Mustafa Fazal Karmali (Dar es Salaam, Tanzania) started his educational journey in Lindi, where he completed his primary schooling. In 1964, he moved to Dar es Salaam to continue his secondary education. After graduating in 1967, he travelled to Pakistan, where he intended to further his studies in accounting, taking advantage of his mother’s family connections. However, due to political riots that led to the indefinite closure of educational institutions, he was forced to return to Tanzania. Undeterred, he pursued private bookkeeping and accounting classes upon his return. This self-directed study paved the way for him to enter the workforce, where he held various positions in the Accounts Departments of different companies. In 1983, Mustafa joined the family business, Jaffery Stores, and later expanded his career with Jamana Printers, where he continues to contribute to the business today.
His commitment to his religious and community life began at a young age. Mustafa bhai received his early religious education at Madrasa Husseiny in Lindi, followed by further study under Maulana Marhum Syed Akhtar Rizvi at the Dar es Salaam Madrasa. Throughout his life, he has been an active volunteer, offering his services to various community departments in Dar es Salaam. His dedication to education and community service culminated in his appointment as the Principal of Husseini Madrasa from 1974 to 1977, where he helped nurture the spiritual and academic growth of students. His continued involvement with the Hussein Society as a teacher reflects his unwavering dedication to his faith and community.
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language is more than just a means of communication. It reflects the culture of people. It can help bridge a generation gap especially when the various generations have grown up in different parts of the world. It can be a thread that knits a Community despite the many differences in aspirations, outlook and ways of living.
A true appreciation of these sentiments can clearly demonstrate that it would be a folly to let Gujarati disappear from within the Community. The loss would lead to a lasting damage to the fabric of the Khoja Shia Ithna Asheri Community.
What is being advocated here is not a Gujarati language preservation programme. There are millions in Gujarat who do it admirably and the language flourishes in India. The object here is to ensure the preservation of our own ties with each other through the medium of a common language.
How else can we have cohesive exchange of views at our Conferences or Seminars when the participants have come from India, France, Portugal, Sweden, Norway, Holland not to mention the anglophones from USA, Canada and the UK? Instantaneous translations are no substitute as we experienced at the last World Federation Conference.
What language can the grandmother in Mombasa, use to write to congratulate her grandson who has just graduated with a first class honours degree in Modern Languages at a university in Los Angeles?
Such scenarios, where a common language can be absolutely vital are endless.
Conference 1988, adopted a timely resolution tabled by the Africa Federation recommending a most common language preservation programme. This was considered to be one of the most important resolutions of the decade.
Sadly, little has changed since the adoption of the resolution. Except perhaps, for the fact that our Conferences have become bilingual with Gujarati as the first language.
The resolution does not ask for much. It does not require that we all acquire an A level in Gujarati. Just that we use the language and encourage our children to converse in Gujarati, so as to enable the Community, to preserve a common language.
Whilst the Community Organisations can assist in the preservation of Gujarat, its implementation has to begin in the home. There is no doubt that it requires a concerted effort; particularly on the part of the generation that itself has almost lost practice in the usage of Gujarati, to pass it on to the next generation.
There is no time to lose. This may be our last chance. If this generation does not do it, the next one will not be able to do it even if it was so inclined. So let our generation not be blamed for this folly.
Mustafa Fazal Karmali (Dar es Salaam, Tanzania) started his educational journey in Lindi, where he completed his primary schooling. In 1964, he moved to Dar es Salaam to continue his secondary education. After graduating in 1967, he travelled to Pakistan, where he intended to further his studies in accounting, taking advantage of his mother’s family connections. However, due to political riots that led to the indefinite closure of educational institutions, he was forced to return to Tanzania. Undeterred, he pursued private bookkeeping and accounting classes upon his return. This self-directed study paved the way for him to enter the workforce, where he held various positions in the Accounts Departments of different companies. In 1983, Mustafa joined the family business, Jaffery Stores, and later expanded his career with Jamana Printers, where he continues to contribute to the business today. 
