Djibouti, Ethiopia and Somalia
From May to August 2012
Ethiopia The Land that Prophet Mohammed s.a.w. blessed. The
land that Prophet Mohammad s.a.w. chose as the safe place for the newly
converted Muslims. The Land of the start of Islamic Calender Hijra
The call of Imam
Husayn a.s. to save Islam
is echoing in Ethiopia,
“Hal Min Nasirin
Yansiruna”
In the name of Allah, Most
Compassionate, Most Merciful
Our Mission:
To convey the message of Prophet
Mohammad s.a.w. and Ahlul Bayt a.s. in Horn of Africa.
Our Goal:
To strengthen and support
Indigenous Shias the follower of Ahlul Bayt a.s. in Djibouti, Ethiopia and
Somalia, so that Indigenous Shias in Horn of Africa can practice Islamic faith
independently.
Objectives:
In regards with that to teach
them Islamic Doctrines according to the Ahlul Bayt a.s.,
to facilitate establishment of
permanent Mosques, Hussayniyyas, Schools, Translation of Islamic Books in the
local languages, publications and distribution of Books,
Immediate and Short
Term Plan.
·
By seeing the need of immediate Tabligh works, I came to
conclusion that I am going to settle in Ethiopia, until we establish a
permanent Shia centers means Masjid, Hussayniyya, Schools and Liberaries etc
all over Ethiopia.
·
All active colleagues who are aggressive Tabligh workers from
East Africa to Europe and North America are welcome to join in this noble work.
But without the financial help and donations of Mo’mineen we will not be able
to take any step.
·
To invite Shia Muballighs for permanent will go for 6 month
Amharic language course, to reach the grassroots.
·
We will go with rental center and rental library and book
store location to find more about Ethiopian Shia. Trip to different parts of
Ethiopia will be done to make proper census and the needs of our Ethiopian Shia
brothers, so that we can organize them properly to run their own centers. We
will avoid all kinds of project that will make Ethiopian Shia dependent for
life for any Tabligh works.
·
Shia Organization will be invited to see Ethiopia and the
opportunities available for Tabligh work in any section they are interested in.
·
We will prepare Muballighs within local Shias by providing
them short courses and seminars in Djibouti and Ethiopia.
·
We will also send Ethiopian Shia children to our different
Hauwzas in Africa or Asia.
·
Distributions of books in full scale.Translation of Books.
Long Term Plan
After our full scale research and ground works
·
Permanent Shia Centers
including Mosque and Hussainia, Liberary and bookshops in Addis Ababa, Wallo,
Harar, Diri Dawa and Djibouti and were ever needed.
Achievements from April 2012 to August 2012
1.
Succeeded
to send 14 Somali youths in Qom for 2 months crush course, flied from Hargeisa,
Somaliland.
2.
Conveyed
my message about immediate need of Tabligh works in the Djibouti, Ethiopia and
Somalia to Shias in Dar es Salam, Arusha, Nairobi, Mombasa, Toronto and
Michigan personally.
3.
Had
meeting with Africa Federation EC and the Chairman, BMM Dar es Salam, Itrat
Foundation, WHIPAS, BMM Mombasa and individuals. Also discussed the matter
personally with Br.Moledina of WF in Toronto.
4.
Itrat
Foundation accepted to help us to print Amharic Books that are out of print.
5.
WHIPAS
offered to donate $1,000 for books. But still waiting for the freight charges.
6.
Raised
$4,500 for Iftar and Dinner during Holy Month of Ramadhan from June – July 2012
and $1,500 for Centers, Tabligh and Aalim fund.
7.
Visited
Addis Ababa, Diri Dawa, Harar, Djibouti and Hargeisa and met with indigenous
Shias.
8.
Lucky
to meet indigenous Ethiopian Shias, Djibouti Shias, Somali Shias and Indo
Pakistani Shias.
9.
Established
2 Centers and Resident House for the coordinator and for Muballighs if any in
Addis Ababa.
10.
1st
Collective Iftar and Dinner at Addis Ababa, Harar, Baati (Wallo), Tigrey and
Djibouti for indigenous Shias.
11.
Received
few books from Sayyed M.Mousavi Qom, Sayyed Lari Qom and Brother Fuad, Brother Munir
Chagpar and team donated somebooks through Ansarian
12.
Message
to about 20,000 people through direct emails to the Shia Organizations,
Jamaats, yahoogroups, googlegroups and individuals. To bring awareness and
appeal for support assistance financially and for Muballighs.
Under different subjects:
b.
Ethiopian Shia need your attention - Come forward to help!
e.
Iftar in Ethiopia
for only $60 per Iftar - Support for Iftar so we can have Iftar in several
newly converted
Shias
f.
Repot:
1st collective Iftar in Djibouti and different parts of Ethiopia.
13.
Visit
of First Shia Charity Organization Brother Ali Yousufali of Comfort to visit
Addis Ababa and have direct meeting with indigenous Shia and Shia of Indo Pak
origin.
14.
Brother
Ali Yousufali accepted our request to sponsor 2 indigenous Ethiopian ladies to
get Islamic Teachings in Dar es Salam.
15.
2
indigenous Ethiopian ladies departed on 31 August to have 2 weeks Islamic
Teachings in Dar es Salam and returned successfully.
16.
Comfort
International Agency accepted to collect fund on behalf of Tabligh works in
Horn of Africa. Insha Allah these funds will be also used for sponsoring more
indigenous Shias to have Islamic Teachings from professional Aalims. And
importing of Islamic Books
17.
Islamic
Humanitarian Hojjatul Islam Shekh Shafiq Hudda accepted to collect funds on
behalf of Tabligh activities in Horn of Africa.
18.
Some
volunteers are helping to raise funds in different parts North America and UK.
Disappointments!
·
We could not get Aalim or Muballigh for the
Month of Holy Ramadhan, after my appeal to the worldwide shia organizations and
centers.
·
People/Organizations who pledged and promised
to support financially on monthly basis to run the 2 centers and other Tabligh
works could not fulfill their promise!
·
Lack of Fund to run the established centers
that caused the closure of Centers.
·
Lack of permanent Aalim or Muballigh who can
speak Arabic and English.
·
Lack of Shia Books in English, Arabic and
French
·
Lack of Response from Shia Tabligh Organization
of the World who can cooperate with us or open the branch here to do Tabligh
works in Horn of Africa.
The message is
clear; “We cannot ignore Tabligh
activities in Ethiopia and the Horn of Africa at large; since there is not a
single Shia Center in where native Shia can get together for prayers and other
Majalises”. Wama Alayna Illal
Balaagh. (Hashim Okera12th April, 2012)
Place
where we need to improve:
·
We will continue to invite Shia Tabligh
Organizations of the world, to work aggressively in Ethiopia and Djibouti, to
promote the teaching of Ahlul Bayt a.s. Ethiopia has the population of 90
million the second largest populated country in Africa. We will have to concentrate more in Ethiopia
and its different cities and Towns.
·
To invite Muballighs from neighboring countries
who can speak Arabic Fluently with English for Muharram.
·
Fundraising: To invite generous Mo’mineen to
contribute generously for the cause of Tabligh in the Area.
·
To translate Islamic books from Arabic/English
to local languages Amharic, Oromo, Somali and Tigrinya.
·
To reprint Shia books in Amharic in the local
languages those are out of print.
·
To rent a center for daily activities like
Salat, Majalises etc.
·
To rent locations in different parts to
establish library and bookshops to promote knowledge of Ahlul Bayt a.s. and
distribute Books free of charges.
·
Good News for Donors from North America particularly for
Canada.
·
Sheikh
Shafiq Hudda and his team Islamic Humanitarian Services of Kitchener, Canada
have accepted to collect fund on behalf of the “Hashim Okera for Tabligh
works in Horn of Africa”.
·
Now all
donors donating for this cause will get Tax Deductible Receipt.
·
UK
·
Sister Zahra
Mahdi of Birmingham accepted to collect fund and forward to Hashim Okera in
Ethiopia on voluntary basis to promote Shia faith of Ahlul Bayt a.s. in Horn of
Africa.
·
Mobile: 07581015874
·
Landline: 0121 449 2411
Direct to Addis
Ababa – ETHIOPIA to Hashim Hassan Ali
One can remit
fund directly By Western Union, Money Gram, Money Xpress, Dahabshil etc.
to Hashim
Hassan Ali
Address: House
nr. New, Bole Bulbula, Addis Ababa, ETHIOPIA
Postal Address:
P.O.Box 28239/1000 Addis Ababa, ETHIOPIA
Books
needed any time
Visit of Brother Ali Yusufali of Comfort
International of USA in Addis Ababa.
The First Person and The First Organization that respond
to our Call of Tabligh Works needed in Ethiopia.
Brother Ali Yusufali
of Comfort International by our call to help Ethiopian Shias arrived on 10th
July 2012. He was with for 2 intensive days in Addis Ababa. He did not take
full rest but he was very interested to know about Ethiopian Shia people.
His visit started from the first Shia Center at Bisrate
Gabrielle, Laphto, Addis Ababa as the Headquarter of Tabligh activities. We had
successful meeting with Hashim Okera and some Indigenous Shias. From there we
went to the other center that was supposed to be daily which is fully run by
indigenous Ethiopian Shia and supported and supervised by us.
·
Brother Ali Yusufali met with the Board of Directors of the
center had detailed meeting with them. He explained how the Comfort
International Organization works in regards of helping the charity
organizations. He informed them to register the center as soon as possible so
that I can start helping this center.
·
Brother Yusufali requested them to form an NGO to benefit
directly with Comfort International Organization in digging wells or boreholes
and other humanitarian works that is needed in the Ethiopian Society.
Brother Ali Yusufali
together with Hashim Okera met with Br.Abbas Merchant who is successful
Industrialist of Oxford Group. 
Br.Abbas also incharge of Hussayniyya here in
Addis Ababa were 60 Indo Pakistan community meet for different Shia Ceremony or
Commameration. I was lucky to take part in different occasions.
Br.Abbas also incharge of Hussayniyya here in
Addis Ababa were 60 Indo Pakistan community meet for different Shia Ceremony or
Commameration. I was lucky to take part in different occasions.
1st Collective Iftar for
Indigenous Shia in different parts of Ethiopia and Djibouti.
Alhamdo Lillah 1st Collective Iftar for
Indigenous Ethiopian Shia was held in Addis Ababa, Baati-Wallo,
Tigrey, Harar and in Djibouti. The participants in each
center were estimated from 25 to 35 individuals everyday.
Iftar in Addis Ababa, at New
Shia Center, Laphto area Addis Ababa. The First center that we rented with loan
and the pledges and commitments of
Mo’mineen. But since we did not get fund from June we were forced to close. And
we wait until we get full one year rent in advance than we will proceed. We
cannot afford to make similar mistakes.
Dr. Mohammed Tahir who translated about 10 Shia Books in
Amharic use to give lectures every night immediately after the Iftaar. After
the lecture and short duas we use to have full dinner.
Some of the Shia Books translated by Dr. Mohammed Tahir in
Amharic languages, unfortunately the copies are out and we need immediately to
donate for reprinting Shia Books in Amharic. I decided to print these books in
Ethiopia to save transportation and postage charges and also to avoid any
custom charges.
Many Ethiopian Shia did not like their picture to be
taken. This also from Wallo, Harar and
Tigrey all did not like the idea of taking pictures while people having Iftar
or Dinner. Some Ethiopian Shia are under threat of their Salafi family members.
But the Government is fully against the Salafis and Wahhabis and is pro Sunni,
Sufi and Shia faith.
Djibouti
When I was travelling to
Djibouti from Addis Ababa in April 2012, Brother Abbas Merchant asked me to
meet his Djibouti Manager Sayyed Mohammed Hassan. And Br Abbas recommended me
to introduce Sayyed Hassan with all Djiboutian Shia and Hussayniya that was
established in Djibouti, since I had direct contacts with Djibouti and Somali
Shias.
When I reached Djibouti after my
visit to my friends Djibouti Shias, I immediately contacted Sayyed Hassan who
was in Djibouti since last one year. When I contacted he never believed that
there are Shias in Djibouti he started arguing as all does in Ethiopia that
there are no Shias. I gave him appointment at the Africa Hotel where I was
staying, from there I showed him Hussayniya and Djibouti Shias.
I requested Sayyed Hassan to
continuously visit Hussayniya and help them to come in to the Shia tradition as
Dua e Komeyl on Thursdays and other programmes.
Sayyed Hassan was more than
happy to volunteer for this task. He is doing wonderful job in Djibouti to hold
regular programm in the Hussayniyya and introduce to all other Shia foreigners
who visit Djibouti.
Sayyed Hassan with Djibouti Shia
did very good job in the Holy Month of Ramadhan. Hashim Okera financed for the
Iftar and Dinner from the contribution of North American and Birmingham
mo’mineen.
Sayyed Hassan is now
aggressively working on bringing as many Shia books as possible either from
India and Islamic Republic of Iran. Also we supported financially for some
books within the same fund that we collected from North America and
Birminagham, UK. He is now busy with helping to set Shia books in Al Zahra
library that is run by Djibouti Shia youth that was lacking Shia books.
Message of Sayyed Hassan of Djibouti.
Salaam Alaikum .
Hadis on importance of knowledge
Ahmad ibn
Nadr from ‘Amr and ibn Shimr from Jabir from abu Ja’far (a.s.) who has said the
following :
"Zakat, the tax, on knowledge is teaching it to the servants of
Allah." Al Kaafi.
This is for request of library books for lovers of ahlulbayt a.s.
djibouti.
Now from mumbai and others source we had arrange some 150 books,
some of more books suppose to come , but only from
ethiopia we get one confirmation.
others still waiting. Needs Books in arabic , french and english ....
now here Library AZ ZAHRA DJIBOUTI P.O. BOX NO 1039 REPUBLIC
OF DJIBOUTI.
IS being operated by Br. mohammed Husain (Djibouti Somalian) since last
year. Now we are making it registered as well .
Also Mr. Hashim Okera he suppose to bring one Aalim for tableegh work as
well soon.
we need some books as mentioned below :
1) Nahjul balagha Arabic .
2) Tafseer Of Holy quran . Arabic ...Burhaan or any other will do Also
Mojam al quraan .
3) ghurar al hikam. uyoone akhbaar reza a.s. , Tohfa ul uqool,
arabic.
4) Ahkaam ,Tauzeehul Masail. arabic and french,
5)Books related to sunni/shia beliefs , peshawar nights, then i was
guided etc..
6) books for ahlulbait a.s Fazail by ahlulsunnah authors like, Yanabiul
mawaddah,
Faraidus simtain, fazail e khamsa.khasais Ali a.s. special by sunni
author. etc.
7)Books for aqaed, Hayatul quloob al majlisi, ,kitab al irshad
shaikh mufeed,
At tawheed by shaikh saduq , Manazerul akherah, Abbas qummi,
Alghadeer Al amini . Muntakhabul Athar , Mirza noori, and selected volume from
Behar ul anwaar Al majlisi, etc...
8) Also all kutube arbaa, Al Kafi, Tehzib, Istibsaar, man yahzorahul
faqih,
but only Al Kaafi will do kitabul Ilm, kitabul Hujjah....
ALL BOOKS IN ARABIC WILL BE GOOD . you can send on below my office
address in my name or br. mohammed husain he also work in freezone .
Wassalaam'
Kind
Regards,
SORAM
INDUSTRIES LOB 117 FREEZONE REP. DE DJIBOUTI Tel - +253
21345590 Mob - +253 77734041
S.M.HASAN
May Almighty give Sayyed Hassan
more Tawfiq and health to him and his family.
Visit of Sheikh Mon’im Sudani
From 16th to 20th
Sep 2012 Sheikh Mon’im by responding to our call visited Addis Ababa. He stayed
with Hashim Okera and discussed from which area we needed immediate Help. Okera
told him if we can get Muballighs from Sudan and Books immediately will help
us.
Okera arranged to meeting with
different Ethiopian Shia individuals with Sheikh Mon’im at his resident in
Addis Ababa, so that Sheikh can have information from different views. Sheikh
left Addis Ababa satisfied and promised to do whatever he can to promote the
teachings of Ahlul Bayt a.s. in the Horn of Africa.
Hashim Visits Harar the
oldest town one was the center of Islamic propagation in Africa.
·
Good News for Donors from North America particularly for
Canada.
·
Sheikh
Shafiq Hudda and his team Islamic Humanitarian Services of Kitchener, Canada
have accepted to collect fund on behalf of the “Hashim Okera for Tabligh
works in Horn of Africa”.
·
Now all
donors donating for this cause will get Tax Deductible Receipt.
·
UK
·
Sister Zahra
Mahdi of Birmingham accepted to collect fund and forward to Hashim Okera in
Ethiopia on voluntary basis to promote Shia faith of Ahlul Bayt a.s. in Horn of
Africa.
·
Mobile: 07581015874
·
Landline: 0121 449 2411
·
Email: Z Husayn
