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......

World Tour by Maulana Syed Amir Husein Naqvi

A good start was made by WORLD FEDERATION and correspondence related to various Jamaat & Shia Organization started coming in. They wanted the President Alhaj Mulla Asgharali M.M.Jaffer to visit their Country to study their situation. This was virtually not possible. Hence Mulla Saheb deputed Maulana Syed Amir Husein Naqvi to visit them on his & WORLD FEDERATION behalf. It was decided that the Maulana would like visit Far East & Japan, Canada, USA, Europe & the United Kingdom to study the situation and give report to World Federation.

Maulana left Nairobi on 3rd June 1977 with a complete & comprehensive dossier at his disposal. It was supposed to be a tour of around 4 months.

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 feltbound 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