SENIORS ADVISORY BOARD
OF THE WORLD FEDERATION OF KSIMC

Special Report for the KSIM Senior Citizens of North America

Masumeen Islamic Centre, Brampton /  March 19, 2004 

On Shabaan 15, 1423/October 22, 2002 (wilaadat of our present Imam, Imam Al Mahdi (as)) Seniors Desk, a new branch of the World Federation was established in Vancouver, Canada. In the Holy Qur’an, All~h states: “If one of them or both of them attain old age in your life, say not to them a word of disrespect, nor shout at them but address them in terms of honor.” (17:23).  The Seniors Desk was committed to addressing the various needs of the elderly people - the pillars of our society that represent courage, wisdom and tradition.

Imam As-Saadiq once said: “The position of an old person among his people is like that of a position of a prophet amongst his nation.”

Around the world, the seniors of the community are facing serious difficulties ranging from housing and communication to meeting basic survival needs. At the World Federation Conference in October, the Seniors Desk was elevated to Board status and renamed the Seniors Advisory Board (SAB) as part of the organization’s drive to focus on this oft-forgotten segment of the community. The SAB takes as its mission “to address the diverse needs of the seniors in order to improve the quality of life in their senior years.”

What are the Seniors of the Community Experiencing Today?
Today, seniors across the world are facing disturbing struggles: they feel isolated and abandoned, their financial hardships have drained their morale, some of them have a difficult time communicating, some don’t even have basic blankets to keep them warm on cold winter nights.  Many seniors don’t feel respected or valued and depression is widespread. In fact, there are seniors who feel that their quality of life has become so unbearable for them - they feel it is better to die.

In the past few years, heart to heart conversations with elders in our communities from different parts of the world have resulted in one overwhelming appeal from them: to help address their needs in order to improve the quality of life in their senior years.

Our vision at the Seniors Advisory Board is:

• To elucidate the needs of seniors across the world in our communities in the areas of Religious and Spiritual needs, Social and Community Service needs, Cultural needs, Financial needs, Housing and Settlement needs, Medical and Psychological needs and Educational needs;
• To increase the awareness amongst Jamaats and Regional Federations about the importance of seniors and their contributions in the progression of the community;
• To create a seniors network amongst the World Federation Communities world-wide;
• To achieve unity within and amongst the Shia Ithna-Asheri Muslim communities and individuals. Furthermore, establish and develop the communication and links with Muslim seniors’ organizations from non-Shia Ithna-Asheri Muslim communities;
• To set up a structure whereby seniors can share their experiences and problems/challenges in daily life;
• To create a forum where seniors can communicate with other groups of people and expertise of the community. The seniors network will facilitate in providing speakers and experts of various contemporary topics in all parts of the world. 

The World Federation Strategic Plan
At the Triennial Conference held in Dubai in October 2003, the World Federation launched its Strategic Plan. Last year, the World Federation conducted a worldwide survey to help determine its goals and objectives for the next five years (2003-2008). By studying the survey data generated by the strategic planning exercise, the Boards and Desks are better equipped to meet the needs of the community. Based on the feedback received, the Seniors Advisory Board has outlined its goals and objectives for the next five years.

Our Goals and Objectives

A) Internal strength amongst WF Member Jamaats

First and foremost, it is fundamental to have internal strength. Internal strength on an individual level means striving towards reaching a higher spiritual level and increasing one’s level of knowledge. Internal strength on community level involves unity and active seniors in the various jamaats.

REGIONAL REPRESENTATIVES
GOAL:  The Role of the SAB is to promote, enable and facilitate the activities of the seniors’ bodies across the world.

ACTION:  SAB is committed to addressing the various needs of our seniors with an overall goal of optimizing function and improving their quality of life. The SAB has appointed the Regional Representatives for North America and Europe and will be appointing Reps for Africa, Middle East, India and Pakistan in the near future. These individuals will play an important role in our mission, as they are the link to the seniors on a regional level. The following is a breakdown of the minimum number of representatives in each region:

 North America

1. Shirinbai Sumar
2. 2. Dr. Shabbir Alibhai
3. To Be Announced

 Europe

1. Ramzanali Bhai Dhanji
2. Gulamabbas Bhai Janmohamed (Tommy)
3. Hassanali Bhai Gulamhussein Lakha

 Middle East – 1 Representative

 Africa – 2 Representatives

 India/Pakistan - 1 Representative India/ 1 Representative Pakistan

The roles and responsibilities of the SAB Regional Representatives are as follows: 

1. To act as agents for the World Federation SAB;
2. To communicate the objectives, plans and strategies of the SAB to the seniors within their regions;
3. To provide feedback received from seniors within their respective regions to the SAB;
4. To work closely with senior groups at the local jamaat level to ensure that the goals and objectives of the SAB are implemented at the local level;
5. To assist in implementing the goals and objectives of the SAB at a more global level;
6. To assist the SAB to develop new initiatives that address the changing and diverse needs of the seniors;
7. To monitor and evaluate the strategies implemented by the SAB in order to ensure that we are indeed achieving the goals we originally set out to accomplish;
8. To represent the SAB in creating new initiatives that address specific need of seniors within their area;
9. To participate with other SAB representatives and continuously create new strategies.

The SAB regional representatives are accountable to the SAB and the Chairman of SAB.

ESTABLISHING SENIORS BODIES
GOAL:  To identify Jamaats that already has active seniors, and encourage and strengthen them. These Jamaats can then be used as role models for others. Once the above are identified, SAB will actively encourage the remaining Jamaats to establish an active seniors body. SAB will work with every jamaat and Regional Federation to develop strategies to address the needs of their seniors in their communities by the creation of a senior citizen’s group within their organisation

ACTION:  In April 2003, a Senior Citizen’s Forum of Khoja Shia Ithna-Asheri Community of Karachi was formally established. In a short period of time, this dynamic group has formed itself into a well-organized body with clear goals and objectives. SAB is working with the Senior Citizen’s Forum of Karachi to discuss the process they developed to establish themselves as a seniors body so as to create a framework for other jamaats such as the ones in Africa, India, Pakistan and the Middle East who also wish to create senior bodies.

SENIORS SUMMER RETREAT – TORONTO, CANADA
GOAL:  To organize a Senior Citizen’s summer retreat whereby seniors from across the world have the opportunity network; the retreat will also give the SAB an opportunity to further elucidate the needs of our seniors and strengthen the WF strategic plan through this information. In addition, exciting activities and events will make this a memorable experience for our seniors with recognized expert speakers and personnel to help make this event a success.

ACTION:  SAB will be hosting a retreat in Toronto designed specifically for seniors in the summer of 2004. Details to follow soon.

B) Establishing a database for seniors across the world and develop a communication system

It is critical that we have as accurate a possible database of the total number of seniors in our jamaats and regional federations. Strategies can then be implemented in an organised, co-ordinated and seamless manner. It will also be of paramount importance that we are able to communicate with the seniors in a variety of different ways through this database.

SAB WEBSITE
GOAL:  To develop a communication system and establish a database for seniors across the world. To Develop a database in partnership with the WF Information Technology desk in a variety of different languages (especially Gujarati and English) through jamaats and regional federations which is dynamic and can continuously be updated

ACTION:  The Seniors Desk has been working to create a website for seniors which also includes a database. Sis. Mumtaz Nathu, the SAB Information Technology advisor has been coordinating this project.

SENIORS NEWSLETTER
GOAL:  To publish and circulate (through this database), a seniors specific newsletter to all seniors in the community in Gujarati and English with interesting articles, news of other seniors, information about services, religious knowledge and articles etc.

ACTION:  SAB will be looking into starting the seniors’ specific newsletter in the coming months.
 

C) Raising awareness about the importance of Seniors in our community

The SAB is instrumental in raising awareness of the special importance and contributions of the seniors in the progression and development of our communities world-wide. This will allow the jamaats and regional federations to continuously engage them as a group in the important decisions of our communities and at the same time being sensitive to their needs.

BEFRIEND A SENIOR CITIZEN APPEAL
GOAL:  The purpose of the ‘Befriend A Senior Citizen Appeal’ is twofold: to generate awareness and appreciation amongst our youths of the position and importance of senior citizens and at the same time provide a community support program for the seniors to enhance their quality of life.

ACTION:  The ‘Befriend A Senior Citizen Appeal’ is a joint initiative between the Seniors Advisory Board (SAB) and the Youth Network Desk (YND) of the World Federation of KSIMC. SAB and YND are appealing to the youths in the Shia Ithna-Asheri Muslim communities across the world to join this program where each youth visits a different senior citizen in their jamaat every month. Youth network groups in each jamaat can develop a strategy (specific to their region) with their senior citizens to provide them with this social support program. This Program was launched on March 17, 2004

What is the purpose of this Appeal?
Just like in any other society, there are numerous individuals in the Shia Ithna-Asheri Muslim population who are aging. These members include our grandparents, our parents, our relatives and especially those who are not related to us. For most seniors, aging is a challenging time. Many are homebound and isolated from society and many are retired and need to keep active in the community. Strong support networks are essential for seniors as they age and the ‘Befriend A Seniors Citizen Appeal’ is a wonderful way of keeping seniors active and involved in our communities. By providing the elders with this kind of support, the bond between the youth and the elders of our communities will be strengthened and a long-term relationship will be formed.

Seniors Advisory Board is dedicated to helping the elders of our communities age gracefully and with dignity.

Benefits of the Appeal
Benefits to the elderly:

• Companionship and friendship
• Support and encouragement
• Resource information
• Keeps seniors engaged in our communities
• Enhances their quality of life

Benefits to the youth:

• Fulfills responsibilities to Allah (swt): “I advise my present and future nation up until the Resurrection Day to visit the relations of kin even if they have to walk for one year to get to them since this is a part of our religion.” [Imam Muhammad Baqir (as)]
• Generates a greater understanding of the importance of our elders and the contributions they have made in our communities: “Whoever recognizes the position of an old man and respects him, God will grant him peace of mind regarding the Resurrection Day.” [Imam Jaffer Sadiq (as)]
• Duas of the parents are great: “The prayers of a father for his children are like the prayers of a Prophet for his nation.” [The Holy Prophet (saww)]
• Resource Information
• Instills an appreciation of the natural progression of aging
• Opportunity to make a positive impact on the lives of our elders

How Long will this Campaign Last?
The ‘Befriend A Senior Citizen Appeal’ is a long-term program where SAB and YND will work in partnership with Jamaats across the world to facilitate this initiative in their communities. Our goal is to develop a mutual bond between seniors and youths that will last for years to come.

CD OF 40 MAJALIS
GOAL:  To create an audio CD of 40 Majaalis of Marhum Mulla Asghar Saaheb in Gujarati for distribution to seniors across the world.

ACTION:  SAB will be launching an audio CD of 40 majaalis in the coming months. SAB will also feature these majaalis on their website under “Majaalis of the Month”.  Seniors can either listen to these majaalis by Marhum Mulla Asghar Saaheb online or download it onto a CD themselves.

TAWZI OF AYATOLLAH SISTANI
GOAL:  To have available the Tawzi of Ayatollah Seestani in Gujarati on our website. The SAB has been working with the Islamic Education Board of the World Federation of KSIMC to obtain a Gujarati copy of this Tawzi in electronic format. Once this has been sourced, the Tawzi will be available on our website for Seniors to refer to.

BOOK OF 40 PERSONALITIES
GOAL:  To raise awareness of the special importance and contributions of the seniors in the progression and development of our communities worldwide. This will allow the jamaats and regional federations to continuously engage them as a group in the important decisions of our communities and at the same time being sensitive to their needs.

ACTION:  In February 2003, SAB launched the opening of nominations for the Book of 40 Personalities.  The intention of this book was to generate an awareness of the importance of seniors and their contributions to the Shia Ithna-Asheri communities worldwide.

In order to achieve this goal, the SAB developed a process whereby individuals in our jamaats and regional federations could provide feedback and information in the creation of a “Book of 40 Personalities”. This Book of 40 Personalities would then be dedicated in the memory of Marhum Mulla Asgarali M.M. Jaffer and would profile the names, brief life histories and important contributions of 40 seniors who have made a significant impact in our communities in the past and present. Once completed, this book would be distributed to all households.

The SAB accepted nominations for seniors, who had made an impact in their communities.  Members of our global community were asked to submit names and/or fill out a nominee application form and forward it to the SAB office by April 30, 2003. A Selection Committee would then review all applications received and would select 40 seniors to be profiled in the book.

To be eligible for nomination, Seniors Desk outlined the following criteria: The nominee must:

• Have reached the age of 55 plus when the contribution was made, and
• Not be a Mujtahid, and
• Have made a significant impact in the Khoja Shia Ithna-Asheri Muslim community anywhere in the world, and
• The contribution made must have had an uplifting impact on the community, and
• The contribution made must have addressed at least one of the following categories:
  
                           Religious/Spiritual needs
                           Cultural needs
                           Social/Community Service needs
                           Financial needs
                           Housing/Settlement needs
                           Medical/Psychological needs
                           Educational  needs

Although many nominations were submitted to the SAB office, many profiles were not received. Thus, the research process has delayed the publishing of the book.

D)  To raise awareness of the challenges seniors are facing around the world today

HADIS-E-KISA BLANKET DRIVE - SPREAD THE WARMTH CAMPAIGN
GOAL:  “Spread the Warmth” Campaign is an initiative led by the Seniors Advisory Board (SAB) of the World Federation to raise funds to purchase warm blankets for seniors around the world who are suffering (and in some case dying) from the cold weather only because they cannot afford to buy any to keep them warm in the winter nights.

ACTION:  This Campaign was launched on Eid-e-Mubahila (February 16, 2004) in the name of our Panjatan who have spread their warmth to the Muslim Ummah through the historic event of “Hadis-e-Kisa (The Story of the Blanket)”:
Some seniors in our communities don’t even have the basics to survive. For many people, buying a coat or sweater is a common activity. But in some communities, such as in India and other areas of the world seniors are dying of cold only because they don’t have a blanket to keep them warm in the winter nights.  Small individual contributions to this will save lives of our Shia Ithna-Asheri Seniors.

Thanks to the generous contribution of a single donor, SAB will be providing  Shia seniors of Bihar with warm blankets for the winter. About 90% of these seniors are Sadaat.  These individuals do not have any heating systems in their homes, and those that do have blankets, they are torn and do not provide any warmth. Upon learning of the plight of these elders in Bihar, the SAB, with the help of the donor has arranged for good quality warm blankets to be distributed to these individuals.

Region by region, city by city, the SAB will endeavor to “Spread the Warmth” to all of our Shia Ithna- Asheri seniors who are suffering from the cold winter nights. The Campaign will end when blankets have been provided to most seniors around the world who fall victim to the freezing temperatures typical in their homeland. 

E)  To address the housing needs of senior citizens

SENIORS HOUSING PROJECTS
GOAL:  No senior should suffer from hopelessness, boredom or loneliness. To help address these issues, the SAB in partnership with local Jamaats, will be initiating special seniors’ housing projects. In partnership with jamaats and regional federations, SAB will be starting the planning of these projects in the coming months. Discussions have already begun for such a project in Pakistan and we anticipate that the opportunity also exists for such an initiative in the United Kingdom.

F)  To address the medical and emotional needs of senior citizens

ISLAMIC MEDICAL ETHICS NETWORK
GOAL:  Ethical dilemmas pervade modern medicine, especially in the care of the elderly at the end of life. Islam, like Christianity and Judaism has developed its own position on the code of medical ethics. Many clinicians do not share the same religious beliefs of their patients and a lack of understanding of their patient’s religious convictions may cause confusion, misunderstandings and unnecessary conflict. The SAB will create an Islamic Medical Ethics Network to provide guidance and support to individuals and families who need assistance making ethical medical decisions in accordance with the Islamic shariah.

NORTH AMERICAN DOCTOR APPEAL
GOAL:  To raise awareness of and attend to the Medical and Psychological issues which affect the seniors across our global community.

ACTION:  In order to meet the Medical and Psychological needs of our seniors, the SAB has contacted all North American member Jamaats in search of names of medical doctors in their respective communities who may be able too help us in various initiatives designed for the elderly. To begin with, these initiatives include FLU Vaccination Programs and Diabetes and Blood Screening Programs.

Although only a handful number of Jamaats have responded to our request, we are still communicating with the remaining Jamaats to send us these names.