Marhoom Sheikh Gulamhussein Musa Okera (originally of Mogadishu, Somalia) passed away in Arusha, Tanzania on Monday, February 1st, 2010 and will be buried on February 1, 2010. Marhoom Shakir Pirani in Dar-es-salaam, Tanzania on Saturday, January 30th, 2010 and will be buried on Sunday, January 31st 2010.
Marhoom Mohamed Raza Gulamhussein Ibrahim of Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania passed away in India on January 28th, 2010 and will be buried on January 28th, 2010.
Marhooma Fatmabai Haji Ismail, daughter of Marhoom Alibhai Rattansi of Kampala, passed away in Peterborough, UK on January 26th 2010 and will be buried on January 26th 2010. Marhooma Fatmabai Hussein Haji Muraj passed away in Karachi, Pakistan on January 8th 2010.
Marhoom Sabir Hossain of Dubai passed away in Dubai on January 8th 2010.
Haiti Relief Update February 2nd, 2010 - WF charting plan to provide long term aid
The victims of Haiti’s catastrophic earthquake look to the rest of the world for relief. Across the shores of this little island millions of concerned people are finding various ways to help. To this end, The World Federation and many other Muslim aid organisations are working hard to help provide a range of support services to the people of Haiti, including our Shia brothers and sisters from the Al Mahdi Islamic Centre who were also gravely affected by the quake.
WF CONTACTS AL MAHDI ISLAMIC CENTRE On Sunday 31 January 2010, Dr. Mohsin Jaffer, Executive Councillor of The World Federation and NASIMCO provided an update of relief efforts for Haiti. Dr. Jaffer is representing The World Federation and NASIMCO on the South Florida Muslim Relief Task Force to help the people of Haiti.
He stated that, “I have been in touch with Imam Shu’ayb of the Al Mahdi Islamic Centre and he has told me that for immediate needs they are ok.” At present there are a number of Muslim and non-Muslim aid organizations in Haiti helping the victims with their immediate needs. Imam Shu’ayb said that recently, a group from Texas visited him and another group were on their way. In addition, Imamia Medics International (IMI), an organization of Shia Muslim physicians is also in Haiti addressing the medical needs of the people. As well, several Muslim organizations are setting up Halal soup kitchens, organizing the distribution of clothes, supplies and basic humanitarian services. Alhamdulillah, the short term needs of the community are being taken care thanks to the continued support of various donors and organisations alike.
THE PLAN FORWARD After some discussion between Dr. Jaffer and Br. Shu’ayb, Br. Shu’ayb suggested that the funds collected through The World Federation would be best utilized in helping the Shia Muslims in Haiti to rebuild their homes as well as the Al Mahdi Islamic Centre. The earthquake destroyed all of these buildings to rubble.
Based on Br. Shu’ayb’s recommendation of the needs of the Shia community there, and backed by Dr. Jaffer’s suggestion to concentrate long term efforts on rebuilding the lives of the Shia Muslims in Haiti as soon as the situation allows, The World Federation is now charting a plan forward to concentrate its efforts on utilizing the donations collected for the HAITI EARTHQUAKE RELIEF FUND 2010 to rebuild the homes and Centre that once housed our brothers and sisters and the hundreds of orphans of Haiti. Insha’Allah, we will continue to provide more information as the plan develops.
Please donate generously. Click NASIMCO - Haiti Relief Fund to donate. . ‘The generous person is close to Allah, close to people and close to Paradise.’ - The Holy Prophet (S)
Madinah al-Ilm and Bab al-ilm 2010 - As in previous years NASIMCO, in conjunction with the World Federation, COEJ, Africa Federation and agencies in Qum, is organizing two courses to be held in the holy city of Qum this summer. Madinah al-Ilm and Bab al-Ilm will run simultaneously but cater towards different age groups; 18-24 and 14-17 respectively. Both courses include an academic program and a cultural program giving students a holistic experience of hawza studies and life in Iran while facilitating a spiritual journey of self-discovery. click picture to enlarge
The academic program includes studies in Aqaid (Islamic Theology), Ahkam (Islamic Laws), Akhlaq (Islamic Ethics) and issues affecting the youth. The cultural program includes ziarat trips to Qum, Mashhad and Tehran, visits to Masjide Jamkaran and excursions to the caves if Hamadan and the Caspian Sea.
Help and comfort can be given in so many forms. Today thousands of Muslims living in Northern Pakistan continue to put up with the extreme winters of the region, where snow and cold winds blanket the mountainous terrain all season long. Although warm blankets are an essential commodity in this part of the world, it is often difficult for Momineen to afford good quality blankets, let alone electricity and wood for heat.
WARMTH OF THE AHUL BAYT (AS)
This winter marks the sixth year of The World Federation’s Hadith-e-Kisa Blanket Drive. This drive is launched in the name of the Ahlul Bayt (AS), who are the source of guidance, warmth and comfort to Muslims around the world. By providing Momineen with warm blankets for the winter, the programme also aims to revive the remembrance and love of the Ahlul Bayt (AS) in a region where poverty is rampant and isolation is often unbearable.
THE NEED FOR BLANKETS