A UNIQUE FINAL FAREWELL .......

Silence and sorrow overshadowed the brightly lit spring day as 2500 mourners converged upon the Husaini Shia Islamic Centre, Stanmore, on Wednesday 22 March 2000, 15 Dhul Hijja 1420 to pay their last respects to Hujjatul Islam wal Muslimeen, Mulla Asgharali M.M. Jaffer. In an atmosphere filled with poignant grief, Hujjatul Islam Syed Bahrul Uloom, the senior most Alim in the UK, led Namaze Janazah at the request of Mulla Asghar's son Mohammad Abbas Jaffer.

In addition to Mumineen from all over the UK, many Friends, Relatives, Ulama, Zakireen and Community Leaders had flown in from Allentown, Chicago, Dallas, Dar-es-Salaam, Los Angeles Karachi, Mashad, Minnesota, Mombasa, Nairobi, New Jersey, New York, Paris, Re Union, Stockholm, Toronto, Trollhattan and Vancouver.

Amongst the 50 Ulama in attendance were Sayed Rabbani - Representative of Ayatullah Seestani in Mashad, Sheikh Ali Alami, Agha Fartoosi and Agha Haider Shirazi - Representative of Ayatullah Khamenei’s centre in London and Hujjatul Islam Shaikh Zafar Abbas, the President of Majlise Ulamae Shia Europe. 

Among the mourners were the Vice President of the World Federation, Haji Hasnain Walji; Vice Chairman of Africa Federation, Haji Mohammed Pirbhai; President of Nasimco, Haji Gulamabbas Sajan; President of the Council of European Jammats, Haji Jaffer Dharamsi; Secretary General of the Muslim Council of Britain, Br. Iqbal Sakraine; Presidents of all Jamaats of UK and Haji Ramzanali Kermali Dhanji, the President of the KSIM Senior Citizens of UK. 

Almost all the Leaders and Officials of the UK Muslim Community were amongst the mourners. Included among the many Shia Organisation were Representatives from Imamia Mission - East London, Idara Jaffaria - South London, Husseini Mission - Hounslow, Alqaim Trust - Slough, Anjumane Jaffaria - Watford, Iddara Maarifat - Birmingham, Husseini and Haidery Islamic Centre- Bradford, Husseini Islamic Mission - Oldham, Anjumane Islamic Centre - Blackburn, Anjumane Husseini - Sheffield.

The funeral procession thronged by mourners left the Husaini Shia Islamic Centre after Zohrain prayers towards the Carpenders Park Cemetery. Amid the echoing sound of ‘La ilaha illallah’, young and old, in deep sorrow with tears rolling over their cheeks accompanied the coffin to begin the last leg of the journey. They followed, in respect and dignity, painfully realizing that Mulla Saheb was no longer amongst them.

What greater tribute could be paid to his life’s work than the fact that he breathed his last attending to the business of the World Federation in his office at the Husaini Shia Islamic Centre, Stanmore. In his last moments, before he suffered a heart attack, he was discussing with Maulana Kalbe Abbas, a trusted associate, the arrangements to recite Majalis in the city of Mombasa, Marhum's home town, during the coming month of Muharram 1421.

"We feel we have become orphans" was the common anguish on the lips of almost everyone, as the impact of this gigantic loss began to sink in. Masses of emails, faxes and phone calls all reverberated the same sentiment.


This 'Son' of the Khoja Shia Ithna Asheri Community had emerged as the 'Father' of the Shia Community at large. His care and concern for Mumineen all over the world is legendary and unique. But the 'Mulla' as he was fondly known, was unique in more ways than one. Admired and respected while he was alive, the love for him gushed forth all the more in death among the young and old. During his 63 years’ life span, he had touched thousands, making each feel special, and those thousands and more were deeply touched in death. This was a unique funeral in the history of the Community. Never before such grief, emotion and out pouring of tributes have been seen in the Shia Community in the UK.

As the mourners returned from the cemetery, the rest of the world began marking this great loss with fatehakhanis, across the globe.

Inna Lillahi wainna Ilayhi Rajioon.

PICTURES OF THE LAST FAREWELL