Pyarali Mohamedali Shivji
Contents
Birth
Birth Date: In The Year 1940
Death Date: March 19, 2024 (8th Ramadhan 1445 A.H.)
Brief Profile
Alhaj Pyaralibhai was born in the year 1940 in Maevatanana, Madagascar. In the year 1947, after the passing away of his father, Pyaralibhai migrated from Maevatanana with his mother and three sisters and settled in a small village called Newala in Lindi, a Southern region of Tanganyika. He lived with his maternal uncle Mohammedalibhai Gulamhussein Murji. After attaining Primary and Secondary education in Lindi, Pyaralibhai returned to Newala to join the family business. He began his Community services in Newala where he served as Hon. Secretary of the Jamaat.
Life Journey
In 1965 Pyaralibhai married Masumabai Pyarali Virani and were blessed with two sons and one daughter. Pyaralibhai worked for a known Kanji & Jaffer Company in Mtwara and gained experience. In 1970 Pyaralibhai made a breakthrough and shifted to Dar es Salaam from Lindi. In Dar es Salaam he started his own business called Anuzu Gunny Bags Supplies Ltd. His business flourished because at that time all the grains produce was packed and transported in gunny bags (jute bags). In 1988, he ventured in hotel business and built Safari Inn Hotel.
In 1995 Pyaralibhai was appointed as the Hon. Secretary of the Marriage Reconciliation Board of Dar es Salaam Jamaat and later as the Hon. Joint Secretary of the Jamaat. In 2001- 2003 he served as the President of Khoja Shia Ithna-Asheri Jamaat of Dar es Salaam.
Achievements
Among the notable achievements during his term were launching of the first website of the Jamaat and establishment of the Senior Citizen Group in the Community. Later on, he became the patron of the Senior Citizen Group and continues to be one. During his tenure, the housing development project for the needy was initiated whereby 15 flats were built with funds from a generous donor in the year 2003. He was appointed as the Chairman of the Arbitration Committee of Khoja Shia Ithna Asheri Jamaat of Dar es Salaam from the year 2003 to 2009 and continued up to the year 2014.
Community Service
Pyaralibhai’s remarkable contribution was also in Bilal Muslim Mission. He was one of the senior members of Bilal Muslim Mission of Tanzania. He served Bilal Muslim Mission in various positions over a period of twenty-five years. He held the position of the Trustee (2011 to 2015), Chairman (1995 to 2000 and 2003-2007) and Hon Secretary (1990-1995). He also held the position of the Chairman of Central Bilal Board (CBB) of the Africa Federation for the period 2008 - 2010.
During the 79th Supreme Council Session of Africa Federation which was held in Nairobi in July 2017, the Chairman of Africa Federation, Alhaj Shabir Najafi bestowed the prestigious Husseini Medal to Murrabbi Alhaj Pyarali Shivji for his long honorary and dedicated services to the community including Bilal Muslim Mission of Tanzania for many years. In the absence of Murrabbi Pyarali bhai at the Supreme Council Session due to his inability to travel to Nairobi due to health reasons, the Citation and the Medal were handed over to Dar es Salaam Jamaat to present to Murrabbi Pyarali bhai Shivji at an opportune time. In his message, the AFed Chairman, Alhaj Shabir Najafi praised Pyarali bhai for his pleasant, humble and modest nature which has earned him high respect in the community and also outside the community. He wished him well, long life and good health. Pyaralibhai continues as an active member of the Community.
- We pray to Allah (SWT) to grant him long and healthy life, Ameen.
Obituary & Tributes
Obituary by Africa Federation
The Africa Federation (AFED) Secretariat received with deep sorrow and sadness the news of the death of Alhaj Pyarali Mohamedali Shivji (known by many as Pyarali Anuzu) which occurred in Dar-es-Salaam on Tuesday 19th March 2024 (8th Ramadhan 1445 A.H.) and was buried at night on the same day.
Brief Profile
Alhaj Pyarali bhai was born in Maevatanana, Madagascar in 1940 and moved with his mother and sisters to Newala in Lindi in 1947 after the passing away of his father. He pursued his primary and secondary education in Lindi after which he returned to Newala and joined in business with his maternal uncle Mohammedalibhai Gulamhussein Murji and this began his community services where he served as the Hon. Secretary of the Jamaat. In 1965 Pyarali bhai married Masumabai Pyarali Virani and were blessed with two sons and one daughter. Pyarali bhai made a breakthrough and shifted to Dar es Salaam from Lindi in 1970 and started his own business called Anuzu Gunny Bags Supplies Ltd. His business flourished because at that time all the grains produce was packed and transported in gunny bags (jute bags). In 1988, he ventured in hotel business and built Safari Inn Hotel along Libya Street in Dar es Salaam.
Community Services
His community services in Dar-es-Salaam began in 1995 where he was appointed as the Hon. Secretary of the Marriage Reconciliation Board of Dar es Salaam Jamaat and later as the Hon. Joint Secretary of the Jamaat. In 2001- 2003 he served as the President of Khoja Shia Ithna-Asheri Jamaat of Dar es Salaam. He was later appointed as the Chairman of the Arbitration Committee of the Dar-es-Salaam Jamaat from the year 2003 to 2009 and continued up to the year 2014 and was also a patron of the Senior Citizen Group. During his tenure as the President of the Jamaat, the first website of the Jamaat was launched, the senior citizen group was formed and a housing development project for the needy was initiated whereby 15 flats were built with funds from a generous donor in the year 2003.
Remarkable Contributions in BMMT
Pyarali bhai’s also made remarkable contributions in Bilal Muslim Mission of Tanzania (BMMT). He was one of its senior members and served the Mission in various positions over a period of twenty-five years. He held the position of the Trustee (2011 to 2015), Chairman (1995 to 2000 and 2003-2007) and Hon Secretary (1990-1995). He also held the position of the Chairman of Central Bilal Board (CBB) of the Africa Federation for the period 2008 - 2010. During his tenure as Chairman of BMMT, Pyarali bhai was instrumental in obtaining official registration of the Bilal Comprehensive School (BCS) in April 2001. Also, he was keen to see that BCS maintained its high standard of education through regular visits, inspections etc. Marhum was a good supporter of BCS until his last days.
Acheviements & Awards
At the 79th Supreme Council Session of Africa Federation held in Nairobi in July 2019, the then Chairman of Africa Federation, Alhaj Shabir Najafi bestowed the prestigious Husseini Medal upon Alhaj Pyarali Shivji for his long honorary and dedicated services to the community including his illustrious services to Bilal Muslim Mission of Tanzania. Due to his inability to travel to Nairobi, the Medal was handed over to Dar-es-Salaam Jamaat and was later presented to Pyarali bhai at a Khushali Function in Dar-es-Salaam.
A message from Alhaj Aunali Khalfan, Vice Chairman of Africa Federation
“I had the opportunity to work with Marhum Pyarali bhai Shivji during his tenure as President of Dar es Salaam Jamaat and also while he was in Bilal Muslim Mission of Tanzania for several years. Pyarali bhai had deep empathy for our community, especially for the widows, orphans and the underprivileged. He inspired many, including myself for his humble and gentle approach to problem solving during tense situations. Notably, his success was embedded by his humbleness, courage and sincerity. He was passionate about his work and was always looking for ways to make a positive difference for the betterment of our community, that he loved so much. Sadly, we have lost one of the great and inspiring leaders of our community, May Allah (SWT) by His grace and mercy grant him maghferat, Aameen”
We convey our heartfelt condolences to his two sons Shabbir and Rizwan and daughter Sukaina, his grandchildren and all the family members. We pray to Allah (SWT) to grant Marhum maghferat and place his soul amongst the blessed ones in the vicinity of the Chahardah Ma’sumeen (‘A) where he is continuously blessed with the mercy and grace of Allah (SWT), Ameen.
- Sura-Al-Fateha is requested for Marhum Pyarali bhai and all the Marhumeen.
Source: Photographs by curtesy of Murtaza Jivraj (Kerbala) and KSIJ Dar es Salaam website.
SECRETARIAT
ARCHIVES SECTION OF THE AFRICA FEDERATION
5th November 2019 (7th Rabiul Awwal 1441 AH)
