba Muraj from Leicester, and Channel Badouraly Daya.
Assuming leadership of UAKSIR on November 23, 2011, on the Day of Eid-e-Mubahala, Alhaj Amine Nassor's primary focus and deeply cherished project was education. With great urgency, he initiated the opening of the Cité du Savoir Elementary School on August 16, 2012, a venture that surpassed all expectations in just ten years. The school's success story continued with the subsequent establishment of a middle school and a high school, with its first batch of students set to take the Baccalaureate exam this year.
Since its inception, the school has consistently excelled in national examinations, and it allows girls to wear the veil within its premises. The private institution, known as the City of Knowledge, offers top-quality academic education while nurturing a dynamic environment that embodies our values and instills discipline.
Trust, as the cornerstone of human relationships, is something that UAKSIR has cultivated, earned, and deserved over the years. The organization has made significant contributions to the associative structure of the Africa Federation, which integrated UAKSIR into its fold in 2013 under the guidance and leadership of Alhaj Anwarali Dharamsi. Following this period, Alhaj Shabir Najafi assumed leadership from 2016 to 2022, making significant contributions during his tenure. Subsequently, in July 2022, the mantle of leadership was gracefully handed over to Alhaj Amine Nassor.
Several commissions were established by UAKSIR, among them, the Moon Commission, led by Mulla Nissar and Alhaj Moise Jivan, plays a vital role in observing the new moon each month and fulfilling its responsibilities in accordance to the Shariah, as well as disseminating related information before and after its possible sighting. This commission extends its services to lunar and solar eclipses, as well as other events within its purview.
The AKSIN Saint Denis Jamaat is the largest Jamaat in the Reunion Island, comprising of 1,400 members. The President of the Saint Denis Jamaat is Alhaj Zamir Jaffar Bandjee, while the President of the Saint Paul Jamaat is Alhaj Irchad Cassam Chenai. The Saint Andre Jamaat is led by Alhaj Alihoussen Kassamaly, and the Saint Pierre Jamaat has Alhaj Mamod Raza Nassor as its President. Each Jamaat has its Madrasah and a resident Alim, with Housseini Madrasah under the leadership of Mulla Akbar Jivan, and Mulla Nissar contributing as a Zakire Husayn.
Article By: Mulla Nissar Rajpar – Saint Denis Jamaat
SECRETARIAT
ARCHIVES SECTION OF THE AFRICA FEDERATION
Date: 23rd February 2024 (12th Shabaan 1445 A.H.)
