Hashim Okera
15tRamzan, 1441 Project Proposal 8th April, 2020
2020 Project: “Masjid Imam Hassan ibne Ali ibne AbiTalib as.”
Assalamo Alaykum
I am writing this personnel letter to appeal for donation to establish “Masjid Imam Hassan a.s.” in Nairobi, Kenya. Our approximate budget is $400,000 (Four hundred thousand US Dollars). This will be modern Masjid build for converted Somali and Ethiopia Shia in Nairobi, Kenya.
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After our years of experiences in Horn of Africa; now we came at conclusion that “Masjid Imam Hassan a.s.”; is needed immediately needed for Somali/Ethiopians. Insha Allah, It will include Masjid, Hussaynia, Library, Madressa small Hawza. We will look also in to building some apartments for the Ulemas and some students. We chose Nairobi as the location of the center because; there is not possibility to establish now in this period; any legal Shia Centers in Horn of Africa – Djibouti, Ethiopia and Somalia.
Many Ethiopians and Somalis are looking forward to get answers about Jaafary Faith of Islam. Many are looking to meet Shia ulemas personally to know about Shia Faith – Jaafary Fikh. Thus the center will assist those in search of knowledge of Ahlul Bayt a.s. in their own languages with their own nationals. The Somali Shia and Ethiopian Shias are very important figures. Full attention should be given to those communities to fill the gap caused by lack of Shia organization in Horn of Africa.
The $400,000 budget is estimation but the amount may be changed once we have clear picture after our visit. We are working to fundraising, so we can also see the donation we are receiving. This will include assessing needs, report writing and making final design of Masjid all professionally. The undersigned is ready to travel as soon as possible. Time is running out, we must act now.
Wama Alayna illal balaagh,
Khadim of Imam Mahdi ajt.
Hashim Okera
Proposal of
Masjid Imam Hassan ibne Ali ibne Abitalib a.s.
Nairobi, Kenya
Field Director in Horn of Africa
Hashim Okera
Prepared on 15th Ramzan, 1441 – 9th April, 2020
Proposal to establish Masjid Imam Hassan a.s.
We are proposing to establish concrete modern “Masjid Imam Hassan ibne Amirul Mo’mineen Imam Ali a.s.” The estimated budget is $400,000. For Somali, Ethiopian speaking people. This will play major role to deliver the message of Prophet Muhammad s.a.w. though His Itrat-Ahlul Bayt a.s. in very difficult place of the world Horn of Africa. Insha Allah, It will include Masjid, Hussaynia, Library, Madressa, Islamic Seminary for Adult; also some apartments for the staff, Ulemas and student.
Please donate generously:
Bank information:
CIBC name: Hashim H.Ali
Transit Number: 02632 – Institution Number: 010 – Account Number: 6856497
Background
Somalia Mogadishu: In 1960s Volunteers group was established with the help active youth from 12yrs and 18yrs old, “Sahebuzzaman Volunteers Group – SVG”. The group was active in football game, thoughts on Imam Mahdi, helping community senior volunteers also participated in Ghusal Kaffan activities.
Other successful activity included “Al Qaim Newsletter” which was distributed to local communities and sent to foreign subscibers. This Newsletter was acknowledged by Marhum Mulla Asghar MM Jaffer of than Africa Federation.
In 1970 with the full support of Sheikh Alhaj Muhsin Jaffer we could send 10 youths to Iran to obtain higher Islamic Education followed by other students from East Africa Jamats. After that many local Somali were sent abroad to higher Islamic Education.
1985 My brother Nazarali Hassan A.M.Okera and my self could manage to construct a huge concrete Masjid for Somali Sufis of Mogadishu, Somalia. Masjid is still used as Jaama Masjid for Friday prayers that is located in Karan, Mogadishu, Somalia.
In 1986 activities included establishment of successful Al-Muntadhar Social Services and Childrens Care Programm in Mogadihu, Somalia directed and managed by Hashim Okera and his sincere team. The center included Medical Health Clinic, Primary School and Vocational Training Unit for girls and women
1970 – 1988 Hashim Okera served in the Khoja Community Mogadishu Jamat as volunteer, Board Director of Education Board, Hon.Secretary of Pakistan Association.
In 1988, whistleblowing regarding civil war started in Somalia. I alerted our Khoja Community Leaders, Members, and Leaders of Africa Federation. The First I said taking consideration to what happened in Zanzibar and Kampala we should save our sisters and mothers to the nearest safe Jamat like Nairobi or Mombasa.
At the end of 1988 I flew to Dar es Salam, to alert Africa Federation regarding the disaster unending civi-war in Mogadishu, Somalia. Marhum Alhaj Habibbhai Mulji than President of Africa Federation open heartedly listed to my worries with the full committee and the Africa Federation delegation visited Mogadishu Somalia at the end of the year.
We know the disaster started and it was big burden on the World Federation and Africa Federation to handle the crisis as the life of community members were in danger after all belongings were looted. Thanks to Alhaj Sajjad Rashid who courageously with the help of philanthropy community members managed to take a ship to evacuate Jamat Members.
In 1989, NGO the first ever registered Shia NGO Al-Muntadhar International Development Foundation in Toronto and Federal Government. It became very difficult to convince community members that community should get rid of Khums and work on Grants from the Governments, World Fund, EU and United Nation. I insisted that a separate clause should be included in Jamats constitution that it can seek grants from local Government. I traveled to London I met Alhaj Mulla Asghar and convinced that World Federation must establish parallel organization as NGO to benefit the community worldwide.
Toronto, Canada: The AMIDF was not active as I dreamed because of lack of backing Financial, and needed manpower. In year 2006 I started another local activity to help new immigrants in Toronto My Canada! Integration and Settlement Service, the Canada Government helped me financially. But again I was alone in the field. I got sick and tired, I regretfully closed. But no Khoja community members came forward to rescue on manpower. Finally I said to myself, I have to fulfill my religious duties Tabligh works as my profession.
2011 Srinagar, Jammu & Kashmir, India: During my daughter’s wedding in Srinagar, I found women are victim of all kind of victims. They were not allowed to even go to Hussaynia due to their culture. Shia women were left illiterate and ignorant from all society. I felt I must establish center for only Ladies managed by Ladies.
Our First Support was to strengthen Womens of Shia community. We than with the help of local ladies we established Darul Quran Al Zahra in Lal Bazaar; to empower Women in Islamic Studies, Learn recitation of Holy Quran, Tailoring, and Computer skills. With full support of individuals of Shia Ithna Asheri Jamaat Toronto we had very attractive women’s centers were even women of other faith where allowed. Alhamdo Lillah, after the ladies completed the course of 6 months we could distribute some 70 sewing machines.
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia: During 2012, I settled in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia to continue Tabligh Works. Hundreds of appeal letter was sent from Maraaji Offices, World Federation and Africa Federation and to individual Jamat. Finally we received, help from Alhaj Raza Hirji of Madagascar who helped financially and supported all Five Hussaynia in Ethiopia, One in Djibouti and Two in Somalia. After Alhaj Razabhai Hirji changed his mind. All projects were taken by Hujjatul Islam wal Muslimeen Sheikh Shafiq of I.H.S. Kitchener, Ontario.
Sheikh Shafiq of I.H.S. became our main contributor and supporter. Resource Center in Addis Ababa was established our main purpose was to let self-converted Shia be get all kind of resources to increase their knowledge about Fiqh Jafariya.
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With the support of I.H.S. and some individual donors we translated Then I was Guided in Somali language and printed 1000 copies and distributed. We also managed to published other books 1000 copies each like Ashura by Imam Khomein in Somali and Book on Imam Mahdi ajfj in Arabic. With the approval of the author Haji Jabouri, and compiled Book 1st volume “To Follow the Believe of Majority” 19 first communication of Murajiat.
The Purpose of dividing al Murajiat is to let people find the subject and the original book is so much like reference book with small charectors. I decided to divide the book in 5 volume.
To Follow the Believe of Majority (1- 19 correspondences)
Future books supposed to continue:
- Succession of Prophet Muhammad s.a.w.w. (20 to 56 Correspondences)
- Did Prophet Muhammad s.a.w.w. appoint His successor. (56 to 83 Correspondences)
- Prophet Muhammad s.a.w.w. was angered while in His last breathes. (86 -100)
- Saqifa and Amirul Mo’mineen a.s. silence. ( 101 – 112)
We distributed hundreds of Islamic Shia Books throughout Horn of Africa. We helped couple of Shia Ulema financially on monthly basis, who were active in Tabligh works. Our activities included Hussaynia in different part of Horn of Africa. Finally we turned to small Hawza in Addis Ababa which we handed to Indo Pak Community in Addis Ababa in charge Alhaj Mohamed Abbas Merchant.
Since last 4 years I discontinued the work because of lack of Fund, but now time has come that our effort should not be wasted. We must continue in better and concrete way after all what we experienced in working in Djibouti, Ethiopia and Somalia. With the above information about our previous activities we are now moving forward to establish Masjid Imam Hassan a.s.
Proposed 2020 Project – Masjid Imam Hassan ibne Ali ibne Abitalib a.s. in Nairobi, Kenya.
We are proposing to establish concrete center where “Masjid Imam Hassan ibne Amirul Mo’mineen Imam Ali a.s.” For the Budget of $400,000. For Somali, Ethiopian speaking people. Insha Allah, It will include Masjid, Hussaynia, Library, Madressa, Islamic Seminary for Adult; also some apartments for the staff, Ulemas and student.
Please donate generously, Bank information:
CIBC
Hashim H.Ali
Transit Number: 02632 – Institution Number: 010 – Account Number: 6856497
Thus the center will assist Somali and Ethiopian Speaking Shia to have Higher Islamic Knowledge and those Shia already living in Nairobi will be able to take part according to their culture. And all will get help such as books and donations if any to spread the work of Ahlul Bayt a.s. specially Fiqh Jafary. Once again we will equip Shia of Horn of Africa through knowledge, books and if possible to send to other higher Islamic Institution.
Why Nairobi, Kenya: After our 10 yrs of experience active in Djibouti, Ethiopia and Somalia, we found that there is no immediate possibility to establish legal Shia institution in those areas, where the need is high. Instead we chose to establish in Kenya immediately and will fully promote the knowledge of Ahlul Bayt a.s. from Nairobi, Kenya without any fear or any danger. I don’t think it is also good idea to establish future Masjid Imam Hassan ibne Ali ibne Abitalib a.s. in villages, as all villages boarders Ethiopia and Somalia are in different type of political crisis.
The good news is that our Muballighs whom we equipped with knowledge are active in Nairobi with other local Sudani/Somali/Ethiopian Shia; who are doing the work in very limited resources. In this case, we are encouraged to establish a Center in Nairobi and support them fully.
The area Horn of Africa has big gap in regards of Tabligh Works. Almost all African countries are doing well. Shia Centers are active with also humanitarian services.
The Somali Shia and Ethiopian Shias are very important figures. Full attention should be given to those communities to fill the gap.
Please come forward and donate as much as you can to make this Project alive running to please Allah s.w.t. and our living Imam al Hujjat, al Imam Mahdi ajf.
May Almighty give all of us Tawfiq to take part in Sawaabe Jaariyya
