In this issue
*Qum Summer Camp 2010
*Ashra-e-Zainabiya Recitors
*International Volunteer Program
*Tabligh Shops - Toronto
*Abbas, the Olympic Torch Bearer
*The Origins of Shia Islam
*Imam Hussein Day
 
NASIMCO and You
 
NASIMCO is an umbrella organization for the followers of the Shia faith in North America and the Caribbean. Its mission is to provide a common structure and framework to meet the religious, cultural and political needs of the Shia within its area of operation.

SCOPE
NASIMCO exists to enhance social and religious excellence of Islamic Shia Ithna-asheri communities in North America.

VISION
Islamic Shia Ithna-asheri communities in North America are caring communities.

MISSION
NASIMCO will harness talents and resources available in member communities for the greater good of global humanity and our communities.

ROLE
Assist in the establishment and running of centers where our communities reside and promote continuous improvement of member communities through sharing of best practices.
 
Encourage, promote and nurture our communities to alleviate human suffering throughout the world.
 
Promote and encourage innovative intra-faith and inter-faith relationships at local and national levels.
 
Develop and nurture relationships with our Marja'iat, and world and regional Islamic Shia Ithna-asheri bodies.
 
Provide support on issues affecting Islamic Shia Ithna-asheri communities.
 
Establish and/or support Islamic institutes of higher learning that can respond to the needs of our communities.
 
VALUES
In all our activities, we will be guided by Islamic values that will include but not limited to:
Sincerity and Humility
Honesty and Integrity
Commitment and Steadfastness
Unity and Teamwork
Open and Respectful
Hard Work and Excellence
Equity and Justice
Transparency and
Accountability

Salaam Alaykum!

As part of its vision and mission, the NASIMCO Post serves as a tool by which to bind our community together and promote a united and caring environment for all. If you have anything you would like to include in this newsletter, contact us at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .  

Qum Summer Camp 2010

NASIMCO, in conjunction with the World Federation, CoEJ, Africa Federation and various agencies in Qum, is organizing two courses to be held in the holy city of Qum again 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.

The academic program includes studies in Aqaid (Islamic Theology), Ahkam (Islamic Laws), Akhlaq (Islamic Ethics) and issues affecting the youth. The cultural program includes Ziyarat trips to Qum, Mashhad and Tehran, visits to Masjide Jamkaran and excursions to the caves if Hamadan and the Caspian Sea.

Ashra-e-Zainabiya Recitors for North America

Jamaats in United States:
- Allentown (Al Ahad Islamic Center) - Dr. Akber Mithani
- Los Angeles (Husseini Islamic Center) - Sheikh Jaffer Ladak
- Maryland (Imam Mahdi Center) - Dr. Abdu, Saheb Hashim and Sheikh Mohamed Hussein Shah
- Miami (IJA) - Maulana Raees Jarchavi, Maulana Tehzib-Ul-Hasan and Br. Faiyaz Jaffer
- Minnesota (Jaafari Islamic Center) - Syed Haider Bahrul Uloom
- New Jersey (Masjid-e-Ali) - Maulana Mohammad Jawad Shabbir
- New York (Husseini Madressah) - Sheikh Ali Nawab
- Orlando (Husseini Islamic Center) - Sheikh Nooruddin, Sheikh Abbas Virjee and Zakira Nargis Karim
- Seattle (IMAN) - Br. Jawad Khaki and Dr. Liaqat Takim
 
Jamaats in Canada: 
- Bathurst (Jaffari Community Centre) - Sheikh Hassanain Rajabali, Dr. Kalbe Sadiq, Zakira Tahera Kassamali and Begum Zainab Sultana
-  ISIJ-Toronto - Zakira Shyrose Jaffer Dhalla’
- Brampton (Masumeen Islamic Center) - Sheikh Muzaffar Qazwini
- Edmonton (ISIA) - Imam Dr. Syed Mohammad Jawad Hejazi
- Hamilton (Razavi Islamic Centre) - Dr. Liaqat Takim
- Kitchener (ISIJ-KW) -  Sheikh Arif Jaffer, Sheikh Agha Raza Naqvi and Syed Asgher Saeed
- London (Ahlul Bayt Islamic Centre) and London (Al Mehdi Al Muntathar Union) - Sheikh Khuzair Abbas, Sheikh Wael El Zein and Syed Ali Murtaza
- Ottawa (ISIA) - Maulana Jawad Jafferi
- Vancouver (Az-Zahraa Islamic Centre) - Sheikh Abbas Ismail 
- Montreal (Shian e Haidery) - Dr. Sibtain Hasni

International Volunteer Program

The Toronto Jamaat's Outreach Committee and Jaffari Islamic Youth Committee, in collaboration with Can Aid Africa, have organized an International Volunteer Program for youths of North America during the summer of 2010. The volunteer program will take place in Africa with placements at schools, orphanages and hospitals in Tanzania.
This worthwhile experience will not only provide the youth of the community with the opportunity to serve and help those in need but will also enable them to acquire skills that will be invaluable to their future careers.
Applicants much be 17 years or older, and should be available for at least two weeks during the summer months (May to August). For more details contact: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Tabligh Shops at Jaffari Village

The Toronto Jamaat has expanded in its endeavor to provide Islamic merchandise available for the community members. Initially, this consisted of a small booth with a few books and multimedia products. Recently, the Jamaat opened two permanent Tabligh Shops, one in the ladies' section and one in the gents' section of the Jaffari Community Centre at Bathurst.
 
The goal of the Jaffari Tabligh Board is to increase awareness of the teachings of the Ahlul Bayt. The new Shops provide a variety of Islamic merchandise from Nawha CDs to prayer mats and mohrs to scarves to Islamic books, videos and DVDs for the convenience of the members.

Abbas, the Olympic Torch Bearer

Seventeen-year-old Abbas, son of Sukaina and Rashid Syed from Masumeen Islamic Center of Brampton in Ontario, Canada was given the opportunity to be an Olympic torch bearer. Abbas Syed represented his Jamaat, his school, his family and perhaps most importantly, individuals who live with Down Syndrome when he carried the bright flame for three-hundred meters down Bovaird Street.
In addition to playing basketball and baseball, Abbas loves to swim. He has been a part of the Special Olympics Swim Team for about nine years, and it was Abbas' teacher who submitted his name for the torch bearer selection. To read more, click here.

Course on the Origins of Shia Islam

The University of Alberta in Canada will be featuring a special course in Religious Studies for the spring semester, titled "Origins of Shia Islam" and will be taught by Husein Khimjee. This course will begin to respond to the new interest to understand Shiaism following the Shia resurgence in the Middle East after the overthrow of the Saddam regime in Iraq. It introduces and discusses the Shia thought, including the foundations that were laid in its early history for its current institutions and interpretation.

Imam Hussein Day    

The Islamic Ahlul Bayt Assembly of Canada has organized "Imam Hussein Day" in memory of Imam Hussein (AS), who offered the greatet sacrifice on Ashura in 61 AH and saved Islam. Speakers include Shaikh Yusuf Badat (Islamic Foundation of Toronto), Fredie Mirza (Zoroastrian Society of Canada), Rev. Bill Bruce (Thornhill United Church), Dr. Hussein Khimjee (Islamic Ahlul Bayt Assembly of Canada) and Dr. Aman Haji (Shia Ismaili Muslim Community). For more details, pleasevisit the main page.