I thank the Almighty God for giving me the opportunity through the members of our community to serve this dynamic community as your chairman.
I had never ever dreamed of getting this work or ever involving in Jamaat matter. Since childhood I had always visualized /dreamt on succeeding in sports and business. I am however, humbled with the opportunity and now excited , determined and look forward to this God sent opportunity to serve you all.
I thank the incoming Managing Committee and now elected for accepting the opportunity to work/serve. The MC appointed or proposed name comprised on the basis of 4 criteria:
1. Track record of the individual
2. Recommendations from members of the community
3. Interaction with the individuals
4. The most important criteria, which is the best : the zeal and willingness to work for our Imam and Almighty God.
I wish and pray for the success towards this noble work by your management committee.
I also take this opportunity to acknowledge the past chairman who are present and applaud them for all they did to getting us to where we are:
1. Alhaj Firoz Jagani
2. Alhaj Mansoor Kanani
3. Alhaj Mohamed Y. Kermali
4. Alhaj Murtaza Somji
I will request for a session with all of them together over a meal or at a convenient time.
I also feel great to be part of the community and recognize the success of the Nairobi Community especially when you hear how our elders persevered during the tough and challenging days in the early 40's /50's to raise funds. Can we recite a sura-fateha for all those elders who pioneered and initiated the start of this community in Nairobi.
Nairobi Jamaat is a progressive and a vibrant community . Most members here are not originally from Nairobi. We have members from Moshi, Arusha, Lindi, Dar, Mombasa, Zanzibar, and Lamu among other places. Most came here under trying, difficulty and challenging times yet most of the community members succeeded in business, social , sports and various other fields.
Some of the examples are:
On the business front, we can immediately name Mr. Naushad Merali who is an icon in the business world and a major supporter of our community.
We have had sportsmen, especially in cricket where we had our community member Mr. Mehboob Ali Sheikh who represented Kenya in 1958 ( 50 years ago) . Several other cricketers represented nationally and internationally over the years.
The Mulla Nanji family who have played a leading role in the community for over 40 years.
This community has produced 4 African Federation Presidents - Marhum Mulla Asger, M.M. Jaffer , Marhum A.A. Lakha, Marhum Zulfikar H. Khimji and at present we have Alhaj Ramzan Nanji.
We have professionals from doctors, lawyers to bankers who have done well individually. We have 2 financial institutions ( banks) in this city that belong to our people. Habib Bank A.G. Zurich and Equatorial Commercial bank under banner of Sameer Group of companies.
We have members with the likes of Col( Rtd) Sayed Ali and Col (Rtd) Bashir Kalyan who have served in the Air Force for over 20 years.
We have members who have had opportunities to interact with presidents and kings. An example is when Alhaj Firoz Jagani had an opportunity to host and plan the itinerary for the King of Swaziland on his visit to Kenya some years back.
We have had representation at the World Federation with the likes of Alhaj Mansoor Kanani who was the Vice - President in the early 90's and is currently the High Commissioner for Comoros to Kenya.
I can go on with many other examples but time does not allow me.
My appeal is that we put our resources together, strengthen what the past administration over the last 50 years have done and take our community to the next level.
Yes, there are going to be differences within us, we have differences even at home but where we disagree, we must have common grounds.
I appeal to you all and for those who have not been able to be present today to pass on the message that we would like to work together and continue to strengthen this community where Nairobi can be a shining example to all the Jamaats world over and for the next generation of our Nairobi Jamaat. Let us make our forefathers of this community proud.
I conclude by thanking you all for the opportunity you have given your committee to serve.
Wasallam
AASIF KARIM
18TH JANUARY 2009