Updated 15 August 2012

All Praise is due to Allah, Lord of the Worlds; and peace and blessing be upon our beloved Prophet Muhammad (S) and His pure progeny (AS).

As we prepare for the celebrations of Eid al Fitr, we also reflect upon how we have optimised the banquet of Allah (SWT) in this most beautiful month. Dua-e-Sahar as taught to us by Imam al Baqir (AS) and highly emphasised by Allamah Tabatabai is one of the most radiant and regular supplications recited in the month of Ramadhan. In it, we find great attributes of the Almighty such as divine brilliance, beauty, greatness, light, mercy, knowledge and nobility and we beseech our Creator to develop within us glimpses of His attributes in our lives.

In Dua-e-Sahar we implore:

“Oh Allah, I ask You to give me from Your Brilliance that beautifies, and all Your Glories are radiantly brilliant. Oh Allah, I beseech You in the name of all Your glories.”

When I see the excellent work done across all levels of the community including individual, Jamaat, Regional Federations, and at The World Federation level, I feel blessed and uplifted to be part of a community that continually strives towards achieving the pleasure and infinite qualities of Allah (SWT). This gives meaning and purpose to our lives alongside the striving for our material needs. This, to me, is a sign of the acceptance of this du’a in this Holy Month.

I summarise below just a few of these great achievements which I see as a practical and tangible effort towards the manifestation of this du’a in our lives:

Core Values
We at The World Federation are governed by three core values that keep us energised and focussed. These values are - Eradication of Poverty, Education, and the Propagation of the Madhab of the Ahlul Bayt (AS).

(1)  Ramadhan Relief Fund & Alleviation of Poverty

“O Allah, I ask You to give me from Your mercy that gives much, Oh Allah, O Allah, I beseech You in the name of all Your compassions.”

This year we witnessed a solid response to the Ramadhan Relief Fund appeal. Whilst more funds are still coming in from Jamaats around the world, The World Federation in partnership with The Africa Federation, The Council of European Jamaats, NASIMCO and Pakistan Federation raised a record sum of almost $600,000 USD worldwide to date.  Aid was delivered to more than 30,000 families spanning 17 countries including Afghanistan, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Bosnia, Haiti, India, Iraq, Kenya, Madagascar, Myanmar, Pakistan, South Africa, Syria, Sri Lanka and Tanzania, Uganda and Yemen. With your support, we were able to provide Iftaars to the poor, shelter to the displaced, medicine and healthcare to the underprivileged, and most of all, renew hope in the hearts of the believers.

(2)  Madrasah Centre of Excellence (MCE) & Education

“O Allah, I ask You to give me from Your Wisdom that which pierces through and enforces, and Your Wisdom is altogether effective… O Allah, I beseech You in the name of Your Wisdom…”

Following the establishment of the Madrasah Centre of Excellence (MCE) at the last Triennial Conference in Dar-es-Salaam, the MCE team has made excellent progress in each of the four main streams that were set up:
• Curriculum Development,
• Teachers Training,
• Resource Development and Assessment &
• Evaluation

This is a long term project and there are no shortcuts to get to our ultimate objective which lies within the overall theme of ‘Nurturing Piety’ and the mission statement of MCE - ‘Enabling a learning environment that instils the value of Quran and Ahlul Bayt(AS)’.

Following a very successful pilot evaluation of Haidari Madrasah in London, other pilot projects are being rolled out. In a few months time, a panel of global experts is also scheduled to convene to articulate a way forward for curriculum development.

The critical element of much needed ‘Tarbiyat’ (nurturing) is required within our religious education system to inspire our young generation.  The transformation of knowledge towards practical implementation in our actions is the key measure of success of the MCE. With your support, we will endeavour not leave any stone unturned to achieve this, Insha’Allah; but I also seek your patience as we carefully chart out the way forward for a sustainable future of our global madaris.

The recent challenges in Toronto is a prime example of how we as community need to work closely together in supporting one another with a unified approach; we are a small community and if we do not stand firm and united as one body, there is every chance of fragmentation. Alhamdulillah, the community in Toronto remained firm and united, and so should we all, Insha’Allah.

(3)  Propagation of the Madhab of the  Ahlul Bayt (AS)

“O Allah, I beseech You to give me from Your light that enlightens, and all Your enlightenments are luminously bright. O Allah, I beseech You in the name of all Your lights.

We continue to work closely with other institutions in propagating the madhab of the Ahlul Bayt (AS). Besides some of the excellent work done in the field of internal tableegh (mubaligheen training, hawza support, short term courses in Qum, publication of books, etc), there is quite a lot of  work that remains to be done as far as external tableegh is concerned. The tireless efforts of the Bosnian Desk has continued for years, but we need to do more in ensuring that the message of Allah (SWT) and the Ahlul Bayt (AS) reach globally far and wide, and I count on your support in striving towards the fulfilment of this core value.

Last but certainly not least, I would like to extend my most sincere gratitude to each one of you, including our children and youth who continue to support The World Federation in one way or the other. As we celebrate this blessed day of Eid with happiness and joy, having offered our deepest gratitude and thanks to Allah (SWT) by paying fitra and offering Salatul Eid, let us also remember those who have passed on, those who are ill, those who live in oppression and those who are facing difficulties in their lives. May the Almighty answer our supplications, forgive our misdeeds, and accept our efforts of the glorious month of Ramadhan.  This month has provided us with the blessing of reflecting on our past and the inspiration of moving towards a better future.

On behalf of everyone at The World Federation, I wish you and your families Eid Mubarak and best wishes.

May Allah (SWT) accept our efforts and give us the Tawfeeq to serve Him with sincerity of intent always.

With Salaams and Du’as,

Dr. Asgharali Moledina
President
The World Federation