Maulana Prof.Khwaja Mohamad Latif Ansari’s

Address at the 5^th Conference of the Federation of the Khoja Shia

Ithnasheri Jamats of Africa. 

  

 'Then as for the scum, it passes away as a worthless thing; and as for that which profits the people, it tarries in the earth; thus does ALLAH set forth parables.' Holy Quran”

     

Mr. President, Mr Abdulhusain Noormuhamad and brethren.

'Come, so that we perform our duties towards our community, and combat the battle of life gallantly.’

 

It is indeed most gratifying to note that in these days of trials and tribulations, our Shia Ithnasheri Community has assembled here in order to contrive means for religious upliftment, betterment of its future and enhancement of its standard of living. To deliberate over the ways and means of communal progress is the basic purpose of this conference. You are not unaware of the fact that the struggle for life is prevalent amongst every community, and as such, I have been about to discover depths of consolation and heights of ecstasy in the conservation that my community has realized the significance and the necessity of such a gathering where at feasible resolutions may be considered. You all know that futile and impracticable schemes are usually detrimental to the cause of a community.    

                                                                                                                  

In Africa, a sort of conflict and rivalry exists between the communities, and our community stands on the threshold. Under such trying circumstances, we have a desire to achieve successful living instead of getting ruthlessly crushed by other forces. And we intend to acquire this life in the wake of the famous principle of 'Live and let Live, not by destruction of sister communities. No doubt, such difficult times are of considerable importance to all groups, because they decide the future of the ensuing generations

 

In this new era, a strange atmosphere exists everywhere, and life becomes fraught with new difficulties. I can visualize a desperate future pregnant with numerous adversities.  I see it as an enigma wrapped in a mystery.

 

Dear brethren! Despite all this adversities, we need not despair. Our community has encountered many trials and has never failed to reduce it to a solution. As you all see, we have outlived all hardships, and inshallah, will remain alive for all times. This is because our Holy Book, Quran is living; our Prophet and Imams are alive and have imparted to us the secret of perpetual life.

 

1.      We still exist because we always strive for the welfare of humanity without the distinction of creed or caste.

 

Holy Quran reveals this secret to us in the following verse:

"Then as for the scum, it passes away as a worthless thing and as for that which profits the people, it tarries in the earth; thus does Allah set forth parables."     

 

This principle has been expressed by the renowned psychologist, Robert Heap in the following words:

“To remain on earth you must be useful, otherwise Nature regards you as old metal and is only waiting for a chance to melt you down."

 

It is an established fact that our community has never been privileged to enjoy the domination by majority. Have you ever thought to how we have managed to survive all obstacles and to reach the heights of progress in all aspects of life?

 

2        Our community has produced influential personalities who have been able to wield tremendous influence over the public and were acknowledged by the governments also.

 

3)       The third secret of our existence lies in our administration.

 

Thank God that we have a society which caters our religious and social requirements, and under the auspices of the same society. I have been afforded the privilege and honour to address you from this stage. It is a connecting link of all organizations and is extant since last 13 years.

 

It was established by certain intelligent and astute individuals in the general interest and welfare of our community. It is therefore incumbent upon us to express our gratitude to those who have tended this Federation and endeavoured to make it a progressive body Remember! He, who does not thank his fellow beings, fails to thank his Creator.

 

Some of us may be haunted with the feeling that our Federation has not been able to accomplish much during the past 13 years. Lest we forget that a Community has to pass through diverse stages prior to reaching the pinnacle. A famous proverb runs: Rome was not built in a day. Our leaders have developed the Federation till this day; and it is now up to us to reap the fruits of their labour. If we notice any shortcomings and drawbacks in the work done during the past years, it is our bounden duty to scrutinize them and try to eliminate them. By all means, we must not indulge in destructive criticism.

 

Friends! Usually people complaint that sittings such as these end with long speeches and desultory talks. It is action which is always missing. Have you ever taken time to ponder over the reasons for such complaints?

 

The truth is that when we meet, we put forward countless resolutions and suggestions, and waste all our energies after discussing and adopting them. With the result that instead of centralizing our thoughts, we dissipate them. Due to lack of enough resources it is never possible for us to put into practice anything and everything that we resolve.

 

In order to remedy this, we must find out a suitable procedure. Let us accept as many proposals as we may deem fit, but let us select one or two resolutions in the order of their importance and instantly start putting them into practice. After complying it fully with the resolutions we may revert to other two. Otherwise as Jack of all trades and master of none we will not be able to do much for the community.

 

I will mention some of the suggestions that are expected to come in this conference:

 

1)       We must educate our children, and propagate the value of higher education. We must have Madressas and boarding etc.

2)       We must commence with a movement for preaching and propagating our religion.

3)       Many of our brethren are ignorant of their own religion. Arrangements must be made for their religious training.

 

Many such proposals would appear. Let me tell you whether you will be able to carry out even a single proposal without finance? If you intend to see this Federation progressing, you have to lend it monetary assistance. Heaven will never shower wealth and fortune upon you!

 

And hearken what our Lord Ali says:

“O man! Whatever you earn over and above your bare necessities you are earning to treasure it for somebody else.”

 

Consider this wise counsel which is devoid of the force and compulsion inculcated by communism. You are invited to volunteer and act according to the principles of ‘Earn and Distribute’. And for those who defy this regulation, Lord Ali says:

 

“There are people whom Allah blesses with His limitless bounties; so that they expend them in welfare of humanity. As long as they comply with His wish, the wealth stays and when they begin hording it and spending niggardly, Allah snatches away the fortune, and entrusts it to the others.”

 

If we uplifment our community as our main objective, then the community will take an active interest in our affairs. If we wish to strengthen this Federation, then every constituent Jamat and the Federation must work for mutual co-operation.

 

The capital of this community must remain in circulation according to the Law of Nature. Blood is the capital of our life, and is treasured in our hearts. It circulates round the body, reaching every cell, tissue and part of our body. Imagine what will happen if blood clots somewhere and ceases to flow. The body will die. The same way fate may befall a community whose wealth is not in circulation.

 

 

Anyone with details on this Photograph is requested to provide

 

Members of the Community are requested to forward this to contacts on their mailing list.

Any suggestions/comments can be sent to federation@raha.com