Updated 28 September 2009

The President
Respected Councillors and the Community at Large
The Candidates

Salaamun Alaykum 

At the outset I informed you all that I have the mandate as an Electoral Commissioner to be making this statement. My mandate is only completed when I announce my decision and subsequently the results of The World Federation 2009 Election. Therefore all the emails and other advice I have received is superfluous hence not replied to.                                   
 
I would be failing in my duty if I do not inform the community that I have now been served with a legal notice by the Legal representatives of Mr Ashik Rashid. I assure you that the course of action that I have decided to embark on has not changed nor been influenced at all by this notice. I have maintained strict protocol and complete integrity in this matter by doing everything in such a manner that this unfortunate community matter stays within the community. I abhor Mr Rashid's decision to seek redress from outsiders as an ill advised and ill conceived step as it is not only pre mature but completely unwarranted.

I, in my capacity as the Electoral Commissioner have been completely independent of any undue influence and have protected Mr Ashik Rashid's rights more so than anybody else's. I will leave it to the Community to judge his ill advised judgement to seek redress from the courts. I have at present no intention to reply to the Legal Notice and am carrying on with my work. I will reply to this notice in good time. The Community must know that I am not here to abdicate or surrender any powers of my office. I am here to make a statement to the Trustees of The World Federation, the Leaders of our community and the Momineen of our community at large. It is my desire to address you all in this formal of gatherings so that the innuendos, the comments, the rumour mongering and everybody second guessing my decision, stops immediately. For the sake of formalities it also forms part of the minutes and the records.
 
Due to the unfortunate circumstances now ie the Legal Notice sent by Mr Ashik Rashid I have had to curtail my statement. My original statement was to detail to Momineen the unfortunate circumstances surrounding the Saga.

It would have also detailed my reasoning for all the options and why I am making the decision I have decided. Alas this can now not happen due to the unfortunate actions of Mr Ashik Rashid. As is required by SOP I have now appointed an arbritrator panel to determine the matter.

I take this opportunity to advise all the Candidates and the Community at large that my formal decision of declaration of results will be the decision as recommended by the Arbitrators.

Wasalaam

Amir Somji
Electoral Commissioner
World Federation of KSIMC