Vision Statement:


The World Federation exists to achieve the pleasure of Allah SWT by developing spiritual and vibrant communities serving humanity
Mission Statement:


The World Federation enables its member institutions to promote the values and practices of the Islamic Shia Ithna Asheri Faith for the spiritual and material well being of humanity at large

2nd Executive Council Meeting
Press Release

Executive Councillors of the World Federation met at Hyderi lmambada, South London, to discuss matters of immense significance for the future well being of our Community. The second meeting of the Council held on 21 February 1998 was attended by Councillors from Texas, Paris, Stockholm and allover United Kingdom.

In an atmosphere of pervasive positivity , the dedicated leaders of the Community addressed numerous wide ranging subjects of profound importance, such as:

-Housing in India
-86 die of Aids
-The progress at Alipur
-Why the 7% administrative charges
-£67,000 -deficit for Accident Victim
-IEB teaches Swedish Professors
-African Students in Qum
-External Liason
-Membership ofMuslim Council of Britain .
-Concept for Restructure

With characteristic dignity and cordiality, the Councillors heard the President's report for the quarter in which he highlighted the fact that housing projects in India had almost been completed. The World Federation began the project in 1991 when the 1991- 1994 term was declared as target for the eradication of poverty in Gujarat. Todate, the World Federation has completed a total of nearly 500 dwellings at the cost of approx  lOO million Rupees. The World Federation will continue the housing projects, particularly for Sadat. However, the cost of each dwelling has risen from Rs. 80,000 to almost Rs. 110,000, due to rising material costs.

   Expressing satisfaction at the Z.C.S.S. he informed the Councillors that Muhsin Dharamsi had retired as Chairman due to pressure of work at the Secretariat, and that Mohamed Visram who had been assisting Muhsinbhai. for the last thirteen years, has been appointed as Chairman. The Z.C.S.S. has nearly ten thousand children studying in various parts of the world.


    The Council learned that the Chainnan of MAB Dr. Mohamedtaqi Walji accompanied by Dr .G. Rajpar had toured a number of centres in Karnataka, India, where the World Federation has its projects. These included Bangalore and Alipur. He visited Govandi in Maharashtra also. Expressing his satisfaction at the projects in the field of Health Education and Prevention, Dr .Walji challenged the Councillors to visit Alipur to see how the dire straits of the inhabitants there had been redressed by the World Federation. Amidst a cry of Allahu Akber, Dr. Walji, a seasoned Community worker, vividly illustrated the conditions of Mumineen there and said much is needed to be done in the field to extricate them from the pits of poverty , disease and ignorance.

    In another revelation, he said that it was shocking to see that cases of H.I. V. were on the increase and that todate 86 deaths caused by HIV/Aids are on MAB records.

    The Council heard in horror that despite such grave statistics, little was being done to create a greater awareness of this calamity by our Jamats allover the world.

    As a case in point, the President pointed out that nearly five years ago Dr. Walji had warned the Community of spreading Aids. Recently at a CHB Seminar in Dar es Salaam, Dr .Karim had presented a disturbing report on the Aids situation in certain sections of our Community. However, this report was not given adequate coverage in the publication that followed the Seminar ..There was a general concensus in the Council that the Community must openly and candidly be appraised of the incidence and dangers of AIDS by way of AIDS awareness week, lectures, seminars etc.


ACCOUNTS

    Presenting the quarterly Accounts, the Ron. Treasurer elucidated on the7% adminstrative fees and the manner it was being successfully utilized to bring about a reduction in the deficit of various funds. Re was optimistic that if the present trend were to continue, it would be possible to reduce the deficit in different funds by the year 2000.

    In response to a question on the medical case of the accident victim from Tanzania, Mr.Sarfaraz Lakha, the President stated that originally the World Federation had been approached by Councillor Anver Rajpar to assist. The President committed £22,000 of the £100,000 required for the treatment .and that was fulfilled duly. However, the balance had not yet materialised as promised except for a small percentage of the total cost. The World Federation has a deficit of £67,000 on hand because it could not abandon the young boy's plight and leave him without treatment, despite the non fulfilment of promises made by donors. He appealed to all to see that the deficit of £67,000 was liquidated.

The President said that the Secretariat would not be able to hold Sehme Imam Funds for specific projects for more than one year .If the projects were not started, the funds would be transferred to the General Sehme Imam Fund.

IEB

Reporting on the activities of the IEB, Mustafa Mohsin Jaffer highlighted the activities of the Bosnia desk. Now the IEB has established contacts with University students who are regularly communicating with the IEB.

The IEB had chosen to provide special consultation to two University Professors from Sweden visiting the UK to study the British experiment of ethnic minorities with special emphasis on Islamic Education.

The recently published book, A Restatement of the History of Islam and Muslims has been distributed to over 300 Universities in Europe, Canada, Australia and the U.S.A.

Reporting on his recent visit to Iran, the Chairman of IEB, Mulla Mohsin Jaffer reported that he had met students from Africa studying in Qum. At these meetings, he had impressed upon them to girdle their loins to serve their respective communities back in Africa as soon as they finish their studies. There was a tendency among some to linger on in Iran even after completing their studies despite the fact that the authorities prompted them to return back to their home countries.

He also reported on the tabligh activities in Kenya where he has been seconded by the World Federation to participate in revitalising propagation projects of the Bilal Muslim Mission in Kenya.

EXTERNAL LIASON

The Secretary General, Dr. Sibtain Panjwani briefed the meeting on the formation of the establishment of an External Liason desk to be chaired by Yasin Rahim.

Presenting his thoughts, Yasin outlined that the primary task of the Liason Desk was to present the World Federation to influential parties like parliaments and governments. Further, the Liason Desk would endeavour to establish contacts with other organisations who could support and assist in the activities of the World Federation.

Reporting on the Interfaith activities, he suggested that while some work had been done, much needed to be accomplished.

All such activities could not be accomplished by a single person or the liason desk in isolation. He appealed for co-operation and support.


MUSLIM COUNCIL OF GREAT BRITAIN

The President reported on the discussion between the Office Bearers of the World Federation and Office Bearers of the Muslim Council of Great Britain. From the discussion it appeared that it would be beneficial to become a member of the M.C.B. The Council gave its assent for the membership.


RESTRUCTURE

In keeping with the recommendation of Conference 97, on behalf of the Secretariat, the Vice President, Hasnain Walji presented a concept paper on the strategy for implementation of restructuring the World Federation.

The comprehensive paper is the first step towards implementing the recommendation to revitalize the spirit of the restructure resolution


    In order to receive the widest possible input the paper would be circulated widely and would also be placed on the internet. He stated that the final report would be completed within 18 months if all members responded in a timely fashion and assisted in the major task to better serve the needs of the community in the next century .


ARSON IN BIRMINGHAM

The President reported with great regret that arsonist have set fire to the Mosque being built by ldara-e-Maarif Islam in Birmingham, causing a damage estimated at £500,000. He had personally visited the site to survey the damage and express sympathy. The World Federation has contributed £50,000/- towards the project.