It is estimated that as on 21 August, 1996, the number of Internet Users world-wide was 72.6 million. The number of countries connected to Internet as on 29 July, 1996 was 146 and the number of countries reachable by Electronic Mail (e-mail) was 167. It is further estimated that the number of users is expected to grow five-fold by the year 2000. Most of the users, however, are in the USA but the number of users in other countries is increasing day by day.
People are quick to realise the significance and importance of this development. This development can effectively be used to convey messages and counter undue propaganda. Today, almost all religions are represented on the Internet and have their own Web Sites.
Muslim individuals and Organisations have also been active in this matter and there are now hundreds of Muslim Web Sites on the Internet.
The Shia Muslims too have been staying with the times and are not under- represented. There are many Shia Web Sites both by individuals and organisations.
Most Muslims have however not paid enough attention to planning and co-ordinating their efforts with others towards addressing the non-Muslim users of Internet, etc. Their efforts would otherwise already have had a tremendous effect if attention had been paid earlier to these matters.
In 1994, the Islamic Education Board (IEB) of the World Federation circulated The Islamic Computing resource Guide prepared by Basil Hashem containing a list of Islamic Software and major Network resources. The IEB also circulated Cybermuslim 2.00 - The Guide to Islamic resources on the Internet by Masoo’d Cajee.
Thanks to the initiative of Jaffer Dharamsi, the World Federation has its own Web Site on the Internet and the Islamic Education Board of the World Federation is represented on it.
At the 7th Meeting of the Executive Council held on 2 September, 1996 at Wessex, the Web manager, Jaffer Dharamsi presented a report on Internet and demonstrated its use by showing some of the materials put on the World Federation’s Site.
There is also a separate Web Site devoted solely to THE HOLY QUR’AN with its own Domain Name.
The Internet provides great opportunities for Tabligh in several ways:
One can communicate in any language and softwares are now being developed allowing a person to type letters in languages other than English (e.g. Farsi, Arabic, Urdu). The Ahlul-Bayt Discussion group and its affiliates like ABDG-Alim, ABDG-Youths and ABDG-An-Nisa are operating under this system.
One of the greatest benefits of these groups is that it has enabled Shia students in remote Universities to be able to stay in touch with religious matters. On Wiladats and Wafats there is usually a brief lecture posted. The other benefit is that very often the students are put in touch with Shia families and organisations in their local area, of whom they would otherwise be unaware of.
By e-mail, the IEB receives masaels, requests for literature, addresses of Muslims, Mosques, Organisations in various parts of the World and for other information, to which it responds accordingly.
Some Newsgroups are devoted to Islam only but all can write and participate in the discussions being carried out in the group.
Many a time, anti-Islamic or anti-Shia forces write against or attack Islam and/or the Shia Faith. A number of people monitor these discussions, participate and counter the propaganda against Islam in general or against the Shia Mazahab in particular.
The IEB Web Site is also maintained by Jaffer Dharamsi who has put in many hours into upgrading it to its present standard. In addition to what has been put on the IEB Site, Jafferbhai has also made more Islamic Religious material available on the main World Federation Sites.
Many of the Shia Web Sites now on the internet have links to yet other Shia Web Sites. One such Web Site, the 'Al-Islam' Web Site is being maintained by Salim Yusufali who is a student at Stanford University (USA). His contributions in this field are commendable and deserve special mention.
Another interesting and useful development has been that of the Shi’ite Encyclopedia initiated by a student, Vahid Majd who was studying at a University in the USA. During his studies, he collaborated with a team to correspond with Sunnis about the Shia Faith. The material was edited and put on the Internet and called the Shi’ite Encyclopedia. It is currently undergoing revision to version 2.2. On completion of his studies, Vahid Majid left for Iran, from where he is still in contact with the team which took over. A glance at the Index of the Shi’ite Encyclopedia reveals the wide variety of Islamic subject matter covered and gives some indication of the pain and trouble taken by these brothers to spread the true word.
How can we participate to contribute?
The Internet is now seen as the next growth arena of high technology with enormous potential. It has a disadvantage that it allows uncensored information and photographs to be accessed by even children but authorities around the world are grappling with this problem particularly because of pornographic material being exposed to children.
Other than the problem with illicit material, the Internet is the 'in' thing today. For example if one was to access the site of the Islamic Education Board of the World Federation (http://www.dircon.co.uk/worldfed/wfieb.html) one comes across Islamic information like 'Topics on human reproduction -- an Islamic perspective', the IEB Picture Gallery, Circulars from the IEB Secretariat and information on the Holy Qur'an resources on the internet.
Similarly the Shi'ite Encyclopedia, The Holy Qur'an, Shiasm -- its origin and growth, Nahj-ul-Balaagha, Fiqh and Fuqaha, the contemporary rulings of Ayatullah Seestani, Questions on Jurisprudence and other subjects are now also accessible.
Recently the Ahlul Bayt DILP announced the completion of three multimedia projects, one of which was the Islamic Gallery containing various pictures and audio items. If you have the Real Audio 3.0 Player on your computer you can listen to Islamic sound clips.
Apart from the growing list of munajat, marthiya, nawha's, na'ts and du'as which include Du'a Kumayl and Du'a Iftetah, there is also a new section of Islamic lectures and it is currently also possible to listen online to the following majalis--Wafat of Sayyida Khadija (a.s.) by Sayyid Muhammad Rizvi in Toronto, Canada on 18 January, 1997 and a Ramadhan majalis recited by Mulla Asgherali M.M. Jaffer in London in 1994.
The Islamic Gallery can be accessed at http://www.al-islam.org/gallery/ and for a wealth of other information on a wide range of Islamic topics you can access to http://www-leland.stanford.edu/~yusufali/islam/encyclopedia/index.html.
However a team of scientists has been surprised at the accuracy with which the niche of the Holy Prophet's Mosque in Madina faces the centre-point of the Holy Ka'ba in Mecca. This was proved by the scientists when they carried out experiments at the Holy Prophet's Mosque.
Conducting the experiments with the use of laser beams, the scientists released a beam of light from the niche of the Mosque and found that it pointed to the direction of the Ka'ba and was in straight line precisely up to the centre-point of the Ka'ba.
What has baffled the scientists is the fact that this feat was achieved by the Holy Prophet (S.A.W.) over 1400 years ago when he built the Mosque. That was an era when modern technology was not available to locate any one particular position on earth from another.
However the Prophet was known for his many supernatural achievements and put plainly, this is yet another of the Prophet's miracles now being unearthed by scientists.
The script of the film has been approved by Sheikh Mohammed Mahdi Al Shamsuddin, head of the Islamic Shia Council in Lebanon.
Born in Lebanon, he has lived in US for over 25 years. Sheik Asfi graduated at the Mashad University, Iran and received his Ph.D. in Islamic Studies and Theology in 1997. As a teacher in Qum he taught Fiqh and undertook translations from Arabic to English. He has written several books, including 'Islam and Christianity', 'Al Salate' and 'Man and God'.
White turbaned and in his "aba", he served the Muslim communities in Southern California in many ways. He established Al Huseini Masjid in the city of Bell and provided services as and when needed to Jafferia Society, Fatimiah Society and Zainabiah Centre amongst others. Among his many accomplishments is that he converted over 1200 Americans to Islam.
After serving the Los Angeles Jamat for seven years, he felt a calling and an urgent need for a Muslim Cemetery and moved to Adelanto to accomplish this task. There he established a 40 acre Muslim Cemetery complete with a Ali Ibn Abi Talib Mosque and a fully equipped Ghusl Khana.
On October 12, 1996 the US Department of Justice appointed Sheik Asfi to provide weekly Islamic religious services at the Federal Prison Camp in Boron, California located about 25 miles from the city of Adelanto.
Sheik Asfi is a shining example of a man with a clear mission of Islam, in his heart and deeds, who has integrated in the US melting pot whilst at the same time maintaining his distinct identity. He not only serves and forms new Muslim communities wherever he goes but also effectively propagates Islam bi haqqi Muhammadin wa alihi salaam.
An aid who threw himself in front of Seyyid Muhammad was shot in the back and died. Another aid was injured and the gunmen made their escape in the getaway car waiting outside.
The attackers violated the sanctity of the house by firing indiscriminately thereby killing one of the workers and injuring others. Sayyid Seestani was not at home at the time but following the attack numerous protests from world-wide were made to theUnited Nations and other human right organisations. Sympathies on the attack were also sent from around the world to Ayatullah Seestani.
It is based on history and hadith books like "Tarikh Tabari", "Morooj Alzahab", "Maghtatel Altalebin", "Imam Ali ibn Abitaleb", "Sahih Muslim", "Sahih Bokhari", "Sharh Nahjul Balagha", "Alghadir" and other books. Considering the sensitivity of the coverage and the accuracy required, the making of the movie can surely be classified as a great effort by the producers.
Like the earlier production of the film "Muslim bin Akil", it is hoped that the new film will in future be dubbed with English sub-titles.
Since 1977, the Islamic State had declared Friday a holiday and worked on Sundays, as do other Arab countries but apparently some Pakistani businessmen were finding the Friday holiday a major handicap to conduct international trade and business. However many feel that being an Islamic country, the weekly holiday should have remained on Friday.
Dr. Wilferd takes a fresh look at the historical sources and provides a cogent reinterpretation of Islamic History that argues in favour of the succession of Imam Ali (a.s.) after the death of the Prophet (s.a.w.).
In his book he challenges the common views held by western scholars based on tendentious sources on the issue and instead makes a case for the special status accorded to the Ahl al-bayt of the Prophet (s.a.w.).
Haji Safdar Karmali was instrumental in bringing about the change of both names. It is indeed apt that where the name of Imam Husein (A.S.) is present, the name of Hazrat Abbas (A.S.) should also be there and today, ideally, the Dongri junction is called Imam Husein (A.S.) Chowk whilst the road is named Hazrat Abbas (A.S.) Street.
In a Souvenir book issued for the occasion, the President of the Mumbai KSI Jamat, Mohibali Nasser said the change in name reflected the secular nature of the Mumbai municipality where Hindus and Muslims live in harmony with other communities.
Among those present from overseas were Mohamedbhai Dhirani, Chairman of the Africa Federation, Asgharali Bharwani, Chairman of KSI Jamat, Dar es Salaam, Dr. Asgharali Moledina, Executive Councillor, Kampala and Nazirali Gulamhusein, President of Mehfile Zainab, Paris. From the Invitees, Mohamed Jaffer Kara of Dar es Salaam was present.
The places visited were Gujarat, Karnataka, Indhra Pradesh and Bihar.Delegates had an opportunity of observing work being done there by the World Federation. In all, 13 towns and villages were visited, particularly to monitor housing and education projects.
To follow-up on progress made, the Chairman of the Zainabiya Child Sponsorship Scheme, Muhsin Dharamsi was expected to visit Gujarat for three weeks from 28 February, 1997.
The Africa Federation Chairman, Mohamed Dhirani suggested that while the World Federation was doing enough towards housing projects it should also consider introducing projects for economic upliftment. He gave examples of Co-operative Societies or small loans to shopkeepers with a view to enhancing their businesses. The President of the World Federation agreed with the proposal and added that in certain places in Gujarat, like Bhavangar, the local Mumineen had already established a
Co-operative Society and were running it successfully. The World Federation is now considering to initiate similar projects in towns and villages.
With the increased publicity given to our Mosque in Trollhatan by the Swedish media, the attention of Muslims as well as non-Muslims is focused on our Centre and Dr. Sibtain felt that there is a need for more tableegh activities, planned and programmed by the Islamic Education Board (IEB) in conjunction with the local Jamat.
In an interesting and enlightening submission, supported by slides, Dr. Walji then explained on Thalassaemia which is a genetically transmitted blood disorder. He said the result of the blood screening conducted so far within our Jamats suggested that up to 7% of members are carriers of this order. He said children from marriages between carriers can suffer from severe and painful conditions and he thus appealed to community leaders and health care workers to take this matter seriously by enlightening members of the community of this impending danger.
It was agreed that platforms like our mimber and communal newsletters and magazines should be used to propagate guidelines.
Jaffer Dharamsi, the World Federation Web Master said that while it was satisfying to note that individuals throughout the world are taking keen interest by accessing the World Federation’s Home Page, many Jamaats have still not provided information for this Page. He then gave examples to show that information on the World Federation Site is being read by Mumineen world-wide with interest.
Article 20.1 says that "A person who has served two full consecutive terms as a President shall not be eligible to be re-elected for the third term but may be elected thereafter."
The Chairman of the Africa Federation, Mohamed Dhirani said that the AF is bound by a mandate that the "President of the World Federation cannot serve for three consecutive terms" but said he would put the issue up at the Kampala Supreme Council Conference to be held in April, 1996.
After extensive discussions it was resolved that an Extra Ordinary Conference be convened between April and July, 1997 to consider the proposed Amendment to the Constitution.
The Executive Council was also updated on the following Projects:
Babul Ilm Project, Leeds: This is a new Imambara Project.
Imam Husein Project, Leicester: This involves extension and renovation to the existing Imambara.
Saiyada Zainab Project, Birmingham: The progress report showed that a further amount of nearly Sterling Pounds 500,000 is needed for completion.
However, there was a suprise waiting for Mulla Asgher during his recent visit to India. While in Cutch, in keeping with local tradition, Mulla Asgher was crowned with a colourful Cutchi Pugree, known otherwise as ‘Safo’ or ‘Dastar’. The weight of the pugree appears to have overwhelmed Mulla as he appears to be no less amused by the experience. Community service has also its lighter moments.!! [The actual issue carried a photograph portraying Mulla with the turban Ed.].
The Conference, which was sponsored by the Islamic Humanitarian Service, was held at the Mehfil-e-Husain Mosque (Husainiyyah) of the Islamic Shia Ithna-Asheri Jamaat of Kitchener-Waterloo. Participants came from Kitchener, Waterloo, Cambridge, Guelph, Toronto, Montreal, Edmonton, Vancouver, Lansing (Michigan, USA), New York, Houston (Texas, USA) and from London, England.
A full report with summaries of what the speakers spoke has been received by the Federation Samachar at the time of going to press. Insha'allah the highlights of the session will be carried in our next issue.
THE JIBA TORONTO CHARTER held yet another seminar on December 7, 1997 at the Bayview Centre. The subject was "BUSINESS ETHICS IN ISLAM" and the main speaker was the resident a’lim of our Jamaat Sayed Mohamed Rizvi. He dealt extensively on business ethics as propounded in the Qura’n and Ahaadis of our Ma’sumeen. He said that while the holy book is silent on many aspects of our "Ibadat" it is vocal on the subject of "Mo’amilat"...."Perhaps the longest ayat in Qura’n, in Sura 2, Ayat 282 believers are given the guidlines on contracts etc. in clear terms".
He emphasized that while wealth and sustenance cannot be achieved without efforts, the end result of the efforts required the blessing of Allah s.h.w. He added that though rizk is guaranteed by Allah s.h.w., the search of it is on the individual.
Nazir Gulamhusein, President of Toronto Jamaat spoke on the strategy for obtaining credit from banks and Zuheir Ebrahim, Vice-President of the Jamaat spoke of export trade financing. Raza Hirji summed up the sessions and Jiba Secretary Mahmood Ahmed proposed the vote of thanks. The seminar was presided by Jiba Chairperson, Sheni Fazal.
YOUTH ADDRESSES BEFORE MAJLIS has been revived and the first youth speaker was Raheel Mohamed Dawood who very eloquently spoke on "Irfan" quoting Al-Qura’n, Hadise Kudsi and Ahadis in well pronounced Arabic. Another youth, Rifat Mamdani addressed the ladies and gents on the role of Bibi Khadija in the propagation of Islam and brought forth new points to ponder.
THE HOLY MONTH OF RAMADHAN brought in lively activities at all our centres in Toronto. Bayview centre was the hub of activities with Darsa, dua’ and Tafsir of Qura’n by Sayed Muhammad Rizvi who painstakingly explained the verses of the Qura’n and their relevance to our daily life. Chairlady Sikina Bakar Mehdi successfully organised recitation of dua’ by girls in the ladies section.
A similar programme was organised at the Crescent Village Centre and there Ashik Kermali introduced a new preaching method by way of having conversations with the audience, especially the youths and children.
A record number of boys and girls also took part in Qura’n Khani and each one received special recognition on the night of 27th Ramadhan. Mulla of the crescent Village, Mohamedhusein Lakha co-ordinated the programme with the help of many volunteers. He also conducted Idd prayers at the Centre attended by a record number of worshippers.
Our Salby Centre at Brampton also hummed with activities and were fortunate to have our well known scholar and preacher Mahmood Yousuf Abdullah of Leicester, U.K. to preach there.