8th Executive Council Meeting
Press Release

Contents

Tributes
Status report and the way forward
Pakistan report
India report
Hajj Medical mission
Accounts
Conference venue and agenda

The Carpenders Park cemetery was an unusual setting, where the Eighth meeting of the World Federation Executive Council, held on Saturday May 6, 2000 in London was initiated. Councilors, invitees and observers to the meeting somberly paid their respects at the graveside of their beloved leader, Al Hajj Mulla Asghrali M.M. Jaffer, the late President of the World Federation, whose sudden death on Mar 21 engulfed the entire community in grief and a colossal sense of loss. In addition to the World Federation Office Bearers, Board Chairmen and Councilors, amongst those in attendance were the Chairman of Africa Federation Al Hajj Mohamed Dhirani accompanied by his office bearers, Al Hajj Jaffer Dharamsi, the President of the COEJ, Al Hajj Sadiq Jaffer, representing Nasimco, Al hajj Gulamali Meghani representing the Council of Gujarat as well Jamaat Presidents and invitees from all over the United Kingdom, France, Sweden and USA. 

TRIBUTES

Back at the Hujjat Imabargah, Stanmore, a packed house, heard speaker after speaker pay homage to the Marhum, whose charismatic personality and magnetism was very much missed by all at the meeting. In prose and verse, the tributes illustrated Mulla Saheb’s impact on the entire Shii community over a 50 years span of devoted and selfless services in the cause of Islam. 

While echoing the sentiment that he stood head and shoulders above each of us and would remain matchless, the gathered leaders of the community from around the globe, resolved to keep alive his legacy of service and pledged full support to the team now at the helm of the Secretariat. Led by Al Hajj Hasnain Walji, who has now assumed the office of the President, the team left behind by Mulla Saheb has worked closely with Mulla Saheb ever since the inception of the World Federation over two decades ago.

STATUS REPORT AND THE WAY FORWARD

Elaborating on the current status, in a spirited address, Alhajj Hasnain Walji enlightened the gathering that immediate task at hand was to maintain the stability and integrity of the institution. He further acknowledged that it was a testimony of Marhum’s effective leadership and vision that had ensured that the World Federation as an organization had achieved a level of maturity that had enabled it to continue to function optimally with consistency and stability at this critical juncture.

Further, he reported that it was a measure of Ayatullah Al Udhama Syed Seestani’s, esteem and respect for the personality of Mulla Saheb and an acknowledgement of the work of this institution, that he had permitted the Word Federation to collect and disburse huquooqe sharaiyya in order to carry on with all its projects without a break. In response to a letter seeking guidance from Ayatullah al Udhama Syed Seestani, which was carried personally by Hujjat ul Islam Maulana Zafar Abbas Saheb, Agha had sent his condolences to the community. He had also reminded the community to continue remain united, have husne zan and serve the cause of Islam with ikhlaas. 

In an emotional appeal, the President stated that the Khoja Shia ithnaasheri Community across the globe was blessed with a valuable asset in the form of the World Federation, an institution which was the envy of many. Mulla Saheb, along with the team at the Secretariat, supported by the entire leadership of our community, had nurtured it so lovingly and painstakingly. Under his charismatic leadership this institution, which drew its core membership from just over 100,000 people today effectively serves the Shii community at large. 

While the team, trained by Marhum Mulla Saheb was willing to continue to do its utmost in pursuing the vision that Mulla Saheb had, it now fell on the collective shoulders of all present at the Executive Council to take it to the next level. Unity through consensus building was absolutely essential. More than ever before, the leadership needed to stand as an impenetrable wall to deal with any external factors that might attempt interfere with the independence and the functioning of the World federation. 

Looking ahead, he concluded “Mulla Saheb’s life, his words and his deeds all made a statement of his foresight and vision for the community. All we have to do, as our way forward is to make a restatement and demonstrate to the upcoming generation ways and means of applying the same principles to new challenges that lie ahead. Together let us take urgent steps to ensure that the younger generations are drawn closer to the mainstream of our society which they will eventually have to serve and lead. That is the fundamental task before us now. Human nature being what it is, in the wake of this colossal loss, perhaps we may pay greater heed to the mission and vision of our departed leader than when he was amongst us. It is my humble and sincere appeal to the broad cross section of the Community members spread across the globe and especially to the leadership of our regional Federations and member Jamaats, that faced with the opportunities and challenges that we have, let us, in a spirit of brotherhood and mutual respect, rise to the need of time and work in harmony in an atmosphere of consensus to further strengthen the unity of this Community. No tribute could be more befitting to Mahrum Mulla Asgharali M. M. Jaffer than a united community, propelled and driven by the sincere intention to please Allah and none else.”

PAKISTAN REPORT

The Secretary General of the World Federation, Dr Sibtain Panjwani, briefed the Executive Council on the activities of the World Federation in Baltistan and Punjab - Pakistan.

Skardu (Baltistan), a mountainous region that is populated overwhelmingly by Shia Muslims, lacks adequate educational and healthcare facilities. Its people, hardworking and proud of their Islamic heritage, suffer from poverty. The World Federation regularly contributes towards the social and welfare needs of these people. Other assistance includes rehabilitation of war affected refugees from the Kargill area which took the brunt of casualties. Chain of Uswa primary schools, numbering 15, are also supported financially to raise the educational standard of these schools which includes the teachers training program recently held in Islamabad. 

In November 1999, Late President of the World Federation, Alhaj Mulla Asgerali M M Jaffer led a delegation that included Alhaj Naseen Walji to visit this region and assess the many projects of the World Federation. During the visit, the Marhum laid the foundation stone for a fully fledged Girls primary school to be constructed through the World Federation and inspected a wing of the Uswa academy built by the World Federation. When completed, it will provide IT vocational training for the students. The first capital project of the World Federation in Skirdu was the construction of Masjid - Al - Qudus, located at the highest part of the land, that has now become a symbol for strength and self affirmation of faith and stands as a beacon from which the voice of Ahlulbait (a.s.) is carried forward. 

Following the many natural disasters in Pakistan as well as communal and sectarian attacks on places of worship in Lahore, Hangu, Kohart and Chowkureshi killing many followers of Ahlulbait (a.s.), the World Federation has sent special funds to help the orphans and widows of the deceased.

In Islamabad and surrounding areas, the activities of the World Federation are directed towards construction, expansion and renovation of markaz and madarises which numbers six presently, including Jamia Tu Ahlulbait in Islamabad that has a splendid auditorium “Qaatu al Khui ” specially constructed by the World Federation to cater for educational and cultural activities in Islamabad. The students from these madarises visit villages, towns and cities during the holy month of Ramadhan and Muharram and organise different programs for preaching among Muslims. 

INDIA REPORT 

The ZCSS Chairman, Mohammed Visram reported that with his team he had recently returned from an inspection tour of the Schools the World Federation runs in various parts of India. During the tour they had prepared a video documentary as part of its report. This film, using digital video vividly illustrated, for the first time ever, the tremendous amount of work carried out under the ever-popular ZCSS scheme which now had over 10,000 students and was sponsoring four fully fledged schools. (The entire Video is available from the WF secretariat upon request). During the trip, the delegation also impressed upon the local leadership to encourage parents not to allow their children to drop out of the scheme for the sake of a short term gain of placing their children in menial jobs at the cost of education. It also met with School administrators and teachers to deliberate on enhancing the level of education and enhancing the facilities. As part of the World Federation’s commitment to optimize its operations in using IT, the team was also instrumental in updating the computer systems and software in Gujarat to streamline the cumbersome reporting and management of data. 

HAJJ MEDICAL MISSION

Dr M. Walji the Chairman of the MAB reported that after an absence of approximately 8 years, The Haj Medical Mission (HMM) was resumed after requests from the community. In 1999, he undertook the Haj to perform a detailed survey to assess the need with respect to HMM. The survey had clearly shown that many Shia groups from India and Pakistan were clearly in need of services from HMM but most of the groups from Europe, North America, Middle East and Africa were in fact self sufficient and had always arranged for medical services within their groups. It was agreed that a doctor from India would accompany one of the groups from India and provide service to all the Shia groups from India. A similar strategy was formulated for the groups from Pakistan. It was decided also, that an experienced doctor and administrator would be sent to ensure appropriate coordination of services and perform education and training to the new Physicians. Provision for medications would also be arranged by the team.

Thus, the year 2000 HMM was formed. Dr. Akber Mithani led the HMM team. Mr. Azad Rajbhai was the Administrator. Dr. Abbas Vakil was chosen as the Doctor from India. A doctor from Pakistan could not be appointed as the application for Visa concludes in July in Pakistan.

In a written report submitted by Dr Akber Mithani, it was stated that “the Millenium Haj Mission of year 2000" was a tremendous success. After an absence of almost 8 years, many of the systems and processes have changed in Saudi Arabia. The HMM team therefore encountered many hurdles and small inconveniences as it moved ahead under its new mandate to continue to live up to its reputation as “the flag ship of the World Federation”, so eloquently honored by Marhum Mulla Saaheb, The President of the World Federation. Mulla Saaheb’s excitement, as he spoke to me by telephone 1 hour before our departure to Medina, was manifest. In his mind, this was clearly a necessary revival that would address the needs of many under the banner of the World Federation. The most disappointing and tragic part was that I was unable to report the events to him prior to his death. Nevertheless, I am certain that his soul will benefit from the numerous people that were served under HMM, an institution fully and wholeheartedly supported by him.”

ACCOUNTS

Al hajj Ahmed Daya presented the financial statements for the quarter. The council noted them with satisfaction and appreciated that understanding the need of time the Hon Treasurer had withdrawn his resignation and that his services were once again available to the World federation. 

CONFERENCE VENUE & AGENDA

The President reported that the ballot on the venue had returned a verdict of London being the venue for the next triennial conference to be held in 6-8 October 2000. The standard agenda was approved with a decision to allow time for a special session to deliberate upon the vision in terms of the need of the community and commensurate resources.