Respected Community Members

Salamun Alaykum,

Eid Mubarak to you and your families on this auspicious day of Eid al-Fitr.

We were blessed with the beautiful and merciful month of Ramadhan and today on the day of Eid we thank Allah (SWT)for having given us an opportunity of successfully completingthe holy month in acts of worship, charity, supplications and so much more. As the Quran states whilst mentioning the verses of Ramadhan from 2:183 to 2:185 where the verses end with:

وَلِتُڪۡمِلُواْ ٱلۡعِدَّةَ وَلِتُڪَبِّرُواْ ٱللَّهَ عَلَىٰ مَا هَدَٮٰكُمۡ وَلَعَلَّڪُمۡ تَشۡكُرُونَ

‘And that you should complete the number (of fasts) and that you should exalt the greatness of Allah for having guided you and that you may give thanks.’
Qur’an – 2:185

Watch a Community Address from the President of The World Federation in Gujarati

 

Eid marks the culmination of a month of fasting, during which we have gratefully received the infinite mercy of Allah (SWT). We express our gratitude for His guidance and for enabling us to successfully fulfil the noble mission of Shahr Ramadhan – attaining God-consciousness through obedience to His commands.

This has been a very difficult month of Ramadhan for the Ummah due to the ongoing events unfolding in the Middle East. In this atmosphere filled with sorrow and pain, our hearts break when we see innocent people killed especially women and children. Such acts are not only condemnable, but they are inhuman and go against all norms of international values let alone values of all world religions.

These are times when true human values are camouflaged with perceived world values especially in these times of Akhiruz Zaman. The values many a times are contrary to the values of our faith as taught to us by the Holy Quran (the book which was revealed in this month) and the teachings of Ahlul Bayt (a)

Ibn Abi al Hadid in the Sharh of Nahjul Balagha narrates an event that unfolded during the battle of Siffin. Moawiya Bin Abu Sufiyan asked Amr Bil Al Aas his chief advisor why is it that his side was unable to win against Imam Ali (AS). The response of Amr was telling – ‘Oh Moawiya, you have failed to understand the values of Ali. You pray to live in this finite world, Ali is craving to meet his Lord in the eternal world’. When someone lives in this world with the objective of eternal values the world view is focussed towards achieving the pleasure of God and everyone around that individual is very safe- both in this world and the hereafter. For those who aspire only to meet worldly gains are lost in understanding what the believing men and women think and manifest their characteristics limited to the temporal world. The month of Ramadhan teaches us to reflect on our world view andespecially in our journey towards Tazkiya (self-purification)as well as in serving society in this world and at the same time achieving the pleasure of God in both worlds.

I extend my heartfelt appreciation to all jamaat and regional officials, madrasah teachers, and volunteers who have tirelessly served the community this month, without seeking recognition.

Your efforts do not go unnoticed, and Allah (SWT) sees and rewards your sincerity.

This year, Alhamdulillah, The World Federation commemorates 50 years of its existence. We have also dedicated this year as the Year of Mulla Asghar (whose anniversary happens to be the 21st March) – let us remember all Marhumeen and especially Marhum Mulla saheb with Sura Al Fatiha.

This Ramadhan we also launched the global drive of ONE ID that is our unique community platform that connects us digitally and will help us as a community to plan strategically for our future, serve better and grow stronger. As Imam Ali says ‘I do not fear poverty in the community as much as I fear poor planning’. Planning without data is not possible. Recent challenges especially during crises teaches us that this initiative is no more a good thing to have BUT a necessity.

Humbly urge each of you who have not yet registered their One ID card to do so soonest.

Register Here

Our spirit of charity reaches its peak during Ramadhan, as demonstrated by the record sums raised by WF-AID for Ramadhan Relief. With your support, WF-AID has reached hundreds of thousands of vulnerable individuals in over 20 countries. I express my gratitude to all donors for their contributions to these worthy causes.

The World Federations humanitarian arm WF AID as always stands upto its values ‘We exist to serve’ and we have opened an emergency relief to help all those innocent lives that are suffering today in the Middle East and other parts of the world.

The Prophet (SAW) reminds us of our duties of helping those in need ‘Whoever hears a man calling out (for help) ‘Oh Muslim!’ and does not respond (to the call of the distressed), is not a muslim’

Despite the challenges faced, we are reminded of our duty to the most vulnerable in society, especially women and children. This serves as a catalyst for our global community to continue its mission of reaching out to those in need.

WF AID is here to serve, so please generously donate towards the most destitute in society through our various relief funds:

Donate Here

As followers of the Ahl al-Bayt (a), we view difficulties as tests from Allah (SWT) and strive to turn them into opportunities for service. Our motto – ‘We exist to serve’ – resonates deeply with our commitment to humanity.

On this Eid day, let us pray for the hastening of the reappearance of our Imam Mahdi (aj).

Once again, Eid Mubarak to you and your families.

Safder Jaffer

President

The World Federation of KSIMC