TERM 1982-1985

Interim Report of the Sub Committee on th reform of the Secretariat

A Sub-committee was formed on 30th Nov 1983 to examine the administrative structure of the World Federation and to recommend such re-organization as are necessary to enable the World body to respond to the need and provide timely and efficient services.

The Members of the Committee:

1. Mr. Hasnain Walji
2. Mr. Mulla Asgharali M.M. Jaffer
3. Mr. Mustafa Chandoo

Salient Features of the Report:

1. To lighten the work of the General Secretary
2. To draw in more Volunteers
3. To make Secretariat a full team Power House
4. To increase the scope of World Federation’s activity

Interim Recommendation:

1. Secretary General would be the overall in charge of the Secretariat.
2. Workload of the World Federation to be divided into 2 sections:

Services rendered in the United Kingdom

The Chairman of the various boards such as MAB, IEB etc would report to the “Administration Secretary”, with the Reports, instead of directly reporting to Secretary General. The Administration Secretary would then prepare one final report & submit to the Secretary General.

All correspondence (between boards or otherwise) should be with a copy marked to Administration Secretary.

Services rendered abroad

Country wise departments should be created at the Secretariat e.g. India, Pakistan, Africa etc. These departments should be headed by “Secretarial Assistants”.

It would be the responsibility of the Secretarial Assistants to ensure that Projects in their respective countries are efficiently carried out. There will be 1 Secretarial Assistant for each country who will correspond directly with the representative at the receiving country and every so often to make a report to the Secretary General.

1. The Secretary General is consultation with the President to nominate Administration Secretary and Secretarial Assistants.
2. Practice to be encouraged for the Administrative Secretary to meet collectively or individually chairman of the various Boards.
3. Likewise Secretary General to meet the Secretarial Assistants.
4. Boards Chairman, Administrative Secretary and Secretarial Assistants to be invited to attend Executive Council Meetings.

The Office bearers have accepted the above recommendations and implementation process started.

Projects of WF for 1982-1985

Samuh Lagna

At the Executive Council meeting held on 30th. Sept 1982, Rs. 100,000 was approved to be send to Bhavnagar for Samuh Lagna on 18th Zilhaj 1402.

Thereafter, the Council inspected the accounts received from Gujarat Federation for 59 marriages that had taken place at a total cost of Rs. 150,000. It was decided to send the balance Rs. 50,000 to cover the full expenses.

Samuh Lagna to take place in Palitana on 3rd. Shaban with 40 couples taking part. The Council decided to pay 70% of the total expenditure from Sahme Imam A.S.

Zainabiya Child Sponsorship Scheme

Pound Sterling 2250 was sent to Mehfil-e-Murtaza for Zainabiya Child Sponsorship Fund.

50 children still awaiting sponsorship since June 1982. It was agreed to start paying them from the Sponsorship Fund. Sponsor parents will be allocated to them as and when available.

It was agreed that Gujarat Federation should administer Zainabiya Child Sponsorship Scheme for the whole of India.

As per Executive Council meeting of 27th. Feb 1983, 46 Sadats in India and 145 Sadats in Pakistan are at present being sponsored at a total cost annual cost of Pound Sterling 14000.

Muhsin reported that 267 children in India and 77 children in Pakistan are at present being sponsored at a total annual cost of Pound Sterling 17000.

Donations received from sponsor parents are only 20% more than this. This percentage is not enough to take care of illnesses, increase in grants, inflation etc. The Council decided to look into subsidizing from other funds when the time comes.

Tabligh Fund

Edmonton Imambara: The Council inspected the accounts and receipt received from the Edmonton Jamaat regarding the Pound Sterling 50,000 donated by the World federation for the construction of the Imambara.

Clifton Mosque, Birmingham, England: Mehdi Fazal presented the accounts for three phases Phase 1- Imambara has deficit of Pound Sterling 15,114 Phase 2- Mosque has a deficit of Pound Sterling 705 Phase 3- Flats has a deficit of 16986

After inspection of accounts and satisfactory answers to queries Pound Sterling 5000 agreed to be given from Sahme Imam as. Further to write to Agha for authorization to donate Pound Sterling 6000 from his account.

Mosque Construction- India: It was decided to donate Pound Sterling 6000 to Sangli Mosque or any other Mosque that may be in need for the funds.

Mobhyana Imambara - India: Rs. 30,000 was sent for this Imambara which is complete and stood the recent cyclone in Gujarat. The Imambara is still sheltering many people of the area who lost their houses in the cyclone.

Bihar Colony Mosque; It was agreed to send Pound Sterling 5000 from Sehme Imam out of the total need of Pound Sterling 15000.

Pindi Mobile Library: Kitab Khana Mufidiya (Sayyar) has started a mobile library which visits mosques and other public places and lends Islamic books to the public free of charge. The Council decided to donate Rs.500 per month to this library.

K.S.I. (South London) Jamaat: The Council to fully support the first stage only i.e. an Imambara of Pound Sterling 200,000 to meet local daily need of K.S.I.: (South London) Jamaat.

Leeds Jamaat to be paid P. Stg. 5000 in installment of 1000 each month starting from July 1983 towards deficit in Aalim Cost.

Bangalore Mosque - Rs. 50,000 to be paid for construction of a Mosque in Bangalore. The total cost of the Project is Rs. 130,000

Peterborough Aalim Assistance- The Council approved Pound Sterling 2503 as Aalim assistance from the Sehme Imam with the recommendation that the Jamaat make attempts to raise the funds and repay the sum back to the World Federation as soon as possible.

Sandook Al Bir Wal Ehsan -The requirement of Aalim in India & Pakistan was deliberated on. It was agreed that the World Federation will take the responsibility of financing 100 students at the cost Rs. 100 per student per month provided all the students of the Hauza are helped equally. It was agreed that the Capital Projects for the Hauzas will be looked into on project by Project basis.

Karnataka (India) Imambara - It was decided that WF would contribute Rs.50000 for this project of Rs. 350,000.

Haj Medical Mission - 1982

Dr. M.T.I Walji presented the Hajj Mission Report. Four Doctors were on duty from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. Midnight in shifts. In Makkah the dispensary to set up near the Offices of Sheikh Haider with Dr. Fuad Sheriff from Karachi, Pakistan, Dr. Kapasi from Bhavnagar, India, Dr. Ansar from Dar-as-Salaam and Dr. Walji. Overall the mission was successful and the Doctors attained for quite a few patients, Khojas and non Khojas, who were all very happy with the service provided.

Further Dr. Walji negotiated with Shaikh Haider for big room next to his Office for Pound Sterling 1500 per Hajj season. It will be furnished and divided into two rooms for dispensary and an office.

Imam Hussein A.S. Housing Fund

The Council inspected details of the 20 families helped last year. Other 15 families have also been helped for whom Rs. 21,000 had already been sent and agreed to send the balance of Rs. 54,000 required as per account of Gujarat Federation.

Shia World- Gujarati

It was agreed to send Rs.1000 towards the cost of June issue of 1000 copies. It was agreed to get 1000 copies for November 1982 issue also. The Council will review this project after people have received the above two issues and have had a chance to comment on them.

Cooperative Societies- India

The Council had promised Rs.300,000 towards the creation of Co-operative Societies. As per the report send by Haji Anver after his recent visit to India it was agreed that from Gharib Fund

1. Rs. 10,000 be sent to Kunkard Cooperative Society
2. Rs. 10,000 be sent to Talaja Cooperative Society

Further Haji Anver had raised the Funds and paid:

1. Rs. 20,000 to Panjetani Bachat Committee, Rajula
2. Rs. 34,000 to Morbi Cooperative Society
3. Rs. 62,000 to Kutch Cooperative Society

The Council decided to include all the above as part of the promised sum. The balance of the promised amount is Rs. 164,000.

Al Murtaza School, Karachi

The plot next to Mehfil-e-Murtaza has been bought for 15 lakh rupees. Foundation laying ceremony will take place on 17th Rabi-ul-awal by Al Haj Mustafa Gokal. The building will be of 3 storeys & will house twenty classrooms, a Library and Laboratories, It is expected to complete by end of 1984. Each class will have 36 pupils of which 6 will be reserved for poor, needy and overseas visitors. The School will be Self Financing. Admission will be on merit, children of donors, Khoja, Shias.

The total Project is estimated to cost 75 lakh rupees. It is hoped to raise Rs. 50 Lakhs in Karachi and World Federation is requested to raise balance 25 Lakhs (Pound Sterling 125000).

The Council decided to fully support the project and help to raise Pound Sterling 125000 for it.

Sahme Sadat Fund

1. It was agreed to send Pound Sterling 10000 to Sayyid Baker Al Hakeem for Sadat from Iraq who are in refugee camps in Iran.
2. The request for Pound Sterling 12805 to a Sadat lady treated for major disease in London under Medical Advisory Board was deliberated upon. It was decided to pay a maximum of Pound Sterling 3500 direct to the Creditors t whom the lady still owes money.
3. The Council approved Pound Sterling 1500 for Sadat refugees from Lebanon Damascus Camps. Haji Haider visited the Camp.
4. Sayyed Aghul’s wife and son are in Birmingham for treatment. The lady’s treatment is estimated to be Pound Sterling 4000 and the boy’s between Pound Sterling 2000 to 10000. It was agreed to pay from Sehme Sadat. A donor has shown a desire to pay for all expenses.

Ramadan Relief

P. Stg. 4600 was send to Gujarat Federation for distribution of food to Rozedaars and P.Stg. 10700 from Sehme Sadat to KSI Medical Aid and Welfare Society for distribution of Feed to Rozedaars.

Relief Fund

Cyclone Damage in Gujarat

No loss of life but the damage to property has been extensive. The Council authorized the expenditure of Pounds Sterling 6000 for this.

Fitra Relief 1403

Pound Sterling 2000 had been sent to Ayatollah Sayyid Muhammad Baker Al Hakim for the Iraqi destitute. The Council agreed that all further collection of Fitra be sent to Ayatollah Hakim for the Iraqi destitute.

Medical Relief

Sayyid Muhammad Taki Shustri had a major heart surgery in London few years ago and is now in need of a check up. The Council decided to pay for the cost of tests and any treatment necessary. It also agreed to pay the cost of minimum accommodation preferably at Birmingham Musafarkhana. The Council decided to pay Pound Sterling 3500 towards the cost of treatment Sayyida Leila.

Kutch, India Relief

Recent efforts by W.F. in Kutch:

1. Rs. 12000 given to 3 families in Bhuj to set up business
2. Food distributed to the poor during Ramadhan 1402
3. Rs.62000 to Kutch Cooperative Society
4. A medical team is going to Kutch for screening our people
5. A Samuh Lagna is planned for Kutch this year

Matrimonial Advisory Council (MAC)

It was agreed:

1. To appoint Dr. Amir Lakha as Chairman of M.A.C.
2. To appoint Jaffer H Walji, Anver Pirbhai, Rubabbai M Alidina and Marziyabia as members of the Council.
3. To use World Federation’s address for correspondence. All correspondence to be strictly confidential
4. All Jamaats to form Matrimonial Subcommittee as soon as possible.

Islamic Education Board

Islamic Education:

Prof. Aziz and Dr. Khaleel had specially been invited for a discussion on Islamic Education. Prof. Aziz enlightened the Council of his studies and activities in Islamic Education. In the University of Virginia there is now a department of Islamic studies and is the only Shia one in U.S.A. It costs 7000 to 8000 USD per year to educate one student.

It was agreed that students be encouraged to go to Qum for 2 years of studies after which they can continue in Qum for another 3 years or go to Virginia for 2 years of studies followed by another 4 years (in Virginia). I.E.B to study the project further and to report.

Dr. Khaleel said that they plan to start a Hauza in Texas within 6 months for 30 students for a 4 year course.c

Wazu, Azan, Ekama etc Cassette:

Mustafa Mawjee presented a scheme of producing a one hour video cassette on Wazu, Azan, Ekama, Namaz and Dua at a budget of Pound Sterling 2000. I. E. B to finalize project within 4 months. Dr. Asaria agreed to meet 50% of the cost from Imam Sahebuzzaman Trust.

Universal Syllabus

I.E.B. finalized the Universal Syllabus submitted by Toronto Jamaat and was considering its distribution. The first part of the video for Namaz had been started.The Video project would be undertaken jointly with Imam Sahebuzzaman Trust. The first eight lessons of the correspondence course were ready and would be launched by I.E.B. and the Secretariat.

Madressa for adults:

1. At North Harrow on Wednesday
2. At South London Imambara on Saturdays
3. At Brentwood, Essex, on Sundays

Medical Advisory Board

Dr. Walji presented a full report giving comparative figures of the number of patients from 1981 to 1983.

1981 no. of Patients 4 from different countries 1982 no. of Patients 43 from different countries 1983 no. of Patients 84 from different countries

It seems that the World Federation has made the services of the M.A.B. widely known in every Jamaat which makes it easy and convenient for Momineen to contact the right person when in need of any major medical services.

New Offices

Murtaza Merali and Dilwar Hussein Dinani have offered 2 large rooms in a building in Harley Street free of cost for the next 20 years as Offices for World Federation. Pound Sterling 5000 would be estimated expenditure for this Office. The Council accepted this generous offer.

Ayatullah Marhoom Sayyid Mohsin AL Hakim

On 9th May 1983 90 members of AL Hakim family were arrested in Najaf by Iraqi authorities including 48 leading Mujtahed. Out of these 5 were released and whereabouts of rest 85 is unknown. The Council decided to take all possible action to secure the release of the family and decided to mobilize our community worldwide to make sure our voices are heard.

1400th. Birthday Anniversary of Imam Husein A.S.

The World Federation has got some commemorative stationery printed for use throughout the year of 1404 Hijra. A rubber stamp is also prepared to be used on all free religious literature send to many parts of the world.

Dr. Walji, on his visit to India, brought back a proposal from Gujarat Federation for a mobile dispensary that would tour the villages and towns with a team of doctors and nurses. After discussion the scheme was approved.

Other ideas proposed were:

1. Teacher’s workshop
2. Setting up an Academy
3. Seminars
4. Printing Eid Cards

It was further decided to form a sub committee to look into and implant other projects during the year. Mr. Hasnain Walji was nominated and authorized to form the Sub Committee and report at the next Executive Council Meeting.

Aalim Requests

Peterborough and London Jamaats were able to secure the services of Ulema through the World Federation. Maulana Syed Amir Hussein Naqvi of Madressa-Al Hakim, Rawalpindi- Pakistan is serving Peterborough Jamaat and Maulana Syed Zianul Hassan Hussaini of Hyderabad, India, is serving London Jamaat.

London Jamaat has also approached the Secretariat to secure the services of a Mulyani during Muharram.

Stockholm (Sweden) and Edmonton (Canada) have asked the Secretariat to get them suitable Ulema.

The Federation of Africa Jamaats has also expressed keenness to secure such services in co-ordination with the World Federation.

The World Federation is in contact with Haji Roshanali Haji Dawood Nasser, president of Bombay Jamaat, and with Maulana Syed Hameedul Hassan Saheb, Principal of Nazmia Arabic College, Lucknow for the service of Aalim.

Hauze Ilmiya-Birmingham

Arrangement for a Hauza Ilmiya to commence on temporary basis has been made in Birmingham. Maulana Zaffar Abbas Saheb Qibla has been appointed as the Principal and Mehdi Fazal is assisting in finding a suitable premise for housing the Hauza and the Students. Application has been received from Students locally & abroad.