TERM 1979-1982

Formation of Islamic Education Board (IEB)

The Education Sub Committee consisting of Dr. Nizar Merali, Mr.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

To prepare Universal syllabus for all Madressa globally.
To prepare Teacher’s Guide.
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.
To produce regular newsletter which includes currents news and activities of the Islamic World.
To hold Islamic Conference of the members of the Education Committee worldwide.
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 with 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.
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:

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

2. For Youths:

To establish Madressa
To establish Youth Camps & organize Sports activities
To organize Volunteer Corps
To organize lectures, group discussions and seminars
To organize camps and other activities to foster togetherness
Ta teach Arabic as a language
To encourage writings and publishing of books and periodicals
To encourage and finance participation in conference, Youth Camps and other activities organized by other Islamic bodies.

3. For Adults:

To participate in Majlises and other religious functions.
To encourage attendance by choosing better speakers and announcing subject matter in advance
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

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.
Arabic must be taught as a second language from a very early age.
Unity and awareness of the ‘Ummah’ should be of paramount importance.
Emphasis must also be placed at all levels of teaching to elevate Iman.
The study & understanding of Quran should be encouraged at all levels
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

Medical Advisory Board was formed at the Executive Council meeting held on 19th August 1980. The following Doctors were nominated to serve:

Dr. M.T.I Walji – Chairman
Dr. H. Mamadani- Member
Dr. A Lakha- Member

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.

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.

Hallaur

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.

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:

Palitana has a K.S.I. population of 1000
A K.S.I. can be a member of the Co-operative Society by taking at least one share of RS.10.
The Society is managed by a committee elected by members.
The Managing Committee scrutinizes loan application, decides on credibility of securities and fixes the maximum loan limit. The maximum loan limit was Rs. 1000.
At present the society has collected Rs, 18,000 as interest free loan from local well to do people.
The Society has so far helped small business e.g. Fruit & Vegetable Vendors etc.
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

3 Beds were hire for use of our community thru Gujarat Federation.

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

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

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.