Updated 20 May 2009
The 8th Executive Council Meeting for the term 2006-2009 was held on Sunday 03 May 2009 at the Mehfil Zainab (AS) in Paris, France. The meeting commenced with a recitation from The Holy Quran by Mazahere Hassim, a madrasah student. The afternoon session also had a Quran recitation by Asram Noura, also a madrasah student.
The welcome address was delivered by the President of the North Paris Jamaat, Nijaraly Katchera. He expressed his delight for being given the opportunity to host the 8th Executive Council Meeting of The World Federation for the current term. This was followed by a speech by the President of The Council of European Jamaats (CoEJ), Munawer Rattansey.
The meeting was conducted mostly in Gujarati, to allow wider understanding and active participation of grassroots.
Period Accounts
The Hon Treasurer, Ahmed Daya presented the accounts for the period between January – March 2009. He also presented the Audited Trustees Report and Financial accounts for the year ending December 2008 for the review of the Councillors. In his speech to the Council, he highlighted the level of accountability and openness in the accounts. Ahmed Daya thanked Mohammed Lakha for his efficient work over the last 17 years as the accountant.
Key Deliverables 2006-2009
As addressed at every Executive Council meeting, the Secretariat team updated the Executive Council on the progress made on the strategic objectives for the term 2006-2009. These deliverables, which are in the form of a hexagon chart, have been designed from the discussions that took place at the 2006 Triennial Conference.
The objectives are divided into the following key strategic areas which are monitored at each Executive Council Meeting. These include:
- Islamic Education
- Family Affairs
- Relief and Economic development
- Education
- Zainabiyya Child Sponsorship Scheme (ZCSS)
- Health
- Marketing Communications
- Capacity Building
Click here to view the Progress Report on Hexagons
Assistant Secretary General for Islamic Education, Sheikh Abbas Ismail provided the Council with details on some of the projects undertaken by Islamic Education including the Taleem Project. Dr. Munir Datoo, the Assistant Secretary General for Health emphasized that all 6 objectives for health are being addressed. ZCSS head Sajjad Tejani, gave an update on the achievement of the scheme. Assistant Secretary General for Relief & Economic Development, Shan-E-Abbas Hassam discussed the successes in 10 of the 11 hexagons in his area. Following a discussion on the needs of the elderly, it was determined that an assessment will be given for the Triennial Conference to review and discuss. Shan-E-Abbas said that he needs coordinators in the various regional federations and this assessment could not occur without the support of the regions. An update on capacity building, education and communications were also provided to the delegates.
Feedback on the Councillors Development Programme
The Councillors who attended the Development Programme the day before the meeting, on 02 May 2009, were asked to give their feedback. The first session was on ‘NGO development’. This session provided an overview of the NGO status and formulated a NGO work plan for the period 2009-2011. The programme also addressed a discussion on ‘Power, Politics, and Values’, one of the topics from The World Federation’s Leadership Development Programme. This session offered an alternative view of the concept of ‘politics’ and how this can be used both positively and the consequence when it is used negatively.
Updated on Muballigheen Training Programme
An update on the Muballigheen Training Programme (MTP) was presented by Jaffer bhai Dharamsi. Four dynamic members of the MTP team attended this meeting to give details on the activities over the last 2 months. Sheikh Abbas Ismail gave an overview on the IIPS team’s focus on an assessment of the entire curriculum and lesson plans. Shaykh Abbas briefed the Executive Council on the deployment of Shaykh Muhammad Khalfan to check the lesson plans for quality assurance and on the 6 person committee of scholars who were asked to undertake a review of the curriculum. These scholars were: Maulana Zafar Abbas, Dr Shaykh Bahmanpour, Dr Shaykh Murtadha Alidina, Syed Muhammad Naqvi, Shaykh Safder Jaffer and sister Malika C Jaffer. Dr. Mahmood Datoo gave details on the process of assessment and accreditation on some of the modules from a university in the UK. Sheikh Safdar Jaffer gave some of his thoughts on his recent visit to Damascus where he gave 12 sessions on Islamic finance, Islamic banking and insurance to the students.
Update on the Ramadhan Relief Paper: ‘A strategic overview’
Assistant Secretary General, Shan-E-Abbas Hassam, gave an update on the outcomes of the feedback process for the Ramadhan Relief Paper. At the last Executive Council meeting in Bhavnagar, India, the councillors suggested that this document be sent out to all agencies and organisations for their input, comments and suggestions. After obtaining feedback from the agencies, no amendment was suggested and this paper was hence adopted by the Executive Council.
Presidents’ Message
Dr. Ahmed Hassam sincerely thanked the North Paris Jamaat and The Council of European Jamaats for hosting the 8th Council Meeting. In his final message to the Executive Council, he thanked all the Councillors for their unconditional support and assistance during his term. He discussed areas such as the need for the independence of the Islamic Institute of Postgraduate Studies, greater importance on higher education for ZCSS and moving forward by creating a new 5 year strategy on higher education.
Standard Operating Procedure
A detailed discussion on the legal understanding of standard operating procedures and the constitution on the election of the President of The World Federation took place. It was concluded that there is no objection on the number of nominations from any of the regions. The EXCO appointed 2 Executive Councillors, Sabira Lakha and Murtaza Bharwani to assist the Electoral Commissioner, Amir Somji for the counting of the votes. The Executive Council also empowered these 2 Executive Councillors, in consultation with the Electoral Commissioner, to appoint 2 individuals to be part of the Electoral Commission who will assist the Commissioner in his duties.
Update on the NGO Strategic Plan
At the Executive Councillor Development Programme, a presentation was given by Shan-E-Abbas Hassam and Imran Janmohamed on the NGO status. The feedback on the NGO Development Programme was incorporated into the work plan. The Work plan was adopted by the Councillors after a slight amendment. The work plan will allow the regional federations to take this project forward. A full discussion on the job description will be provided by a set deadline at the end of May.
Agenda for the 11th Triennial Conference
There was a brief discussion of the agenda of the conference to be held in October 2009.
Application for membership from Singapore
An associate membership for The World Federation was received from the Singapore Jamaat. The Councillors discussed this issue and further deliberations will be performed.
AOB
A representative Paris North Jamaat, Maliki Aubun gave a presentation on the needs of Mehfil Zainab, the construction of an imambargah and madressah for a community of 130 families. The goal was to meet the legal requirement of the centre including health and safety needs. The project was to be completed by October 2009. A total of €1.2 million was collected from France and Madagascar with a gap of € 300,000. The jamaat is requesting support in raising the funds for the construction effort.
Wessex Jamaat representative, Shabir Walji provided an update on the construction of the Al Mahdi project. The cost of the project is £1,600, 000. Although, £300,000 have been collected however the jamaat still needs £400,000
Dr. Ahmed Hassam was presented a book of appreciation by Dr. Hasnain Walji with the thoughts of the delegates. Dr. Ahmed Hassam gave his final thoughts, thanking the Paris Jamaat, and the volunteers for their dedication and commitment. He thanked everyone for their support of the EXCO and gave his best wishes to the new candidates. He gave special thanks to Jaffer Dharamsi for his commitment to the MTP.
The meeting concluded with a dua by Sheikh Shaffiq Hudda.