Earthquake in Gujarat - Update 41

Report by Dr Ahmed Hassam 

Alhamdulillah, with the co-operation of the committees and other voluntary workers of the Jamaats affected by the earthquake of 26 January 2001, Phase 3 of the resettlement plan has been completed. Under Phase 3, loans to restart the businesses have been given through Bhuj and Nagalpur jamaats. Repayments will be collected by these jamaats to reutilise the funds for ongoing economic upliftment of their members. We thank all mumineen worldwide who have generously helped in the funding of this phase.

Phase 4 - The rebuilding of permanent housing and religious centres has now started. All new buildings are being designed to be earthquake proof as per the Government's latest regulations.

Nagalpur

The World Federation has advanced loans to 12 families to restart their businesses under Phase 3 of the resettlement plan.

Design of the new Mosque and Imambara is in progress. When the new Mosque and Imambara are completed, the temporary halls will be converted to an education centre for madressa, tuition, computer and sewing classes.

At present the madressa is running in the open air Sahan of the Mosque next to the damaged Imambara building.

The World Federation has advanced loans through the jamaat to 16 families to rebuild their homes on their existing lands. The homes are being designed to the requirement of each family and will be earthquake proof.

We have further financed the building of 8 houses on Jamaat's land to accommodate the remaining families who used to live in rented accommodation. These houses have already been designed and inshallah, work will start soon.

Bhuj

In Bhuj we have advanced loans to 62 families to restart their businesses under phase 3 of the resettlement plan.

As almost every family of Bhuj Jamaat lost their homes and rebuilding in Bhuj City Centre is going to take long (permission to build new structures are still not being given), land was bought just outside the city for temporary settlement of all the families. The new settlement, named Al Mahdi Society, is complete with ladies and gents Imambaras and offices for the Jamaat and Kutch Federation.

A comprehensive plan for phase 4 has been submitted by the Bhuj management committee and approved by its members, which ensures that every family is housed in permanent homes. The plan includes rebuild and repairs of houses at the Al Mahdi Colony, rebuild of houses that were destroyed in the earthquake and upgrade of the houses at the Al Mahdi Society for permanent occupation. The World Federation has given the go ahead to its implementation and work has already started.

Most of Bhuj city has been cleared of debris and is now full of large open grounds where once settlements had flourished. Our Mosque lies alone surrounded by tracts of open spaces. Bhuj Jamaat has built Mehfil-e-Abbas on the site where the Imambara had stood. This houses the Zari, which is normally visited on a daily basis by many inhabitants, Shias, other Muslims and non-Muslims. The Mehfil is ready and was opened with a majlis and Nyaz in January 2002. Work on repairs to the Mosque will start soon as the budget has been approved. A boundary wall will also be built around the whole site to protect it from unscrupulous land encroachment. It is hoped to review the Mosque and Imambara redevelopment in a few years time, once all families have settled and it is known where they are and what their requirements are. 

Mandvi

The families in Mandvi have not suffered much personal loss. The Imambara had some damage. 
The Jamaat has repaired it. The Mosque too has suffered some damage.

The quotation for the repair/rebuild of this mosque has been received and inshallah work will commence soon. The Jamaat owns land next to the Mosque on which it is possible to build houses for families wanting to move from other parts of Kutch. 

Kera

Seven families are living in temporary houses built by Sajjadiyya Trust next to the Mosque compound. The Jamaat has recently requested the World Federation to repair and/or rebuild the houses that were destroyed by the earthquake. Final details and plans are being finalised, so as to start the work soon. A beautiful Imambara, funded by the efforts of Al Haj Mohamed Jaffer Hasham of Toronto through the World Federation, is nearing completion.

Mundra

Seven families are living in temporary homes built by Sajjadiyya Trust on Jamaat’s land in Mundra. Recently the Mundra Jamaat has also requested the World Federation for the repairs and/or rebuild of homes. Once again final details and plans are being worked on so as to start this work soon. The Jamaat has received donations privately for the redevelopment of the Mosque, Madressa and Imambara buildings.

Mariya

Alhamdulillah, the families in Mariya are now reasonably settled in their businesses. They have also received their compensation from the Government for loss of properties. With these funds, they have managed to repair their homes. The Imambara and Madressa buildings have also been repaired and the World Federation has contributed funds towards this work. Plans to repair the Mosque are also well under way. The World Federation has already sent funds for this work to progress. Depending on the movement of population, the redevelopment of the Mosque complex may need to be re looked into in a few years time.

The Council of Gujarat, with the Jamaat of Mariya, have negotiated to purchase land in Morbi to resettle the whole community of Mariya. Morbi is a large city, 30 miles from Mariya and has been chosen by the Jamaat of Mariya as an ideal place for them to settle in, especially because of educational facilities and business opportunities.

Unfortunately, application for planning permission for change of use has already taken six months. The World Federation has solicited the help of the Indian High Commissioner in London to expedite the formalities.

However, the members of the Mariya Jamaat have recently informed the World Federation that they now do not wish to relocate to Morbi and instead intend to stay on in Mariya. Discussions are now in progress to finalise a plan of action to assist them in the permanent resettlement in Mariya as per their wishes.

Conclusion

The earthquake re-settlement work is now moving to the final phase as defined in our Master Resettlement Plan document of June 2001. Inshallah, we expect all the work to be completed well before the end of this year.

9 May 2002.