TERM 1979-1982

Formation of Islamic Education Board (IEB)

The Education Sub Committee consisting of Dr. Nizar Merali, Mr. Muhsin Dharamsi & Mr. Ahmed Versi presented their report at the Extraordinary Conference on 25/26 Dec 1980.

The Sub Committee made the following recommendations:

Islamic Education Board

An Education Board should be established at the Secretariat with three members and should be named as The Islamic Education Board. Duties of the Board would be as follows

1. To prepare Universal syllabus for all Madressa globally.
2. To prepare Teacher’s Guide.
3. To prepare list of all Muslim Publications throughout the world, Shia and Sunni, which should include Magazines, Periodicals, Newsletters, Journal & books on Islam incorporating all aspects of life e.g. History, Belief, Politics, Akhlaq, Fiqh.
4. To produce regular newsletter which includes currents news and activities of the Islamic World.
5. To hold Islamic Conference of the members of the Education Committee worldwide.
6. At present the teachers of adults, i.e. Molvis and Zakirs come from established institutions in Qum, Lucknow and other places. The present system is one-way teaching without the audience participation. The Board should initiate schemes such that the contents of Majlises are relevant to the present day realities. Attendance at Majlis should be taken advantage of so as to impart knowledge about Islam and Islamic World to general public.
7. In the long run, the Board should undertake the training of teachers.

Islamic Education Committee

Each and every member Organizations throughout the world should have an Islamic Education Committee. The duties of the Sub Committee would be as follows

1. For Children:

1. To establish Madressa
2. To establish Kindergartens
3. To organize activities for children during Majlis
4. To organize extracurricular activities to impress on the children their Islamic way of life
5. To start teaching Arabic as a language
6. To publish illustrated literature for children like stories of Prophets & stories from the Quran
7. To devise attractive method of teaching the children

2. For Youths:

1. To establish Madressa
2. To establish Youth Camps & Organize Sports activities
3. To organize Volunteer Corps
4. To organize Lectures, Group Discussions and Seminars
5. To organize Camps and Other Activities to Foster togetherness
6. Ta teach Arabic as a language
7. To encourage Writings and Publishing of Books and Periodicals
8. To encourage and Finance participation in Conference, Youth Camps and other activities organized by other Islamic bodies.

3. For Adults:

1. To participate in Majlises and other religious functions.
2. To encourage attendance by choosing better speakers and announcing subject matter in advance
3. To arrange a short discussion at the end of such Majlis

Joint Syllabus

Once the universal syllabus is available from the board, the individual Islamic Education Committee should liaise with local Sunni Communities for a production of joint syllabus to be adopted by Government Institutions for the purpose of teaching Islam in schools and universities.

General

1. It is recommended that the English language should be the medium of teaching. In countries where English is not the medium of education, literature should be translated into the local language.
2. Arabic must be taught as a second language from a very early age.
3. Unity and awareness of the ‘Ummah’ should be of paramount importance.
4. Emphasis must also be placed at all levels of teaching to elevate Iman.
5. The study & understanding of Quran should be encouraged at all levels
6. Khutbas should be given in the local language in the spirit of Islam to make people aware of the present day conditions of the Ummah.

Formation of Medical Advisory Board (M.A.B.)

On 15th August 1980 a meeting of Dr. Amir Lakha, Dr. Hassan Mamdani & Dr. M.T.I Walji was held and the following proposals were defined as Terms of Reference of the Medical Advisory Board.

1. The Board will be known as "Medical Advisory Board".
2. It will consist of three doctors who are resident of the UK.
3. It will be under the auspices of the World Federation of Khoja Shia Ithnaasheri Muslim Community.
4. It will be responsible and accountable to the World Federation.
5. It will appoint Medical Sub Committee for each relevant country

Proposed Functions of the Medical Advisory Board:

1. Deal with medical cases referred by various Medical Committee of the individual country.
2. To prepare directory of K.S.I. Doctors in various countries who can know with each other and know each other’s specialty. This will help them to refer patients to each other.
3. To distribute Medical information to member Jamaats and Doctors so that can make use of the services available.
4. To Organize Hajj Mission.
5. To encourage and advise on procedures to Ithnaasheri Doctors wishing to come to this country for higher education and training.
6. To help arrange escorts needed in transporting serious cases between countries.

Proposed Functions of the Medical Sub Committee and their Formation:

1. A Medical Sub Committee will be appointed by MAB for each relevant country. In countries where these committees are already in existence, they will automatically be accepted and appointed.
2. The committee will consist of at least five members out of which at least two will be Medical Doctors.

Functions:

1. Liaise between MAB and respective Jamaat.
2. To deal with Medical cases of their own country and where appropriate, refer them to MAB.
3. To help maintain the physical, mental and social well being of the K.S.I. population.
4. To hold regular surgeries in individual Jamaats with special medical problems.
5. To educate our community by organizing lectures on medical problems like High Blood Pressure, Heart diseases etc.
6. To hold circumcision and minor operation on a regular basis.
7. To help and advise the patients who are in the hospitals and guide their relatives.

Formation of Jafferi Education Assistance Committee

Jafferi Education Assistance Committee was formed with the following policy:

General:

1. Students should be encouraged to acquire education at local educational establishments for which finance should be made available.
2. Students wishing to study outside their country of residence should apply to World Federation thru their local Khoja Shia Ithnaasheri Muslim Communities.
3. Students already away from home country should also submit their applications through local Khoja Shia Ithnaasheri Muslim Communities.
4. Guidance should be available to students to help them choose a career.

Financial Assistance and Repayment:

Financial assistance given to a successful applicant should be a loan to be repaid in full. The method repayment should be negotiated between World Federation and each individual applicant.

Funds for the Scheme:

1. Members of Ithnaasheri Muslim Communities should be approached through local organizations of Shia Ithnaasheri Muslim Communities to enter into deeds of covenants with the local Communities or the World Federation.
2. Members of the communities should be encouraged to sponsor individual students fully or partly through the World Federation.
3. A Portion of the World Federation Foundation Fund should be set aside to finance educational assistance.

Administration: A Committee of three persons should be nominated by the Secretariat to administer the scheme.

One Committee member should be an Executive Councillor.

One Committee member should have a good background of finance and administration.

One Committee member should have a good experience of local educational set up.

The Scheme should be given an Auspicious title such as: Jafferi Educational Assistance

Meeting for the deliberation of the survival of World Federation

An Emergency meeting lasting five hours took place on 4-11-1981 which was attended by Haji Haider Haji, Mahmood P.K. Merali, Hasnain Walji and Muhsin Dharamsi to discuss the lack of response from member organisations to Financing of Projects report of Aug 1981 and Secretariat Foundation Fund resolution.

Almost every fund of the World Federation were in deficit and there were no funds to support essential work thus wasting the resources of the dedicated volunteers. The four decided to call a special meeting of the Executive Council to seek guidance on possible course of action.

The Agenda for the meeting of 2-12-1981 was therefore be nothing more than action for the SURVIVAL OF THE WORLD FEDERATION.

Its hard work of Five years & to tackle all the objectives, the infrastructures has been laid out. The task ahead was immense but not impossible, given the financial resources.

It was strongly recommended that member organisations hold general meetings to discuss the necessity of having a World Federation, its present and future functions, its shortcomings. Members should decide what they are going to do to help the Federation to carry out its functions.

It was hoped that this Executive Council Meeting will not have the sad task of recommending the DISSOLUTION OF THE WORLD FEDERATION.

Discussion & Decision:

A long discussion took place for three hours. The Secretariat’s Programmee for Survival was discussed & Financial Statement for the period 1-1-81 to 31-10-81 was studied.

All agreed that The World Federation must live.

The momentum of volunteers must be kept up. Any winding down of operations will be difficult to pick up later. Decision and action of Member Organisations is required.

Haji Haider to inform Member Organisations through a Presidential Circular enclosing Financial Statement and Programmee for Survival.

Haj Mission 1982

Vigorous attempts to make the Mission of 1982 a big Success under the supervision of Dr. M. T. I. Walji

1. All doctors to leave together and to stay together if possible.
2. Write to Sheikh Haider about the availability of dispensary and common accommodation for Doctors.
3. Haji Mohammad Panju to go to Makkah and confirm the arrangements made with Shaikh Haider.
4. Doctors to make plans and make sure that one of them is available for consultation visit any time of the day or night.
5. Drug envelopes should be printed from now and kept in stock.
6. Posters stating “DOCTORS” with World Federation logo should be prepared.
7. Circulars should be sent to all Jamaat in Aug 1982 informing them about Hajj Medical Mission and where the Doctors can be contacted.
8. Drugs should be collected now from various sources.
9. Make sure that Mr. Mohammad Panju is available to give his service during Hajj bearing in mind the difficulties encountered because of his absence during Hajj-1981

Work of MAB to be distributed among the three Doctors as follows:

1. Work related to India and Pakistan will be handled by Dr. M. T. I. Walji
2. Work related to Africa will be handled by Dr. A. Lakha
3. Work related to U.K, USA, Canada and Europe to be handled by a Doctor to be confirmed soon.

Projects of the WF 1979-1982

Samuh Lagna (Group Marriage)

1981

On 18th Zilhajj 1401 (Oct 1981), 47 couples from 27 different towns and Village had taken part in the Samuh Lagna. The cost was Pound Sterling 7050, i.e. 150 per couple. World Federation paid Pound Sterling 2435.The function had been reported widely in local and national newspaper in India and had also been reported on All India Radio.

1982

Samuh Lagna of 30 Sadat Couples were organised by Masoomeen Trust in Sirsi, near Moradabad on 1st. April 1982. Each couple was given presents worth Pound Sterling 310 and total cost of wedding per couple was around Pound Sterling 360. The Council approved the total expenditure of Pound Sterling 11,000.

Imam Hussein a.s Housing Fund

After a long and detailed discussion the Council agreed to send Rs. 50,000 to Gujarat Federation to launch this fund in the name of our Imam who made Kerbala & Syria Abad.

The Council agreed to gift a total of Rs.31, 500 from the above fund to 5 disabled persons and 15 poor people so that they can pay deposits to obtain houses under the Government of Gujarat Housing Scheme whereby each house becomes free after 15 years.

The Council agree to gift Rs. 5000 from this fund to the teacher of Rajula Orphanage to buy a house.

Imam Raza a.s. Agriculture Fund

The Council agreed to sent Rs. 10,000 to Gujarat Federation to launch this fund in the name of our Imam whose wealth is being used for the welfare of the Ummat.

A loan of Rs.5000 from this fund was approved to be given to Pyarali Fidahussein to build a Poultry Shed.

Palitana Credit Co-Operative Society

This Co-operative society encouraged by Haji Haider on his last visit to India has now been formed and is functioning. The World Federation had promised Rs. 50,000. It was agreed to loan the amount to the Co-operative society for 5 years provided that they work within the Shariat, i.e. they do not charge interest on loans given to members. Details received so far shows:

1. Palitana has a K.S.I. population of 1000
2. A K.S.I. can be a member of the Co-operative Society by taking at least one share of RS.10.
3. The Society is managed by a committee elected by members.
4. The Managing Committee scrutinizes loan application, decides on credibility of securities and fixes the maximum loan limit. The maximum loan limit was Rs. 1000.
5. At present the society has collected Rs, 18,000 as interest free loan from local well to do people.
6. The Society has so far helped small business e.g. Fruit & Vegetable Vendors etc.
7. The society also runs a saving scheme whereby collector goes house to house and collects savings of about Rs. 100 per day.

General Medical Projects:

Gujarat Federation

Pound Sterling 60 per month is being sent to Gujarat Federation. Reports for September and October 1981 show that about 20 patients per month get benefit. The Council agree to increase the monthly expenditure to Pound Sterling 180 from February 1982.

Disabled and Handicapped, Feasibility Study-East Africa

It was decided to compile a list of disabled members of our community (Blind, deaf, crippled, mentally abnormal etc) staring with East Africa. The medical reports of all such cases would be accumulated, studied by eminent specialists in the U.K. and considered for treatment if treatment was available for them. Report suggests that there are many deserving cases in East Africa where lack of finance or medical expertise or both are preventing our community members from leading a normal and healthy life.

The Board wrote to the Secretariat of the Supreme Council for Africa to send them such a list if available and if not, compile one or allow the Board to contact the individual Jamaat.

Beds for T.B. Patient

Due to wide spread to TB in India, there is a long wait list for patients to get admitted in Hospital. WF has got 2 bets in a Hospital at Bhavnagar, where our people can be treated on priority basis.

Project for India & Pakistan

Dr. J. Asaria introduced the following projects:

a)Infant vaccinations in India and Pakistan. Dr. Asaria offered to finance the whole project. Dr. Lakha will manage the project. b)Rubella (German Measles) screening project c)Osteomalacia screening project

Dispensary in Tanzania

Tanzania has responded very well on formation of Medical Sub Committee. There is a dispensary where our brothers are treated. Dr. Ansar Ahmed is available there and Medical Sub Committee has also employed a lady Doctor to screen our women. A lot of pathology problems have been identified. Mr. M. Fazal of Birmingham has cooperated with WF for sending drugs to DAR.

London Advisory Panel

There are advisory panels in London and Doctors are available for advice. There is a team of Pharmacists also. A new advisory panel has been formed in Peterborough where Ophthalmic, General physical checkups and Dental Clinics are being held.

Tabligh Activities

Edmonton Imamwada, Canada

It was agreed to send Pound Sterling 10,000 to Edmonton for the Imambada immediately. Balance 40,000 was sent as the work progressed.

Aalim Grant

A grant of Pound Sterling 500 per annum was approved for the Essex Jamaat for the services of Aalim

Hussaini Mission

The Council agreed to donate Rs. 10,000 to Hussaini Mission, Hallaur to buy paper for use in their publications this year. Their total cost is Rs. 37200.

Madrassa Classroom

5 Classes and one Nursery class were being run on the open ground outside the Mosque in Hallaur. They want to build 5 classrooms and asked for a help of Pound Sterling 1000 to build 2 of them. The Council agree to finance 2 classrooms.

Zainabiya Child Sponsorship Scheme

The Council approved the expenditure of Rs. 5000 in India and Rs. 5000 in Pakistan for disabled children under this scheme.

Relief Fund

The Council approved Pound Sterling 8000 from Sahme Sadat and 1000 from relief fund to Agha Jamal Khui in Damascus for Lebanon refugees in Damascus.

Sadat Fund

Kodinar- India

On the recommendation of Gujarat Federation, the Council approved Rs. 6500 to a Sadat Family in Kodinar on the plot received by him free of cost from the Government of India.

U.P.- India

Haji Gulamali Bhanji (Bapu)'s report on the Sadat’s plight in U.P. due to floods and in Hallaur due to attacks from Wahhabi was deliberated. The Council agreed to send Rs.50000 from Sahme Sadat as an initial help pending further reports.

Afghanistan

Maulana Sabzwary has recommended that Pound Sterling 200-300 be sent to Sadat refugees from Afghanistan. The Council agreed to send 200.

Observation/Comments from delegates at Triennial Conference 1982 London 2nd (2)

1. What is the WF doing for Western Countries- Reply - The President has said in his report that every Jamaat in UK will be able to afford an Imambara and Aalim within three years. The major problem facing us is the requirement of a centre that can be used by the society. The major requirement is Islamic Education and an Aalim. All these needs lot of money. In India or Pakistan Pound Sterling 5000 is enough for Imambara. But in Western Countries you need 200000.Today Edmonton Imambara is completed and WF was able help them through a donation of Pound Sterling 50000. Now if 30-40 Jamaats in Western Countries need an Imambara, it will need 30-40 million pounds over the next few years. An Aalim needs 10000 per year. A Jamaat of 100-200 people cannot afford such an Aalim. This is where WF can help if funds come in. If member Jamaats cooperate and channel the funds thru WF, it can take the cause of Western Countries too.
2. Need for Aalim in Western Countries and small Jamaat cannot afford to bear its cost. Is not it the duty of WF to support small members of the community? - Reply - The Aalim in the small Jamaat is not fully utilized. Aalims are expert in their fields & should be fully utilized. It was suggested that Jamaats in the radius of say 100 miles share one Aalim.
3. Immediate Aalim need for Western Countries - Reply -There was a lengthy discussion on the requirement of Aalim who is suitable for the West. They discuss from sending an Aalim from India or Pakistan to learn English to sending young boys to Iran & Iraq to be trained as an Aalim. Various propositions were made and arguments & debates followed. In the end they realize that the need for Aalim in immediate and cannot be waited till a Youth gets his training done. After much debate it was resolved that “This Conference recognizes the immediate and urgent need of suitable Ulema for our Jamaats all over the world, especially those residing in non-Islamic countries. It further feels that a basic variation in the training of such Ulema is essential so as to meet the prevailing requirements of our people young and old. As a measure to solve this problem before us, this Conference recommends that local people be trained with guidance from Mr. Mulla Asghar M. M. Jaffer, with the purpose to prepare our young men and women in Islam.