Shaykh  Tidiane Ali Cisse, trusted adviser and brother of AAII’s Founder, has been named President of AAII.  In assuming leadership of AAII, Shaykh Tidiane Ali Cisse brings Islamic scholarship, a distinguished background in international business and diplomacy (he is fluent in Arabic, French, Enlgish, Hausa and Wolof) and intimate knowledge of and commitment to the mission and programs of AAII.

AAII will continue to work tirelessly for universal education, access to health care, empowerment of women, protection of children, alleviation of hunger and poverty and promotion of peace. Under Shaykh Tidiane Ali Cisse’s leadership, AAII will continue to work collaboratively with the Special Agencies of the United Nations and with AAII’s strategic partners, AmeriCares, Voice of America and US Doctors for Africa.

Shaykh Tidiane Ali Cisse will be assisted in his role as President of AAII by those who worked closely with AAII‘s Founder and first Chairman, Shaykh Hassan Ali Cisse, may Allah be pleased with him.

AAII’s Founder and Chairman, Shaykh Hassan Ali Cisse (may Allah be pleased with him) returned to his Lord on Thursday, August 14, 2008 in his home in Medina-Baye, Kaolack, Senegal. He was 63 years old, the same age as Prophet Muhammad, (may the peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) at the time of his return to Allah.

The loss of this great spiritual and humanitarian leader, beloved son, husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle and friend is mourned by his large and devoted family, the community of Medina-Baye, the entire nation of Senegal, the international humanitarian community, all those who benefited from his inspired work and millions of students and followers throughout the world.

Shaykh Hassan Ali Cisse was buried in Medina-Baye, Senegal on August 15, 2008 in the tomb containing his beloved grandfather, Shaykh Ibrahim Niass and his beloved father, Sidi Aliou Cisse, may Allah be pleased with them. Kings, ambassadors, government officials, religious leaders, followers from across the globe and throughout Senegal and the people of Medina Baye comprised the estimated two million people who came to pay respect to this great man and express condolences to his family.

The loss of the physical presence of Shaykh Hassan Ali Cisse, may Allah be pleased with him, is especially profound within the hearts of American Muslims of the Tariqa Tijaniyya Sufi order, for whom he was a spiritual father, guide and shining example of how a Muslim should live his or her life. The formation and naming of the African American Islamic Institute (AAII) reflects the special relationship they shared and his vision of cooperation between Senegal and America to benefit those most in need.

Even as we mourn this immeasurable loss, we dedicate ourselves to continuing the work of Shaykh Hassan Ali Cisse (may Allah be pleased with him) and feel his spiritual presence helping us to do so.

AAII and US Doctors For Africa (USDFA) have entered into a strategic partnership based upon their shared belief that health care is a basic human right and that a healthy population is essential for the development of any nation. The very first manifestation of this significant partnership is USDFA’s donation of a Mobile Clinic to AAII to provide medical services to rural communities. The Mobile Clinic, which will be administered and maintained by AAII‘s Shifa-al-Asqam Socio-Medical Center in Medina-Baye, is fully equipped and includes a small laboratory and access to a satellite communication system.

Since its formation in 1988, AAII has advocated for accessible health care for rural communities. USDFA’s Mobile Clinic Project addresses the need for access to health care of millions of people living throughout sub-Sahara African small towns and villages. While the primary mission of USDFA’s Mobile Clinic Project is to provide vaccination against preventable diseases, AAII’s existing partnerships and collaborations with UNICEF, UNFPA, WHO, the Senegalese Ministry of Health and AmeriCares allow Shifa al-Asqam Socio-Medical Center’s rural outreach to expand the Mobile Clinic’s focus to include maternal and child health, Malaria and chronic diseases.

AAII welcomes the opportunity to work together “on many fronts for many years to come”, as stated in the letter from USDFA endorsing the partnership between the two organizations.