Book Launch: Sea of Service

On the afternoon of Day Two, The World Federation launched Sea of Service, a new book by Alhaj Dr Hasnain Walji recording the history of its first fifty years. Introducing the book, the presenter asked what the next generation would remember of the community if its history were not recorded today, noting that much of The World Federation’s story since its founding in October 1976 has been carried in the memories of those who lived it.

Dr Walji said the effort to record the history of the Khoja community had taken almost 30 years and built on earlier histories in Gujarati and English. The title, he explained, reflects fifty years of service by all those who have been part of The World Federation. “An individual alone can do nothing,” he said.

The book is divided into three parts: the purpose of The World Federation, told through past leaders and its founders; a 96-page visual history of key moments and personalities; and a record of the work of each term since 1976. Its final section is addressed to the generation that will gather in 2076.

The first copy was presented to the President of The World Federation, Alhaj Safder Jaffer, together with the regional presidents, and copies were presented to the sponsors of the publication. The launch was followed by the premiere of the WF50 documentary.

In this part of the programme