TERM 1994-1997

Project for 1994-1997

Houses in Gujarat

At the 6th. Executive Council Meeting on 15th. June 1996, the President, Mulla Asgar, reported that under the World Federation Conference Resolution moved by the Council of Gujarat, 500 houses had been built out of which 400 have already been allocated. The remaining will be allocated soon.

History of Khoja Community

The Africa Federation will send the materials gathered by them to Dar al Tabligh, Harefield, where it be archived by electronic filing on computer disks and CD ROM. The President reported that more than 62 books on the History of Khoja Community have been moved from the address of Secretary General, Haji Hasnain Walji, to Dar Al Tabligh.

Tabligh

Trinidad and Tobago

The President had received a report that the people of the above Islands were celebrating Muharram in a carnival style. He sent Maulana Syed Ali Baqri to investigate. Accompanied by Mr. Ashik Kermali and other Momineens of New York, Maulana Baqri visited Trinidad and Tobago. Following this, Bilal Muslim Mission of America was formed with a view to spreading Shia Mazhab in the Americas. This Organization works very closely with Imam-e-Zamana Mission of Port of Spain to carry out Tablighy work according to the teachings of Ahlul Bayt (A.S.) This year when the President visited Port of Spain, he was informed that much progress had been made, due to the efforts of Bilal Muslim Mission of America. For the first time, no alcohol was served or consumed during the procession. It is hoped that in time, as the Muslim community in these Islands understand the significance of the occasion, the procession will portray the correct message.

Guyana

From Port of Spain, the President visited Guyana. Over there Sheikh Mohamedali Zanzibary and Brother Latif Ali, who accepted Shia Mazhab after reading the books of Maulana Syed Saeed Akhtar Rizvi of Bilal Muslim Mission of Tanzania. Today, there is a small but active community of Shia amongst both African and Asians of Guyana.

Islamic Education Board (IEB)

Report presented to the Executive Council Meeting on 15th. June 1996:

1. Bosnia: Semiz Seper of Bosnian Desk presented a report on Tabligh among Bosnians. He stated that regular correspondence is being maintained with 4235 individuals who have responded to the Bosnian literature distributed by the World Federation. The recent translation and publication of 'Then I was Guided' in Bosnian had opened the eyes of many Bosnian Muslims who were not aware of the History of Islam. The response was very favourable indeed. Biographies of Janabe Fatima A.S. and Imam Husayn in Bosnian were being printed.
2. Al Madressa editor, Naushad Mehrali, pointed out at the lack of feedback from the readers. He appealed to members to request their Madressa teachers to contribute articles and information on their activities so that Al Madressa could serve the community even better.
3. Thailand, Bangkok: Dr. Ahmad Hassam who is visiting Thailand soon and at the request of Chairman of Zainabiya Child Sponsorship Scheme (ZCSS) and the Islamic Education Board (IEB), he would discuss matters pertaining to education with the Shias in Bangkok.
4. Wessex Jamaat: Jaffer Dharamsi stated that they were visiting Schools to explain about the Islam to Religious Teachers and the students. They have prepared answers to the frequently asked questions which may be useful to other Jamaats for training of Religious Teachers.
5. Milton Keynes: Bahadurali Dalal stated he had given lectures on Islam and presented Shia viewpoint to the Police, Schools, Colleges, etc. He was now inundated with requests for lectures on Islam.
6. Mehfile Zainab, Paris: Gulamhussein Naziraly (Moez) stated that Mehfile Zainab was quite active in this regard in Paris. A number of indigenous French had become Shia and were actively participating in Mehfile Zainab. They have published a booklet in French on Ghusl, Kaffan, and Daffan.

Medical Advisory Board

The Chairman of the Medical Advisory Board, DR. M. T. I. Walji, submitted a written Report for the year 1995. He explained at length on some of the activities being undertaken by MAB like Screening, taking out of pamphlets on Ghusl, Kaffan, Daffan, Lupus, distribution of medicines to those in need in Africa and among Iraqi Refugees. Members have been appealed to come forward to assist in the medical needs of Iraqi refugees. There were 10/12 camps of Iraqi refugees in Iran who are receiving medicines from the World Federation only. The MAB had, therefore, to ensure that people did not suffer or even die for lack of medicines.