Overview
Post delivery of the 14 semi permanent structures on 2nd Muharram –in time for Azadari, the Imam Juma’h of BAM, Hujjatul Islam Asghar Askary, the direct representative of Ayatullah Khameini issued a letter of appreciation for the timely action of the World Federation (copy attached –Appendix 1).

A formal report with video clips was presented at the Executive Council meeting in Toronto and with the help of the Secretariat; a BAM information booklet was mailed out in mid April.  In all the Community contributed some $400,000 towards BAM –almost all the Communities funds have been channelled through the World Federation, allowing for a well coordinated project on behalf of the Worldwide Community. 

The focus is now on delivering the second & final phase of Project BAM.  This report is to appraise key stakeholders, donors and Community members of the progress and next steps following the visit of the World Federation President, Dr Hassam.

Current Situation
Having played a key role in enabling Azadari during Muharram & Safar of 2004, the semi permanent structures were beginning to get damaged due to unprecedented weather conditions this Summer -sweltering temperatures & high winds.  The Government of Iran has stepped in to build prefabricated structures on almost all 14 sites.  The ‘white goods’ which accounted for about half the cost of the project have been placed within these structures that will continue to be used. The structures donated by the World Federation have been stored for use in future Muharram & Safar months.

After several months of delay the BAM town plan has now been approved and rebuilding is commencing.  Construction costs have spiralled as result of the more stringent building specifications and increased demand.  The town Council of BAM, encouraged by our swift action has availed a 15,000 sq M piece of land situated on the main highway at the entrance of BAM (New BAM) - Appendix 2.  The surrounding area has been earmarked for schools, colleges and other learning institutions.  Appendix 3 shows the layout of the multi purpose learning centre.

Phase2 Project -Hawza
As defined in the Project recommendation agreed by the Office Bearers and tabled at the Toronto Exco in March 2004, the Phase 2 project being undertaken is to build a hawza.  The focus of this learning institution will be to use a contemporary learning style & curriculum to help create learned scholars to serve the many villages around BAM and strengthen the teachings of Ahlul Bayt in this region.

The death of many scholars as a result of the earthquake has created a vacuum of learned men in this society continuously targeted by other schools of thought.  Bam is considered the cultural front line of defence against the missionary works of other schools of thought from nearby Baluchistan, Afghanistan, Pakistan and the Gulf Countries.

The identified piece of land will be a centre of learning & development in BAM and will house several buildings.  The project is multi-phased and hence scaleable depending on funds being available.  The Khatamul Ambiyya Foundation (KAF) is confident that once work commences they will receive donations from other well wishers and institutes. 

From the entire project, we have selected an area of most dire need i.e. the hawza which will comprise lecture halls, accommodation, cafeteria and offices covering a total area of about 700 sq M.  This falls within the parameters of our budget (BAM funds available) and allows us to deliver a complete section within this complex.  This is also an area for which we see long-term sustainability as a result of our partnership with Hawza Ilmiyya.

The Hawza has formed under its direct jurisdiction the Khatamul Ambiyya Foundation to oversee tableegh work in BAM.  The foundation comprises 6 trustees who include amongst others, the Head of al Hawza’s in Iran, Hujjatul Islam Sayyid Hashim Husaini Bushehri, Hujjatul Islam Agha Ashgar Askary (Ay. Khameini’s direct representative) and the World Federation’s Syed Muhammad Ridha Shustary.

In order to assist us on the specialist technical area, we have identified Agha Muhammed Sadiq, a developer, and retained him as Principal’s Consultant to oversee the work and approve payments per the schedule drawn up with the Architect/Contractor.  Agha Sadiq has already made one visit to BAM with Syed Muhammad Ridha Shustary and has been able to recommend some changes to bring down the overall costs. 

As additional control and cost saving exercise, materials will be purchased by KAF (coordinated by the Architect & WF Consultant) as this will allow better control and preferential pricing/discounts availed to the Hawza.  An updated critical time path for the entire project is attached –Appendix 4.

At a recent visit to BAM on 22nd August 2004, the World Federation President Dr Ahmad Hassam carried out the ground breaking ceremony for the Community funded project (see also picture Appendix 2).

A Memorandum of Understanding has also been drawn up with KAF and the co-signed with the Head of all Hawzas in Iran –Sayyid Hashim Husaini Bushehri and Agha Ashgar Askary, the Imam Juma’h of Bam – Appendix 5 MoU signing ceremony.

The MoU defines the scope of the project, roles and responsibilities as well as sets out the procedures for tender, sign off and payment for each phase.
The targeted date of completion is end March 2005.