3rd Executive Council Meeting at Toronto
Press Release

World Federation Evening -Friday 19 June

The Community of Toronto welcomed the Councillors attending the Executive Council of the World Federation with all the warmth and fervour which she accords to her kith and kin. They showed their support by responding in good numbers to attend the "World Federation evening" on Friday 19 June 1998 organised by the Secretariat of the World Federation. At this evening, the members of Toronto Jamat saw the exhibition display on the various activities of the World Federation, appreciated the insight given on the activities and working of the World Federation and heard the keynote address from the President of the World Federation Alhaj Mulla Asgharali M M Jaffer.

In his reflective address, the President emphasised that the breadth of activities undertaken by the World Federation can only be carried out by the team of young people at the Secretariat and not by one person. The virtue of leadership, he reposed, lies in building confidence and consensus within the team.

The next day, the host -Islamic Shia Ithnaasheri Jamaat of Toronto made arrangements for the Councillors to visit 9000 Bathurst, an expansive 28 acre site where an impressive Al Sadiq Primary School is based. The Councillors were moved by the efforts put in by all concerned in making sure that the school instils Islamic etiquette in our children. The Councillors learned that establishing a school and then running it is a difficult task but it is not impossible when the Community as a whole is moved to appreciate the immense benefit that is accruing to children of the Community .

3rd Meeting of Executive Council -Saturday 20 June

On Saturday, 20 June 1998, the 3rd World Federation Executive Council meeting was held in Jaffery Islamic Centre, Bayview where over 200 Councillors, Invitees and Observers attended. Among the attendees were Haji Gulamabbas Sajan -President of Nasimco, Haji Nazir Gulamhussein -President of Toronto Jamaat, Haji Mohamed Jaffer Hasham, Haji Aliraza Rajani, all from Canada. Haji Shakir Mukhi -President of New York Jamat, Haji Habib M Habib, all from the United States of America. Haji Aliraza Lakhani from Karachi representing Khoja Shia Ithnaasheri J amat of Karachi. Many Councillors representing member J amats of Europe were present. The special visitor to the meeting was the Member of Parliament and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Finance, Mr Tony Valerie.

In an atmosphere of warmth and cordiality , the Councillors heard the welcome address from the President of Toronto Jamaat followed by the address from the President of Nasimco.

The President of the World Federation began the review of the past quarter by conveying the Salaams from the Marja' Ayatullah al Udhama Syed Ali al-Husain Seestani. Reflecting on the international scene, he informed the attentive audience of the calamities that befell Shia Muslims in Pakistan, earthquake victims in Iran and Aghanistan and affliction within our Community due to cyclone in Western Gujarat. The World Federation has raised its voice against injustices and provided assistance to victims of natural disasters where ever it could.

Massacres of Muslims in Pakistan has been of concern to all of us. The Secretariat wrote to the Embassy demanding that the Government of Pakistan take stern measures against the perpetrators and create conditions to remove sectarian killings.

The World Federation provided fmancial relief to earthquake victims of Iran and Afghanistan and sent Indian Rupees 325,000 for immediate assistance for members of our Community afflicted by the cyclone in Jarnnagar, Lalpur, Malia, Miana, Nawlakhi and Mandvi.

In Gujarat, after 7 years of lapse, the World Federation has revived the water programme. Bore wells are dug in suitable places so that not only our own community benefits but other Communities surrounding it can also benefit. The President reported that the Water purification project in Alipur has been completed. This will provide clean water to our Communities and as a result many diseases that are transmitted from contaminated water will be eradicated.

Finally, the President made an appeal for Islamic Education Board programmes. He reminded the Council that 1997-2000 is the term for Islamic Education Board. Many projects including publications of books, distribution of books, providing education resources to Madressas, Schools and Universities are undertaken at considerable financial cost. This required constant funding and he requested the Councillors to make an appeal in their own Community for financial contributions. £90 per year or 25 pence a day from every individual of our Community will go a long way in making sure that this work can continue unhindered.

Accounts

The Honorary Treasurer, Haji Ahmed Daya presented the accounts of the period 1 January 1998 to 30 April 1998. Many queries were ably dealt with by him and to the satisfaction of the Councillors and lnvitees present in the meeting.

Medical Advisory Board

The Chairman of the Medical Advisory Board, Dr Mohamed Taki Walji emphasised the value of screening for our Communities in North America, pal1icularly for Thallasaemia as cousin marriages are common throughout the Community .He informed the Council that in this term, the MAB will be expanding on services already being carried out, so as to benefit the Community even more.