The Newly Elected Councillors for the term 2021 – 2024 are:
Aliakbar Shroff is a volunteer of community from Mumbai, India. He has been involved with many Charities and Social/Capital Projects in India over the last decade. He has a business of import and distribution of Body Care products and Exports of stationary products, in addition to being a Real Estate Investor.
Aliakbar currently is a Trustee with Kesarbaug Trust, Khoja Girls Orphanage, Haji Nazarali Imambargah amongst other trust in India. He has also served the KSI Jamaat Mumbai as Secretary for 3 years and as Vice President for 4.5 years. During his association with KSI Jamaat Mumbai he was instrumental in bringing focus around Education, Medical, Economic Upliftment and Capacity Building all of which grew by 3-4 times in a span of 7-8 years.
He was also instrumental in formation of the India Federation (Parent body of all KSI Jamaats of India) in 2013, thereby succeeding in uniting the diverse community across the states of Gujarat, Maharashtra, Vidharbha, Karnataka and Telangana on one platform in India and focusing them towards achieving common developmental objectives and coordinated relief work. He has also done few notable Capital Projects including 2 Graveyard projects in Mumbai, the redevelopment of Haji Nazarali Imambargah into a modern facility with state of the art infrastructure, refurbishment of facilities at Kesar Baug Hall, KSI Jamaat office, Madressa and Khoja Arambaug in Mumbai.
Dr. Moledina was born in 1950 in Mombasa, Kenya. He completed his schooling in Kenya. His favorite sports were cricket, tennis and table tennis. He played tennis and cricket at the community, Jaffery Sports Club in Mombasa. Dr. Moledina is currently residing in Florida U.S.A. and is blessed with one son and two daughters.
He studied in Aligarh Muslim University from 1969 to 1970 and then in Grand Medical College in Bombay where he graduated as a Medical Doctor in 1975. He then went on to practice medicine in Kenya. In 1981 he moved to Uganda where besides his private practice he started a Pharmaceutical distribution company.
He has served as President of Kampala and Maputo Jamaat, Trustee for many years at Africa Federation, Head of Central Bilal Board & Vice President of Africa Federation (2004-2007) and then rising to the highest office in the Community as President of the World Federation (2009-2017).
He has initiated various projects in Education, Housing, Economic Upliftment, Tabligh and Islamic Education which led to the establishment of the BLESS Project in Bilal and MCE Project at WF. His love for humanity and our Khoja Community has been the prime motivation and drive for success in the service of the creator! May Allah (S.W.T) accept his humble services.
He was once again appointed as a Councilor by the President of the World Federation in May 2017 and continued to work in close liaison with the World Federation team for the progress and prosperity of our Community and in the service of humanity at large. He is also the nominated Councilor of the Federation of KSI Jamaats of Africa for the term 2019-2022 and now elected Coucilor at THE WF for the term 2021-2024.
Born in Karachi, Pakistan, Dr Insiyah Agha is a medical doctor by profession having graduated from Agha Khan University Hospital. As part of her degree, Dr Insiyha was heavily involved in several research projects, one of which included a study on the ‘Risk Factors of Breast Cancer in Women in a Tertiary Care Hospital.’ She also holds a Diploma in Child Health from the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons in Glasgow, Scotland.
Dr Insiyah is presently a Pediatrician at Fatimiyah Hospital in Karachi where she leads the Hospital’s vaccination programme in coordination with the World Health Organisation (WHO).
Within the community, Dr Insiyah has lent her expertise in various capacities. She has participated in medical camps based in North Pakistan to treat the victims of the disastrous earthquake of 2005. She is involved in the organisation of a yearly medical camp in Iraq over 2 weeks during the Arbaeen season where she is also the in-house Pediatrician.
Being a female role model, Dr Insiyah sits on the Youth Professional Forum of the Khoja Jamaat as a panellist.
Upon appointment as a Councillor by the President, Dr Insiyah will have oversight of the workings of the World Federation within Pakistan and work closely with the regional federation – Pakistan Federation, especially with regards to the WF Aid function and other partner charities. She will also be advising on Global Health initiatives.
Imran Sherali is a Development Consultant with over 12 years of experience in the civil society sector. A graduate with an MSc. in Development Policy and Practice for Civil Society in 2011; he worked with the Federation of KSIJ of Africa during the time of his studies. And most recently, worked with one of Tanzania’s leading grant-maker, the Foundation for Civil Society as a Monitoring, Evaluation, Learning and Research Specialist.
Imran is a recognised face in community affairs of the Dar es Salaam Jamaat since 2010 when he served in the Central Medical Board. He has been part of the Constitution Review Committee and currently holds the position of Hon. Joint General Secretary of the Dar es Salaam Jamaat in Tanzania.
Marzia Bai Habib-Hassan is an internationally recognized expert on parenting and couple and family relationships. Her work aims to strengthen families by focusing on psycho-education, character development, relationship skills training and mindfulness. Her practical, research-based advice combines spiritual values with intentional action. Marzia Bai serves through her private practice based in Toronto. Because of high demand from Muslim and South Asian populations in diverse locations, she also provides online counselling and consultancy to an international client base. Marzia Bai has a very inspiring speaker.
Marzia Bai chairs the board of Jaffari Support Services (JSS), a faith-based social services within Toronto, Ontario and which she helped to found in 2008 and serves on the board of (International Development and Relief Foundation (IDRF). She is also frequently consulted by media as an expert on family relationships. She featured as an expert on the impact of technology on parenting and family life by the Parenting in the Digital World project.
In 2013, Marzia Bai was honoured with the Canadian House of Commons award for Outstanding Volunteer Achievement in recognition of her work to strengthen families and empower women in various minority communities in Toronto.
Marzia Bai has an illustrious academic background. She has a BA in Economics and Law, holding an LLB Law degree as well as being a qualified and registered Social Worker (MSW and RSW).
Marzia bai has three grown children and lives with her husband in Toronto, Ontario.
As an Executive Councillor for The World Federation, she will be leading Community & Family Affairs initiatives.
Mohamed Kurban Damji was born in Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania. He is married and has two young daughters. He moved to Australia in 2001 for further studies.
Professional Career
Graduated with a Bachelor of Financial Administration in 2004 at the University of New England, Armidale, Australia.
He is a Chartered Accountant and a member of Chartered Accountants Australia & New Zealand (CA ANZ) and a member of Finance Brokers Association of Australia (FBAA).
He has over 15 years of experience in Accounting and Tax Advisory and Consulting. Having worked at mid-tier firms and Deloitte for most of his early career.
In 2013, established MKD Partners specialising in Accounting, Tax and Finance, and later adding property development to the portfolio.
Community Work
Served the Dar Es Salaam Jamaat as volunteer and participated in Scouts.
He was awarded the Imam Hasan Community award in 2007.
He became trustee of Imam Hasan Centre (IHC) – Sydney in 2008. Later becoming the treasurer and director of IHC. He was requested to join FAC as a councillor and treasurer in 2020 with an intention to assist students coming to Australia for studies with advice or other assistance.
He is now a director and treasurer of the Imam Hasan Foundation as well as managing the financials of the Behest-e-Zahra cemeteries in Sydney as well as assisting other Shia communities in Sydney with accounting advice and service.
Ruqayya Datoo Nanjiani was born in Mombasa, Kenya to Sheikh Fazle Abbas and Tahira Datoo. After completing her IGCSEs at Jaffery Academy, Ruqayya and her family migrated to Portsmouth, UK. She now lives in London with her husband and their 2-year old son.
Ruqayya holds a bachelor’s degree in Law and has worked at Her Majesty’s Courts and Tribunal Service (HMCTS) within the Ministry of Justice as a Caseworker enforcing laws under the Proceeds of Crime Act. Currently, Ruqayya is the Business Manager to the Chief Commercial Officer at Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (HMRC).
Ruqayya has had an immense enthusiasm for community service since childhood. At Wessex Jamaat she has been an integral part of several projects in both leadership and team member capacities; including teaching at Madrasah, engaging in interfaith activities, participating in relief projects and representing the community in local media programmes.
Upon moving to London, Ruqayya joined the Shia Ithna-Asheri Madrasah under the auspices of Hujjat, Stanmore as a teacher and has also been an Assistant Departmental Head for a period.
Ruqayya served as The World Federation’s Assistant Secretary General under the Interim Term 2020-2021. In the current term, as a Councillor, Ruqayya is contributing to activities within the Khoja Heritage Project (KHP) and is keen to energise the youth to reconnect with The World Federation as well as create an increased role for women in leadership capacities within the community. She prays that her humble contribution will be part of an impactful change for The World Federation for generations to come.
Zaheerabbas Zulfikar Khimji is a long-standing volunteer in Community Service. He became the youngest Chairman of Shia Asna Ashri Jamaat of Nairobi (SAAJ) in 2018 where he and his team known as Team Taqwa were recently re-elected for a second term.
Br. Zaheerabbas has been nurtured into community service by his parents, Marhum Zulfikar (a true legend within the Khoja Community) and Marhuma Zainab Khimji at a very young age. He continues the family legacy of contributing and serving Mu’mineen in East Africa and beyond.
Being a vibrant community leader, Br Zaheerabbas is able to connect well with both the younger and older generations with a holistic Community Development approach. He is passionate about Economic Upliftment, financial sustainability of KSIMC and empowerment of members across the spectrum.
Professionally he is the Managing Director of MPPS Accessories, a leading Motor Vehicle Accessories and Security company in Kenya and his spare time enjoys badminton, hiking and swimming.
As an Elected Councillor, Br Zaheerabbas’ passion towards Economic Upliftment is one of his main areas of focus.
The Councillors Appointed by the President for the term 2021 – 2024 are:
A dedicated community worker for over 20 years, Ahmed bhai was born in Zanzibar, brought up and educated in Uganda where he obtained his Bachelor of Science degree from Makerere University in Kampala. In 1972, he migrated to the United Kingdom and studied at the London University and obtained a Ph.D. in Biochemistry in 1975. He is married and has two children.
He set up Quest Vitamins Ltd in 1983. The company, with its subsidiary Flavex International Ltd, now employs 75 people, has a Department of Health licensed pharmaceutical manufacturing plant and quality control laboratory and produces a range of nutritional supplement products in tablet and capsule form. Ahmed travels globally where he has business interests.
Ahmed bhai brings wealth of experience within The World Federation, having served as its President, Vice President, Executive Councillor on numerous occasions, and successfully lead and volunteered in multiple boards and projects. He has been the past President of Birmingham Jamaat and was actively involved in the building of the Birmingham Imamwada/Mosque and flat complex. Within disaster and aid, Ahmed bhai’s involvement is extensive too: Resettlement of our communities following the earthquake in Kutch and Gujarat, helping in establish secure routes of supply of aid into Iraq and establishing relationships with international organisations like International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, Iraqi Red Crescent and various functions of the United Nations, to mention a few.
Ali Hassanali was born in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania and migrated to USA in 1996 for further studies. He holds a degree in Computer Engineering and began his professional career with CitiGroup in the Software Engineering field. After a span of 18 years at CitiGroup, Ali transferred to Mt Sinai Hospital briefly before becoming the Global Head of Software Asset Management for Morgan Stanley.
Ali has had approximately 30 years of community service with the New York Jamaat where he taught as a Madrasah teacher for many years before eventually joining the SIJNY Managing Committee. He served under multiple teams of the Managing Committee, first as a nominated member and later within the Executive Body as Joint Secretary.
In 2018, Ali was elected as the President of SIJNY where he appointed the first female Vice President in SIJNY’s history. Currently, Ali is serving his second term as SIJNY President with a very young team of future leaders.
As a Councillor appointed by the President, Ali will primarily be working towards establishing a closer working relationship between the World Federation and it’s regional federation – NASIMCo. At a Global level, he will focus on building engagement with the civil society.
Haiderali Gulamali Meghani is from the renowned philanthropic Meghani family of Bhavnagar, Gujarat, India. His late father Marhum Gulamali Meghani was a renowned philanthropist and close associate of Marhum Mulla Asghar when The World Federation started the journey to support jamaats in Gujarat. Alhaj Haiderali is a director of the family-owned International Green Ship Recyclers LLP engaged in recycling operations for obsolete maritime vessels and exporters of ship machineries. The family company also manufactures petroleum products and has set up a solar powerplant in Bhavnagar.
Alhaj Haiderali is passionate in providing education as he believes education is the key to alleviating hardships. He is a trustee of the famous HajiNaji Memorial Trust, which besides publishing Islamic books and literature compiled by Marhum Haji Esmail known as HajiNaji Sahib, is also involved in welfare activities including education and providing lodging and boarding to students from disadvantaged families. Alhaj Haiderali is also the appointed trustee by The World Federation to the Husaini Education & Welfare Society Trust (HEWS) based in Bhavnagar, India.
Mahmood Dhala originally hails from Mombasa and has been living in London for the past 30 years. He is married with two children. He pursued a career in IT after graduating with a BEng (Hons) in Electronic & Electrical Engineering and is currently leading a team of IT Project Managers to deliver complex global infrastructure developments.
From his youth, Mahmood took a keen interest in the community and quietly devoted his time and energy in a variety of social services. The desire to give back to the community was instilled in him from a young age.
In his hometown, he was a member of the Ithnasheri Young Men’s Union as well as the Volunteers Corp where he served for many years. Mahmood was also instrumental in setting up the very first Audio Visual Library, an avenue for spreading the message of Islam and promoting spiritual awareness.
After moving to the UK, he continued to volunteer in the community in various capacities such as serving as an EC member of London Jamaat and as well as teaching in the Madrasah in Stanmore.
Between 2003 and 2005, Mahmood served as the Chairman of the Education Committee at the Council of European Jamaats (CoEJ). During this time, he worked closely with the Islamic Education Board of The World Federation to launch the Madinah & Babul Ilm short summer courses. These courses provided a wealth of knowledge and spirituality to the youth of the community. He also pioneered the very first UCAS Seminar where professionals assisted students with their university applications, so that they could gain placements at the best universities and ensuring great advantages for our youth academically.
Mahmood joined The World Federation in 1998 as a volunteer and has continued as a volunteer through five past and current Presidents at The World Federation. Since education has always been his passion, he founded the Student Support Network (SSN) under The Careers, Education and Training Advisory Board (CETAB). This project was very successful in supporting overseas students with so many of their needs including finding accommodation and social networking.
Thereafter he took on the role of Assistant Secretary General for Education in WF. It was during this time that he formalised a system for the educational loan process, giving it a structure that made it easily accessible and transparent for accountability purposes. Another accomplishment that he directed was the compilation the Labor Mart Paper in 2013. This was a paper that gave a detailed insight into developments and trends that were shaping the global labour market in the upcoming decades. His next role within the organisation was the head of Relief in 2015 and within a short time this led to him becoming the Head of the newly branded department in WF for International Development work known as WF AID.
In 2017 Mahmood was nominated by Alhaj Anwarbhai Dharamsi to serve as the Hon. Assistant Secretary General for the term 2017-2020. During his tenure, he planned and executed the optimisation of many operational processes such as the expansion of the level of staff in India who now provide key support to the Secretariat. Another milestone was the inauguration of a fully functional CRM workflow system which resulted in a comprehensive user-friendly donor database.
Mahmood Bhai’s new role as an Executive Councillor will allow him to oversee the WF-AID portfolio and use his wealth of experience in the organisation to assist the department to scale even greater heights in the current term.
Born in Pakistan, Mohsin did his early schooling in Karachi, his BSc from Warwick University, and his MSc in Management from the London School of Economics (LSE). He is involved in running his own apparel manufacturing and export business for over 23 years.
Hailing from a family background where both his father (ex VP of Karachi Jamaat) and his brother (ex-member managing committee of Karachi Jamaat) have been actively involved in the affairs of the local community, has given Mohsin the motivation and need to be part of a team to help and improve, in whatever possible capacity, the lives of those who are less fortunate at both the Khoja community level in particular, and humanity in general. Mohsin himself is a recent elected member of the managing committee of KPSIAJ (Khoja Pirhai Jamaat – Karachi) and is involved in the affairs of the Fatimiyah Hospital and KPSIAJ Sports to mention a few.
He is also a trustee, in his capacity, of Bait ul Sukoon hospital, a cancer hospital in Karachi offering completely free treatment to all humanity. Also he is a board member of TRS (The Rising Sun), a charity based organization involved in using cutting edge technology to help solve the current challenges faced by humanity (using 3-D technology to resolve housing shortages), promoting Quranic learning through the use of modern day apps.
He is also working with the Government of Sindh and United Nations, being a member of the Technical Committee involved in Youth Empowerment across the province to allow opportunities to youth to access in employment and skill developments and training. Also he has been involved in various projects with the United Nations Development Program, working for and promoting Women Empowerment and equal opportunities at workplace and diversity.
Moreover, he is a sports enthusiast who himself played and participated in many Khoja and international cricket tournaments across the globe and as a hobby is involved in a sports shows on TV in Pakistan as a cricket analyst.
Mohsinbhai was born in 1958, and was educated in Dar es Salaam up until 1975. He is married with 5 children and a businessman by profession. His vast business acumen demonstrates his philanthropist nature. He is currently the Founder, Chairman and Managing Director of ZantasAir, one of the youngest fleet of state of the art aircrafts operating in Tanzania and has membership with Tanzania Air Operators Association (TAOA)
Mohsinbhai is a Lifetime Member of many Global Associations, National Rifle Association, USA, Safari Club International, USA. He is the Chairman of Tanzania Professional Hunters Association of Tanzania (TPHA), the Vice Chairman of Tanzania Hunting Operators Associations (TAHOA). He sits as Chairman of Mitumba Dealers Association of Tanzania and is a Member of both the Yacht Club and Gymkhana Club in Dar es Salaam.
Community Development and Religious Leadership has aways been at the forefront of Mohsinbhai’s life. He is the Founder and Chairman of Board of Trustees, Ahlulbayt Islamic Center since 1996. Under AIC, he runs a Charity school funded by his family in Kigoma, Tanzania. AIC has a nursery, kindergarten school, primary, elementary, and secondary school for children aged 4 – 18, with approximately 650 students enrolled. It also has boarding facilities with a capacity for 150 students. It is the only school in western Tanzania with a science lab, computer lab, and well stocked library, and achieves top academic records against other schools in the region.
Mohsinbhai served under the Central Bilal Board – CHAIRMAN (AFRICA FEDERATION) from 2012 – 2018. He is currently an AFED Nominated Councillor, and the Chairman for Zanzibar Dispute Resolution Committee (AFED). Additionally, he is the Co-ordinator of Bilal Muslim Mission of Tanzania, Kigoma Region supervising 40 Shia Centers, three Hawza’s – Bilal Hawza, Kigoma, Bilal Khadijatal Kubra AS Girls Hawza, Kigoma, Mwandiga. His propagation and providing of humanitarian services to the poor and needy in East and Central Africa demonstrates his outstanding qualities.
Shabbir Walji, FCA, is a Partner at Walji & Co (UK) LLP since it was established in 1982. As a founding member of the firm, Shabbir has over 40 years of experience advising and consulting clients of all ilk’s, from small start-ups to multi-million turnover companies.
No matter the size of the business, Shabbir has developed close knit relationships with all his clients offering his vast array of expertise in matters of business support and taxation.
Shabbir also owns residential care homes’ specialising in dementia which he has run for the past 30 years. Being in business and in particular the care home sector, enables him to provide hands-on advice to our clients in that sector, and tap into the network of intermediaries that he has developed over the years to ensure that clients always get the best advice with utmost care and concern.
In his spare time, Shabbir is a keen gardener and has designed several gardens over 40 years! He has found that keeping up with his garden by the sea is becoming increasingly challenging, though energising too.
Shabbir has one son and two daughters and he lives close to them and his nine blessed grandchildren. Shabbir has had immense love for family and community and has continually worked hard to provide support in capacity building and personal growth and guidance with foresight! He has also served Wessex Jamaat as a senior trustee and Vice President for over 30 years. During the last 15 years, he has managed to lead the development of the Al Mahdi Centre in Fareham Hampshire with 5 acres of landscaped gardens – completed in September 2012. Currently, he is managing the development of Dar Al Zahra (sa) – in order to facilitate an extension of capacity to Al Mahdi Maddrasa. The practical completion of this development is expected to be in February 2022. Al Mahdi Centre will then have capacity for 140 students in the Maddrasa including indoor / outdoor sports facilities and a courtyard/ playground for children to play and reflect on ecology and natural habitat! He is also dealing with a planning application for 290 grave spaces on Al Mahdi Centre ground – once developed would be the first adjoining the Imambargha in Europe and North America InshaAllah.
Born and raised in Madagascar, Shahana graduated High School from the American School of Antananarivo after which she pursued her studies in Social Service Work at Seneca College in Toronto, Canada. Whilst there, she gained expertise in her field of study by working with the Afghan Women’s Organization and the Ministry of Justice’s Bail Program. She has since returned to Madagascar where she currently works as the Business Development Manager within her family’s enterprise. Following her passion for food, she is also a part-time baker and recipe developer.
Shahana has worked voluntarily in various sectors both within and outside the community. From a young age, she was involved in social and charity organizations, where she served as a chairperson, a founder, a member or a volunteer. From 2008 to 2012 she was the chairperson of the local jamat’s youth organization, then the president of the student council at the American School. In 2012, she founded the Fitiavana Association, a charity organization that supported thousands of vulnerable children and people in Madagascar. She also served as the the Ambassador of the Who Is Hussain Campaign in Madagascar as well as a part of the team in Toronto from 2012 to 2017. In addition, Shahana has worked with her local Jamaat, the Regional Council, the Africa Federation and the World Federation of KSIMC within different areas of work and at different capacities.
As a councillor of the World Federation, Shahana hopes to bring a positive effect to develop the interaction between Francophone jamaats and the rest of the world, to increase female representation in leadership roles within our community, and to encourage the youth to participate and reconnect with our roots.
