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There is no strategy regarding activities in Africa/Consequences of lack of unity among Shiites in Africa: Murtaza Murtaza
A member of the Supreme Council of the AhlulBayt (a.s.) World Assembly stated, “The African continent is a human reservoir for liberation movements. However, there is still no strategy for studies on how to operate on the African continent. Shia is on the rise in the continent because African Shiites avoid conflict with each other.”
ABWA Official Website – On Thursday and Friday, December 28 and 29, 2023, the 193rd conference of the Supreme Council of the AhlulBayt (a.s.) World Assembly was held in Mashhad with the presence of members of the Council. In this conference, the latest issues related to the followers of the AhlulBayt (a.s.) school in different parts of the world were discussed.
In this conference, Hojat al-Islam Murtaza Murtaza Al-Ameli, referring to the characteristics of African people, stated, “People of African race are the best example of the human being who behaves according to his accepted beliefs. Hypocrisy is not prevalent among African peoples and societies, and once they accept an ideology or an idea, they follow it despite all the difficulties that come with it.”
“From the past until now, Africa has been ready to accept any person or idea that comes to work in the continent. But we have not paid attention to this fact yet. Colonial countries were present in Africa with the pioneers of France, England, Italy, and later America, and they are still present in the continent to benefit from the riches of Africa. But we have not taken any appropriate measures in this regard. The colonialists in Africa have made good use of the human and material resources of this continent, but we have not been successful in preaching activities,” he continued.
“Our media does not have much presence in African countries. Due to the presence of the colonizers, in most cases, African people have abandoned their tribal language and speak the language of the colonial countries. According to the orders of the colonizers, African people are obliged to speak English, French, and in some cases, even Portuguese and Spanish,” added a member of the Supreme Council of the AhlulBayt (a.s.) World Assembly.
Referring to the need to change the approach of the AhlulBayt (a.s.) World Assembly towards Africa, Hojat al-Islam Murtaza Murtaza Al-Ameli stated, “Our actions in the African continent have been individual activities so far. The AhlulBayt (a.s.) World Assembly should consolidate its scattered activities, including holding conferences, in Africa and play a prominent role in this regard. So far, not many actions have been taken in this field. I ask the AhlulBayt (a.s.) World Assembly to conduct research for more activities in the African continent. On the other hand, the lack of unity among Shiites in African countries weakens the position of Shia in the continent.”
“Shiite movements are rapidly gaining strength in some African countries. Among these countries is Madagascar, the largest island in the world. Different religions are active in Madagascar, the strongest of which is Christianity. Madagascar is made up of different African and Asian races. Also, during British colonialism, some people from Southeast Asian countries, including Indonesia and Malaysia, were exiled to Madagascar. The attention of the people of Madagascar to Shiism is incredible so that they have an enthusiastic presence in ceremonies of Ashura, which is a sign of their deep belief in AhlulBayt (a.s.),” he said.
Shiite movements are active in the West African region, and their activity in the region is more than in the Eastern and Southern African regions. Because the people of this region are inclined towards Sufism, and Sufism has a deep connection with AhlulBayt (a.s.). This issue has led to the further expansion of Shiite movements in West Africa. These movements were born and developed with the victory of the Islamic Revolution in Iran. Previously, invitations to AhlulBayt (a.s.) school were done individually or in secluded places and were not organized as a coherent movement. The current situation of Shiism in Africa is very different from its situation before the victory of the Islamic Revolution, even though we did not act in this direction as we should have,” added the prominent preacher of the Shiite school in Africa.
“The African continent is a human reservoir for liberation movements. However, there is still no strategy for studies on how to operate on the African continent. Shia is on the rise in the continent because African Shiites avoid conflict with each other,” stated Hojat al-Islam Murtaza Murtaza Al-Ameli.
“In Kenya, I had a conversation with a 60-year-old man. He told me something that made me think. The African man said, “Our ancient religions emphasized worshiping mountains and trees. Therefore, it no longer met our needs, and thus, we sought to choose another religion. But at that time, you Islamic missionaries were not in our region and Christian missionaries took your place. Although Christianity has nothing to do with our methods and traditions, we accepted it. Now come to our country and teach your religion to our children.” These were the words of a Christian man. Therefore, the invitation to Islam in these areas is not very difficult,” he mentioned.
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A member of the Supreme Council of the AhlulBayt (a.s.) World Assembly stated, “The African continent is a human reservoir for liberation movements. However, there is still no strategy for studies on how to operate on the African continent. Shia is on the rise in the continent because African Shiites avoid conflict with each other.”
ABWA Official Website – On Thursday and Friday, December 28 and 29, 2023, the 193rd conference of the Supreme Council of the AhlulBayt (a.s.) World Assembly was held in Mashhad with the presence of members of the Council. In this conference, the latest issues related to the followers of the AhlulBayt (a.s.) school in different parts of the world were discussed.
In this conference, Hojat al-Islam Murtaza Murtaza Al-Ameli, referring to the characteristics of African people, stated, “People of African race are the best example of the human being who behaves according to his accepted beliefs. Hypocrisy is not prevalent among African peoples and societies, and once they accept an ideology or an idea, they follow it despite all the difficulties that come with it.”
“From the past until now, Africa has been ready to accept any person or idea that comes to work in the continent. But we have not paid attention to this fact yet. Colonial countries were present in Africa with the pioneers of France, England, Italy, and later America, and they are still present in the continent to benefit from the riches of Africa. But we have not taken any appropriate measures in this regard. The colonialists in Africa have made good use of the human and material resources of this continent, but we have not been successful in preaching activities,” he continued.
“Our media does not have much presence in African countries. Due to the presence of the colonizers, in most cases, African people have abandoned their tribal language and speak the language of the colonial countries. According to the orders of the colonizers, African people are obliged to speak English, French, and in some cases, even Portuguese and Spanish,” added a member of the Supreme Council of the AhlulBayt (a.s.) World Assembly.
Referring to the need to change the approach of the AhlulBayt (a.s.) World Assembly towards Africa, Hojat al-Islam Murtaza Murtaza Al-Ameli stated, “Our actions in the African continent have been individual activities so far. The AhlulBayt (a.s.) World Assembly should consolidate its scattered activities, including holding conferences, in Africa and play a prominent role in this regard. So far, not many actions have been taken in this field. I ask the AhlulBayt (a.s.) World Assembly to conduct research for more activities in the African continent. On the other hand, the lack of unity among Shiites in African countries weakens the position of Shia in the continent.”
“Shiite movements are rapidly gaining strength in some African countries. Among these countries is Madagascar, the largest island in the world. Different religions are active in Madagascar, the strongest of which is Christianity. Madagascar is made up of different African and Asian races. Also, during British colonialism, some people from Southeast Asian countries, including Indonesia and Malaysia, were exiled to Madagascar. The attention of the people of Madagascar to Shiism is incredible so that they have an enthusiastic presence in ceremonies of Ashura, which is a sign of their deep belief in AhlulBayt (a.s.),” he said.
Shiite movements are active in the West African region, and their activity in the region is more than in the Eastern and Southern African regions. Because the people of this region are inclined towards Sufism, and Sufism has a deep connection with AhlulBayt (a.s.). This issue has led to the further expansion of Shiite movements in West Africa. These movements were born and developed with the victory of the Islamic Revolution in Iran. Previously, invitations to AhlulBayt (a.s.) school were done individually or in secluded places and were not organized as a coherent movement. The current situation of Shiism in Africa is very different from its situation before the victory of the Islamic Revolution, even though we did not act in this direction as we should have,” added the prominent preacher of the Shiite school in Africa.
“The African continent is a human reservoir for liberation movements. However, there is still no strategy for studies on how to operate on the African continent. Shia is on the rise in the continent because African Shiites avoid conflict with each other,” stated Hojat al-Islam Murtaza Murtaza Al-Ameli.
“In Kenya, I had a conversation with a 60-year-old man. He told me something that made me think. The African man said, “Our ancient religions emphasized worshiping mountains and trees. Therefore, it no longer met our needs, and thus, we sought to choose another religion. But at that time, you Islamic missionaries were not in our region and Christian missionaries took your place. Although Christianity has nothing to do with our methods and traditions, we accepted it. Now come to our country and teach your religion to our children.” These were the words of a Christian man. Therefore, the invitation to Islam in these areas is not very difficult,” he mentioned.
**************
End/ 345