Mohamed Abdulla Khalfan
Mohamedbhai Abdulla Khalfan (82) of Dar es Salaam stands out as a unique person having served the community and broader circles in different capacities for over sixty years. TV Programmes Mohamedbhai appeared many times on the panel of Hamza Kassongo’s weekly TV programme. He shared the panel with politicians, human rights and social activists and once with a senior High Court Judge and a prominent lawyer among others. On the show he has expressed opinions on politics, good governance, commerce, social and civic issues.
Prior to his semi-retirement, Mohamedbhai accepted invitations at regular intervals to discuss or present papers at Public Seminars on socio-political issues of national concern. The organizations which sponsored these seminars included the Economic and Social Research Foundation, Land Rights Research and Resources Institute, World Conference on Religion and Peace and an anti-corruption Non Government Organisation. He has also made various presentations, one of them at a Breakfast Talk forum organized by a Tanzania weekly newspaper Business Times where diplomats were also invited.
In 2003, Mohamedbhai was requested by Shoora to prepare and read out an address on its behalf before the Tanzanian Parliamentary Committee for Legal Affairs on the Muslims demand for restoration of Kadhi Court for Muslims like the one operated in Zanzibar. Shoora was a recognized group of representatives of Muslims of all sects in mainland Tanzania and it was fully represented at the Committee’s hearing.
Judiciary Circles
Mohamedbhai has been known for his good command over written and spoken Kiswahili. This made him eligible for appointment on certain government bodies and agencies where documentation is prepared in Kiswahili and discussions are held in Kiswahili. He has been a member on the statutory Users Committee of the Commercial Division of Tanzanian High Court since its inception. The stake-holders have representatives on the committee and they include judges, lawyers and representatives from the Attorney General Chamber. Until recently Mohamedbhai remained also on the Panel of the Assessors deemed as “expert judges” in the Commercial Court, to assist the Presiding Judge by submitting a written expert opinion on the evidence adduced during a hearing. His cases were those which called on his banking or commercial experience.
Mohamedbhai with his committee members also participated at the annual Round Table Discussion Group of judges and lawyers when either the Chief Justice or the Attorney General would address the Group.
As CEO
Mohamedbhai’s career is noteworthy. For eleven years he served as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Tanzania Housing Bank Estates Company Limited (TECO) from its inception in 1977 until his voluntary retirement at the age of 56 years in 1988. At the farewell party organized by the Board of Directors and attended by government officials and others, the Board Chairman (a veteran Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) leader) urged CEOs of other government organizations to emulate him as a role model for success. Mohamedbhai was appointed by the Minister for Lands and Housing on a committee assigned to revise the Rent Restriction Act. He represented his then employer, the Tanzania Housing Bank. This committee was under the chairmanship of John Mkwawa, a Cabinet Secretary, now a judge. The revised Act was passed by the National Assembly as the Rent Restriction Act of 1985.
Mohamedbhai’s interest in housing issues started in his youth. In about the year 1955, Mohamedbhai was one of the founders of the nascent Zanzibar Tenants Association. Despite his young age, then 23 years old, he was elected the first Honorary Secretary unopposed and became part of the delegation which liaised with government officials to seek legislative protection of the interests of tenants.
As a Writer
Even as a secondary school student, Mohamedbhai had a knack for writing to newspapers and magazines. He still recollects how excited he was to show his published work to family, school teachers and school pals. Mohamedbhai was also an author and a freelance writer. In Zanzibar, while he was engaged in a family business, he wrote editorials for the weekly English newspaper, “Zanzibar Times” (not “Zanzibar Voice”) for some time. In Dar es Salaam he had a weekly column, “As I See It” in the Express newspaper.
For many years he has been a regular columnist for the Federation Samachar. After many years his passion for writing led him to publishing his first major book “Simple Child Psychology” of 30 chapters in 2002. This was reprinted again in 2003 by KSI Jamaat of Dar es Salaam with another edition being printed by the Organization of North American Shia Ithnasheri Muslim Communities (NASIMCO) in Canada also in 2003. The 4th edition of this book was translated in Indonesian language and printed in Jakarta in 2004.
His second book “Time Tells” on the subject of managing family issues before they develop into family problems also has 30 chapters with episodes. Mohamedbhai has also written other booklets for a limited distribution.
Over the years Mohamedbhai’s mature thoughts, focused oratory and writing talent have won him the trust of the community. In his young age he assumed positions which were the exclusive domain of elders. He was elected Honorary Secretary of Ithna-asheri Gymkhana (Sports) in Zanzibar when he was only 20 years old. He then also represented our community in the Zanzibar Sports Board whose Chairman then was a British High Court Judge. He was also the President of Ithna-asheri Union in the early 1960s.
A dream not achieved
When we talked about his education, Mohamedbhai expressed regret that he could not pursue further studies for medicine. He said, “After doing my Overseas Matriculation Examination of the London University – in June, 1951 in Zanzibar, I aimed to study medicine in the UK after being one of the six successful candidates out of thirty one who appeared for the Matriculation Examinations for entrance into a UK University. However despite previous encouragement for my intended professional career, the family changed its mind because of the culture of over-protection that prevailed sixty years ago. The culture then was for all brothers, including those married with children, to live under one roof for parental care and protection. What was to follow then was marriage in the family much in line with my other dream that came fulfilled.”
About his Forefathers
I asked him about his family history and Mohamedbhai said, “My great great grandfather, ‘Khalfan’ was a pioneer who, with other young passengers, voyaged to East Africa and disembarked at the Lamu port of Kenya in about the year 1835 from Gujarat, India. I am proud that my grandchildren in the West and also in Singapore speak fluent Gujarati, the language of our ancestors.”
A passion for Sports and Travel
Mohamedbhai played cricket for Ithnaashri Gymkhana while in Zanzibar and has continued to be a great cricket fan. He also likes travelling and has travelled far and wide around the world.
By Munir Daya
