Press Release
First meeting of the World Federation Executive Council

Once again Hujjat Imambargah, Stanmore, was the venue for the World Federation Executive Council meeting held on Jan 27 2000. It was with an air of anticipation, in the packed house, that the first meeting of the term commenced with the recitation of the Quran by Muallim Murtaza Bandali.

In addition to councillors and invitees from New York, London, London (South), Birmingham, Peterborough, Milton Keynes, Leeds, Essex, Paris (La Courneve) Allentown and Wessex, the president of NASIMCO Al Haj Gulam Sajan, President of COEJ - Alhaj Jaffer Dharamsi and the Chairman-elect of Africa Federation Alhaj Zulfikar Khimji were in attendance.

The President, Al Haj Hasnain Walji initiated the session with tributes to Marhum Husain Bharwani and Marhum Maalim Najaf for their services to the Community. He also requested all present to remember Ayatullah Shaykh Muhammad Mehdi Shamsuddin and Agha Sultani, the wakil of Ayatullah Seestani, who had been assassinated in Karachi recently with Sura e Fateha.

EARTHQUAKE IN KUTCH & GUJARAT

Updating the council on the latest reports from earthquake stricken areas of Kutch and Gujarat , he stated that there was extensive damage to property in Bhuj, Nagalpur and Mariya. With the grace of Allah, our community had escaped major injuries or fatalities. On receiving the news of this calamity, the World Federation was able to establish contact with Al Haj Ghulubhai Bhurani, the President of the Council of Gujarat. Within 24 hours of the earthquake, Ghulubhai Bhurani, with a few colleagues, was able to lead the first convoy into Maliya, Nagalpur, Bhuj, Kera and Mundra, carrying with them relief supplies. 

Reports received so far indicate that two members of our community lost their lives and over a hundred families have been rendered homeless losing their farms and everything - including their means to earn decent livelihood. The Mosques and Imambargah in Bhuj, Nagalpur, Maliya, Kera and Mundra have either fallen down or have suffered extensive structural damage.

Needless to state, the World Federation has offered to assist in any way it could. The web site would continue to carry regular updates on the latest situation. In the meanwhile, he requested all to pray for the safety and ease of our brethren in the affected areas. The Secretariat was in a process of sending a team led by one of the office bearers to the affected areas and would soon be launching an appeal for stabilizing the community as well as reconstruction.


CHAIRMAN ELECT AFRICA FEDERATION

The President informed the house that a circular had just been received from Africa Federation, declaring Al Haj Zulfikar Khimji as the President Elect for the forthcoming term. The house was privileged to be the first to congratulate him in person since he was present at the meeting. He offered his full support and hoped that Africa Federation would reach new heights under the leadership of Al Haj Zulfikar Khimji, whose prowess at mountain climbing was all too well known.

Al Haj Zulfikar reciprocated by thanking the house for the felicitations and called for a path of unity and fraternity. He also pledged full support to and cooperation with the World Federation and invited the Executive Council to hold is next meeting in Africa.


FROM VISION TO REALITY

Introducing the paper FROM VISION TO REALITY- The President stated that this had a been quarter of intense planning. In cognizance of the vision deliberations at the Conference, the team at the secretariat had defined objectives and submitted project plans for the term. 

He stated "The purpose of this master document is to state the plans and projects for the term 2000 – 2003 and seek the support from the community to turn this collective vision into action. It is an attempt at defining the direction envisaged during the term 2000 – 2003. "

In essence the document before the Councillors was a blueprint for the term and beyond. He urged Councillors to carefully study the paper, give their considered input and actively participate in realizing the vision espoused by Conference 2000 and defined by the team at the secretariat.


TERM OF EDUCATION

Emphasizing upon striving for excellence in education he enumerated priorities relating to primary, secondary and higher education. He also called upon the community to recognize children with exceptional abilities and not to forget those who needed special help due to impaired learning abilities. He requested Jamaats to embark upon computer literacy programs and enhance awareness of IT within their membership. 

At the request of the Chair, the Secretary General, Al Haj Sibtain Panjwani recounted the ongoing welfare projects and capital projects assistance. 

VISIT TO KARACHI 

Reporting on his recent visit Karachi, he said that the progress and the activities were admirable. The Khoja Pirhai Shia Ithnaasheri Jamaat Karachi and Mehfile Murtaza are providing much needed services in the fields of welfare, education as well as tabligh. In addition there are many other institutions involved in medical and housing projects. He acknowledged that in Karachi and the immediate vicinity, the hallmark of all the projects was self-sufficiency and was pleased to note that almost all the funding was from within. However, in the interior of Sindh, much needs to be done and the World Federation would facilitate optimizing community resources and enable the community in the interior to improve its state.

The President also briefed the house on the productive discussions held towards resolving a long-term concern of the Khoja Pirhai Shia Ithnaasheri Jamaat of Karachi on the issue of ceiling on voting rights. He had assured the officials Jamaat that this would be considered along with a review of many other desirable revisions to the structure and the constitution of the World Federation during the term to enable implementation by Oct 2003, Inshallah.

DUBAI VISIT

On his way back from Karachi, he visited the Jamaat and appreciated the welcome and support by mumineen in Dubai. At his request a special meeting was convened to resolve the long standing issue of certain membership restrictions in the constitution. He emphasized that while the World Federation had no jurisdiction over the matter, he had prevailed upon mumineen in Dubai to find an equitable solution to this complex and sensitive matter. He was hopeful that the matter would be resolved in the near future as all concerned were committed to bringing an early resolution to the issue.


WIDER CONSULTATION & EXECUTIVE COUNCIL MEETINGS

The President informed the house that during the term Executive Council meetings would be held in different parts of the world. To enable councillors plan ahead, meetings would be scheduled every Jan, May and September. At the same time, monthly secretariat working sessions would be held every second Saturday of the month at the Secretariat. He invited all councillors to participate if they could.




ROLE OF COUNCILLORS

In this definitive special paper, the Secretary General assertively outlined the Councillors’ role, responsibilities and opportunities to serve. He invited councillors to avail themselves to the unique opportunity accorded by the World Federation to enrich their life experiences in the service of the community as well as humanity. At the same time he challenged councillors to be proactive and urged them take their responsibility seriously. He suggested that “we cannot take the World Federation for granted. It would be folly to think that much useful work can be done by the World Federation without a team of councillors backing it. Commitment, purpose and pro-activeness are necessary values that must be upheld if one is to make the World Federation function effectively.”

To that end he offered the following guidelines:

- Councillors should assist with the delivery of the World Federation core services of Education, Tabligh and relief of poverty. They can proactively communicate the needs of the region to the Secretariat

- Councillors should provide the ‘image’ and ‘legitimacy’ for The World Federation, particularly in its request for funds from the community members

- Councillors can bring a diversity of skills, talents, expertise and experience to the World Federation

- Councillors can provide community outreach and access – acting as door openers and be a link between the region and the Secretariat.

- Councillors can provide an element of passion and enthusiasm within their respective communities by presenting regular reports of the World Federation activities to the grassroots/jamaats

- Councillors can provide formal reports on regular basis at Executive Council Meetings 


FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

The Hon Treasurer, Alhaj Ahmed Daya presented financial statements for the period to Nov 2000. He stated that while he considered that presenting period accounts was important, it was even more important for councillors to deliberate upon ways and means of maximizing our revenues. He focused upon the efforts required to raise sufficient funds to fulfill the lofty vision espoused by the President in the field of education, especially during this term. He was hopeful that, given the commitment from councillors as enumerated by the Secretary General, the World Federation would be able to mobilize the raising of the required funds.