Africa Federation (AFED) Archives Gallery
INAUGURATION OF THE AFRICA FEDERATION ARCHIVES GALLERY
The Africa Federation Archives Section held the inauguration of its Archives Gallery on 22nd November 2022 (27th Rabiul Aakhar 1444 AH). The Gallery is located on the third floor of AFED Tower, where the AFED Secretariat offices are located on the first and second floor.
The event was graced by the Chief Guest, Dr. Hasnain Walji from Houston, USA. Also present was the Africa Federation Vice Chairman Alhaj Aunali Khalfan, Hon Treasurer Alhaj Zainul Chandoo, Dar es Salaam Jamaat President Alhaj Mohamedraza Dewji, Vice President Alhaj Rasul Shamji, Hon Secretary Alhaj Husseinali Datoo, Hon Joint Secretary Alhaj Hasnain Sherally, Alhaj Mohamedtaqi Jaffer from Jaffer Family Foundation, USA, Alhaj Aliassad Hemani from Karachi, Alhaj Gulam Dewji, AFED Board Chairmen, Councillors and Invited Guests.
Brief Profile of Dr Hasnain Walji
The Chief Guest, Dr. Hasnain Walji was born in Moshi, Tanzania. He has served the Community in various positions and has been associated with Community services for the past 40 years serving the World Federation as Secretary-General, Vice-President and then as President. He is also a founding Director and the current President of the Mulla Asgher Memorial Library and Resource Center (MARC) in Toronto. He is also the producer of the Documentary Video – The Khojas – A Journey of faith Dr. Walji heads the Khoja Heritage Department of the World Federation and is currently leading a team with members from AFED Secretariat in authoring a book (Title of the Book will be announced in due course) on the History of Africa Federation from its inception in 1946.
Commencement of Event & its overview
The event commenced with the recitation of the Holy Qur’an by Br. Husayn Moledina followed by a welcome speech by the Vice Chairman of Africa Federation Alhaj Aunali Khalfan who in his address said that the event was a testimony of one of the visions of the Africa Federation of recording and preserving our history. He further expressed the importance for us as a community to work towards preserving and learning our history so that the coming generations have access to information on our origin and the struggles our forefathers went through in establishing the organized institutions and systems, we pride ourselves with. It is our collective duty to put in efforts to make this community-based Archives Gallery a well preserved one with as much information as possible gathered from each member of the Jamaats. Alhaj Aunali bhai acknowledged Marhum Roshan Fazel who was the first Sectional Secretary when the Archives sub section was formed in 2007 and made great efforts in its establishment until his retirement in 2014. Aunali bhai also recognized the contributions of Marhum Murtaza Jivraj (Kerbala) whose deep interest in the history of our Khoja Community was immense. It was his vision and dream to establish a library and gallery at AFED Towers and had presented a plan at the 82nd Supreme Council Session held in December 2020.
The Sectional Secretary of Archives Section, Dr. Abbasaley Abbas who was the Master of Ceremonies addressed the gathering saying that the inauguration of the Gallery was a remarkable achievement and a milestone for the Archives Section. He then gave an overview of the Archives Section highlighting on its objective of raising awareness and creating interest of our rich Khoja History in the minds and hearts of our youth and community members. Dr. Abbasaley said that the Gallery is just a part of the vision of the Archives Section and Insha’Allah it shall develop further and in addition to books, magazines and pictures it shall also include antique pieces and artifacts so that information on our history is conveyed visually to the community members. Dr. Abbasaley appealed to the Jamaats under AFED to preserve old records, photographs, and other items of historical value and also share the same with AFED Archives Section where such items can be preserved.
Alhaj Hasnain Walji delivering his speech in Gujarati emphasized on the importance of the language as one unifying factor of the culture. He further stressed on valuing our cultural heritage and commended the vision of the Office Bearers of Africa Federation to specifically provide space for the Archives thereby making a statement that it considers our rich Khoja History important enough to be promoted and preserved.
The event ended with qasida recitation by Abbasali Jaffer Raza followed by the ribbon cutting ceremony and viewing of the Archives Gallery. The program which was relayed live can be viewed on the following link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y4H0ibDCgLQ
The Archives Team Members records its appreciation to the AFED Office Bearers for their support and co-operation, Alhaj Dr. Hasnain Walji for accepting to be the Guest of Honour and all the attendees for joining us for this momentous event. We also record our appreciation to Sister Nazneen S. Moledina of Gorgeous Events Dar-es-Salaam for assisting us with the décor for the function.
AFED Archives Sub Section
Date: 31st January 2023
