1st Quarterly Report of Horn
of Africa Tabligh Activities
Djibouti, Ethiopia and
Somalia
From May to August 2012
Ethiopia The Land that Prophet Mohammed s.a.w. blessed.
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
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.
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.
Failure:
·
We could not get Aalim or Muballigh for
the Month of Holy Ramadhan, after my appeal to the worldwide shia organizations
and centers.
·
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 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.
"IHS Staff" Ihs786@MuslimYouth.ca
"shafiq hudda" <shafiq@muslimyouth.ca>
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
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.
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,
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.
Meeting with different people in
Ethiopia and Djibouti to find out how we can work together to establish network
within Shia Community here in Ethiopia.
