World Federation of KSIMC
The World Federation of KSIMC (Khoja Shia Ithna-Asheri Muslim Communities) shortly known as the World Federation is one of the largest and most powerful international organizations for the Khoja community. It makes decisions and organizes activities for various Khoja communities all around the world. Most Khoja communities across the globe are members of the World Federation and under its vast umbrella. Its headquarters is located in London, UK.
History
After people of Asian descent were expelled from Uganda, Khojas migrated to London in the 1970s and began to build the foundations for this organization. After the African Federation and various Khoja communities from different countries around the world were established, the leaders of some of these communities gathered for an assembly in London. The goal of this assembly was to discuss the establishment of the World Federation to connect all of them together. In this assembly, a committee was formed in order to write a draft for its constitution. In a conference that took place a year later, various communities approved the drafted constitution and the World Federation was officially established to begin its formal activities. In the same year, this organization became registered as an official religious charitable organization in England. Javad Naqvi, Mulla Asghar, Hasnain Walji, and Hashim Jawad are some of the past presidents of the World Federation.
Responsibilities
- Overseeing all of the affairs and activities of the World Federation's member communities across the world.
- Adopting general policies and establishing methods with regards to choosing a marja' al-taqlid, paying Khums and Zakat, and more.
- Refraining from entering politics and taking any position with regards to various political events.
Detailed Statistics of Khojas
Six months before the World Federation's general assembly (that takes place every three years), all of the Khoja communities and organizations under the Federation's umbrella, announce their population statistics to the general secretariat. These numbers are then used to calculate the total number of Khoja Twelver Shias.
Structure
The World Federation has 135 members, which are chosen from 40 regional federations and 26 communities of these Khoja Twelver-Shi'as. Its headquarters are located in London and the main office for administration i.e. its secretariat is located in the district of Stanmore.
This organization, in accordance with its constitution, is an independent organization. General elections are held every three years, and in them, the Chairman and Board of Directors are chosen. The Board of Directors consists of the President, Vice-President, Secretary, and Treasurer.
The policies of the World Federation are determined once every three years during the general assembly. The decisions made here are binding for all of the World Federation's member organizations.
Goals
- Strengthening the faith of Twelver Shias
- Improving the financial well-being of its member organizations
- Developing and increasing levels of religious proficiency and knowledge amongst its members
- Social development and aiding those in need (i.e. charity work)
Services
From its inception, the World Federation has taken steps to improve the living situations of Khojas from around the world, especially those in India. The organization has worked towards reforming India, and a major part of its activities, between 1980-1990, were dedicated to alleviating the cultural, social, and economic problems of Indian Khojas. Particular attention has been given to the provinces of Gujarat and the district of Katch in India and also to some provinces in Pakistan.
A List of Regional Federations and Communities
Regional organizations and their member communities have representatives that are a part of the World Federation. These representatives play an important role in the decision-making process that the World Federation goes through.
This organization has regional federations in regions like Africa, America, Europe, and Asia, and also in some other communities. The African Federation of Khoja Ithna-Asheris is made up of Shias who are ethnically Indian in East Africa and their headquarters is in Dar al-Salam in Tanzania.
Securing Finances
A large portion of the income and finances for Twelver-Shia Khojas around the world is secured through the help and financial aid of wealthy Khoja Twelver-Shias who live in various countries in East Africa, Europe, and in North America. The majority of those giving this type of financial aid are business tycoons who give a portion of their own profits annually to be used at the discretion of those in authority/ financially responsible for the World Federation or their regional counterparts.
In addition to this, the authorities at the World Federation collect a portion of the sahm-i Imam wa sadat, which is a portion of the Islamic tax called Khums. They have been given permission to do this by the Grand Ayatullah Sayyid 'Ali al-Husayni al-Sistani whom they do Taqlid of. This portion of the money is used towards their religious propagation and improvement/developmental costs.
External Links
References
- The material for writing this article is mainly taken from فدراسیون جهانی جماعات شیعه خوجه اثناعشری in Farsi WikiShia.