TERM 1997-2000

Address by New President Dr. Hasnain Walji

The incoming President, Dr. Hasnain Walji, began with a Gujarati poem for paying Homage to Mulla Asghar M. M. Jaffer who passed away in March 2000.

He further stated that the World Federation would give the same standard of Services in future, which it used to give in past. He said he expects the same co-operation from the members. He emphasized that our unity is the strength of the World Federation.

He reminded the members and delegates that the main aim of the World Federation is the religious and social upliftment of our community.

He further declared the coming term, 2000-2003, as “Term of Education”. He said we will have to invest more on Education of Boys and Girls. He said with the help of Jamaats and Federations, World Federation would prepare a programme for creating a large Fund where all aspects of Education aid would be available.

Secretary General's Report at Triennial Conference 2000

The Secretary General, Dr. Sibtain Panjwani, in his opening speech remembered the recently passed away President of The World Federation, Alhaj Mulla Asgar (Asgherali M. M. Jaffer). He said that today at this Conference, We are all united to pay our respect to Mulla Saheb.

Only now that he is gone do we truly appreciate his record of humanitarian services, generally, as well as to muslim communities internationally. Today is our chance to express our heartfelt appreciation for the way he occupied the office of the President that brought honour to this organization by the manner in which he filled his role far above any feelings of partisanship.

The Secretary General remembered other Marhumeen, such as Marhoom Alibhai M. Jaffer, Marhoom Haji Hussein Haji, Marhoom Jafferali Asil, Marhoom Haji Mohammed Javari, Marhoom Mohammed Raza Rashid, Marhoom Alhaj Nazirali Gulamhussein and few others who are no longer with us now.

Among the Ulema who are no longer with us this year, he remembered Maulana Zeeshan Haider. He was the founder member of Tanzeemul Makatib. He was a well known Aalim & Zakir and served many East African Jamaats from early nineteen seventies. He translated Nahjul Balagha, Mafatul Jinan and Tafser of Quran in Urdu. Maulana Karar Hussein, also one of the founder members of Tanzeemul Makatib and served our Jamaats in East Africa, passed away this year. Moulana Adibal Hindi who ran many religious institutions also passed away this year

Among those who also passed away were Ayatollah Sheikh Murtaza Buroujerdi, Ayatollah Mirza Ali Gharavi and Ayatollah Mohammed Sadiq al Sadr.

The Secretary General said that the community will remember this eventful term as the “Term of reminding and reflection” which saw many well-wishers, dedicated community workers and Ulema depart from this world.

The Secretary General, Dr. Sibtain Panjwani, said that over a period of 24 years, The World Federation has evolved as a body serving not only its members but also Muslims from all over the world. Primary objective being preserving our religious identity, eradication of poverty, illiteracy and poverty from within our community.

Responding to the appeal from the needy has to be done with care, courtesy and confidentiality, always conscious of the fact that all applicants receive due respect. Applications are received from many of parts of the world and they have to be heard patently and with empathy. Each application has to be dealt on its merit. Disbursement of Huquq monies will always remain an immense responsibility on the shoulders of those entrusted with the task of disposing.

In addition, the World Federation receives applications from throughout the world for emergency due to natural disaster or war, capital projects, ZCSS projects, MAB projects and Aalim grants.

The World Federation is a global institution and its secretariat is a hub around which the whole wheel of the World Federation rotates. It has over 40 people from many parts of the world who continuously give their time to the World Federation without charging a penny.

They range from those who visit each and every patient who comes for medical assistance to the United Kingdom via the World Federation, to those who continuously visit towns and cities for the new ZCSS sponsor parents. Then there are representative who assist the Secretariat who are based in Australia, Canada, USA, Sweden, United Arab Emirates, France, Kenya and Tanzania.

The volunteers, together with the staff at the permanent Secretariat keep the World Federation running continuously throughout the year. But this is not enough. The World Federation has the community numbering over 100,000, now settled in many parts of the World. They replicated mainly African experience in almost all places and formed Jamaats and later on to forming regional federations. It is from these institutions that the WF receives solid support and backing. World Federation's strength as a community is its ability to raise and generate funds whenever required in the name of our faith.

Finally, the Secretary General said that it’s his privilege to present the report for the term October 1997 to October 2000.

Report:

Tabligh:

At the 7th. Triennial Conference of the World Federation held in October 1997, the President of the World Federation, Marhum Mulla Asgar (Asgerali M. M. Jaffer) declared the next three years term as the term of Islamic Education activities. The community throughout the world was affected by a process of social transformation that uses information technology to relay ideas and information from one remote station to be received in any part of the world within seconds. Digital Television, along with the Satellite and Cable Television, Internet and E-mail have proved to be extremely successful in exchanging useful information.

With this development, there is huge disadvantage of inaccurate portrayal of Islam, particularly the religion of Ahlul Bait A.S. given this; the World Federation has to evolve to respond to this new challenge.

The first task was to establish resource Centres at strategic places, fully equipped with modern technology and materials. First Dar Al Tabligh, London and later on Dar Al Tabligh, New York was the location chosen for this purpose. Islamic Education Board (IEB) of the World Federation is based in their headquarters at Dar al Tabligh, London.

Digitizing of Resources:

The medium of information technology was used to reach the wider audience and explain the true Shia perspective. IEB has embarked on digitizing Islamic literature so that it is readily available on the Internet. It has its own web page and is maintaining a Quran theme page. This contains translations and articles on the Holy Quran. Research students frequently visit the site and it has proved to be so beneficial that the faculty of Jurisprudence at the School of Oriental and African Study – University of London – has provided link to it.

The IEB is working closely with the Ahlul Bait Digital Islamic Library Project (DILP), which was started six years ago with the aim of putting Shia literature on the net for the public. After six years, it now has major Shiite works available on their site. The World Federation has assisted this organization. It is now digitizing works in Arabic, French and Spanish.

Radio Broadcast - "A Success Story"

Driving to work one morning, two weeks ago, and being a little dissatisfied with Radio 2 and Capital Radio, I turned to 558 AM. And I heard a very sweet voice telling me about the words of the Quran. I was fascinated.

I was fascinated by the enthusiasm. It was so infectious that I listened to the whole programme. I now listen every morning, for the duration of my journey into London. In fact, I now time my drive to ensure that I can listen to your whole programme.

Although not a Muslim by upbringing, what you say has truth, simplicity and common sense running like threads throughout. I am not sure I will ever be a believer. I was brought up a Catholic, but your words reinforce my belief in how to live a rewarding life”.

(Comment from a listener after listening to Radio Broadcast from IEB).

This is the expression of spiritual contentment from a non-Muslim after the Radio Broadcast, the thirst for spirituality that can be quenched through the Quran.

For the past year, IEB has been broadcasting programmes on Islamic concept for better understanding among Muslims and Non-Muslims residing in London and surrounding areas. It had to learn the discipline required to produce daily programmes.

There is tremendous encouraging response as well as demand for audio cassettes from listeners. WF now has successful broadcast content available to try out in any part of the world. The World Federation is grateful to Marhoom Mulla Asgar (Asgherali M. M. Jaffer), Brother Mustafa Mawji, Brother Maqbul Rahim, Brother Safdar Jaffer, Brother Mustafa Jaffer and Sister Ummulbanin Merali for making the programme a success.

Majalises on TV:

12 Majlises in Urdu were broadcast on TV in Muharram 1419 (1998) and with popular demand from the listeners, these Majlises were repeated during Muharram 1420 A.H. (1999). Similarly, in last Mahe Ramadhan, lectures by Marhoom Mulla Asgar (Asgherali M. M. Jaffer), Brother Mustafa Mawji and Brother Safdar Jaffer were broadcast on TV for United Kingdom audience.

Audio/Video/CD Library:

Under IEB, Audio/Video/CD library of Islamic material is established at the World Federation building at Anderson Park Road in Birmingham. A comprehensive database of nearly 500 audio cassettes and 75 video tapes has been set up. Facility for duplication s of audio and videotapes are available at the library. A CD writer has also been acquired to enable material to be copied on to CD’s.

Institution of Zakiri:

Islamic Education Board (IEB) has a database of Zakirs and Zakiras mainly from our own community. Over the years, the number is increasing. Soon we will have sufficient pools of Zakirs and Zakiras to fulfill the need of our community.

To facilitate interaction between them, the World Federation, over the past 8 years held many seminars. The last one was held in March 1998 at Birmingham. Among many issues discussed was the need to have more Shia references in English and to shift the focus of content on more practical issues affecting our Community. IEB has published and distributed Zakir’s Compendium. This is a book containing Namaz-e-Mayyit, Talqeen and Namaz –e- Juma Khutba. This is an aid to every Zakir who, more often, also perform the role of resident Aalim of the host Jamaat.

Holy Quran Exhibition:

The first exhibition of the Holy Quran was held at the Islamic Centre, London, in December 1998. IEB of the World Federation was a co-organizer of the major event. Mulla Asgherali M. M. Jaffer was invited to speak on the role of Muslims in promoting the message of the Holy Quran. Radio 4 also interviewed him for listeners in the UK.

The exhibition displayed the Holy Quran in different prints and there were thirty different translations of English language, sixty different translations in Persian language as well as copies of translation in many languages of the world. Subjects ranged from Sciences of the Holy Quran, Bibliographic, Concordances containing over 6000 verses on different subjects, Tafser, Stories from the Holy Quran and research and Theses related to Quran. There were Multimedia resources on more than 20,000 different subjects as well as paintings and calligraphy works of the Holy book were on display for the public to appreciate.

A philanthropist made is possible for Dar al Tabligh to obtain a number of Books on Quran and Theses exhibited at the Quran Exhibition. The Quran Library at Dar al Tabligh now has nearly 150 Theses on Quran presented at Universities in Iran. It is proposed to publicize it among academic institutions and invite researchers and scholars to avail themselves of it for research.

Tabligh Among Bosnian Muslims:

The policy WF adopted 8 years ago has now begun to show results in Bosnia. Since 1992, the Bosnian desk at the World Federation has carried out extensive work in this field in two ways.

Firstly, translation and publication of books like Principle of Religion, A First Course in Islam and the Holy Quran are printed and distributed to Bosnian in Europe and elsewhere. Ten issues of the magazine ‘Muslimanski Zivot’ were published for distribution among Bosnians during the term 1997-2000. In them, a book by Sayyid Akhtar Rizvi on “Imamat” and a book by Tahera Kassamali on ‘Raising Children’ have been published in parts.

Secondly, adopting a special mode of communication developed by the Bosnian desk, WF was able to run a correspondence course for those who are eager to learn about Islam.

During the period 1997-2000, nearly 2500 individual contacted the Bosnian desk at IEB out of whom, 1200 are participating in the correspondence course and about 250 practices Jafferi Fiqh.

War In Kosovo:

In 1999, Kosovo was engulfed by war. There are large communities of Albanians in Kosovo. Albanians are predominantly Muslims with over 40 per cent followers of Bektashi Sufi Order who believe in Twelve Imams a.s. The community responded generously to our appeal on the plight of Kosovo Muslims.

The World Federation, through the Albanian Islamic Society, sent food, clothes and money for the purchase of an ambulance. WF embarked upon propagation of Islam within the community by printing an Albanian translation of the Holy Quran and distributed it among refugees in Europe and North America. A Mosque was re-built in Kosovo by a donor from Dubai, through the World Federation.

The WF provided financial assistance to a Shia publishing firm in Macedonian to print the following books in Albanian:

1. The Roots of religion (published by Dar Rahe Haq, Qum) was translated into Albanian and published and distributed by the World Federation.

2. Five thousand copies of translation of the Holy Quran in Albanian were reprinted and distributed.

The Minister for Religious Affairs of the Albanian Government had a meeting with the Chairman of Islamic Education Board. He requested assistance for Muslims in Albania and promised all cooperation and assistance.

Madressa - Our Enduring Institution:

The Madressa remains the enduring institution of the community. Children take religious instruction and education through it. They are run on a voluntary basis by committed and dedicated group of teachers.

One such vivid example that comes to the mind is Alhaj Mulla Abdulrasul Mulla Hassanali in Mombasa whose lifelong mission has been to serve the cause of Madressa. In every Jamaat we have some highly dedicated individuals like Mulla Abdulrasul. This is the important responsibility taken by them, which really belongs to parents

Our communities throughout the world have a Madressas, some well-established, self-sufficient and of good standard while others lack resources and basic facilities. IEB has played a facilitative role in bringing Madressa administrators and teachers to gather, provide financial assistance, organize teacher seminars and more importantly provide books and other resource materials to our community Madressa, religious institutions outside our community and secular schools and institutions.

However more needs to be done. Challenges facing us today are different from those that existed even 10 years ago. The demands will change even further due to globalization. As a result, the problems facing our children living in the west may become almost identical to ones in the east and they need to be approached collectively. Unfortunately, the lack of co-ordination between Madressas is a real setback and this need to be addressed.

The role of Madressa in the community presented at the symposium organized by the Council of European Jamaats, Alhaj Hassan Ali M Jaffer stated:

“We spend huge sums of money in recruiting Ulema to serve as Resident Aalim. Mostly to lead congregational prayers only; we recruit renowned Zakereens for the moths of Muharram, Safar and Ramadhan, and we spend colossal sums of money for Niyaz, all in the good name of religion. Necessary as these endeavors are, how much resources do we expend to effectively upgrade the role of Madressa education and in training potential Madressa Muallim, in introducing modern teaching aids for religious education and in supplementing the income of Madressa teachers to make them economically self-supporting and consequently more devoted in their assignments.

The challenge is to give Madressa education the same level of importance that we give secular academic education. Given the choice of exercising one option only, the first priority must go to Madressa.”

The Secretary General, Dr. Sibtain Panjwani stated that the World Federation will have to move the needs of Madressa to the top of the IEB agenda.

He further stated that IEB has produced, printed and distributed many books. Some of them are as follows:

1. Al-Islamu Dini – A set of 11 manuals for Madressa students
2. Ahsanal Qisas –Stories for children
3. Kalimatun Tayyabi – Majlises for children including Khutba and Masaib Workbooks for children
4. Al Islamu Dini – Key stage 1 and 2 for secular schools according to Islamic Religious Education Syllabus in Harrow, Ealing and Hertfordshire schools.

In addition, audio cassettes on many subjects are available from our resource centre. WF has distributed more than 10,000 copies of thesis books to individual throughout the world.

Aalim Grant:

World Federation subsidizes the cost incurred in procuring the services of Aalim. Member Jamaats in Europe, USA, Australia and India receive a substantial contribution to the costs of maintaining their resident Aalim. Certain nonmember Shia Organizations also receives this assistance in the light of their needs of a resident Aalim. For Moharram, those Shia Organizations who are unable to have a Zakir, WF would step in to commit part or all the expenses for the sole purpose of ensuring that the remembrance of Imam Husain (AS) is spread far and wide in all parts of the globe.

The World Federation In South Africa:

The Federation was represented at the third parliament of the World Religions held at Cape Town, South Africa from 1st. to 8th. December 1999.

The Chairman of the Islamic Education Board, Haji Muhsin Jaffer represented the World Federation in the parliament and also at the exhibition held in the same Centre, where the Islamic Education Board had a stall which displayed books and CD- ROM’s on Islam. Nearly 7000 people of all faith from all over the world attended the parliament, including Nelson Mandela, the first President of the Republic of South Africa and Dalai Lama.

The World Federation took this opportunity to make contact with many prominent personalities from many faiths; IEB has followed this up and are in contact with many of them.

IEB stall was inundated with visitors from around the world. Most of the visitors were professors and lecturers from many universities but there were also many teachers from local Muslim Schools who took keen interest in the working of our own Madressa and children’s books.

Tabligh Activities in Pakistan

World Federation assisted in the construction and running of many religious institution in the areas of Punjab and Baltistan.

The World Federation published two valuable books, namely Talkhees-al-Mantiq and Talkhees-al-Maani, which were compiled by Allama Sheikh Muhsin Ali Najafi of Pakistan. WF has assisted six religious institutions in this region. Among them are the following:

1. Jamia Tu Ahlul Bait – Islamabad – This is the hub through which many Tabligh activities occur in Punjab and Baltistan. It has “Qaatu al Khui” auditorium specially constructed by the World Federation to cater for educational and cultural activities in Islamabad.
2. Kulliatul Ahlul Bait – Jhang District – This Centre was built at a time when Shia Community was under considerable pressure and its survival was at stake.
3. Madaris mazhar ul Iman – Dhudial Chakwal – Late Mulla Saheb through the World Federation took great interest and through his advice gave it a new shape and dimension.
4. Markaze –Ahlul bait – Mansehra – This area has half a million Sadat and over the years ignorance took them away from the right path. The World Federation established this Centre to undertake educational and preaching activities. As a result, hundreds of Sadaats benefited and embraced the Imamia path. After the graduation from these Madressas, many bright students pursue higher education in Qum and some students from these Madressas have attained high scholastic positions

Dar Ul Tabligh - New York:

Nasimco through its IEB looks after the Madressa needs of our community in North America. The World Federation is playing its role in Tabligh activities in this continent.

Many charitable organizations have risen and flourished in this part of the World. Tarike-Tarsile Quran is amongst such organizations which have done excellent publication work. The Bilal Muslim Mission of America (BMMA) is another, which has introduced to as many people as possible, the teachings of Ahlul bait.

BMMA has published a book entitled ‘Quran – Its Protection from Alteration’, which was originally authored by Allama Sayyid Saeed Akhtar Rizvi. The purpose is to reiterate the Shia position in unequivocal terms that the Quran as it is now is the entire Quran without addition, subtraction or change.

BMMA was also actively involved in Tabligh in Central and South America including Caribbean islands. It had established Madressas in Guyana and Trinidad and has seen great awareness of the Jaffri faith among communities. It has expanded its Tabligh activities into Columbia and Solomon Islands. The World Federation had sent a large stock of books to the BMMA for free distribution. The World Federation gave its support in the acquisition of the first Shia Islamic Centre in Port of Spain, Trinidad.

Marhoom Mulla Asgar (Asgherali M. M. Jaffer) opened the Dar al Tabligh in New York on the 18th September 1999 marking another milestone in the activities of IEB in North America. WF is grateful to the generosity and benevolence of the G.R. Jaffer family for their continued support in providing space for the Centre.

The Dar al Tabligh in North America performs all the operations like in the Dar al Tabligh in UK. It also acts as a resource Centre for researchers, Madressa teachers and students and members of the Shiite Ummah at large.

Dar al Tabligh – North America converts the Video material received from UK into NTSC system which is prevalent in North America and distributes all over the North American continent. A library comprising of all classic reference material in original Arabic language as well as books in English, Urdu and Persian language has been set up and is now fully operational.

Education:

One of the objectives of the World Federation is to educate members of the community. The World Federation considers education as s top priority.

Zainabiya child sponsorship scheme (ZCSS):

India:

At the start of the scheme in 1982, ZCSS had a handful of students in Gujarat. Now it has over 2000 core sponsor parents from throughout the world. These sponsor parents and the funds from the Sehme Sadat portion of the Khums have enabled ZCSS to take over 11,000 students on the scheme from many parts of the world. The new intake this year is African Students from the Bilal Muslim Mission of Kenya.

In Gujarat, over 3500 students from our community are on the scheme. In Karnataka there are nearly 1000 students under the scheme with many in universities.

ZCSS scheme in Andra Pradesh, Bihar, Madras and Thailand is continuing to provide education to children of poor families.

WF has built 4 schools through Zainabiya. They are:

1. Madressa Islamia Khujwa – Bihar
2. School in Avalkonda – Andra Pradesh
3. School in Alipur, Karnataka
4. School in Bidar, Karnataka

Pakistan:

In the mountainous part of Baltistan, Pakistan, 95% of the population is Shia Ithna Asheri. Poverty exists and literacy rate is just around 25%.

A private trust runs a school by the name of Uswa public school. The World Federation provides guidance and financial assistance to this trust. WF builds a School at Manthoka which is now part of Uswa public school. Mullah Saheb this year visited Baltistan and laid foundation stone of a Girls Primary School at Skardu. The school is expected to be completed later this year and WF is grateful to the donor who made the construction of this school possible.

The World Federation is also building a wing at Uswa Academy that is nearing completion which will be used to provide computer and other vocational training to students in Skardu. WF has also equipped schools with furniture and educational accessories to provide modern amenities to students.

Higher Education And Career Advice:

The demand for Higher education loans among our Boys and Girls is ever increasing. The WF continues to support higher education needs of students of our community with the repayment rates being very low. WF has made special efforts to increase the rate of collection and hope that this money will enable it to provide more scholarship loans.

The Careers, Education and Training Advisory Board (CETAB) provide information to our community on matters relating to secular education. The board receives inquires related to courses mainly from Kenya, Tanzania, India, Pakistan, UAE, UK and Iran and were dealt with accordingly.

The Secretary General, Dr. Sibtain Panjwani, stated that our community must chart out long-term sustainable resources to make sure that education of all our children and particularly higher education of our youth does not suffer. We need to provide our young people with life skills with which they can tease out their best talents and contribute to the development of human society. As a community, we must provide every opportunity for our youths to master all the modern technical skills and at the same time have an interest in the whole range of human wisdom and creativity which deals with life and death, beauty and truth, sincerity and compassion. This is the challenge that is facing the community today.

Health

The World Federation through its ‘Medical Advisory Board (MEB)’ has provided healthcare services and advice to community members, healthcare professionals, primary care practices, hospitals and healthcare academics institutions. Its unique healthcare-screening programme is replicated by many of other community organizations. Its innovative preventive primary healthcare programme in India has benefited communities and proved to be successful in delivering cost effective ways of preventing common diseases in India.

Today, Medical Advisory Board (MEB) of The World Federation is viewed with respect and consulted by many prestigious organizations throughout the world that want to share our experiences.

Welfare And Emergency Assistance:

Today, Muslim countries have the largest number of refugees. Many citizens suffer daily hardships. During this term, the World Federation raised and spent nearly Pound Sterling 500, 000 for the welfare and emergency assistance to poor and the needy from throughout the world. This is in addition to assistance to needy Sadaats who are assisted from Sadaats Huquq funds. Welfare cases, therefore, include those of Sadats and non-Sadaats Momineen.

The World Federation has helped people from outside our own community also. For many, therefore, the World Federation is the first port of call. Some need money for medication and food etc. To all such cases, the World Federation would help as much as was practically possible. Khoja Shia Ithna Asheri Medical Society of Bombay is one such agent, which was set up to assist those who were ill and now provides many welfare and educational assistance to poor and needy Sadaats and non Sadaats.

The World Federation in Mumbai is assisting the number of needy students at different level through ZCSS, which at present are over 2300. KSI Medical Society has continued to assist those who are ill and has managed on its own in most cases. But when it has stretched, it has looked on to the World Federation for assistance and the World Federation has obliged.

Emergency Assistance:

The World Federation has responded generously to the plight of desperate people. Example being:

1. Earthquake in North Afghanistan and Turkey
2. Cyclone in Gujarat’s Jamnagar, Media, Miana, Nawlakhi and Mandvi.
3. Floods in Bangladesh
4. War in Kosovo

Assistance to Iraqi:

Since 1992, with the help of generous support from the community worldwide, the World Federation has sent one million pounds worth of medicines to Iraqi refugees. Still WF continuous to send help for cancer drugs for cancer patients among refugees. Daily necessities like food, clothing and other necessary expenses of around Pound Sterling 5000 per month are being sent to refugee camps through Ulema in Qum.

Students in Iran:

WF pays stipends to nearly a thousand students from India, Bangladesh, Pakistan and Africa who are studying in Iran. It’s a vital source of assistance from the World Federation and it contributes greatly to their meager resources from which they can barely meet their expenses as they spend their lives in learning the religion of Islam.

Food Relief For the Needy:

During the month of Ramadhan, WF contributed Rs. 76000 for Iftar of Momineen in Hyderabad and 1 lakh 87 thousand worth of food grains were distributed in Bihar.

Housing

Gujarat

The World Federation in April 1999 completed construction of 70 with all the amenities. The World Federation appreciates the efforts of Haji Ramzanali Asaria, Haji Vazirbhai Varteji and his sons and Haji Hasanbhai Merchant, who took great pains to see that the complex is finally completed.

There remain at least 100 families in need of housing in Bhavnagar. A donor had purchased a plot and the World Federation has commenced construction of around 72 flats. Similarly, in Palitana, 12 flats are constructed to house poor families.

Over the period of 10 years, the World Federation has provided housing at a cost of nearly $ 1.4 million to the needy families.

Avalkonda

It has a Zainabiya School financed by the World Federation under the Zainabiya Child Sponsorship Scheme. The Indian government has declared it as a ‘Model Village’. The state supplied electricity to the whole village and in partnership with the World Federation drew up plans to supply water to all the houses. Presently, together with the government of India, WF is subsidizing the building of 89 houses. The community of Avalkonda can now begin to plan programmes of self-sufficiency and self help. This is the model of development that is worthy of emulation in other parts of India.

Kareempur

The World Federation embarked upon housing project in Kareempur, Pothanhally and Dodballapur in Karnataka province of India.

1. At Kareempur, 21 Sadat houses have been built at a cost of USD 48742.
2. At Pothanhally 4 houses were built for poor Sadaats families at a cost of USD 5714 and
3. At Dodballapur 2 houses were built at a total cost of USD 5714

Religious Centres And Mosques:

Many religious centres that appeared in the West in the eighties and early nineties functioned as Imambaras and some had Bait us Salaat within it. Soon extensions were added and Madressas began to function within it and tuition classes, Adult classes, workshop and seminars followed.

Today, these centres are vibrant with activities and World Federation has provided moral and material support.

During this term, Sayeeda Zainab project of Birmingham Jamaat was successfully completed and opened for use in 1998. Similarly, Madressa at Los Angeles is now opened catering for the religious need of our community.

Capital assistance to Centres in North America

1. Vancouver Jamaat has started a multipurpose project costing 7.5 million Canadian dollars. The World Federation has pledged $50,000 towards the cost.
2. The World Federation has also pledged $50,000 for Allentown Jamaat project
3. Albany, the capital of New York State has the first and only Shia Centre which will provide religious and social facilities to Shias living there. WF has pledged $75000 to them.

Bilal Secretariat Extension Project – Mombasa, Kenya

The World Federation provided the funding for the extension of the Bilal Secretariat in Mombasa. The area of extension is 3013 sq.ft built at a cost of Pound Sterling 30,000. With this extension, Bilal Kenya, can consolidate its present activities and expand their Tabligh activities within the indigenous people.

After 38 years of Tabligh a sizable number of Africans in East Africa has embraced Shia Ithna Asheri faith. Some of them are professionals and some occupy position in the government services.

During this term, financial help was provided to Tanzania and Kenya branch of Bilal Muslim Mission. The assistance was used for publication of religious literature and towards the rising cost of administration.

Mosques:

Idara e Ma’rife Islam, Birmingham was set to fire by arsonists in 1998. The Late President of the World Federation had visited the site and contributed Pound Sterling 50, 000 out of the total estimated damage of Pound Sterling 500, 000.

During this term, a mosque in Bihar was renovated at a cost of Rupees one Lakh. Two mosques are being built in Pakistan. These are donations from generous donors.

Publication

The WF publishes religious literature in many languages. They are either translation work or original work. Two new books are published by the World Federation:

1. Shaykh Mufid’s Al Amaali, which was the last work translated by Marhoom Mulla Asgherali M. M. Jaffer and published by the World Federation. The book comprises of a collection of Ahadith dictated by the famous Shaykh Mufid (RA) when he was in gatherings of friends and students.
2. Albanian Translation of the Holy Quran in response to a request by the displaced Muslims of Kosovo. The copies have already been widely received and requests for more copies continue to be received at the IEB.

The Bosnian desk of the World Federation published three books during this term for Muslims of Bosnia and Albania.

1. The first book is titled Biseri Mudrosti. This is the translation of the book “Pearls of Wisdom” which has sixty-two short stories from Islamic history.
2. The second book is titled Hazrat Fatima Imam Hussein. This is a book about the lives of Hazrat Fatima and Imam Hussein a.s.
3. The third book is Islam u Praski that explains Islamic rules of wudhu, tayammum, Namaz, Zakat, hajj, ijtihad and Taqleed. These books are distributed widely among Bosnian and Albanian Muslims throughout Europe.

There is a book in publication by the title The History of shrines in Karbala. This is the first ever detailed and methodical study to be published in English language. It is well researched document by Dr. Rauf Al Ansari that traces the history of the construction of the Holy shrines.

The secretariat also publishes an ‘Insight’ publication that provides information to the public on the activities of the World Federation. During this term 4 issues were published describing the activities related to Tabligh, Zainabiya Education, Health Care and relief of poverty.

‘Muslimanski Zivot’ is a quarterly magazine for Bosnian Muslims residing in Europe published by the Bosnian desk of the World Federation. This magazine seeks to convey Islamic living and awareness among the Bosnians and Albania.

External Liaison Desk - "Creating Framework To Interact"

Objectives:

1. To establish appropriate network so that the views of the World Federation are adequately represented in influential area such parliaments and governments.
2. To establish contact with other charitable organizations so as to seek joint sponsorship for mutual benefits.
3. To represent the World Federation through its members on the interfaith networks to pursue common objectives with other faith representatives.

Interfaith Network:

The World Federation is represented on the United Kingdom Interfaith network. Wessex Jamaat became a member of the interfaith groups. Under the umbrella of the World Federation, it has maintained good relationships with Portsmouth Cathedral. Both institutions participate in each other’s major events.

The Millennium Service for England was held on 2nd January 2000 at St. Paul’s Cathedral, London. At the invitation of Canterbury, The Muslim Council of Britain and The World Federation represented Muslims of the United Kingdom. Among the dignitaries were the Queen, Prime minister of the UK and many foreign dignitaries.

Research & Development Desk:

In an effort to evaluate competing proposals and assign priorities, World Federation has set up the WF Research & Development Desk. The purpose is to collate all material on WF projects, present data in graphical format and finally produce reports with an analysis of the data. The first stage is the development of a ‘clean’ database of our membership throughout the World and the area that the research desk will explore is service usage as well as gathers important data from the Jamaats in terms of housing, educational and welfare needs of the community members.

Bridging The Divide:

Over the last 24 years, the World Federation has taken on diverse projects to see to the needs of our community where ever they are in the world. In general, they are divided into two:

1. Those that alleviate poverty and human suffering in the East.
2. Those that were designed to preserve our religious heritage in the West.

In Gujarat, WF built 500 houses for the needy and poor. Through Zainabiya Child Sponsorship Scheme, WF sponsor over 3500 children for primary and secondary education and WF also sponsor many youth for graduate education. WF spends money to renovate Masjid and Imambara and Madressas so that our community members have proper facilities to learn about Islam. WF has provided marriage, welfare and medical assistance to the deserving within the community.

More water pumps and boring wells facilities were provided this term. There are 103 water pumps and boring wells facilities in 25 towns and villages.

Today, in Gujarat we can see vibrant mosques and Imambaras, active Madressas, excellent opportunities for secular education, newly built accommodation facilities, financial assistance for the needy, medical assistance for the ill and infirm and welfare assistance for orphans and poor. We also see of giving within our community in Gujarat. We now see many projects within Gujarat that are financed by brothers from Gujarat. In this the World Federation can truly say that it has played its part as much as its resources allow it to.

While in Europe and North America, the needs and requirements are different. The history of Khoja Shia Ithna Asheries in Europe is very new. The displaced members of our community from Uganda arrived in United Kingdom in 1972 with very little on them. They had to leave much of what they owned behind. Under the guidance of Marhum Mulla Asgar Saheb, work started for construction of Islamic Centres at every place where our own community had made their home. The effect was to cause a re-migration amongst our people. The displaced and scattered community regrouped. Community life as we knew was rekindled. From nothing in 1972, our community now boasts upwards of 15 major Centres in UK and numerous others throughout Europe. These Centres are vibrant with activity bringing about the ethos of Islamic values within the community in the West.

The World Federation did not confine itself only to Khoja Shia Ithna Asheri community in its services. Many Shia Ithna Asheries from India, Pakistan, Lebanon, Iran and Iraq were assisted to set up Centres that have become the nucleus of their community. Many such Centres now exist in London, the Midlands, Lancashire, Yorkshire, Edinburgh and Glasgow.

The World Federation has also cooperated with many Muslim organizations and took on the task of dealing with problems and injustices faced by all Muslims.

The World Federation became involved with interfaith, a group which has representatives from all major religion in the United Kingdom. WF is recognized as a key Muslim organization by establishment in the UK.

Similarly, in Canada and United States, WF has provided guidance and monetary assistance for many capital projects. Amongst the many assisted, are our Centres in Toronto, New York, Ontario, Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton, Allentown, Albany, Los Angeles and also many others.

The Secretary General, Dr. Sibtain Panjwani, stated that in the East, in places like Gujarat, our people were poor, lacking in education and were confines to poverty. While in the West, people were literate and reasonably wealthy but they did not have religious institutions and identity. Over the last 24 years, the World Federation has been able to bridge this divide to a large extent. This is Mulla Saheb’s enduring legacy at the World Federation.

The task ahead for all of us is to consolidate these achievements and chart out new programmes that will fulfill the needs and aspirations of our community.

Today, World Federation’s successful activities have established its own unique presence within the Shia World – an achievement, judge by any standard, is worthy of respect. Yet, we cannot ignore new management concepts that are used by similar charity organizations to achieve competency and effective performance in the delivery of services.

Reports presented at Triennial Conference for Term 1994-1997

Islamic Education Board (IEB)

TV And Radio Broadcast:

In Muharram 1419 A.H. – 1998 – 12 Majlises in Urdu by Marhoom Mulla Asgherali M. M. Jaffer were broadcast on TV which covered the whole of United Kingdom.

Due to huge response, the TV station repeated it during Muharram 1420 A.H.-1999 – on own initiative.

In Mahe Ramadhan 1420 A.H. and again in 1421 A.H. – 1998/1999 – lectures by Marhoom Mulla Asgar (Asgherali M.M. Jaffer), Mustafa bhai Mawji and Safdar Jaffer were broadcast on TV for viewers from all over the United Kingdom.

From October, 1999, half to one hour Islamic programmes are being broadcast on Radio Asia – with some breaks.

Marhoom Mulla Asgherali M. M. Jaffer, Mustafa Mawji, Maqbul Rahim, Safdar Jaffer, Mustafa Jaffer and Sister Ummulbanin Merali participated in the programmes.

The response from listeners, Shias and Sunnis and even some non-Muslims, has been tremendous. The office of The Islamic Education Board is undated with letters and telephone calls requesting for audio cassettes of these broadcasts. Some non-Shia listeners have sent financial contributions towards these programmes to ensure that the programmed continue.

Listener’s Comments:

M. Cockar: “Can I also ask if it is possible to sometimes ask for a transcription of any talks that you have on radio? Being rushed in the mornings, it is not possible to catch all the wonderful advise and knowledge that is imparted in these programmes – anyway ay to overcome them?”

Ahmed Saeed Khan: “I am blind person and an IT tutor at Royal Society for the Blind. I listen to your broadcast with keen interest and find it very informative especially for children and young adults. I have recently set up a Computer Training Centre for the Blind in Karachi and would like to obtain the recorded tapes for my students there.”

Yusuf Husein: “We were delighted this morning to hear you back on air after being told the 10 programmes had come to an end. My Wife and I have been listening and recording the programmes for later playback in the car.”

South Africa:

The Islamic Education Board (IEB) of The World Federation was one of the four Muslim organizations who had a stall at Cape Good Hope Centre where the parliament session was held. More than 200 stalls were made available by the organizers for exhibition of religious books and literature.

The Islamic Education Board took this opportunity to make contact with many prominent personalities from many faiths; IEB has followed this up and are in contact with many of them.

IEB stall was inundated with visitors from around the world. Most of the visitors were professors and lecturers from many universities but there were also many teachers from local Muslim Schools who took keen interest in the working of our own Madressa and children’s books.

Gujarat, India:

In June, 1997 a large delegation from Council of Gujarat and Kutch Federation visited Dar ul Tabligh and discussed some of the suggestions in regards to religious awareness in the community. Some of the matters discussed were:

Islamic software and Archiving

It was pointed to the visitors that the IEB had been in search of Shia Software Engineers to produce Islamic Software and India could be the right place for qualified and experienced Computer (Hardware) and Software Experts. An appeal was made to them to scout for such persons and submit their details to the Islamic Education Board.

IEB requires programme of Archiving both the History of our Community and Material useful for Madressas and Muballigheen was explained to them. The IEB was holding scores of books in Gujarati on the History of the Community which had to be archived and put on CD-ROMs, with Search Facilities.

The problem of Search Facilities for Gujarati material transferred to CD-ROMS was a very difficult one. The Islamic Education Board had been searching for any Software produced in India to overcome this problem. An appeal was made to the Visitors to help in locating such Software.

Importance of Religious education

It was pointed out that only social and welfare projects were given importance. It created a false impression in the society that Religious matters were not important at all.

President of The Council of Gujarat, Haji Hassanali J. Merchant, stated that since their attention was drawn to it, he would make sure that visit to Madressas and discussion on the Religious Affairs would be put in the programme of all such visitors.

Islamic Books in Gujarati

As Islamic Books in Gujarati were not of the highest standard desirable, it was suggested that high quality books be translated into Gujarati and published from Arabic, Farsi and/or Urdu. A programme of publishing at least two to three such books in Gujarati per annum is formulated.

Media

The role and importance of Media in educating and informing our Community as well as conveying the message to others was discussed. It agreed:

1. That regular news and reports would be sent to LABBAIK for publication
2. That details of intensive and correspondence courses in Journalism available in UK would be sent to The Council of Gujarat.
3. That contact will be established with existing Media in India, i.e. Ali Channel of Bombay, which would facilitate in conveying the Message to non-Shias in India.

Madressas

Madressa Seminars would be held in India with participation by Madressa Teachers from other parts of the world.

Also Madressa Teachers from India would be sent together with Teachers from other parts of the World to inspect teaching methods in our Madressa in various parts of the World. This will help in exchange of information and views and would benefit all parties involved.

Zakiri in Gujarati, Hindi and English

The Council of Gujarat would encourage Zakiri in Gujarati, English, Hind and other languages in co-operation with the Islamic Education Board, The Council of Gujarat would send audio cassettes of such Zakirs to the Islam Education Board.

Khoja Students in Qum

The Council of Gujarat would establish contact with all Khoja Ithna Asheries studying in Qum (Iran), ascertain their needs and requirements, guide and assist them.

The Council would keep the Islamic Board informed of such activities.

Linguists and Translators

The Council of Gujarat would try to look for people fluent in different languages (i.e. Portuguese, Bosnian, Albanian…), with a view to assisting the Islami Education Board in translating Books into these languages.

It would also try to encourage members of our Community to study these languages. The World Federation would be requested to provide Scholarships for such studies.

Bosnia

The content of a number of letters that the Bosnian Desk received during the last term proves that a correspondence course can play a very important role in Tabligh.

In the 1997-2000 periods IEB was contacted by 2500 individuals out of whom 600 were writing for the first time. 1200 were participating in IEB correspondence “Stay in touch!- send your coupon” scheme in which they had been requested to answer 3 to 4 questions related to different topics presented in the magazine. . IEB have been contacted by more than 5000 individuals and 1200 have qualified for mailing list and receive IEB books and magazine on regular basis. About 250 practice Jafferi Fiqh.

Some quotations (Translated from Bosnian)

“I don’t know whether you will believe me or not, but when I received a copy of the Quran from you I started to cry. I asked myself what I was doing all these years. But, is it my fault for being brought up in such society that was a Bosnia? It is possible that we needed all those sufferings in order to wake us up and make us realize who we are? We are passing through the most difficult period in our lives, but returning to Allah gives us strength and give us hope for a better future.” Sadija

“When it seemed to me that I was alone in this world I came to know you. I thank to Allah for showing me the right path on which you are treading. He is to be thanked for making your our guiding lamp. I ask Him to give me strength to stay on the path that has been made manifest through you.” Sefik

“Now, Shia and Sunni Mazhab are explained to me. To be honest, I did not know what they really meant, so I did know which one is mine. Now, when everything has been explained, I believe every person in Bosnia would choose Shia Mazhab as I have.”

“Dua-Kumayl has become something very special for me. I have never felt so close to my Creator, as much as I am when reading this Dua. Reading every new line causes tears in my eyes. It really gives strength to my faith. I pray to Allah that every believer feels like myself when reading this wonderful Dua.” Dijana

Books published

The following books have been published or obtained for free distribution among Bosnians:

1. Prevod Kur’ana
2. Pravim putem
3. Sura Jasin
4. Biseri Mudrosti
5. Principi vjera
6. Hazreti Fatima I Imam Hussejn
7. Islam u Praksi
8. Muslimanski Zivot
9. Kur’ani

Books obtained and distributed:

1. Islam I Zapadna civilizacija
2. Staza Rjecitosti
3. Sahifa Sedzdzadijja
4. Zacudnow stvaranju sismisa
5. Zacudnom stvaranju pauna
6. Dua I Kumail

Zakirs

The IEB has a database of Zakirs and Zakiras mainly from our own community. Many Jamaats all over the world rely on this database to select Zakirs for Muharram, Ramadhan, or even as a resident Aalim.

The first seminar of Zakiri was held in London on 18th July 1992. It was attended by more than 40 Zakirs and Zakiras from all parts of the world.

During the seminar, the IEB distributed a Zakir's Compendium containing Namaz e Mayyit, Talqeen and Namaz-e- Juma Khutba- an aid to every Zakir.’

Internet and digitizing of resources

IEB embarked on digitizing resources some four years ago. Apart from its page under WF home page, the IEB is also maintaining a Quran theme page.

It contains translations and articles of the Holy Quran. The site is widely used and links to the site have been made in University Research Sites.

The IEB is also working closely with the Ahlul Bayt Digital Islamic Library Project (DILP). The DILP is a pool of resourceful Shia youths from all over the world who felt the need of Shia resources on the net. They started six years ago and today major Shiite works are available on the site.

Audio/Video/CD Library

IEB has set up a central audio/video/CD library during this term. A comprehensive database of nearly 500 audio cassettes has been set up together with 75 out of a total of over 400 video tapes.

Jamaats and organizations are requested to assist by sending copies of tapes from their libraries so that the IEB can add the copies to their collection.

Quran Exhibition

The first exhibition of the Holy Quran was held at the Islamic Centre England, London on the 12th, 13th and 14th of December 1998. IEB of the World Federation was a co-organizer of this Major event.

The exhibition was opened on 11th. December 1998. Three renowned speakers, Ayatollah Araki, Yusuf Islam and Mulla Asgar (Asgherali M.M. Jaffer) delivered eloquent speeches pertinent to the role of Muslims in promoting the message of the Holy Quran.

Quran Library – Dar ul Tabligh

A philanthropist made it possible for Dar ul Tabligh to obtain a number of Books on Quran and Theses exhibited at the Quran Exhibition.

The Quran Library at Dar ul Tabligh now has nearly 150 Theses on Quran presented at Universities in Iran and many books in English on the Holy Quran published in different parts of the world.

The Library now has many Translations, Books and Thesis on the Holy Quran. It is proposed to publicize it among Universities and invite researchers and scholars to avail themselves of it for research.

Islamic Education Course in Qum, Iran

Islamic Education Board organized and arranged for a one month Islamic Study course in which 14 boys from the UK and 8 boys from East Africa participated. It was in conjunction with a Group of Islamic Scholars (GIS) based in Qum and the Council of European Jamaats,

The programme for the youths included:

1. Educational: Classes in English language on subjects like Aqaed, Akhlaq, Holy Quran, History and Contemporary Affairs were taken by well-known scholars. Dr. Murtaza Alidina, Shaykh Aliasghar Shaheedi, Dr. Safiullah Khan, Shaykh Muhibullah Jaffer are just a few names of scholars who cooperated with IEB in running the classes.
2. Social: The GIS helped organize sports meetings with local students and hires sports halls for the benefits of the youths.
3. Religious/Spiritual: Visits to religious site (Ziarat) outside Qum and to religious scholars were also part of the programme. For the spiritual welfare of the youth, Dua, lectures, question and answer sessions were also organized during the course of their stay in Qum.

Dar ul Tabligh, North America (DNA)

The late President of the World Federation, Mulla Asgar (Asgherali M. M. Jaffer), performed the opening Ceremony of Dar ul Tabligh offices on sat Sep 18, 1999. It was the culmination of months of planning and tireless efforts by the Islamic Education Board of the World Federation. The fully equipped facility has a reference library which has thousands of books in several languages. Collection of the translation of the Holy Quran in over 30 languages was on display during the opening ceremony.

The entire facility including fixtures and fittings and the high tech equipment, have all been provided by the Jaffer family of New York. The primary goal of DNA is to assist the community in North America in fulfillment of its responsibility of imparting religious education to the upcoming generations as well become a source of information on Islam for the public at large.

Medical Advisory Board

Help to Patients

Total no. patients treated during this term:

1. 1997 315 patients
2. 1998 293 patients
3. 1999 240 patients

Help to Health Care Professionals

MAB receives requests from doctors abroad for advice on postgraduate medical education in the West. It tries to advise them as best it can. In some cases, it gives grants or interest free loans.

Help to the Community

The Medical Advisory board of the World Federation has been conducting medical screening programs in most of the Jamaats in UK over the last three years.

These are: Birmingham, Essex, Hyderi, Leeds, Leicester, Milton Keynes, Peterborough, Stanmore, Watford and Wessex.

Haj Medical Mission

The World Federation sent a team of doctors, Aalim and administrator to serves Haji from the year 1977 to 1992. When it was felt that the community had now become self-sufficient, the mission was stopped. However, there was universal pressure to re-start the mission.

A survey was conducted and Dr. Walji presented his detailed report to the Executive Council on 10th. July 1999. He recommended that the World Federation should send a doctor and/or administrator from its secretariat to help with and co-ordinate with doctors accompanying different groups and also assist such group/groups which may not have accompanying doctors or medical supplies. This should be for a few years until it is no longer needed. This was approved.

So, this year saw re-launch of Haj Medical Mission. The MAB team for Hajj 2000 was Dr. Abbas Vakil, Dr. Mithani, Dr. Gulamabbas Rajpar and Mr. Aliasghar Rajbhai.

During Haj 2000, The World Federation donated 5 wheel chairs to the Tanzania Muslim Haj Trust.

British Haj Delegation:

The British government launched a programme from this year (2000) to send a team of doctors, paramedics and helpers to help the British Hujjaj in Saudi Arabia.

The World Federation took active part in the preparation and in formulation of the delegation. The advice from the World Federation from its vast experience of 25 years in Haji Medical Mission was very much appreciated by the government representatives and WF was invited to be active participants of this delegation.

Help to Slum Dwellers, Poor & Refugees

Govandi, Bombay

Govandi is one of the largest slums in Bombay with 25000 of Shia population. Here health and hygiene was poor with almost no sanitation.

WF alleviates the disease by educating the community on how to avoid or prevent health miseries. The health education programme is self-running and perpetual.

WF runs “Al Safeena Education Centre with four classes and about 300 children. This Centre was started in 1991. The activities consist of:

1. A Balwadi consisting of nursery, junior kindergarten and senior kindergarten classes.
2. A non-formal education class mainly for adolescent girls who could not take up formal education. Here they are taught reading, writing and simple arithmetic, along with some cooking, stitching etc.

In May 1993 during the annual holidays WF teachers and social workers went around the Baiganwadi area of Govandi form house to house to motivate the parents, so send their children to our school for nearly free education.

The teachers were also told to help the parents in getting their children admitted to good Government recognized schools, after the completed their studies in WF school.

The number of students seeking admission to better schools goes on increasing every year so much so that in the academic year ending in May 2000, 235 students out of 257 studying in our school got admitted to other schools.

In 1998 WF carried out a survey of Baiganwadi area to find out the number of children under five in the area and the number of them attending any school.

The results of the survey were really surprising. The survey showed that there were 1071 children eligible for admission to nursery. But only 291 of these children were attending any school. 780 of them were deprived of any education. Of the 291 students a majority of 95% were attending WF school.

The survey seems to have also motivated the parents as there was a very heavy rush for admission this year. Due to this 360 students were admitted.

Patna

Zainabiya Health Centre is working at Nauzer Katra Patna since December 1996. General patients are examined, treated and advised. Medicines are also supplied to poor patients. Numbers of patients examined are:

1. 1996-97 3422
2. 1997-98 4805
3. 1998-99 4573
4. 1999-20 3892

“Pulse Polio” programme was carried out from Dec 1996 to Mar 2000. A total of 1384 children were given Polio vaccine.

Zainabiya Health Centre has started the working of its ‘Eye Section’ on a weekly basis from August 1999. A total of 330 patients have been examined from August 1999 to March 2000.

Since 1996 every year ‘eye operation camps’ are organized at Madressa Islamia, Kujhwa, under ‘Kujhwa Education Society and Charitable Trust’. Patients suffering from eye disease are examined and operable Cataract and Pterygium cases are selected for operation. Spectacles are also supplied free of charge.

Bangalore

The World Federation has started the Zainabiya Primary Health Centre in 1997 at Neelsandra. It’s a small locality where a large slum of deprived Shia population of around 1000 families resides.

The health Centre is supervised by Dr. Sajjad Husein. There is general practitioner, two gynecologist and two social workers.

The social workers job consists of

1. Personal house visits in the locality.
2. Keeping complete statistics of each individual family with regards to their economic status, family size, and occupation, source of income, nutrition status, educational status and chronic illness in the family.
3. Ensuring all children are vaccinated regularly.
4. Advice importance of personal hygiene and nutrition
5. Motivating family planning and antenatal care in Zainabiya Health Care were free of charge.
6. Holding group discussions on different aspects of preventive health care like family planning, nutrition, diabetes, hypertension, asthma.

Iraqi Refugees In Iran

In 1991, after the Gulf war, there was a Shia uprising in Southern Iraq. It was most brutally crushed by Saddam’s army using chemical weapons, tanks and helicopter gunships. Hundreds of thousands of innocent Shias were massacred; Millions began to flee towards Iraq-Iran border. About a million Shias, mostly from Najaf, Karbala and Basra are now in most pathetic situation and are sheltered in refugee camps along the Iran-Iraq border. Iran government provides bare minimum provision. World federation tries to provide medicines.

Sister Organisations

Central Health Board (CHB) of Khoja Shia Ithna Asheri Supreme Council

CHB continues to offer health education and health awareness programmes for the youths and the community at large. Jamaats are encouraged to give priority and to organize such programmes through their medical and educational institutions. The Dar es Salaam Jamaat held the following programmes until April 2000.

1. Dental Hygiene by Dr. S. Mohammadali
2. Common ENT problems by Dr. M. Datoo
3. Appendicitis by Dr. Sayed Iqbal Ali
4. Smoking and its Effects by Dr. Mahmood Hameer
5. Treatment of heart diseases without surgery by Dr. Shoaib Padaria
6. Preventive Health Care and MAB activities by Dr. Mohammedtaki Walji

Lecture programmes have been introduces for the Hussein Madressa boys section. The challenge to all Jamaats is now to focus and introduce Health and Sex Education in the curriculum of all our religious and secular institutions.

CHB in collaboration with the Ithna Asheri Union Literary Section and Hussein Madressa organized a symposium on 9th April 2000 at the Muntazar Complex in Dar es Salam. The theme of the symposium was –“Vision 2000 and the Emerging Dilemmas of the Youths”.

Following a resolution in April 1998 by the Supreme Council, all Jamaats introduced the pre-marital testing of HIV/AIDS. The Executive Council of the World Federation also passed a resolution on 3rd. October 1998 in Peterborough requiring all member Jamaats and Federations to seek from the bride and groom evidence of their being free of HIV & AIDS virus and that both are not Thalassemia carriers.

Medical Advisory Board (MAB) of Nasimco

Dr. Haider Fazal has been appointed as Chairman of MAB Nasimco and work done so far includes:

1. Financial support to various projects in India and Africa.
2. Medical supplies and literature to East Africa
3. Regular medical lectures and seminars for our community
4. Fund raising activities

Medical Awareness Committee (MAC)

The Council of European Jamaats has formed a Medical Awareness Committee (MAC) and the following activities are carried out

1. Health Awareness Seminars
2. Medical Cover for European Haj Mission
3. Health Screening & Health Information (Triennial Conference 2000 London 8th (2) . Page 142-149)

Zainabiya Child Sponsorship Scheme (ZCSS)

Report: Remembering Mulla Saheb, the Chairman of ZCSS, Mohamed Visram stated that the number of students being sponsored keep of increasing every year as always, but what is more rewarding is that the number of undergraduates keeps increasing as well. This means that the quality f education and the determination of students are increasing as well. This year, out of 449 higher education students on the files of ZCSS, 115 have already qualified.

Capital projects undertaken in this period are as follows:

1. Construction of a girl’s school in the Multan area of Pakistan and upgrading the existing school for boys with furniture and equipment.
2. Construction of teachers quarters in Alipur and the start of extensions to these subsequently.
3. Fencing and securing of the school compound of the Alipur School.
4. Completion of a school in Bidar for the Khana Badosh Shia population and the handing over of this building to the local population to administer.
5. Completion of the extensions in both Alipur School and the Avalkonda School. In Avalkonda, students who were at one time debt slaves are now beginning to request for undergraduate sponsorship.

Vision for the Future of the Scheme has got to be the continuing support in education of the poor members of our community all over the world. The greatest challenge facing the Scheme is to carry on taking on new students on the Scheme as well as at the same time supporting the meritorious students through the universities, while the number of sponsored students and the cost of education have increased over the past years; the cost of the sponsor parent has not been increased since 1984. As a result the real equity of the scheme is much less that what it was fourteen years ago.

The aim of ZCSS is to ensure that secular education is made available to all Shia Ithna Asheri boys and girls. Needy parents are encouraged to send their children to any local school of their choice, with ZCSS providing the necessary funds for school fees, tuition fees, books, uniforms and transportation.

At present (2000) there are 5840 non Sadats and 4991 Sadats, plus 334 students taking Higher Education under the Scheme.

The Sadat students are being supported by the Sehme Sadat portion of the World Federation and Non Sadat students are sponsored either under the one to one scheme or by one-off generous donations received by ZCSS.

Breakdown of ZCSS children as at August 2000

Agency Non-Sadat Sadats

1. Anjumane e Hussaini, Madras, India-266
2. Avalkonda, Andhra Pradesh, India-300
3. Bilal Muslim Mission, Mombasa, Kenya-56
4. Council of Gujarat, Gujarat, India-3290
5. Hussein Education Soc., Bhavnagar, India-711
6. Imam-e-Zamana Mission, Hyderabad, India-1500
7. Imamia Education& Welfare Trust, Bangalore-1296
8. Khoja Ashna Asheri Jamaat, Hyderabad, India-58
9. Kutch Federation, Kutch, India166
10. KSI Medical Aid & Welfare Society, Bombay-2385
11. Madras Islamia Kujhwa, Bihar, India-628
12. Hazrat Fatima (AS) S.W.S., Bangladesh-18
13. Youth Imamia Education Comm., Bangladesh-37
14. Dar Ahle Bait, Bangkok-120

Total: 10831

Career, Education And Training Advisory Board (CETAB)

The Careers, Education and Training Advisory Board (CETAB) provide information to our community on matters relating to secular education. The Board members are Ahmed Hassam, Barkat Ali Walji and Hasnain Walji. The main activities during this term are as below:

1. General Inquires: The Board continues to receive numerous inquiries from students for information on specific courses and/or their suitability to pursue certain courses. These are mainly from Kenya, Tanzania, India, Pakistan, UAE, UK and Iran. Information on courses was sent to these students. Inquiries for financial assistance received from overseas students were either referred to their regional federations or dealt with at the Secretariat, as appropriate.
2. Female Education Scholarships: The girls, one from Kenya and the other from Tanzania, who had been awarded scholarships to study at the Charterhouse College of Radiology at the University of London, successfully completed their degree course. They graduated in 1997 and are now working in UK hospitals.
3. Books and Education Materials: During the term, career magazines were sent on a regular basis to the Education Boards in Mombasa and Dar es Salaam and to Jaffery Academy in Mombasa.
4. Visit to Al-Muntazar Islamic Seminary, Dar es Salaam: Barkat Walji visited the Al Muntazar Islamic Seminary in Dar es Salaam. Murtaza Nanji (Education Officer) showed him the classrooms, library and the science laboratory. A two hour meeting with Mr. Julian Tetlow (Academic Director) took place where various aspects of education were discussed.
5. Informal Visit to Jaffery Academy, Mombasa, by Barkat Ali Walji: In March 2000 Barkat Walji visited the Jaffery Academy in Mombasa. Mohammed Razabhai Jagani explained the impressive structure of the school and showed him the classrooms, the computer department and the library.
6. Visit to Zainabiya Schools in Avalkonda and Alipur and The Jaffery School in Mahuva: The Chairman visited the above places from 29th August to 10th September 2000. A detailed report together with the recommendations for further improvements is being prepared for ZCSS and the Office bearers for implementation during the next term. It is anticipated that CETAB will be closely involved with the implementation of these recommendations and the evaluation of the outcome.
7. Karachi IT College: CETAB has been able to evaluate the IT course offered by this college. Karachi institute of information Technology (KIIT) in cooperation with School of Computing and Mathematics, University of Huddersfield, United Kingdom, is offering a one year certificate of computing and a 3 year BSC/BSC (Honour) computing course. The curriculum at KIIT is the same as the one offered at the University of Huddersfield with assurance of quality.
8. CETAB looks into range of careers: CETAB prepared additional reports on various careers. These reports describe the profession, the entrance requirements, the career prospects and job opportunities.

CONCLUSION: Much more needs to be done to improve access to secular education for members of our communities. Whilst in Europe access to good quality primary and secondary education is easily available and is relatively cost-free, students in the U.K. are finding it hard to cope financially at University since the introduction of fees and reduction in grants by the local education authorities.

Access to primary and secondary education by our communities in East Africa continues to improve and some of our schools have already introduced IGCE or are in the process of doing so, But financial assistance to our students from East Africa for higher Education continues to be a major obstacle and CETAB needs to work with the Education Board of Africa to find ways to raise funds for financial assistance.

In India, through the ZCSS many children have received education and some of these students have now gone through universities and obtained professional qualifications. CETAB is to set up an external audit of all schools where ZCSS students undertake their studies, including the schools at Alipur, Avalkonda and Mahuva. This will ensure that the standard of education is monitored and continuously improved.

CETAB will continue to work with Regional Federations and Jamaats to improve access to education by way of raising awareness, providing career information and financial assistance.

Secretariat

As at October 2000, The World Federation had following 30 Members:

1. Aden Jamaat
2. Africa Federation
3. Birmingham Jamaat
4. Council of Gujarat
5. Dubai Jamaat
6. Essex Jamaat
7. Gloucester Jamaat
8. KSIC of Australia
9. Karachi Jamaat
10. Kutch Federation
11. Kuwait Jamaat
12. Leeds Jamaat
13. Leicester Jamaat
14. London Jamaat
15. Mehfile Murtaza, Karachi
16. Mehfile Zainab, Paris
17. Milton Keynes Jamaat
18. Muhammadi Welfare, Australia
19. Mumbai Jamaat
20. Nasimco
21. Panjatan Society, Australia
22. Paris Jamaat
23. Peterborough Jamaat
24. Portugal Jamaat
25. South London Jamaat
26. Stockholm Jamaat
27. Switzerland Jamaat
28. Trollhattan Jamaat
29. Watford Jamaat
30. Wessex Jamaat