The Africa Muslims Agency (AMA) is an Islamic humanitarian organisation. It was founded in 1981, and is funded primarily by Kuwaiti aid and dawah donations from Muslims.[1]

Africa Muslims Agency
AbbreviationAMA
Formation1981

The Cape Town office was started in 1987 by Mahomed Farid Choonara, and under his directorship the agency grew to become one of the largest aid organisations in Africa.[2] MF Choonara (born 3 November 1949) died 9 April 2011), and was succeeded as director by his son, Imraan Choonara.[3]

The AMA describes itself as a humanitarian, development and Dawah organization based in Kuwait with offices across Africa. The agency has established itself in much of Africa, including Sierra Leone, Mali, Mozambique, Madagascar, Zimbabwe, Angola, the Gambia and particularly South Africa.[4] The Agency's goals are to strengthen Islam by spreading the teachings of the Quran, as well as to build hospitals, schools and mosques.[4]

In 2010, the International Labour Office noted that the AMA focused on direct aid, including the building of wells for clean drinking water.[5]

In Niger, the AMA has played a prominent role in development since 1985. Its goals and tactics changed dramatically since it was established.[6]

In 1998, it was given consultative status at the United Nations Economic and Social Council.[7] In 2007, its leaders were monitored and interrogated by police.[8]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Africa Muslims Agency". Resources on Faith, Ethics & Public Life. Berkeley Center for Religion, Peace & World Affairs. Archived from the original on 18 June 2018. Retrieved 18 June 2018.
  2. ^ Earl Haupt (18 October 2017). "30 years of serving humankind". People's Post. NEWS24. Archived from the original on 18 June 2018. Retrieved 18 June 2018.
  3. ^ "Obituary mf choonara". Media Review Network. Retrieved 18 June 2018.
  4. ^ a b Africa Muslims Agency Archived November 6, 2010, at the Wayback Machine South Africa Office
  5. ^ Zanzibar: Social Protection Expenditure and Performance Review and Social Budget. 2010. ISBN 9789221228721.
  6. ^ https://journals.openedition.org/apad/pdf/4084/ "Doing Development the Islamic Way in Contemporary Niger" by Abdoulaye Sounaye, 2011
  7. ^ Edmund Jan Osmańczyk, Anthony Mango (Herausgeber): Encyclopedia of the United Nations and International Agreements. Volume 1: A–F. 3. Auflage, Taylor & Francis 2003, S. 22, ISBN 0415939216
  8. ^ Smith, Dr Malinda S. (2013-03-28). Securing Africa: Post-9/11 Discourses on Terrorism. ISBN 9781409499565.