NEWS

Greetings to all.

I feel much honored and privileged to be a recipient of Asia’s outstanding NGO Leadership Award under the category of Asia’s Corporate Social Responsibility.  I regret I am not present in your midst this afternoon for this historical event prior I and my relatives already planned a religious tour in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. However you may rest assure that my thoughts will be with all of you and you will be in my prayers during my stay in the Holy Land.

I am MOHAMMAD RAFFIQUE SANTALLY. I was born in 25^th July 1953 in the village of Notre Dame, Montagne Longue in the north of Mauritius Island. I am married with Bibi Sajeeda Aujayeb. Out of our union were born our two lovely daughters: Bibi Shabniz and Shabnur Ara. Bibi Shabniz married Sheik Mohammad Reedwan ROHAM and out of their marriage we are proud to be grandparents of

1. Bibi Rumaisha
2. Mohammad Hussain Shayaan
3. Mohammad Hassan Shayaz

For my primary cycle, I was educated at Jean Le Brun Government School, Port Louis. For my secondary education, I studied at Islamic Cultural College Plaine-Verte, Port Louis and Le Lycee Mauricien, Port Louis. For my tertiary education I am a holder of a certificate in Co operative management from the University of Mauritius. I am a holder of a Higher First Aid certificate from St. John Ambulance and Brigade, an international organization. Also, a certificate of Health & Hygiene course from Health Education Correspondence service of India.

In 1977, I joined the private sector to work as a clerk and terminated as Assistant Manager of the company. Further I served as advisor to the Minister on information matters at the Ministry of Public Infrastructure and Ministry of Environment, Employment and National Development Unit.  At present I am a pensioner but fully active as a voluntary social worker.

I am proud to embark myself on the social front and to be actively associated with renowned Governmental bodies and Non Governmental organizations (NGO’S) such as:

GOVERNMENTAL BODIES:

• Islamic Cultural Centre Trust Fund Board (ICCTFB)under the aegis of the Ministry of Arts and Culture( Trustee)
• National Technical hajj Committee (NTHC) under the aegis of prime Minister’s office. (Secretary).
• Development works corporation (DWC) member.
• Ministry of Public Infrastructure (Advisor on information matters to the minister).
• Ministry of Environment, Employment and National Development Unit (Advisor on information matters to the Minister).
• Regional Health Advisory Board (RHAB) (Chairman) under the aegis of the Ministry of Health and Quality of life.

NON GOVERNMENTAL ORGANISATIONS (NGO’S):

• St John Ambulance Brigade and Association (Superintendent).
• Port-Louis Youth Federation (PLYF) (Executive member).
• All Mauritius Youth Council (AMYC) (President).
• Muslim Citizen Council (MCC) (Vice President).
• Parents Teacher’s Association Primary school level (PTA) (President).
• Parents Teacher’s Association Secondary school level (PTA) (President).
• Mauritius Council of Social Service (MACOSS) (Executive member and vice honorary President).
• Muslim Youth Federation ( MYF) ( President)

I acceded to the chairmanship of Muslim Youth Federation in 1985 and up to date. When I took over the MYF had in its treasury only a sum of FORTY Mauritian Rupees. Today due to perseverance, patience and continuous efforts the MYF can boast of a bank statement of a few millions of rupees.

Today MYF has its own Headquarters known as Bayt Ul Nur multi social complex. This has been possible by the support of the Ministry of Lands and Housing by granting us the lease of a plot of lands to build our HQ. At Bayt-ul Nur multi social complex various activities are organized:

• Social hall for social function.
• Empowerment of Youth and Women.
• Training sessions in cookery, pastry, aerobics, henna application, embroidery, art crafts and religious talks.
• Hajj awareness and training programs for selected pilgrims.
• Inter faith and ethnics exchange programs.
• Nation Building and civism.
• Distribution of foods pack every month to needy and vulnerable persons.
• Collection and distribution of Zakaat to alleviate poverty.

MYF has a SISTERS DESK doing an excellent works for the benefit and welfare of women.

AT INTERNATIONAL LEVEL:

MYF has consolidated strong affiliation with prestigious international organizations such as:

1. World Assembly of Youth (WAY) England.
2. World Assembly of Muslim Youth (WAMY) Saudi Arabia.
3. Tabung Hajji (Malaysia)
4. Muslim Youth Movement of Malaysia (ABIM) Malaysia.
5. Southern Africa Dawah Network (SADN) (South Africa).
6. Muslim Youth Movement of South Africa.
7. Southern Africa National zakaat Fund (SANZAF) South Africa.
8. Associalion Musulmane de La Reunion(AMR). Reunion Island.
9. Muslim women Association (MWA) South Africa.

RECOGNITION AND AWARDS:

• Gold Awardees of the Duke Edinburgh Award Scheme under the aegis of Ministry of Youth and Sports.
• Member of the Star and Key of the Indian Ocean (MSK) upon the recommendation of the Prime Minister for voluntary and social work  on the occasion of the National day.
• Medaille de la Cite by the Municipal council of City of Port Louis.
• Outstanding volunteer Award by  Mauritius Council of Youth Leaders (MCYL) 11 Edition
• Outstanding NGO’S Award by Mauritius Council of Youth Leaders(MCYL)
• 13 Editions.
• Outstanding Volunteer by Federation of Plaine Verte( FOPV).
• Most outstanding Volunteer Organization by Mauritius council of Social Service (MACOSS).
• National Patriotic Award by Global Naari Samman Award 2023 of India.

I feel pride at the thought that my 45 years of social and voluntary engagements and efforts towards the society have been fully recognized by such a renowned international organization as ASIA’s Award. Receiving the prestigious Asia’s outstanding NGO Leadership award under the category of (Asia’s Corporate Social Responsibility) powered by world Research Congress is a matter of joys and happiness. It symbolizes the relentless pursuit of engagement and personal commitment to the social upliftment of our fellow countrymen.

I am deeply motivated and humbled to strive for even greater heights in improving the quality of life of our Mauritian nation and humanity at large. This award will give me added strength to continue to serve the vulnerable people   with the same determination, honesty and dedication. I must pay tribute and gratitude to especially my wife for having always by my side, my family, friends and collaborators and to all the members of MYF and other organizations mentioned above for their unflinching support and encouragement.

I wish sincerely to thank ASIA’s Awards Organization which has acknowledges and recognized my involvement and commitment in social and voluntary service for more than four decades.

I seize this opportunity to congratulate all the Awardees of different countries in different categories and the organizing committee for their excellent work to make the award ceremony a success.

I wish you all, the best in future endeavors.