Updated 15 December 2010
The Fifth Meeting of The Executive Council of The World Federation was held in Birmingham, UK on 5 December 2010. In a show of unity and dedication to the workings of The World Federation, Executive Councillors and invitees attended the meeting from all parts of the world. Africa, Dubai, Europe, North America, and Pakistan were all represented in good numbers.
The agenda included:
● Amendments to Standard Operating Procedures for electing the President of The World Federation
● Updates from The World Federation departments: Communications and Marketing, Education, Family Affairs, Health, Islamic Education, International Relief & Economic Development, and Zainabiyyah Child Sponsorship Scheme.
● MTP Review Team Report and Presentation
● Update of Women’s Needs Assessment
● Community Census Project
The meeting began after breakfast with recitation from the Holy Quran by students of the Muhammadi Madrassah in Birmingham. The Executive Council noted with admiration the style and discipline of the children and their excellent method of recitation.
Standard Operating Procedures
The EXCO then began to deliberate the Standard Operating Procedures for electing the President of The World Federation. The SOP had already been adopted by the Constitutional Conference the day before. The Constitutional Conference had delegated power to the EXCO to make amendments and some aspects of the SOP were duly amended and reformed by the EXCO and these passed unopposed. There were also adjustments made to the role and scope of the Electoral Commission and Electoral Commissioners. The EXCO recognised the need to establish clear processes that would be able to deal with a number of scenarios that could possibly occur. With these reforms and amendments it is hoped that the future conduct of elections are smooth and problem-free. The amendments will be ratified at the Conference.
Departmental Reports
The Assistant Secretary Generals, each responsible for one of the departments of The World Federation, then presented their progress reports. This section of the EXCO is often referred to as the most important aspect as it is in this session that the actual hands-on work of The World Federation is discussed. View detailed report.
Some highlights of the reports were:
1. Education
A. Outstanding educational loans are being recovered at an impressive rate. A total of £100,000 in repayments is expected from January to December 2010.
B. New loan requests are being processed for deserving applicants.
C. A new scheme in Australia has been launched and is progressing well.
D. An external assessment was carried out for schools in East Africa.
E. Training of teachers and head teachers in East African schools is being carried out with excellent feedback so far.
2. International Relief & Development:
A. Low-cost housing projects are progressing well: The World Federation in partnership with Hussaini Foundation of Pakistan has planned to construct 40 self contained houses in the outskirts of Badah Town in the district of Larkana, in Sindh Province. The World Federation was awarded a housing grant from SELAVIP, an organisation that funds housing projects to shelter very poor families living in cities of Latin America, Africa and Asia. The grant was in the amount of USD $39,250, and the shortfall has been raised locally.
B. Ramadhan Relief enabled The World Federation to disburse £208,975, with the focus being the affected areas of Pakistan as a result of the devastating floods.
C. Ali Asghar Water Appeal has worked in the areas of Afghanistan, Pakistan, India, and Tanzania to help construct water wells and provide hand pumps.
D. This Eid ul Hajj, The World Federation was able to carry out 513 qurbanis.
E. Laptop for Learners Appeal: In September 2010, 50 used HP desktop computers and 17” LCD Monitors were donated to students in Najaf, Iraq.
As part of its presentation, the Relief department recognised the efforts of Hussaini Foundation and Pirhai Jamaat for the excellent work done after the onset of the Pakistan Floods of 2010. Tokens of recognition were awarded to Hassan bhai Abdulhussein of Husseini Foundation and to Ashraf bhai Haideri, Secretary General of Pirhai Jamaat.
As part of International Relief and Development, a report on the recent activities towards the NGO agenda was also given. The NGO platform has given The World Federation the greater recognition and credibility to effectively engage with the wider community on the plethora of humanitarian activities undertaken by the community globally. The report showed various activiites including the discussion by The World Federation with various organisations and Government departments. It has attended and contributed to several UN High Level Meetings in New York on various
3. Islamic Education
A. External Tableegh efforts have continued in Bosnia, Sri Lanka, Africa, and through Alhlul Bayt TV. Furthermore, Islamic Education recently donated over 8000 publications to UK University Ahlul Bayt societies for propagation during Freshers Fairs and Muharram.
Furthermore, in May 2010 Islamic Education agreed with Jafferi Propagation Centre (JPC) of Mumbai, that they would be distributors of WF books throughout India. 800 titles were supplied at heavily subsidised rates. By July over 500 titles had been distributed. In October 2010 Islamic Education signed a memorandum of understanding with JPC to continue to distribute titles and granted JPC permission to reprint WF titles in India.
B. Qum office continues to add tremendous value to Tableegh efforts through projects such as helping new admissions to enter the Hawza, Answering Community Fiqh questions, A Housing Scheme for students, Monthly stipends and Book Allowances, Supplying programmes to TV channels and media outlets, providing jamaats with suitable Muballigheen, and the excellent Madinah and Bab Summer Courses.
C. The Mulla Asghar digitalisation project is nearing completion. To date 30 productions have been released.
D. Mumbai Office: Through a series of visits, a number of Islamic Education needs in Mumbai were identified. Subsequently, an Islamic Education delegation visited Mumbai in July 2010 and participated in a conference of local scholars. Further needs were identified and a small needs assessment was conducted. In October 2010, Islamic Education implemented a bold step and held a conference in Mumbai for local scholars and active Tableegh workers from all variant groups and discussed a number of pertinent areas. The conference unanimously gave Islamic Education a mandate to establish an office in Mumbai to begin to address the needs for Tableegh. During this process Islamic Education has established excellent relations with the various groups in Mumbai and has enjoyed utmost cooperation from Mumbai Jamaat.
E. Islamic Education is organising a Madrasah Retreat in early 2011 in which an IRE strategy will be charted out by madaris principals and activists from across the world. A questionnaire has also been designed in English and French to assist with data collection and can be accessed via http://www.world-federation.org/IslamicEducation/Articles/World_Federation_Madrasah_Retreat_Questionnaire_Participation_requested.htm
As part of its presentation, Islamic Education launched the appeal ’40 centres in 40 days’ to help rebuild some of the Islamic centres devastated by the Pakistan floods. Click here to view the appeal.
4. Marketing and Communications
A. Newswire continues successfully with over 12,000 subscribers.
B. Facebook, Twitter and Flickr are also being used to market and communicate the work of WF.
C. New websites for Islamic Education and Relief are being worked on.
D. A donor database has been implemented to better track donations. This data will assist in management of donors, and a better promotion of WF activities.
E. The team has managed to recruit a number of new volunteers to assist with its growing activities.
5. Zainabiya Child Sponsorship Scheme [ZCSS]
A. A review of the agencies was undertaken in October 2010 to ensure that the funds are optimally allocated.
B. A 25% budget increase for ZCSS activities in Hyderabad has been agreed for 2011.
C. A ZCSS website is under construction.
D. The Alipur and Kareempur Schools in Bangalore are progressing well and achieving good results. An additional extension has now been completed and inaugurated. Alipur has commenced a teachers training diploma course for girls, with 17 students enrolled.
E. With Tanzeemul Makatib of Lucknow, a review of current projects and an audit of students and accounts was undertaken. The potential of running a student’s coaching centre from the property is being assessed.
Accounts
The Managment Accounts for 2010 were presented to the EXCO. The EXCO learned that the WF was still receiving a high level of community financial support – some of the highest figures in its history. Special mention was made of the donations received in Relief, and large amounts of income for the Pakistan Flood Relief in particular. sajjad Bhai Tejani stressed the need for the community to continue to donate to The World Federation so that it can continue to deliver the services to the community.
A number of queries were raised by the delegates and all of these were dealt with in full by Sajjad Bhai Tejani, the Treasurer.
President’s Address
Dr Asghar Moledina, President of The World Federation, then addressed the meeting with a summarised version of his original speech. His key message was that the EXCO was a clear demonstration of the unity and support that this community gives one another. He especially mentioned his admiration for the dedication shown by the Executive Councillors and community workers throughout the world.
MTP Review Team Report
In the meeting of the Executive Councillors of The World Federation held at Hyderi (South London Jamat) in February 2010, it was resolved to form the Review Team to study all aspects of the Muballigheen Training Programme and to report to the Executive Councillors its findings. Sayyid Mohamed Naqvi was appointed by the Executive Council to coordinate the MTP review.
The focus of the report was to consider the future direction of The World Federation with regards to the MTP. A number of suggestions were discussed and two resolutions were adopted and passed.
The MTP has been a discussion item at every EXCO in the past few years and the Councillors were aware of the progress it had made and of the obstacles it faced in its further development. The first resolution would seek to wind-down the current infrastructure in Damascus after the students have completed their studies. However, it was clear that the Institute will honour its commitment to the current students in Damascus and will provide them the support necessary to complete the programme.
The Executive Councillors empowered the Office Bearers to study the alternative options. The World Federation Conference to be held in May 2011 will finally decide the form and location the MTP takes from the academic year starting September 2011, in accordance to the vision and objectives laid down in the 2006 Triennial Conference of the World Federation. This resolution is a testament to the importance of the MTP concept and that the EXCO realised the importance of training Muballigheen for the community in the most effective manner.
Needs Assessment for Women
Saeeda bai Jiwa, an executive councillors updated the Councillors on the Needs Assessment for Women. She explained how the timing of the project in Ramadhan meant the project was slow to take off initially but has grown rapidly since. The project has been received well by women across many jamaats.
Many needs have been uncovered during the course of the assessment, including but not limited to:
● More opportunities for participation in community affairs and decision making
● Financial support for vulnerable groups
● Support in areas with abusive relationships
● Support for marital issues
Sister Saeeda also mentioned that there were a number of recommendations from the assessment that she and her team would be assessing as the next step of the project.
Sister Saeeda has been entasked by the Exeuctive Council to present a paper at the next Conference on the Womens Needs Assessment and their recommendations for the Conference to deliberate and agree a action plan.
Returning Officers
As part of the Electoral Commission and the process of the Elections, the Executive Council appointed two from amongst themselves as returning officers to the Electoral Commission.
The Executive Council appointed Sister Saeeda Jiwa and Mahmood Rahemtullah as the Returning Officers.
Conference 2011
Venues were offered for the next meeting by NASIMCO, Africa Federation, and Pakistan Federation. After some discussions on the best location to hold the meeting, bearing in mind the ease of access for participants as well as travel time and costs, Pakistan Federation and NASIMCO both withdrew their offers and it was decided the next meeting would be held in East Africa, hosted by the Africa Federation.
The Exective Council also set the date for the next Conference, which will inshallah be held on the weekend of 28 May 2011.
AOB
The Executive Council also heard from Riaz Bhai Datoo, representing Mumbai Jamaat, on their Redevelopment of Nazar Ali Imambara Project Kurla, Mumbai. This project is goign through the Capital Projects Paper and Councillor Masum i Somji updated the Councillors and the Team is supporrting the Kurjla Project team to ensure complaince before it will ballot the Executive Council for approval of this project.
The Councillors also heard from Arif Asaria from JSS Toronto on the Bathurst Project and the progress they have made in relaton to the works completed and how much of he defiecit has been reduced.
The Councillors also heard from Bashir Damji of Birmingham on the Khoja Project he is undertaking and this will be featured full in the upcoming newswire, for Bashir Damji i is seeking oral history as part of his project.
Close
Shafique bhai Haji, President of the hosts: Birmingham Jamaat, addressed the councillors before the close of the meeting expressing his delight and honour of having had the opportunity for his Jamaat to have served the EXCO.
The World Federation duly noted the hard work of the volunteers and praised Shafiq Haji, the President of Birmingham Jamaat for the excellent services of Birmingham Jamaat and appreciated their sincere efforts.