TERM 1976-1979

Formation

The World Federation of Khoja Shia Ithna Asheri Muslim Community (WORLD FEDERATION) was established at a Constitutional Conference held at Hammersmith Imambada in London for the purpose between 15th and 17th Oct 1976.

Purpose

1. Make all the KHOJA ITHNA ASHERI JAMAAt throughout the world members of the WORLD FEDERATION.
2. Work for imparting religious Education to Members of the Jamaat.
3. Help Jamaat members financially.

Members present at the First Constitutional Conference of WORLD FEDERATION (WF)

The first Constitutional Conference of WF was convened on October 15th 1976 in London at Hammersmith Imambada. The Constitution was discussed and approved at the Conference. The following were present:

London

1. Mr. Husein Nathoo
2. Mr. Nazir P. Jessa
3. Mr. Habib M Habib
4. Mr. Akbarali G. Sabur
5. Mr. Hasnain Walji
6. Mr. Anver G. R. Pirbhai
7. Mr. Roshanali Padhani
8. Mr. Fidahusein Dharamsi
9. Mr. Mohsin Dharamsi

Peterborough

1. Mr. Mohamedhusein A Dhanji
2. Mr. Mohamedhusein Nanji

Birmingham

1. Mr. Mohamedhusein R Valli
2. Mr. Mehboob F. Fazal

Leicester

1. Mr. Haider Haji
2. Mr. Yusuf Sabur

New York

1. Mr. Aunali Khalfan
2. Mr. Mujtaba H Datoo

Federation of K.S.I. Jamaats

1. Mr. Hassan A. M. Jaffer
2. Mr. A. A. Lakha
3. Mr. Sachoo G Abdulrasul
4. Mr. Mohamedhusein M.D. Kermali
5. Mr. R. R. Jaffer
6. Mr. Mursif Ali
7. Mr. Karamat Ali
8. Mr. G. H. Musa
9. Mr. Naushan N. Merali
10. Mr. Pyarali M. Nanji
11. Mr. Manzoor Kanani
12. Mr. Rajabali Alibhai
13. Mr. Asgharali M. M. Jaffer
14. Mr. Abbas Alloo
15. Mr. Husein H. Remtulla
16. Dr. A. A. Dhanli
17. Mr. Fidahusein A. Hameer

First Office Bearers

1. Mr. Mulla Asgharali M.M. Jaffer - President
2. Mr. Husein D. Nathoo - Vice President
3. Mr. Anverali R. Jagani - Hon. Secretary
4. Mr. Nazir P. Jessa - Treasurer
5. Mr. Satchu G Abdulrasul - Member of Executive Council
6. Mr. Abdulrasul A Lakha - Member of Executive Council
7. Mr. Hasanali M. Jaffar - Member of Executive Council
8. MR. Mohsin H. Dharamsi - Member of Executive Council
9. MR. MOHSIN H DHARAMSI - Member of Executive Council

Founder Members

1. The Federation of the Khoja Shia Ithnaasheri Jamaats of Africa comprising nearly 30 Jamaats
2. The Khoja Shia Ithnaasheri Jamaat of United Kingdom
3. The Muslim Khoja Shia Ithanasheri Community of Peterborough
4. The Khoja Shia Ithnaasheri Muslim Jamaat of Birmingham
5. The Khoja Shia Ithnaasheri Jamaat of Leicester
6. The Husseini Association of Manchester
7. The Shia Ithnaasheri Jamaat of New York
8. The Shia Association of North America
9. The Shia Ithnaashri Jamaat of Pennsylvania
10. The East African Ithnaasheri Union of Toronto

Extract from the Welcome Speech by Husein A. Rahim Esq. M.B.E.

...... It is a historic and unique gathering with the aim of uniting all the Khoja Shia Ithna Asheris existing in any corner of the globe into one and single entity. It is not only a bold but a worthy venture which has been necessitated by the exodus of thousands of our brethren and sisters from their previously established homes to far and distant countries scattered round the globe. Though spiritually we have always been one, having been created, according to our Imam's Hadith, from the residue of Ahlal Baat's clay, we have been for centuries, owing to distance involved, living physically as separate entities under the auspices of local Jamaats. Though geographically separated, the Khoja Shia Ithna-Asheri community throughout the centuries have had a common culture and a common heritage. Our Culture has always sprung up from our inherent ambition and desire to be closely associated with our brethren in faith and to share their joys, sorrows and plights, and it was this instinct which inspired us to being knitted together, wherever we lived, in the form of Jamaat, which the Ithna Asheri Khojas have always considered to be the main blood-artery of the community......

Brethren, the idea therefore of forming a World Federation is a blissful one. Whether we call it a "World Federation"or a "World Confederation" (because it would embrace also the present African Federation) is merely a matter of nomenclature. The aim is to unite the community for common good both spiritually and temporally......

Maulana Syed Amir Husein Naqvi- World Tour

A good start was made by WORLD FEDERATION.

Correspondence related to various Jamaat and Shia Organizations started coming in. There was a unanimous demand that the President of the World Federation should physically travel to all the countries and study the situation. This was really appreciated but was virtually impossible.

In view of this persistent demand Maulana Syed Amir Husein Naqvi was appointed on behalf of the President and the World Federation to visit Far East and Japan, Canada, USA, Europe and the United Kingdom to study the situation on the spot as it were and to make a report to the World Federation. Maulana Saheb left Nairobi on rd June 1977 with a complete and comprehensive dossier at his disposal.

Maulana Saheb visited Pakistan, Hong Kong, Thailand, United States, Canada, Holland, Sweden, Switzerland, UK and France. It took four months and it was a successful tour. On receipt of full report from Maulana Saheb, it was possible for the Executive Council to study the same and propose projects in respect of the countries concerned.

Later, at the request of Birmingham Jamaat of the U.K., Maulana Saheb was appointed as a resident Aalim in the said Jamaat for one year. The World Federation committed to the tune of GBP. 500 towards his Hadiyya per annum, with a clear written understanding that he would be made available for the World Federation tours etc. whenever required.

The Shia World- The First Chapter -September 1977

The first News Letter of the World Federation was published in September 1977

From The Desk.....

The formation of the World Federation of Khoja Shia Ithna Asheri Muslim Communities has revealed a new perspective in the field of service -its vastness and its multiple forms. As the Shia Ithna Asheri World became aware of this organisation, letters from various institutions representing their respective countries poured in, each singular in its contents. Since our membership is open to all Shia Ithna Asheri constitutionally formed organisations, we felt bound to attend to their needs.

The task ahead is a challenging one. As it is known, we have just begun...

We will work- Inshallah, - in a humble but sure manner.

Office Bearers/Elected Councillors-Term 1976-1979

Activities

1. Yasin Jibouri - Georgia- Maulana Saheb had reported that brother Yasin Jibouri of Georgia (USA) was doing a wonderful work in Tabligh Spheres. On Maulana's recommendation GBP 500 was remitted to him by WF as an assistance for purchase of IBM printing machine.
2. Dubai Jamaat- It had grown steadily in strength and their first requirement was an Imambada. The Sheikh of Dubai, Sheikh Rashid, had made an offer of a piece of land for Imambada, through the good offices of Maulana Syed Mahdi Al Hakim, the son of our late Mujtahed Agha Syed Muhsin Al Hakim. Dubai Jamaat raised 160,000 Dhirams from amongst its member and requested for assistance from the World Federation. WF paid 10,000 pounds to them.
3. Educational Assistance - During 1976-77 WF was giving educational assistance of 75 pounds per month to the son of Agha Syed Mehdi Shustri in Luten, U.K.