Written by Ashakh (Kiongozi) // 11/05/2013
HERE IS SOMETHING THAT I WROTE THAT WAS NEVER PUBLISHED..FOUND IT IN MY ARCHIVES..
JUMA ALEY, A DISTINCTIVE MAN
WITH ADMIRATION OF HIS HOME.
Say the name of Juma Aley in Zanzibar, and most of the elderly in Stone Town will remember him, others call him Maalim Juma Aley. But was he only a teacher?
Well, personally, I find it hard to agree to that. Maalim Juma Aley was a father, writer, a teacher, a politician, a devoted Muslim, Minister, cricketer, humanitarian and most of all, a Zanzibari that would be remembered by many because of his devotion and love to Zanzibar
.
Born in Zanzibar in 1915, in a small village of Fuoni, he received his education in Zanzibar and in London. He is much remembered of his role in the Zanzibar educational system particularly in the Teacher’s Training School in the 1940’s. In addition to this, he was also the President of the Zanzibar Non European Civil Service Association and was particularly involved in the 1948 Holmes Salaries Commission for East Africa.
Well, personally, I find it hard to agree to that. Maalim Juma Aley was a father, writer, a teacher, a politician, a devoted Muslim, Minister, cricketer, humanitarian and most of all, a Zanzibari that would be remembered by many because of his devotion and love to Zanzibar
.
Born in Zanzibar in 1915, in a small village of Fuoni, he received his education in Zanzibar and in London. He is much remembered of his role in the Zanzibar educational system particularly in the Teacher’s Training School in the 1940’s. In addition to this, he was also the President of the Zanzibar Non European Civil Service Association and was particularly involved in the 1948 Holmes Salaries Commission for East Africa.
Maalim Juma Aley was also part of the delegation to Lancaster house in 1962/63 when seeking for the islands independence, and he later served as the Regional Administrator of Tanga Region between 1974 -1983.
His famous book “Zanzibar In the context” is mostly remembered for his attempt to spotlight the crucial role of the Indian Ocean in shaping the destiny of our islands through Oman and the Comoros, and in laying the foundations of cultural and commercial values by drawing us together in a concerted, perennial fusion and unique in history. He pointed out on similarities of the Mediterranean that has been influence to the North African coast by comparing the Indian Ocean has been to Zanzibar or East Africa in general.
Maalim Juma and his love for cricket is still spoken today, he was very encouraging to youths who could be seen surrounding him at the first pitch in Mnazi Mmoja and listening to his anglicized accent, and also receiving cricket coaching.
Juma Aley with his posh and polished outlook displayed immense style. He was such a well-dressed and disciplined player that he executed an everlasting impact upon viewers. Those who had known him, speak of him with reverence even today. He projected a dignified figure on the cricket field discounting any notion that cricket was a white man’s game. Even today lovers of the game from Zanzibar recall that day in 1956 when amid clapping and applause, Juma Aley in his beige coloured outfit majestically leading his Zanzibar side onto the field while Pakstani batsmen Hanif Mohamed and Alimuddin following to open their innings. It was a memorable day in the cricket history of Zanzibar and there was a lot of fanfare in the stone town for the Pakistanis who in turn were immensely impressed by the sophistication and class of the Zanzibar skipper. The Pakistani counterpart Abdulhafeez Kardar paid great compliments to Juma Aley.
Juma Aley with his posh and polished outlook displayed immense style. He was such a well-dressed and disciplined player that he executed an everlasting impact upon viewers. Those who had known him, speak of him with reverence even today. He projected a dignified figure on the cricket field discounting any notion that cricket was a white man’s game. Even today lovers of the game from Zanzibar recall that day in 1956 when amid clapping and applause, Juma Aley in his beige coloured outfit majestically leading his Zanzibar side onto the field while Pakstani batsmen Hanif Mohamed and Alimuddin following to open their innings. It was a memorable day in the cricket history of Zanzibar and there was a lot of fanfare in the stone town for the Pakistanis who in turn were immensely impressed by the sophistication and class of the Zanzibar skipper. The Pakistani counterpart Abdulhafeez Kardar paid great compliments to Juma Aley.
Rashid Juma Aley ( his fourth son ) who was my colleague at work during the 90′s had a lot love for his father, he enjoyed sharing stories about his father and the interesting journey his father has had. According to Rashid, their favourite time of the day was an afternoon tea just after alaasir prayers (around 16:00hrs) .They would sit out on a balcony and Maalim Juma would share his teachings with his family. This was the only time that he truly enjoyed his time to write and read. Bi Asha Ali, the neighbour once came to visit his home as Abdulwakt recalls, to catch-up with local Zanzibar gossip, she was immediately put to a stop and asked to leave. You can imagine what a character he was !!
According to Rashid, his close friends who visited him were the former President of Zanzibar, Alhaj Aboud Jumbe and the late Maalim Omar Zahraan.
According to Rashid, his close friends who visited him were the former President of Zanzibar, Alhaj Aboud Jumbe and the late Maalim Omar Zahraan.
The late Maalim Juma Aley was definitely a man of instinct, according to Abdulwakt Juma ( his favourite son who was a footballer in the 1980′s) and to whom he dedicated his 2nd book, “Zanzibar: IN THE CONTEXT” with memorable words, ” To”Abdul” Play the game, Be a good winner, and a good looser, would recall stories from his father, during the 1960s and mid 1970s when he was detained in Ukonga Prison, Dar es Salaam. According to Abdulwakt, when the day came, the government had consider his release, no one was informed.
The night prior to his release, he woke up at 2:00 am, he began reciting the Qur’an until morning, when the prison warden arrived early morning for routine inspection, they were surprised to see him already packed and ready for departure. They left Maalim Juma’s cell confused as they had no idea of what was in his mind. At about 9:00 am, then the Minister of Home Affairs, Hon Ali Hassan Mwinyi arrived at the main gate demanding for Maalim Juma. The guards and warden reported the matter to the Minister that Maalim Juma was waiting to be released today and his bags were packed. The Minister and guards were astonished as no member of the Prison was informed about the approval of his release except the government. They walked slowly to meet and greet him at his cell, and found Maalim Juma waiting for them like a passenger ready to board a boat. Maalim Juma politely admitted that he had dreamt that night of his day waving goodbye to Ukonga had come. The Minister who later became the President of the United Republic of Tanzania, embraced him with tears of joy as they walked out of the Prison.
The night prior to his release, he woke up at 2:00 am, he began reciting the Qur’an until morning, when the prison warden arrived early morning for routine inspection, they were surprised to see him already packed and ready for departure. They left Maalim Juma’s cell confused as they had no idea of what was in his mind. At about 9:00 am, then the Minister of Home Affairs, Hon Ali Hassan Mwinyi arrived at the main gate demanding for Maalim Juma. The guards and warden reported the matter to the Minister that Maalim Juma was waiting to be released today and his bags were packed. The Minister and guards were astonished as no member of the Prison was informed about the approval of his release except the government. They walked slowly to meet and greet him at his cell, and found Maalim Juma waiting for them like a passenger ready to board a boat. Maalim Juma politely admitted that he had dreamt that night of his day waving goodbye to Ukonga had come. The Minister who later became the President of the United Republic of Tanzania, embraced him with tears of joy as they walked out of the Prison.
Enduring Links and Twenty One Years Leadership Contrasts and Similarities were his other books. Maalim Juma never managed to conclude his Part Two of Enduring Links; it was sent for editing and never returned.
As Abdulwakt says, As Maalim Juma was approaching his old age, it seemed that his mission to this world was not over yet, deep down inside him, their was a strong desire and feeling of wanting to write more.
The final month before he passed away, Maalim Juma Aley became a very quiet man with extreme emotions, he had time to bid his sons farewell, even hinting that his final moments were here. Maalim Juma Aley passed away at his favourite place, his home, a house that he had built dedicated for his much-loved wife “Shou” in 1995, a month after his 80th birthday. As he stated on his final line in Enduring Links, the facts of history remain as facts, so Maalim Juma Aley will always hold his place in the modern history of ZANZIBAR.
As Abdulwakt says, As Maalim Juma was approaching his old age, it seemed that his mission to this world was not over yet, deep down inside him, their was a strong desire and feeling of wanting to write more.
The final month before he passed away, Maalim Juma Aley became a very quiet man with extreme emotions, he had time to bid his sons farewell, even hinting that his final moments were here. Maalim Juma Aley passed away at his favourite place, his home, a house that he had built dedicated for his much-loved wife “Shou” in 1995, a month after his 80th birthday. As he stated on his final line in Enduring Links, the facts of history remain as facts, so Maalim Juma Aley will always hold his place in the modern history of ZANZIBAR.
Written
Simai Mohammed Said / Other materials researched on the net.
Source: Mzalendo
More on Maalim Juma Aley read from below:
JUMA ALEY- SYMBOL OF ZANZIBAR CRICKET- 1995-The Express
Oh those were the days! This is not in reference to a Shakespearan verse but a Zanzibar prodigy by the name of Juma Aley in those days of compassion and virtuosity in the island.
Juma Aley or Maalim Juma as he was affectionately known passed away last Tuesday in Zanzibar at the age of 80. Mourners at his funeral included Zanzibar President Dr. Salmin Amour and the Chief Minister Dr.Omar Ali Juma.
Juma Aley was a prominent personality, an academic, who played vital role in Zanzibar’s educational and political system. However, it is in the context of the game of cricket that this tributary feature talks about.
In the annals of Zanzibar’s cricket history the name Juma Aley gets inscribed in golden letters. He learnt his cricket in England and played the game for the London University where he studied.
Zanzibar cricket received a boost after Juma Aley’s return from England. He was a key member of the Zanzibar Sports Control Board and Chairman of its Cricket Sub Committee. He captained the Zanzibar Combined on a number of occasions.
Today when so much emphasis is laid on indigenous cricket it worth mentioning that Juma Aley had patronized the game in Zanzibar as far back as 1940. It was he along with Ahmed Iddi who had been instrumental in the formation of cricket teams like ‘Arabs’ and ‘Comorians’.
In particular Maalim Juma was very encouraging to youths who could be seen surrounding him at the first pitch in Mnazimoja and listening to his anglicized accent, and also receiving cricket coaching.
Juma Aley with his posh and polished outlook displayed immense style. He was such a well-dressed and disciplined player that he executed an everlasting impact upon viewers. Those who had known him speak of him with reverence even today. He projected a dignified figure on the cricket field discounting any notion that cricket was a white man’s game.
Even today lovers of the game from Zanzibar recall that day in 1956 when amid clapping and applause Juma Aley in his beige colored outfit majestically leading his Zanzibar side onto the field while Pakstani batsmen Hanif Mohamed and Alimuddin following to open their innings.
It was a memorable day in the cricket history of Zanzibar and there was a lot of fanfare in the stone town for the Pakistanis who in turn were immensely impressed by the sophistication and class of the Zanzibar skipper. The Pakistani counterpart Abdulhafeez Kardar paid great compliments to Juma Aley.
Juma Aley was a fine batsman. His cover drives were a joy to watch. In the very first year in 1949 when the Arabs team was formed under his patronage they went on to win the knockout tournament and clinched the prestigious KJ Cup beating Ithnashris in the final.
In fact Ithnashris took a first innings lead but then Juma Aley steered his side to 252 runs with a personal contribution of 85 solid runs. Ithnashris who had to score 202 runs failed to overcome the target.
The huge KJ Cup was brought to Malindi and placed at the Malindi Resraurant. There was a gathering of players and supporters who were relished with halua and kahawa.
The Arabs team thus became a major force in the 1950s and 1960s. They played attacking cricket winning a number of contests and attracting a lot of spectators. They had players like Jawad, Labad, Mehdi, Jaffer, Hadi, Ahmed Bachoo, Chepe, Abdulkadir, Lemki, Sayyid and others.
I had the opportunity of coming across Juma Aley, courtesy Akber Gulamhusain, for a feature in a magazine. He was magnanimous and did not let us down. His write up enhanced the value of that magazine. Later we were supposed to have a sitting session on certain historic aspects of Zanzibar cricket but unfortunately that never materialized.
Juma Aley was a class writer. He avidly followed international cricket and was a great England fan as evidenced from his text: “Kakai in the slips reminded one of Colin Cowdery playing for Kent and captaining England.”
In his later life he had become sedate. Gone was that flamboyance and pomp that once ruled Zanzibar cricket. What remained was perhaps some nostalgia as he would recount:
“Sherali Ndege as SN Megji was known among cricket fans was the darling of crowd. The ndege represented his sixes which invariably towered the first pitch at square leg. In the bowling department Ibrahim Abdulhusain created wonders deceiving batsman all the way.”
Juma Aley symbolized Zanzibar cricket. He ushered to promote Zanzibar’s image in sports and eulogized those who exuded sportsmanship: “Sayyid Nyanya is one of the best sportsmen we have produced. His grocery at the Zanzibar market was a club for all. So is his stores now at Kisutu in Daressalaam.”
Alas, Juma Aley is no more and no more remains the store of Sayyid at Kisutu.
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