ICA Mubaligheen Conference 2009 - Report

On Sunday 18th October, our respected scholars and Mubaligheen gathered together at Masjid Al-Husayn in Leicester for the ICA annual Mubaligheen conference. The aim was to discuss the principle elements in propagating Islam and to generate ideas on presenting topical issues in our communities. The conference hosted 60 delegates including representatives from Canada and Switzerland as well as executives from the CoEJ and member Jamaats including Dr Husein Jiwa (President elect of CoEJ).

Click here to download the detailed minutes of this conference

The Chairman of ICA, Al-Hajj Razahusein Rahim welcomed the delegates and speakers and gave a brief overview of projects accomplished and recent developments that have taken place in the Islamic Cultural Affairs Committee.

The President elect of the CoEJ Dr Husein Jiwa addressed the conference and stated that “Zakireen play very important part in the enlightenment of the community. Today we face many spiritual and religious challenges, and therefore it is important that the Zakireen work very close together, and a forum like this allows the Ulema to work close together constructively, and discuss how the community can be best guided.”

Thereafter the day began with a very eloquent and remarkable presentation on Spirituality and how one is to express this from the pulpit, by Shiekh Bahmanpour, Principal &senior lecturer of ICAS London. The main body of his address encapsulated the fundamental aspects of Spiritual methodology and expression. A plenary session took place on this topic which resulted in fruitful discussion and observations and questions from the Mubaligheen. This was followed by Salaah & networking lunch.

Session II focused on the launch of the Student-Scholar Link (SSL) lead by Sis Mehjabeen Rahim. During this session the importance of creating and maintaining such a link between the youths and Mubaligheen was highlighted. As part of the SSL project some of the frequently asked questions and challenges that the youth face today were projected to the Mubaligheen who were asked for feedback and response as to how these issues can be resolved within the community.

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This open discussion on Youth Issues was followed by Sssion III where, Syed Mohamed Naqvi spoke on the topic of ideological challenges facing our community. This articulate speech touched upon many vital and soon approaching matters in our community. Syed Naqvi highlighted the importance of awareness of these issues so that one is proactive in their response towards aiding the community. Proceeding this essential session, ideological challenges within the institutions of spirituality, marriage, marja’iyat and Hermeneutics were discussed & debated extensively. Delegates were split into groups for thorough discussions aimed at prioritising these challenges and discovering ways to resolve them. This resulted in an array of potential solutions and a collective proposed plan of action in response to the current issues.

This session was concluded by Syed Amir Husein Naqvi, who provided an articulate summary on each challenge and its prospective solution. Syed underlined the need for accuracy in content of the message propagated, the personality and character of the person doing Tableegh and the importance of using appropriate tools and means to propagate the message in order to captivate our audience’s changing needs.

After a short break the penultimate session was lead by Sheikh Shaffiq Hudda of Canada. Sheikh spoke about attracting the youth and projecting the right message to them. The session indicated the need for a more accessible and approachable relationship to be developed amongst the scholars and youth where by further understanding can grow and cooperation can strengthen. This inspiring talk was followed by a brief presentation by Sheikh Abbas Ismail on the role of the Islamic education in World federation. Recent developments such as the IIPS course and Mubaligheen training programmes in Syria were discussed.

The Chairman of ICA, Br Razahusein Rahim acknowledged all the support and administration behind co-ordinating and running this event and thanked all participants & Organisors, especially to Leicester Jamaat for helping with arrangements and offering Masjid Al- Husayn as a wonderful venue for this event.

The conference passed unanimously a resolution that year 2010 should be dedicated as the year of educating the community on Marja’iyat and all Mubaligheen should make every effort to increase the understanding of the community at large on this very important subject. The was also an overwhelming recomendatin that the ICA of the CoEJ should increase the frequency of the conference to atleast bi annually or quarterly. This is so tha mubaligheen get the opportunity to engage in discussions on essential matters affecting our community.

In Evaluation of this event, all sessions and speakers received excellent written feedback from the delegates. May Allah reward our Speakers for taking the time and effort to prepare and deliver their material.

A DVD of this conference is on sale, those wishing to purchase a copy can contact Sis Mehjabeen Rahim at ica@coej.org.

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