Muballigheen Training Programme

The Islamic Institute for Postgraduate Studies (IIPS) is an independent institute set up by The World Federation of Khoja Shia Ithna-Asheri Muslim Communities that aims to produce effective and proactive Muballigheen able to address the specific religious and social needs of our worldwide communities and act as role models for the members.

The fully sponsored four year full time course based in Damascus, Syria combines standard Howza training modules with modern academic subjects that are accredited by a renowned University in England for a Masters degree in Islamic Education. The Institute's target is to train 125 Aalims and 125 Aalimas, one each for every Jamaat worldwide.

The application deadline for entry in the September 2009 semester is Monday, June 15th, 2009 . Those interested in joining the studies programme are invited to contact islamiceducation@world-federation.org or visit the IIPS website www.wfiips.org.

NASIMCO Conference 2009

The 29th Annual Conference will be held on June 20th, 2009 in Minnesota, and will be hosted by Anjuman-e-Asghari. All Jamaats are encouraged to register guests and delegates at their earliest to assist the host Jamaat in finalizing arrangements for the Conference. The registration form, as well as information on hotels and other accommodations can be obtained upon request to info@nasimco.org.  
 
This year, a new Executive Council will be elected at the Conference. Also, consistent with this years theme, "Meeting the Challenges of Recession", there will be discussions on the need for good budgets by our Jamaats, Zakaat, the Islamic perspective on volunteerism and discussion forums on the Ottawa Pact - Conflict Prevention Paper adopted in 2007. The delegates will also be updated on the World Federation's NGO status and what it means to our Region, and also recieve a progress report on the Muballigheen Training Program in Damascus. The leadership of every Jamaat are once again encouraged to attend to take advantage of the opportunity to network and renew contacts, and share good practices with each other.

AED Initiative

NASIMCO's Health and Wellness Desk set in motion an initiative for all North American Jamaats to have Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) in their Centers. In an emergency situation, AEDs makes it possible for even non-medical personnel to restore heart rhythm - and save a life. An Automated External Defibrillator is a machine that can monitor heart rhythms. and if required, the machine can then deliver an electric shock to the heart. Most of the time, this shock will restart the heart. These instruments are easy to use with very little training and are very reasonably priced.

  
Last year, the Toronto Jamaat in consultation with the NASIMCO Health Desk, was the first to purchase a defibrillator to be used as a first aid response to cardiac arrest inside its Jaffari Islamic Centre in Bayview. Recently, the Minnesota Jamaat also announced that they have installed an AED at their Jaafari Islamic Center in Minneapolis through a grant program from the local County and are getting ready to conduct CPR training for its members. This indeed is a worthy investment for our Centers and once again the Health & Wellness Desk encourages Jamaats to contact NASIMCO and consider purchasing this life saving tool.

Funeral of Marhoom Ayatullah Behjat

It is with deep sorrow, that NASIMCO learned of the passing away from this temporal abode of a renowned scholar, a symbol of piety, an epitome of God-consciousness: Ayatullah Mohamed Taqi Behjat (RA).

Ayatullah Behjat passed away from this temporary abode and migrated back to Allah on Sunday, May 17th, 2009. Millions attended his funeral, including Iran's President Ahmadinejad, Parliament Speaker Larijaani, and other Ayatullahs. People were on poles and rooftops, anything they could find, to participate in the procession. It took two and a half hours to walk roughly 2 kilometers. Ayatullah Behjat was buried by the holy shrine of Hazrat Masuma-e-Qum.

The Shias are left without one of their beloved leaders, a selfless devotee to Islam. May Allah grant him a position close to the Ahlul Bayt. We request all believers to recite Sura al-Fatiha.

Jamaat Elections - New York

The New York Jamaat elected new members to their Managing Committee. Below are the results of the election:

President - Arif Jacksi
Vice President - Sameer Peera
Joint Secretaries - Sohail Abdullah, Muntazir Jamal

Joint Treasurers - Mohamed Hassan Alloo, Abbasali  Virji
Joint Mukhis - Mustafa Shivji, Safder Hasham
Committee Members - Dr. Ebrahim Issa, Hasnain Dharsi, Mazher Khalfan, Surfraz Ladha, Abbas Peera
Chair Lady - Riffat Khalfan