Updated 17 November 2008

The 5th Executive Council Meeting for the term 2006-2009 was held in London on 02 March 2008 at Husseini Islamic Centre, Stanmore.

The meeting was attended by 45% of the Councillors from Europe, Africa, North America, Dubai and Pakistan.  In Karachi in February 2007, 37% of the Councillors attended.  In Dar es Salaam in July 2007, 28% attended.  In Leicester in November 2007 54% attended.

An elaborate agenda was laid out for the meeting. This included:-

• Updates from Councillors and Regions
• Reports from Assistant Secretary Generals on progress from their hexagons of objectives, giving each of them traffic lights based on status of the hexagons. The ASG’s also provided examples of partnership working with the regions.
• Presentation by Kichener Jamaat on their project of building a centre for Shias
• A novel approach was adopted, where youth and members of the community at large were given the opportunity to ask questions to the Councillors and Regions, and to air concern on the areas that they thought needed attention.

Feedback from the Councillors and the invitees was that such a format needs to be adopted more regularly. As one feedback given highlighted:  “I appreciated the fact that I was given an opportunity to ask a question to the leadership of the worldwide community.”

The meeting began with recitation of the Holy Quran, followed by a welcome speech by the President of KSIMC of London (Stanmore), Kamruddin Khaki (kakaji). Kamruddin bhai talked about the Youth Azadari Drive (YAD) launched by Stanmore Jamaat, and requested leaders of other Jamaats to emulate this project. He also briefed on the Husayn Day program organised by KSIMC of London, and proposed that we should allocate a day in the year where Hussein Day is organised by our community around the world. The President of CoEJ, Munawer Rattansey thereafter briefed Councillors on recent projects undertaken by CoEJ, in partnership with The World Federation. Of particular mention was the youth fundraising event that took place in February 2008 outside London tube stations, where over £14,000 was raised. Munawer bhai also gave his commitment to promoting the Muballigheen Training Programme, with CoEJ having appointed a Muballigheen Training Co-ordinator to promote the important programme within Europe.

Executive Councillor Manzoor Kanani presented a report on behalf of the team appointed by the Executive Council at its meeting in Dar es Salaam in July 2007 to address issues concerning Africa Federation and Regional Council of Indian Ocean. The team consists of Councillors Manzoor Kanani, Raza-Aly Hiridjee and Hasnain Walji. Manzoor bhai highlighted ongoing progress, stating that it is on track for resolution.

The Secretary General Yasin Rahim went through action plans derived from the previous day’s summit meeting between WF, AFED, CoEJ and NASIMCO. The Memorandum of Understanding was reviewed as required, and milestones for closer workings identified, one of them being regular four way communication between the Secretary Generals of all the organisations.

President’s Address
In his Presidential address, Dr Ahmed Hassam informed Councillors that Mahmood PK Merali, who had served as Auditors of The World Federation for the past 23 years advised the Secretariat to appoint new auditors with wider experience specializing in charity commission regulations. Accordingly Messrs. Haysmacintyre, Chartered Accountants & Business Advisors were selected as the new auditors. In paying tribute to the long dedicated service of Mahmud bhai, Dr Hassam read a citation that was thereafter presented to the father of Mahmud bhai. Excerpts from the citation are: “In the early life of the World Federation, you nurtured it by giving it ‘shelter’.  The address ‘247 A Imperial Drive’ on the World Federation letterhead in the early years bears testimony to your care and concern for this fledgling organization”. Click here to read the citation.

The President, in addition, provided the Councillors with a flavour of the innovative teaching methods used by the Islamic Institute of Postgraduate Studies (IIPS).  Dr Hassam then expressed his sadness in reporting the resignation of the Treasurer Azad Kanani, and recognised his hard work in implementing robust systems.

Appointment of Treasurer
Ahmed Daya, who has previously served as Treasurer of The World Federation for 21 years, was appointed the new Treasurer for the remaining 2006-2009 term.

Update on Muballigheen Training Programme
The Muballigheen Training Co-ordinator Jaffer Dharamsi, updated Councillors on progress of the Islamic Institute of Postgraduate Studies (IIPS) in Syria, mentioning the appointment of lecturers for the 2nd year. The Councillors were also shown a video clip of the Institute. Maulana Zaffer Abbas termed this project as unique, catering for the specific needs of a community. He communicated the feedback received from current students, who are very satisfied with the quality of lecturers. Maulana emphasised the importance of the community to encourage potential students to join this programme.

Stanmore Students Present to the Council
Students of Sunday Madrasah and Hujjat workshop had participated in an essay competition entitled ‘If I am President of The World Federation...’ The winners were thereafter invited to present their essay to the Executive Councillors.  The students talked about interfaith events and active involvement of youth if they were to be a leader. In addition, the students suggested that as leaders they would work hard to bring people together and inspire the community to reach greater heights.

Questions by the Youth to the Leadership

• The following questions were asked by the youth:-
• How have you planned for the transformation of the current leadership to the next generation of leadership
• How does The World Federation help to increase Islamic awareness around the world

Youth asking their questions

• CoEJ talked about their Secretary General who is a youth, having travelled from various departments within CoEJ before reaching his current position
• Africa Federation talked about Bilal as an organisation actively involved in increasing Islamic awareness in Africa
• NASIMCO briefed the Council on the interfaith activities that they have facilitated. 
• The delegation from Pakistan took the opportunity to detail the progress of Hussaini Foundation and the continued humanitarian works of our community in Pakistan

Questions by Observers to the Leadership
The following are questions asked by women observers:-

• How can women be more involved in the community activities?
• Are there any activities in the other cities apart from London that demonstrate female at a leadership level?

Observers at the meeting

• NASIMCO reported on the presence of female Executive Councillors within their region
• Africa Federation committed to exploring the option of having a woman Executive Councillor
• CoEJ briefed on how women are actively involved in all its activities. Examples given were the head of its Education and Media desks being women.

Kitchener Jamaat Project
Kitchener Jamaat presented on their project to build a centre, justifying the need due to an increase in population, and the closest Shia Centre being 100km away from the region. Following a lengthy discussion, the council agreed to obtain Ijaza for the purchase of land, and informed Kitchener Jamaat that they would have to be compliant with the buildings process if they wanted Ijaza for building the centre.

Capital Projects Paper
Executive Councillor Al Haj Masum Somji introduced the Capital Projects paper, before handing over to Gulamabbas Kassam, who presented on changes to the existing paper. The changes consisted of policies on the building of non-religious capital projects, such as housing, sports and social facilities. Following discussion, it was agreed that the paper should remain in consultation until 30 April 2009, to ensure smooth signing off.

The Journey Home
The Journey Home team presented a report on the number of centres that screened the documentary, and shared some feedback that was received from the film’s audience. The Council thanked the hardworking youth of the community. 

Updates from ASG’s

• Assistant Secretary General for Health, Dr Munir Datoo presented a status report of the work conducted by the Health section of the Secretariat. He enlightened the Council on the memorandum of understanding agreed with IMI Hajj Medical Mission, in order to cater for the health needs of hujjaj from our community who do not have doctors in their groups. Dr Datoo also reported on his meetings with the Chairman of Health Improvement Board (HIB) of CoEJ and Central Health Board (CHB) of AFED.
• Assistant Secretary General for Islamic Education, Sheikh Abbas Ismail referred to the Madinah Al Ilm camp as an excellent example where all regions worked in collaboration to ensure its success. He suggestesd that the community institutions should implement sustainable solutions to ensure successful Tableegh work is carried out.
• Assistant Secretary General for Relief and Economic Development Shan-E-Abbas Hassam explained the recent achievements of the Relief section of the Secretariat which included the recent entry into the British Overseas NGOs for Development, an organisation of 300 leading NGOs in international development world. He informed the Council of the advantages to the community from membership to BOND and the possibilities that lie ahead. Shan-E-Abbas expressed the key importance of income generation projects in order to bring about self sufficiency to the deprived, claiming that this was a key objective of the Relief section of the Secretariat.

The World Federation’s approach to Relief Projects
Shan-E-Abbas thereafter proposed a paper to the Council outlining when The World Federation should intervene in humanitarian disasters. In addition, he articulated that The World Federation should aim to focus on the rehabilitation and recovery stages of a disaster; a longer term approach, a time when most NGOs tend to move on. He highlighted this as being a niche within the NGOs where The World Federation’s contribution would add value. The paper was unanimously adopted by the Executive Council. We would like your view on this subject.

For further information, email secretariat@world-federation.org