The President of the World Federation Dr. Ahmad Hassam visited Bam on 22nd August 2004 accompanied by Executive Councillor & BAM Project Head Al Haj Mohsin Kanji, IEB Chairman Sheikh Safder Jaffer and WF Representative in Qum Syed MuhammadRidha Shustary. The delegation also undertook a ground breaking ceremony for the community funded project in the earthquake stricken City. 

The delegation at the ground breaking ceremony for the Hauza in Bam

World Federation has taken on the project to build a much needed Hawza that will use a contemporary syllabus aimed at creating Religious leaders (Aalims) for the various towns and villages surrounding Bam.  There is a particular need to strengthen the Cultural & Religious base of Bam due to its location at the cultural front line protecting the country against infiltration by the missionary works of other schools of thought from nearby Baluchistan and Sistan. 

At a ceremony to sign the Memorandum of Understanding defining the project and its parameters, the Head of Hawza Ilmiyya for Iran, Sayyid Huseini Bushehri commented that it was indeed unique to see people who have travelled a great distance from their homes to come to a far off place to assist their brothers in faith. He commended the World Federation’s efforts and congratulated the entire community in this regard.

The Imam Juma, who is a direct appointee and representative of Ayatullah Khameini in Bam, said the prompt action of the World Federation by providing the 14 centres ensured the commemoration of the events of Kerbala took place with fervour as well as provided centres for congregational prayers and other communal activities. He added that although many NGOs and international organisations had extended support to the people of Bam, the World Federation had played a pivotal role by addressing much needed support in this particular area of cultural rehabilitation that could only be understood by an organisation like the World Federation.

Dr Hassam thanked the officials for their kind words, saying that Tableegh is at the very heart of the institution and a fundamental reason for its existence. He added that these kinds of projects combined the opportunity for tableegh whilst also providing humanitarian assistance to this earthquake stricken town.

At a recent meeting in London during the visit of Ayatullah Seestani, Dr Hassam and Sheikh Safder Jaffer took the opportunity to appraise Agha Jawad Shahristani, the wakil of our Marjaa, who resides in Qum of various World Federation projects including our work in Bam. 

Agha Shahristani complimented the World Federation’s approach particularly selecting of the Hawza project.

For further information, email secretariat@world-federation.org