With sadness and grief, The World Federation learned of the passing away of Marhum Al - Hajj Fidahuseinbhai Abdullah Hameer, one of the visionaries for Tableegh in Africa and an exemplary community worker. Marhum passed away on 6 March 2011 in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
Mu'mineen are requested to remember Marhum in their prayers.
Brief Biography
Born in Zanzibar in 1921, Marhum Fidahuseinbhai was first educated at the Sir Euan Smith Madressa School in Zanzibar (renamed Haile Sellasie Secondary School after the Zanzibar Revolution in 1964). For his secondary education, Marhum attended The Allidina Visram High School in Mombasa, and later when his parents returned to India for some years, Marhum joined the Ransi Devraj High School in Mundra, Cutch, India, to complete his secondary education. The family eventually relocated back to Zanzibar.
In 1941 Marhum moved from Zanzibar to settle in Tanga. While in Tanga, Marhum served as the Hon. Secretary of the Tanga Jamaat for four years between 1942 and 1946. From 1945 to 1948, he also served as Hon. Secretary of the Ithna-Asheri Sports Club in Tanga. From 1948 till 1956, he continued as a committee member and also as Honorary Auditor of the Tanga Jamaat. In 1958 Marhum moved from Tanga to settle in Dar es Salaam. While in Dar es Salaam he was elected Hon. Secretary of Dar-es-Salaam Jamaat and served in this capacity from 1963 to 1971.
Haji Fidahusein at his desk in Bilal Office, Dar es Salaam
With the formation of Bilal Muslim Mission of Tanzania in 1968, Marhum Fidahuseinbhai, as one of the founding members of the Bilal Muslim Mission, took active part in the activities of the Mission serving as a Committee member and Trustee of the Mission from 1968 until his demise. After retiring from business, he devoted his full time to the Bilal Office and also edited the “Light” magazine published in English by the Mission.
President of The World Federation Dr. Asgar Moledina quotes "Marhum Fidahusein bhai was an exemplary individual for all of our community. His entire life was dedicated to selfless community work. The community has lost a wise elder with a wealth of experience and we should learn from the legacy he has left behind. His vision and hard work in the Bilal Muslim Mission will be a testament to his personality for generations to come. We pray to Allah to grant him maghfirat and a high station close to the Ahlul Bayt (as)."