Updated 23 November 2011
The President of The World Federation, al–Hajj Dr Asgar Moledina, has recently visited both Gujarat and Mumbai. The visits were once again fulfilling an important part of his pledge to keep The World Federation close to the grassroots membership, and to make every effort in understanding and appreciating community needs and concerns.
Dr Moledina addressing mu’mineen of Bhavnagar Jamaat
Mumbai
In Mumbai, on behalf of The World Federation, Sayyid Aliraza Naqvi addressed the mu’mineen during a special presentation by The World Federation at Mumbai Jamaat on Eid e Ghadeer.
Dr Moledina also met with al-Hajj Safder bhai Kermalli, President of Mumbai Jamaat, and the other Mumbai Jamaat Office Bearers: Sabirbhai Rashid, Barkatbhai Unia, Masumbhai Kalyan, and Shabbir bhai Mukadam. This meeting was very positive and many areas regarding Mumbai Jamaat’s projects and programmes were discussed. Dr Moledina highlighted the need for the various Jamaats in India to form an Indian Federation that could then apply for membership to The World Federation.
From left: Al-Hajj Safderbhai Kermalli (President of Mumbai Jamaat), Dr Asgar Moledina (President of The World Federation), and Al-Hajj Mohibbhai Nasser (President of Al-Imaan Charitable Trust and Masjid Trust)
By the grace of Allah, The World Federation and Mumbai Jamaat have agreed to work together for the betterment and enhancement of the community in Mumbai and surrounding areas, in a number of social and educational contexts.
The World Federation’s India Office
After the Eid e Ghadeer function, Dr Moledina officially inaugurated The World Federation’s India Office and participated in meeting with community leaders and dignitaries.
The World Federation’s India Office
The office is located at a very strategic location opposite the community’s main centre: the KSI Masjid on Hazrat Abbas (as) Street. This makes it easily accessible by the members and the Ulama of the Community, and provides a good opportunity to support the KSI Masjid activities. The World Federation’s India Office was officially opened immediately after the Eid e Ghadeer celebrations at the KSI Masjid.
The World Federation’s India Office will work towards all of the work of The World Federation’s departments, with a special emphasis on Tableegh efforts.
The dignitaries present included: World Federation Executive Councillor Al–Hajj Javedbhai Shroff, President of Al-Imaan Charitable Trust and Masjid Trust Al–Hajj Mohibbhai Nasser, Al–Hajj Gulambhai Mohammed Lakhani, Maulana Taqi Agha, and Maulana Haideri.
Maulana Taqi Agha recited a dua for the success of the office
Dr Moledina commented, “By the grace of Allah, The World Federation’s India Office has officially opened and has commenced work. We were able to achieve this in only 12 months after the landmark Ulama conference held in Mumbai in November 2010. The India Office exists to support all local Tableegh institutions and to coordinate all of The World Federation’s activities in India. The principle of the Office is never to duplicate anyone else’s efforts, and not to compete in any way. I am sure the local institutions, community leaders, and Ulama will give us their support. The India Office is a critical part of the term ahead and I am confident we will achieve the objectives we have set out.”
Gujarat
In Gujarat, Dr Moledina visited Bhavnagar, Mahuva, and Ahmadabad.
In Bhavnagar, Dr Moledina was received by the Jamaat President Al-Hajj Ramzanbhai Asaria and his Office Bearers. Dr Moledina was shown around some of the low-grade housing where some of our community members still reside, and was able to assess the situation directly. Together with the Bhavnagar Jamaat the President promised to work on relocating these families.
Bhavnagar: Dr Moledina assessed the community’s housing situation
Dr Moledina also met the members of the Mustafa Welfare Society and especially with those who had benefited from the Microfinance Scheme. The recipients acknowledged the positive role played by The World Federation’s Executive Councillor, Al-Hajj Ramzanbhai Asaria and his team, in uplifting the economic and social conditions of the community.
Dr Moledina was also able to address the mu’mineen of Bhavnagar Jamaat at one of the jamaat functions where he conveyed the greetings of the world wide community to our community in Gujarat. He highlighted the tremendous progress India is making in all spheres, especially economically. Dr Moledina stressed that members of our community must take advantage of this prosperity and make progress in line with the country's progress. Furthermore he touched upon the two main programmes currently undertaken by The World Federation: the Madrasah Initiative and the Economic Upliftment Programme.
Bhavnagar Jamaat Office
Dr Moledina also spent time with Bhavnagar Jamaat officials, headed by Al–Hajj Ramzanbhai Asaria, and discussed the vision and mission of The World Federation in line with that of the Jamaats in Gujarat. Several leaders of the Gujarat jamaats, and business leaders, met him in Bhavnagar to appraise him of the situation in their jamaats. Dr Moledina urged the business leaders to centralise their huqooq funds towards community institutions.
The work undertaken by The World Federation was appreciated and the Gujarat community is committed to playing a positive role in this aspect. Dr Moledina presented the President of Bhavnagar Jamaat with DVD's of Marhum Mulla Asgharali M M Jaffer for distribution to the different Jamaats in Gujarat.
Dr Moledina then visited Mahuva and was accompanied by both Ramzanbhai Asaria, and the past President of Council of Gujarat Al-Hajj Hassanalibhai Merchant. Whilst in Mahuva, Dr Moledina had the opportunity of addressing the mu’mineen at Najaf Society Mosque where he again focused on The World Federation’s Madrasah Initiative and Economic Upliftment Programme. The community was appreciative of the work undertaken by The World Federation and were keen to work together for the benefit of the members.
Dr Moledina at Mahuva Jamaat
On Saturday 12 November, the President met with the President of Husaini Education, Al-Hajj Sajjadbhai Varteji, and his team including Al-Hajj Gulamalibhai Meghani and Al-Hajj Mohsinbhai Varteji, and discussed in detail the education plan for Gujarat and Kutch.
On the last leg of his tour of Gujarat, Dr Moledina visited Ahmadabad, where he met with the trustees of Sarkhej Jamaat and once again briefed them of the projects of The World Federation. The trustees showed their excitement at the details of the Madrasah Initiative and promised to work together with The World Federation on this important agenda. Dr Moledina promised to assist the local madrasahs and to make them a part of The World Federation’s Madrasah Initiative.
Dr Moledina commented, “My recent trip to India was immensely fruitful. I wish to thank all of the people I met for allowing me the time to share my thoughts and feelings with them, and to discuss some strategies for the development of the community. I am also grateful to Al-Hajj Aunalibhai Salemohamed who accompanied me and coordinated the programme in Gujarat. I especially wish to appreciate the efforts of the leaders of Mumbai Jamaat, Bhavnagar Jamaat, Mahuva Jamaat, and Sarkhej Jamaat for their excellent work and dedication. Inshallah The World Federation will work with all of these jamaats to meet the needs of the community.”
Dr Moledina with Mahuva community elders including Al-Hajj Aunalibhai Salemohamed and Bhavnagar Jamaat President Al-Hajj Ramzanbhai Asaria
For more information email secretariat@world-federation.org
To contact The World Federation’s India Office email india@world-federation.org
To donate to projects in India click here