As a servant of Allah, I state the following:

 

Manifesto

For the term 2003-2006

 

 ‘Islam in Principle and Action’

 Dr.Sibtain Panjwani 

Secretary General of the World Federation andStanding for the post of President for the World Federation

 The way forward for our community is simple. To give utmost importance to our Islamic principles and actions so that as our times and needs change, we can correctly develop and meet those needs. We cannot afford to have principles and actions, which have little to do with Islam. Otherwise our community will not progress spiritually or successfully. It is the definition of Islam by Imam Ali (a.s), in summary, that ‘Islam does not mean just faith but faith plus deeds’, from which I have based the title of the manifesto on. I want to preserve and progress the religious identity of the community but we can only do this when we understand and use our faith. 

When we talk about the various influences and forces against Islam that change this identity, we miss a crucial fact. These influences and forces injure us subtly, from within. Our community can slowly but surely weaken as we allow different principles, directions and goals to determine our way forward instead of Islam in all its aspects. This is our current problem. 

How do we make sure our community develops according to both Islamic principle and action to fulfil our different needs? Firstly, we must prevent such un-Islamic or diluted principles from seeping into our community. When you hear words like ‘modernism’, ‘secularism’ and ‘professionalism’, you may feel these have a lot to offer. I am of course open to learning knowledge and types of thinking because we are a developing community. We cannot remain stagnant. But such philosophies can govern our thinking instead of Islam. Our confidence in the Almighty, the Wise, becomes placed in another direction. Such directions are simply grand presentations without any real content or understanding. Where is this so-called ‘grand’ direction taking us? Where are Islamic principles and values in all of this? If we pause and think about this, we will place more confidence in understanding Islamic principles, which result in correct and fruitful actions. 

Secondly, we must concentrate on implementation, on action, to fulfil our needs. How many times have you heard madressas will be more effective, the role of women to be improved, media, a better voice for youths or immoral actions to be prevented? Countless. These questions are unanswered because at times, we do not concentrate on getting results and getting results using Islam. I can tell you of many uncompleted resolutions lying on our office desks.  

Thirdly, our development must be realistic, truthful and focused. If I tell you I will give priority to improving the role of women, I say it because it can be improved. But if I tell you I will quickly make this community into an ‘international giant, leaping forward in bounds’, I will be lying to you and fooling myself. We are an expanding community but we must expand intelligently and not impulsively. 

Furthermore, for us to progress, we must understand the needs of every region and its past and present situation. This may seem obvious but because we concentrate on our own regions we can miss the needs of others. If we understand our community in this way, we can see the bigger picture and how we want our community to develop. In other words, we will not think narrowly, concentrate on our own agendas or even become involved in our own squabbles. We will all develop a mature, broad and compassionate mind. 

This leads me onto an inevitable but misunderstood point. We can only fulfil our needs by unity and respect. In Sura-Al-Imran, verse 103 it states: ‘And hold fast, all of you together, to the Rope of Allâh (i.e. this Qur'ân), and be not divided among yourselves…’ But today, this rope can be loosened when we look at good actions in different shades of light. We can assume the worst of people when we should look to their best. It was Africa Federation’s elders that helped the World Federation in its early stages. And the World Federation appreciated and gave back. Brothers and Sisters, we have built this community together. No one stands out as the sole achiever for our community. We must learn from our history to move to greater heights.  

In order for us to unite, we must give our trust and resources to each other. Some still believe if our institutions, bodies and Jamaats unite and put their money under one roof, it will be harmful to their health. When the money is unnecessarily kept or spent, we fail to prevent a homeless-man from sleeping the night in a grave he has dug. Or we may even fail to meet our own needs effectively. Many don’t realise the money will be under the community’s roof and if this is not so, it is the community’s health that suffers. Our Jamaats, which are our local institutions that guide members and cater for their religious, economic and social needs, must therefore be made strong. If I do not give money to Jamaat ‘X’ to expand itself, how will it cater for its increasing members and activities? In this way, we must use a firm structure of working through Regional Federations to Jamaats to members because each one acts as a core part of this structure. Resources and accountability operate effectively in this manner. My commitment to you is I want every family in our community to have shelter and I want every boy or girl to be educated at university level, inshallah.  

Moreover, we must increase participation of members – of our youths, women and elders, all around the world. We cannot move forward when decisions are made by a few people or committees, or are made according to rigid rules and are made without community spirit. And, we must understand the needs of our members first. If I call members ‘grassroots’ because they are the base of the community but I do not understand their needs, am I not painting a nice picture for you? It is those very youths who volunteer. It is those women who act as housewives, mothers, teachers and contributors. It is those elders who have experience. Why should their role be overlooked? 

            To lead our members, we must have good leaders and they must come forward to improve our community. Leaders who understand the community. Leaders who have a broad and critical mind. Leaders who have Islamic and Secular knowledge. Leaders who ultimately have piety. If leaders are well rounded, our decision and policy making will be more successful because we are armed with many qualities. These qualities should form and inform our leadership rather than other merits which are praised. Is this an idealistic picture? It isn’t because if we apply the right principles, the Almighty guides us. In Sura Yunus, verse 9, it states: 'Those who believe and work in righteousness, the Lord will guide them because of their faith.' This is what we must endeavour to do. For we do not want many leaders and few good leaders. We want many good leaders. If we strive for righteousness, we will move together from ad-hoc development to a reliable one, governed by Islam, in both principle and action. 

Our development must also include working with our marjae’ for guidance to resolve our problems. Our community has a history of close interaction with marjae’ and has continuously sought their guidance on many issues for the betterment of our community. Out of this relationship, two philosophies have emerged which have shaped our thinking. Firstly, our community as a whole has selected and accepted one marja for the sake of continuity and unity. Secondly, we have considered it our duty to advise our marjae’ on our concerns so they can assist us. We must effectively interact with the marjae’ for our community to be guided in the correct manner and vice versa. 

This interaction should also include co-operation with local governments and bodies. We are not an isolated community. Tabligh, building relations and increasing our knowledge are goals we must fulfil. We can only do this by co-operating with others. But we must remember co-operating is not the same as obeying. We should always have a ‘firm handle of faith.’ 

            This is the way forward to prepare us for our 12^th Imam, Imam Mohammed Mehdi (May Allah (s.w.t) hasten his re-appearance). Our principles and actions must be Islamic because only then can we successfully and correctly adapt to the changing times and fulfil our needs. In this way, we preserve and progress with Islam for the Almighty, our dear children and ourselves.  

It is easy to say we are a religious community but it is difficult to say we can keep it that way. We must look at the community in a balanced manner, appreciating its positives but looking to improve its negatives. We see seminars organised by youths, women as carers and contributors, Jamaats expanding, poverty relief, Senior Citizen’s programs, leaders coming to the fore, teams of volunteers, beautiful recitation of the Qur’an and we see tears for Imam Hussein (a.s). But one issue, which continues on today is we can fail to get results. I want results. Above all, I want to do this Islamically, together with all of you. This is progress. This is earning the pleasure of Allah (s.w.t). 

Issues 

‘I hereby address the key issues (due to length purposes I have shortened them), which are applicable to all regions.’

 Youths – please refer to the document ‘Our Youths’ for a detailed analysis and also the ‘Youth Networking’ desk of the World Federation via its website. 

Needs: How many times have you heard youths are leaders of today and tomorrow? Youths as part of the decision-making process, better madressas, religious programs, voice, financial sources, receptive leaders, spirituality and results and no politics, help to answer this common question. 

Solutions:

·         Consistent forums for youths to raise issues, work with and question the leadership

·         Youth leaders to shadow leaders of the community (e.g. via seminars)

·         Youth direction in religious programs to satisfy youth needs

·         Youth Networking

·         Youth desks around the world to prevent dilution of needs

·         A consistent source of finance and resources

 Women 

Needs: Women have been under-represented, given little or no voting rights and have had a subdued intellectual voice. The other major issue is marriage - worrying about when and whom the daughter should marry, inter-marriage and fear of divorce. Dress code is also an issue. Women are not only housewives but also contributors. How do we utilise women more effectively?

 Solutions:

·         Women to have effective decision-making and be consulted

·         Voting rights

·         A formal rather than informal way of creating couples under trusted people and institutions

·         Managing rather than simply guiding marriage to prevent divorce

·         Increased facilities for women in centres – religious and social activities

·         Supporting and appreciating women that have diverse skills and run many of our madressas

·         Dress code and behaviour should be emphasised as key Islamic rules

 Islamic Education and Tabligh

 Needs: This area is slowly improving but more needs to be done to learn Islam as consistently as secular subjects. Better schooling from the household and community, effective teaching and resources, active learning of Islam, catering for all age groups, Islamic institutions and expanding tabligh are such needs.

 Solutions:

·         The status of the madressa as a central, frequent and required school for life

·         Methods of teaching to be more critical and easier to adapt to in matters of belief

·         Nurturing Islamic institutions

·         Jamaats to practise understanding Arabic

·         15+ youths to be targeted, educated and guided in every Jamaat

·         More usage and production of our Islamic books

·         Local tabligh to be more active – specific tabligh groups to be set up

·         Effective majalises to cement and encourage the link of learning

 Children

 Needs: Can we say future generations will be practising Shi’a Ithna-Asheri Muslims? Children require a more Islamic environment. Islamic education cannot occur only once or twice a week. It must be everyday and practised at home. If the home fails, then the community is left with an uphill struggle.

 Solutions:

·         The family environment must be made stronger, limiting un-Islamic and subtle influences

·         Mimber to guide the community and address present and key issues

·         The home madressa – teaching must start and continue at home

·         Ahlulbayt (a.s) to be a child’s model rather than anyone else

·         More activities from our own community (not just in the summer) for children

 Elders – please refer to the ‘Senior Citizen’s desk’ on the WF website for more detail

 Needs: Elders require programs, which suit them – whether it is in their language or style. They want more facilities to cater for their old age, medical and recreational needs. Loneliness is also felt with some elders. It is vital to cater for both their Islamic and personal needs.

 Solutions:

• Establishing Seniors Bodies to meet their diverse needs
• Seminars to raise awareness on key issues and bring together elders
• Database for networking purposes and to make people aware of contributions from elders

• Their experience to be used in Jamaat systems and guiding youths

 Media: Individuals have mentioned this over the last 5 years but our community has done little - in particular the leadership, to further this. The solution is to build a media contact network, which becomes our resource and team to counter propaganda. This network branches out to set up media bodies in viable Jamaats so the community is active in voicing itself in all mediums. I have started to gather individuals for this project.                 

 Welfare - Poverty, Disease, Illiteracy, Housing and Orphanage: The first port of call for this fund is the poor, needy and deserving. I will make sure that this money is sent to them within the shortest time possible. Our work continues here through the WF’s and other boards such as Zainabiya Child Sponsorship scheme (orphanage) and Medical Advisory Board (disease) to meet the socio-economic needs of others. Donations result in projects to meet such needs. We require more donations and your time to better these projects. We can do more for the less fortunate than us.

 Aalims: We must utilise Aalims more effectively for our community. Firstly, we will financially support and promote Islamic learning. Secondly, we must encourage people from our own community to study Islam as a career. Thirdly, Aalims must be aware of present day issues and address them efficiently. Aalims must also provide religious guidance to members so that our affairs are run Islamically.

 Community Institutions: It is important for Jamaats, Regional Federations and Organisations to unite and work together effectively. There are still misconceptions on this subject. I cannot emphasise enough how our progress greatly depends on this factor. If we are divided, we will continue to separate. But if we co-operate, we continue to unite. Our resources, finances and workforce when combined can fulfil many of the needs in this document. I sincerely appeal to all our institutions to move on the basis of trust and mutual respect. For you are the pillars of the community.

 Local and Global stage: Talk has been occurring of global participation but this needs to be evaluated with current events and how effective it would be for us to take this step. It could occur in the future. Locally, we need to greatly network with other bodies to strengthen bonds, achieve tabligh and meet our mutual needs. We should work with others to achieve common goals and not be too isolated.

‘Below I have elaborated on the specific state of regions:’ 

Europe: Drugs, effective madressas and a media role are current topics and have been discussed for quite some time now. Through increased networking much has been achieved but implementation remains key. Women are also more active but better participation from both women and leaders will achieve solid results. Centralising our resources is required to achieve such results.

 North America: It is easy to lump North America with Europe when discussing its strengths and challenges. But its strengths lie in both its vast regions and field of service in these regions. Charitable organisations such as Tarike-Tarsile-Qur’an and Bilal Muslim Mission of America are such examples. The opportunities here are therefore great and we will continue to work together to produce successes in the way of and for Allah (s.w.t). The specific challenges involve preserving Islam for future generations because of the severity of un-Islamic influences. Marriages outside of our faith occur and there is a sense of isolation with other Khojas and Shi’as. A firmer vision from institutions to boldly safeguard Islam and to reach out to members across America and Canada is required. If an institution is accessible and concrete in its direction, members begin to reciprocate. Part of the vision should be better education, better family environment and encouraging community participation from youths and effective leaders. What other regions can do is foster better links with our community in North America and vice versa.

 East Africa and Madagascar: Our communities here have given to our European and American communities through the WF most generously and are well known within our community as well. Today, our African communities need economic, education, housing and tabligh upliftment since their needs have increased. Our community and the WF will commit its resources to reduce such hardships.

 India: In the last 7 years, a lot has been achieved in education and housing and we now see a spirit of giving in Gujarat as persons from Gujarat finance many projects. It also attracts outside donors. This is an indication of a good change and in the coming years, it will not need heavy financial commitment from the WF. We will, however, continue to support education and economic upliftment in partnership with the local communities and benefactors.

 Pakistan: Even though the prevailing issue is our Shi’as being killed, our communities in Karachi are self-sufficient and have a unique model whereby philanthropist leaders and workers unite to remove disease, poverty and ignorance. Their infrastructure is worth our admiration and we can learn from it. The WF will actively promote joint projects in Karachi and elsewhere in Pakistan.

 Middle East: The plight of our Muslims in Iraq and elsewhere continues but we will support them consistently. I pray to the Almighty to save them from such suffering. Our community in Dubai is a vibrant, self-sufficient community with a good location, resources and potential to develop and forge links with other communities. The future looks promising for Dubai.

 Australia: Australia was also a place considered to bring new opportunities to Khojas. Our Khojas have helped build centres and they have also supported numerous projects, which the WF has taken on over the years, even before the establishment of such centres. This is a clear example of how far the community reaches and how much we must support each other.

 Eastern Europe: Many Muslim organisations responded to the plight of Bosnian Muslims after they left their homes due to the bloody war that resulted on the disintegration of the former Yugoslavia of 1992. The World Federation responded to their ‘spiritual’ needs by publication of Islamic literature in the Bosnian language. Through the Bosnian desk of the WF, work remains active here, alhamdulillah.

 Asia: As we saw communism fade after 1990 and the ripples of Islam taking effect, the World Federation seized this opportunity for tabligh and many from within these regions began to become Shi’as. Thailand’s Shi’a Islamic history was resurrected in this period with assistance from our community. But in Malaysia, Singapore and Indonesia much needs to be done since our contact there is minimal. We need to maintain and further our links here so people remain and become Shi’a Muslims.