Updated 08 July 2009

Ref: Conf/2/09

Conference Dates: 23 October to 26 October 2009 inclusive

At the Eighth Executive Council Meeting held in Paris, the President informed the Executive Council, that in spite of providing substantial information he had not yet received a green light for Conference 2009 to be held in Dubai.  As a contingency, Dr. Ahmed Hassam sought a mandate from the Executive Council for the Secretariat to be given the flexibility of choosing an alternative venue in the event the Dubai venue did not materialize.

Despite considerable and strenuous efforts put in by the Dubai Jamaat and the Community Leaders, regrettably we are unable to obtain the necessary permissions to hold the forthcoming Conference in Dubai.  I would like to take this opportunity to thank each and everyone involved in this effort to obtain the permission.  The reward for this is from Allah (swt) and may He reward all of them amply for their hard work.

Subsequently the Secretariat received invitations from Nasimco to hold the Conference in Toronto and from Hujjat Jamaat [Stanmore, London]. In the light of the flexibility given to the Secretariat and after undertaking analysis of numerous factors as outlined under, Toronto has been chosen as the venue for Conference 2009. 

Hitherto, for the past three decades, delegates from North America have always had to travel the farthest to attend our Conferences.  For many years they have been requesting for a Conference to be held in North America, to allow an opportunity to Mumineen from around North America to participate in greater numbers and observe first hand, The World Federation supreme body at work.  At the same time the newly constructed Jaffery Islamic Centre, one of the largest, most modern and well equipped Centres by the Community, would be able to facilitate the needs of the Conference without having to resort to outside conference venues or hotels, allowing for ease of access and maximum participation, in an environment conducive to engendering a spiritually enriching experience for participating Mumineen. 

An added incentive is to coincide the Conference with the Opening of the Mulla Asghar Memorial Library and Resource Centre, currently under construction at the Jaffery Islamic Centre, Toronto.  Furthermore, NASIMCO, in conjunction with Toronto Jamaat has offered to leverage their connections to facilitate visa formalities through the appropriate authorities for those requiring visas for Canada.
I must acknowledge a debt of gratitude to London Jamaat, always ready to host The World Federation meetings, which has previously hosted most of our Conferences providing exemplary hospitality and world renowned volunteers worthy of emulating.  I would like to take this opportunity to thank them for their invite. For the past two conferences Dubai Jamaat has equalled London in its hospitality and I would like to express my appreciation for all their efforts as well.

I am therefore pleased to  announce that  that the Eleventh Ordinary Conference will be held on 23, 24, 25 and 26 October 2009 in Toronto InshaAllah, and would like to once again thank NASIMCO and Toronto Jamaat for their invitation and look forward to working with them in organizing the Conference, InshaAllah.

Yasin Rahim
Secretary General
6 July 2009