The annual Mubaligheen conference of the Islamic Cultural Affairs committee of The Council of European Jamaats was held this year at Masjid –al- Husayn in Leicester on Sunday 2nd October 2011. Around 45 participants attended this conference for which the theme was ‘Ijtihad, its importance and challenges’.

The chairman of the CoEJ al Haj Dr Husein Jiwa addressed the delegates highlighting the importance of the role of mubaligheen in conveying the message of Ahlul bayt most sincerely and replying to various challenges that arise in the contemporary and current era.

Al-Haj Razahusein Rahim the Chairman of the ICA addressed the delegates on the current activities of the ICA including need for mubaligheen to assist projects like John Muslim Mission. He then outlined the reason for selecting ‘Ijtihad’ as the topic for the conference and stated that the strength of the Shia community identified by many contemporary writers stems from three key institutions i.e. the Mimbar, Marja’iyyat/Taqleed and Khums. Al-Haj Razahusein Rahim then highlighted the challenges faced in the community today in imparting the importance of ‘Ijtihad’ and following a Marja’.

The conference was presided by two prominent scholars Hujjat al Islam Sheikh Mohamed Saeed Bahmanpour and Maulana Zaffar Abbas. In their key note speeches Sheikh Bahmanpour summarized the historic perspective and value of Ijtihad, whilst Maulana Zaffar Abbas addressed the challenges and significance of ijtihad in today’s world for the shia ithna asheri community.

The Afternoon session was commenced with the address by the head of Islamic Education of the W F, Sayed Ali Reza  Naqvi to the mubhaligheen explaining the work of Islamic Education and the support for mubhaligheen. After this a number of mubaligheen participated in discussions and made observations before the conference was split into group working sessions. Overall the standard of the debate and discussion was excellent which lead to drawing of specific recommendations as follows:


2.   To use the institution of azaa’e sayyidish shuhada this Muharram and in the regular majalises during the year to convey this topic to the public at large. Also to look into how the institution of madressah can be more effective in imparting this knowledge.


3.   Zaakireen network should engage within themselves in discussion through the established web network with moderation from scholars including the presiding scholars of the conference.

4.   A copy of FAQ’s on this and relevant topics be published on the coej/ica website with input from all mubaligheen and Scholars.

ICA