The 2nd Executive Council Meeting began with a historic start this past February. Passing a unanimously agreed upon Memorandum of Understandings, drafted by a remarkable Regional Summit held the day prior, the Executive Council proceeded to approve a new restructuring of the World Federation, discussed the development of the Mubaligheen Training Programme, and received a unique opportunity to better understand the efforts and contributions of the Khoja Jamaat in Karachi.
A Unique Regional Forum
On a chilly, yet refreshing February day in the bustling and vibrant city of Karachi, Pakistan, leaders of Khoja Shia Ithna Asheri Regional Federations from around the world – Africa Federation, Council of European Jamaats, North America Shia Ithnasheri Muslim Community Organizations, Karachi Jamaat, Hyderabad Jamaat and Mehfil-e- Murtaza – came together for a exceptional summit of regional leadership to discuss a joint understanding of the vision of World Federation. In bringing together the unique perspectives, concerns, and experiences of community leaders from different corners of the world, the Regional Summit resulted in a Memorandum of Understandings between the Regional Federations and the World Federation. This Memorandum was then presented the next day, on 18 February 2007, at the 2nd Executive Council meeting of the term 2006-2009, where it was unanimously approved by the Executive Council.
“This meeting was historic,” remarked Dr Ahmed Hassam, President of World Federation. “The unanimous agreement on the content of the draft Memorandum of Understanding will further gel the relationships of The World Federation with the Regional Federations, allowing both to work in harmony in serving our KSI community,” he added.
The Memorandum of Understandings that was proposed by the Regional Summit and subsequently approved by the Executive Council serve two principal functions:
- To create a platform to demarcate the roles of The World Federation and the community Regional Bodies in order to avoid duplication of work; and
- The World Federation to become a strategic body and to allow the Regional Bodies to deliver projects effectively
The Executive Council Meeting
In addition to approving the Memorandum of Understandings, The Executive Council also discussed a paper that proposed a significant restructuring of The World Federation. Through this restructuring, the World Federation would concentrate its activities in five main areas (see Figure 1 below):
- Education
- Tableegh
- Family Affairs
- Health
- Relief of Poverty and Economic Development
In order to do this, the World Federation will appoint assistant secretary generals for all five areas. Their role will entail maintaining accountability and communication for these Secretariat departments. The announcements of the appointments shall follow soon, InshAllah.
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Figure 1: Structural Diagram
The diagram displays five departments surrounding a core. The core is the Secretariat of The World Federation, the office that maintains the overall function and structure of the World Federation. Each of the five departments will be headed by an Assistant Secretary General responsible to maintaining accountability for that Department.
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After approving the innovative new structure that World Federation will soon adopt, the Executive Council proceeded to hear a report on the Kashmir Earthquake and the strong efforts of The Husseini Foundation in providing disaster relief. The Executive Council was impressed at the collaborative work undertaken during this natural disaster, which entailed locally mobilized efforts and the support of the worldwide Khoja community. Additionally, Council members further applauded the Husseini Foundation when it was announced that the Foundation recently received an accolade from the Pakistan National Government for its excellent work. In addition, the Vice President, Hon Treasurer and many delegates visited the region affected by the recent earthquake in 2005. They assessed the work done to rehabilitate the region after the earthquake.
Shifting gears from the topic of disaster relief to the subject of Tableegh and educational efforts, the Executive Council next heard an update by Jafferbhai Dharamsi who highlighted the progress made with the Mubaligheen Training Programme since the Triennial Conference in September 2006. The World Federation has purchased a 36,000 sq. metre plot in Sayyida Zainab, Damascus where both the Institute and student accommodation will be housed. Preliminary architectural drawings have been received and are under review by engineers for compliance, practicality, and functionality. The World Federation is also in the process of registering with the Syrian government in order to ensure that the Damascus Institute complies with all local laws and regulations. For further information please click here
In addition the Executive Council discussed the Watford Proposal and the Council highlighted some areas of weakness in the capital projects paper. This debate was critical in order to look at how to improve the paper and to structure capital projects in the future.
Members of the Executive Council also had an unparalleled opportunity to view, first hand, the excellent work undertaken by the dedicated Khoja Community in Karachi. The Executive Councillors visited several projects a hospice run by female volunteers for our community, a clinic where the local community are served by a medical specialist at a nominal charge, blood bank where children suffering from Thallasaemia are treated. Furthermore, Councillors visited a dental clinic where patients receive high quality care. The Councillors also had the unique opportunity to view various housing projects and schools run by the community, including a teacher training centre that is accredited to provide continued professional development via a University in Karachi. The schools offer superior training to teachers both from the local schools as well as to regions as far as Sindh. “This experience was truly unbelievable,” said Yasin Rahim, Secretary General of The World Federation stated. “These projects show the dedication of the Pakistani Shia community; their commitment is testament to a strong local community.”
The World Federation would like to wholeheartedly thank our hosts Mehfil-e-Murtaza and Karachi Jamaat Pakistan for organising, and hosting the Regional Summit and Executive Council Meetings.
For further information on the 2nd Executive Council meeting please email secretariat@world-federation.org