Answers of Dr.
Sibtain Panjwani to Questions by COEJ
1) How do
you see the development of the working relationship of the WF with the Regional
Organisations in terms of protocol and funding?
In my manifesto, I have stated that ‘…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.’ Due to
constraint of space, I could not mention specific issues such as the disparity
of membership. But your questions have given me an opportunity to elaborate on
this.
When we use the word protocol, we take it to mean the formal etiquette and procedure governing functions (of bodies or activities). In terms of protocol, I see the development of the working relationship of the WF and Regional Organisation, as operating according to first and foremost, Islamic values of trust and respect. From this Islamic basis, we must operate within a disciplined system of defined roles and functions so as to co-operate together well and use our resources to cater for the needs of the region and the community at large.
The first area of protocol in this relationship is defining
roles. I believe the WF should work through and with the Regional Organisation
in order to cater for the needs of a particular region. For example, if the WF
is aware that four jamaats in
If we did not adhere to this disciplined structure, our
roles would overlap so as to cause disharmony. Furthermore, we would not be
able to successfully cater for the needs of a particular region. A Regional
Organisation is in the best position to do this but if the WF did not respect or
was willing to work with it, then the Regional Organisation would not have
increased support, resources and workforce.
The second area of protocol is following the correct procedure. If a regional member jamaat wants to set up a sports facility and requires assistance, it should apply directly to the Regional Organisation. And, the Regional Organisation can evaluate the application. Then, if the Regional Organisation needs assistance and resources, it can work with the WF to gather such resources. Here, the Regional Organisation and the WF will endeavour to assist that particular application. And, both will be working within the system our community uses to meet its needs – from Members to Jamaats to Regional Organisations to the World Federation. This, I believe, is the correct procedure for our community and for the relationship between the WF and Regional Organisation.
The third area is the function of a Regional Organisation.
It is a central body in our community that can best cater for the needs of a
particular region. The World Federation is an umbrella body that acts as an
enabler and facilitator for the community and its bodies. It aims to work
together with bodies such as the Regional Organisation in order to meet the
needs of members in the most viable way.
The last area in the relationship is decision-making. In my
manifesto, I have stated ‘we cannot move forward when decisions are made by
a few people or committees…’ In this respect, I want to develop a
‘presidency’ rather than simply be president. I have made this point when
answering Nasimco’s questions and would like to state my intention here is to
give a sense of ownership to a wider circle than just the office bearers. I
want to involve Regional Organisation leaders and other leaders to make
decisions together on important policy and implementation issues. This
increases participation, unity and intellectual progress.
In terms of funding, it is important to note that all our
organisations obtain funding from the same pot – the community. As such we all
have one source of funding and target the same people for those funds. This is
not the most effective way to obtain funding for the community and for the
relationship between Regional Organisations and the World Federation.
In order for this to be improved, members, jamaats and
organisations must co-operate together to work out programs of how to best
obtain these funds (since collectively, we can use our workforce and thinking
to attract funds rather than doing it individually).
Secondly, we also need to work out how best to channel these funds
for our community objectives. We do not want inadequate funds for an important
community project. And, we do not want funds lying about in our community,
which are not used or not used effectively. We must have a clear channel for
funds, which will better our revenue cycle. We will then continue to centralise
our resources. I also commend COEJ for bringing out a paper in this respect
because this is an example of how we can utilise funds effectively.
I also view Regional Organisations as being collectors of hukuk
funds from its members to use according to shari’a and for the surplus to go to
the WF to fulfil needs outside of the region for other community projects.
Where we need to do this, we will work with the Regional Organisations to
obtain funding from its membership.
Therefore, in both protocol and funding, I see the development of
the Regional Organisation and World Federation as working together with mutual
trust and respect, within a defined and disciplined system, which achieves the
most successful solutions to meet our variety of needs.
2) How
do you envisage redressing the anomaly that exists as regards the membership
within WF i.e some being Regional organisations and some being Jamaats?
Please read this answer along with my answer to question 3 for a fuller picture.
Whilst the situation of membership with regards to some
regional organisations and some jamaats existing can be described as anomalous,
I believe it is a process. For example, when the World Federation was formed in
1976, there was only one Regional Organisation, which was Africa Federation.
Today, we have four Regional Organisations who are our members. The only way we
can address this issue is by nurturing minds to accept that the way forward is
to form Regional Organisations rather than keeping to individual jamaats. I
believe that virtually every region is capable of forming one and there are
strong reasons for doing so (this is elaborated in question three). This is the
premise from which I wish to work on.
But it is also possible that exceptions to this premise may
occur where a region is incapable of forming a Regional Organisation because
only a single jamaat exists.
I know that
3) What
and how, do you intend to make CoEJ rightfully take its position, as a member
of WF, and at the same time convince those Jamaats, still unsure, to
alleviate their concerns?
In order for COEJ to take its rightful position and
convince unsure jamaats of this, I believe the COEJ leadership, together with
the World Federation, should actively persuade jamaats of the benefits of COEJ
joining the World Federation. Alhamdullilah, in the recent past, Mahmoodbhai
Hooda and I were able to convince
The misconceptions on this issue need to be rooted out with
a firm understanding of the benefits and I hereby submit the relevant
arguments. Firstly, it is clear if COEJ joins the World Federation then jamaats
can operate in a more successful manner with co-operation, workforce and
resources available to them through COEJ and the WF. A breadth of opportunities
open up from finance to manpower to intellectual contributions and to
networking. But if a jamaat is independent, it can fail to progress as
efficiently as it could have done. In this way, the jamaat builds a most useful
relationship with the Regional Organisation and the World Federation and vice
versa.
Secondly, I aim to have section 3 of the World Federation
constitution (below) to be interpreted by the Executive Council so we can gain
a clear understanding of how the membership works in the event of dilemmas:
3.1 Eligibility
“Any Shia Ithna-Asheri jamaat, community or organisation established in any part of the world may apply for membership of the Federation, provided that where in any region, country, city or town a number of Shia Ithna-Asheri jamaats, communities or organisations are members of a regional Federation of jamaats, communities or organisations, then such regional Federation shall be eligible for a single membership of the Federation and to the exclusion of its members from direct membership of the Federation.”
For example, if COEJ decides to become a member of the
World Federation whilst some of its members may be reluctant to do so, then
section 3 appears to be inconclusive on this matter. As such, it can support
both direct membership to the World Federation but also regional membership as
well. However, I believe one aspect of this section is clear. The
constitutional intention in the following words “then such regional
Federation shall be eligible for a single membership of the Federation and to
the exclusion of its members from direct membership of the Federation” means
the spirit is to encourage jamaats to work through Regional Federations to the
WF.
Thirdly, by supporting COEJ to become a member of the WF,
jamaats play their role in unifying our members and structures. In my manifesto
I have quoted verse 103 from Sura-al-Imran, which states: ‘And hold fast,
all of you together, to the Rope of Allâh (i.e. this Qur'ân), and be not
divided among yourselves…’ Jamaats must, along with any other body, ensure
that we co-operate at the highest level to prevent disunity in the community
and progress together.
It is clear
from history that the subject of COEJ joining the World Federation has been the
topic of many discussions, amongst the COEJ membership and between COEJ and the
World Federation. It is only through conviction and determination from all
concerned that we can move this issue to full membership for COEJ. In this
regard, I am most committed to work with the COEJ leadership and members to
actively make COEJ a member of the World Federation. If elected inshallah, then
in my term and hopefully within a year, I will aim to set this priority and a
clear direction in this regard for our community in