Minutes of the 1st Annual CoEJ Conference held on Saturday, 7 November 2009 , Husseini Islamic Centre, Stanmore

Attendance

Meeting commenced at 5:55pm, with the President  welcoming all the delegates and invitees, followed by Quran recitation by Br Mohamed Kazim Bhalloo.

Secretary General explained housekeeping rules, health and safety details.
Minutes of the constitutional meeting were proposed by Br Murtaza Bharwani and Seconded by Br Sajjad Manji and Br Salim Govani.

Secretary General  explained the order of business, particularly with priority given to the Team Heads as he felt that  was what CoEJ was all about.


Committee Reports:

EHM by Br Ahmed Dungersi.

•    Br Ahmed went over his report, informed that Hajj preparations are now completed.
•    Br Sajjad from Essex Jamaat, suggested that due to the recession, costs  be kept to a minimum, Br Ahmed replied by saying that the team will consider it when they next meet.
•    Secretary General thanked Br Ahmed and the EHM team for all the hard work and good service provided.


HIB by Dr Sadik Merali & Dr Rizwan Alidina.

•    Dr Sadik thanked his volunteers and also Dr Akber who has been a great mentor for the team.
•    Looking forward to writing a documentary “The health of our Community”
•    Vision statement is to promote health and encourage healthy lifestyle. Mission statement to ensure our community are fully aware of and maximise their access to local services, and we will help them to meet their needs.
•    Dr Sadik went through his HIB report, informed that Private Medical Insurance is launching soon and they are hoping to sign the contract.
•    Dr Rizwan continued with the report. He informed the need for more volunteers to be recruited and would consider relaunching the Health Professional Diary online.
•    He spoke about the team’s current publications and informed that they just filmed with Ahlulbait TV in conjunction with EHM,WF and AFED on swine flu advice for Hujjaj.
•    Future projects envisaged, health screening at Marsta, Trollhattan, Essex and Milton Keynes, Leeds. It was currently slow due to shortage of volunteers.
•    The challenges they faced were to rekindle the spirirt of volunteerism, re-establish links with European Jamaats.
•    Suggested the requirement for the team to have one point of contact in the Secretariat office, especially during busier times.
•    Retention of volunteers, marketing, promotion and multimedia were all discussed.
•    The plan for the future was to promote the board by means of television, accessing extra resources through NHS.
•    Introduce Thalessemia awareness and Disability.
•    First Aid and bereavement support withing the community.
•    Working closely with all committees such as SND

Secretary General thanked the team for their excellent work. The President also thanked them for the tremendous work and suggested that a roadshow could be considered to approach Jamaats in regards to disability awareness. Secretariat would take on board the suggestion of a named contact  It was also suggested that for Continental Jamaats, leaflets should be translated for better response.

Questions and Comments:
•    Br Gulam Sumar said that screening for both Sweden Jamaats was to take place, but Trollhattan backed out and the Screening in Marsta was a huge success and very much appreciated.
•    Dr Sadik replied by saying we need to increase more awareness towards disability issues especially in our elderly. The secretariat is doing an excellent job but need one point of contact at all times. Dr Rizwan said that especially during screening times we need one person trained and need contact in non-UK jamaats.
•    Secretary General informed that we need at least 15 people to go to Dr Sadik for assessment and need to ensure engagement with elderly. HIB have done tremendous work to invigorate and have expanded and been proactive.
•    Br Mustafa Jaffer said the HIB is successful especially during Mahe Ramadhan and we hope to continue getting services.
•    Mussadique Ladak also thanked them and suggested HIB to set up forum for seniors.
•    Secretary General requested HIB to take it up with other Jamaats.

ICA by Br Razahussein Rahim.

•    Br Razahusein Rahim showed a powerpoint presentation to show what ICA is about and what ICA has achieved so far.

Forthcoming projects are:
•    Working with shia TV channels, which need our input and use the materials we have to work with them.
•    New leaflets coming up – Women in Islam, Islamic Will and Sunni & Shia practices.
•    Spiritual retreats for families.
•    John muslim mission in Europe.
•    Publish books
•    National Interfaith Convention
•    Work to be translated in French
•    Bilal muslim mission reprinting Al Islam leaflet.
•    Set up Q & A Panel for community members to access

Questions and Comments:
•    Br Riaz Datoo asked if we had managed to send our own Scholars to prisons.  Br Razahusein Rahim  stated as far as prison is concerned at present CoEJ does not send out Scholars as each Jamaat does so individually. Inshallah will keep in mind for the future.
•    Br Murtaza Gulamhusein thanked the team for all the work carried out by ICA, what steps are being taken to ensure that we remain a rational committee as we have been in the last few years. We focused on Ideological challenges and various concepts.
•    Br Salim Govani expressed his thanks for all the effort particularly for Non – UK Jamaats to move forward. Maybe to consider other ways to engage  Non – UK Jamaats. There is much more that needs to be done, for Non – UK Jamaat and the best solution has to be a regular programme or a resident alim who can bring back youths and members.
•    Dr Jiwa  asked if ICA was thinking of converting the committee into a board or stay as it is? Br Razahusein Rahim  stated it may come to a stage where we may have to convert to a board, I have volunteers in ICA who help out regularly, but maybe the conversion of a board will be much better for us.
•    Br Kamruddin Khaki  asked if ICA inconjuction with Media, set up a rapid response team to answer all the questions coming towards Islam. Br Razahusein Rahim – we are working with Shia channels on this.

Secretary General thanked Br Razahusein Rahim and his team, for their good work and focused approach and  confirmed that positive feedback had been received.

Media and External Relations by Sis Fatima Manji

Sis Fatima went through her report and explained what media desk was doing
•    Future projects include networking
•    Follow up on media training
•    Continue building relationships with politicians.
•    Secretary General thanked Sis Fatima Manji for her hard work and efforts.

Questions and Comments:
•    Br Taki Jaffer said media course was very successful and we have seen the output of the course in Wessex Jamaat.
•    Dr Akber Mohammedali stated that he could see youngsters taking up development and bringing professionalism.
•    Br Razahusein Rahim stated that having a Media desk for the Peterborough Jamaat was beneficial in propagating our message positively.
•    Sis Fatima reiterated that she looked forward to working with the Non-UK Jamaats and thanked her team.

Seniors Networks Desk by Br Pyarali Merali

•    Br Pyarali Merali presented the report and informed that SND was planing a seniors trip to Syria but CoEJ couldnt subsidise.

•    Dr Jiwa thanked the SND and informed that the current policy only subsidises for the alim, Inshallah will discuss at the next budget meeting and requested SND team to put a proposal and the EC will then further discuss it.

•    Dr Rizwan extended their support to the SND and invited to tailor their needs and discuss further.

Secretary General thanked the seniors.

Relief by Br Arifali Hirji

•    Br Arifali presented his report and informed that relief was just formed recently and has evolved considerably.
•    Has carried out many projects and also thanked the seniors for helping with the counting of monies received.
•    Need to focus on doing more things and not duplicating.

Secretary General thanked Br Arifali and requested that comments made directly to him.


MAMT by Br Zulfikar Mamdani

•    Br Zulfikar apologised for not handing in the report due to ill health.  MAMT has mostly been held in Peterborough, as its cost effective. However they were disappointed with    non-UK Jamaats and would like them to make an effort to engage. He stated that they would consider introducing many new sports and make it more of a family day.

Secretary General thanked him and his team for their efforts, stating it was a beneficial event to facilitate the spirit of brotherhood and fraternity amongst our youths. Also creating a networking opportunity.

Youth by Br Sajjad Hassam

Br Sajjad presented his report

•    Youths within Jamaats
•    Working with other desks
•    Helping youth led projects
•    Wanted the non-UK Jamaat youths to get in touch.
•    Future projects including learning ones mother tongue.
•    Br Sajjad informed the Conference that a regular meeting is called every quarter and emails are sent to all youth heads.
•    Secretary General informed that due to Ramadhan the careers day could not take place, there is a marriage consultation currently taking place but not completed as yet. New team will carry it on.

Questions and Comments:
•    Br Afzal Somji mentioned that what keeps the youths together is our mother tongue.
•    Br Bashir Rattansey said that if we want to emphasis mother tongue then we have to teach from child hood.

Secretary General thanked Br Sadiq Datoo and Br Sajjad Hassam for their support and dedication and wished them success in their endeavours.

Education by Br Hasnain Panjwani

Br Hasnain discussed current projects and future plans.

•    The need to bring more educationalists to run the board
•    Future projects include putting the madressa on the priority list.
•    He thanked the Secretariat for their support and great work.
•    Launch of a web resource.
•    Secretary General informed that work on madressa has started and  he thanked Br Hasnain for all the hard work and effort.

Secretary General was pleased to inform the Conference that CoEJ has numerous volunteers who work behind the scenes, from the elderlyto to young children. He thanked the EC, and the team heads for all their hard work.

Treasurer’s Report by Br Mohamed Mavani

•    Treasurer thanked Br Qasim Alidina, Br Mohamedkazim Bhalo and Br Shabbar Dhalla.
•    He also thanked the Auditors for filing on time.
•    He focused on improving the accountability and transparency.
•    He went through the year end accounts and gave a brief overview of the income and expenditure.
•    Br Murtaza Gulamhusein asked how long will it take us to stand on our own two feet? The President responded that we are still working our way up, Ijaza is a future for us, till we starting recieving the amount of funds that we need to start our own system.
•    Treasurer answered a few questions in regards to the accounts, and informed if there are any more questions then please email the secretariat.
•    President commended the treasurer for his excellent work and requested a Salawat.

Accounts proposed by Br Murtaza Bharwani, Br Razahusein Rahim, Br Salim Hamir and Seconded by Br Sajjad Manji, Br Roshan Gangji, Br Gulamhusein Sumar.

Secretary General’s Report by Br Shabbar Dhalla

Secretary General presented his report highlighting his background and community career progression in CoEJ, having started at CoEJ  in the Education board. He has dedicated all his work to the community and worked with sincerity, he asked for forgiveness if he had inadvertently hurt anyone in any way or form. He stated:
•    We now have a Secretariat office with the help from KSISLJ (Hyderi) and his employers Griffins had donated IT equipment. The office is functioning well and is the hub for all activity.
•    We are now an umbrella organisation for CRB
•    CRM system has been set up to save all our database on one system.
•    Online donation incorporated on site.
•    He expressed his gratitude to the Secretariat team for all their hard work and effort in running the office, in particular Sis Zeenat Rattansey for managing the office and ensuring its smooth running. He thanked Br Qasim Alidina for looking after the book keeping side of the Treasury.
•    He thanked Br Zahid Datoo for the tremendous work in the Round up Publications.
•    He thanked Br Ali Panju, Br Hasnain Panjwani, Br Sajjad Hassam, Br Sadiq Datoo, Syed Mohamed Naqvi, Br Sajjad Manji and Dr Datoo for all their support and hard work in serving the community.
•    He thanked the EC for their support and friendship.
•    He addressed Dr Husein Jiwa – now president elect and informed that CoEJ is in safe hands.
•    He thanked the President for having faith in him by giving him the role of Secretary General and hoped he had met his expectations.
•    He gave his best wishes to Dr Husein Jiwa and his team for taking CoEJ further.

Comments:
•    Dr Liaket Dewji thanked the Secretary General and said that he has done a fantastic job.
•    Dr Akber Mohammedali, on behalf of all the  councillors thanked him for professionalism, faciliting youth engagement, making CoEJ youth friendly and putting in place good governance.
•    Br Sajjad Manji  thanked him for the prompt help with the hilal committee and good working relationship.
•    Br Abbas Rahim thanked the Secretary General for the support recieved from him.



Presidents Report by Br Munawer Rattansey

Br Munawer Rattansey thanked Hujjat President and EC for hosting the meeting. He thanked Allah (swt) for his time at CoEJ and for all support he received.He commented that the success of CoEJ is a direct result of the tremendous hard work of all the Team Heads and volunteers. Future projects should involve:
•    Harmonize constitution of Jamaats
•    Secure assets, e.g. Gloucester – Khoja Sponsored, Sweden- how to secure.
•    Get a global approach and enhance relationship with other regions.
•    Tabligh work in Europe.
•    Looking at the issue of Hilal

He thanked Dr Husein Jiwa for all his support as Vice President and with his work with Seniors, HIB and MAMT, He expressed his full faith in him that he will take CoEJ to greater heights.He thanked the Secretary General for always being there. He thanked the Treasurer. He thanked each and every one of his councillors by name.He stated that the boards were the engine of CoEJ  and thanked each and every board chairman for all their success and hard work. He thanked Br Sadiq Datoo for his IT assistance. He thanked the councillors at WF for all their representation and support.He lastly asked for fogriveness if he has hurt anyone.

Secretary General requested a Salawat.

Comments:
All Jamaats presidents and CoEJ Councillors thanked the President for his tremendous work and support during his term as the CoEJ President and wish him well for the future and that he is leaving a legacy behind.

Secretary General confirmed as per the new constitution the term of the new President will now be 3 years and the members of Jamaats will vote to elect the new president elect. Dr Husein Jiwa was elected by the grassroots as the next President

Keynote Address by Dr Husein Jiwa:

Dr Husein Jiwa gave his keynote address and spoke about some of his plans for his term :
•    To enhance CoEJ and bring new initiatives.
•    Need to review and enhance ongoing camps.
•    Build bridges and nurture ties with WF.
•    Stand together united

He thanked the outgoing team and all the board members.

Comments:
Most of the Jamaat Presidents and team heads congratulated Dr Husein Jiwa and welcomed him with open arms and thanked him for all his support and encouragment in the past.

Elections of Executive Council:

It was agreed unanimously that  Br Ahmed Dungersi would chair the elections

Elections:

Vice President: Gulamhusein Sumar Elected
Proposed by Wessex Seconded by : Peterborough, Trollhattan, Essex and Br Mahmood Rehemtulla.

Treasurer: Br Mohamed Mavani Elected
Proposed by Peterborough, Seconded by: Birmingham, Br Mahmood Rehemtulla, Leicester, Leeds, Milton Keynes, Hyderi, Sis Saeeda Jiwa.

Assistant Secretary: Sis Saiyaada Jawad Elected
Proposed by Milton Keynes and seconded by Peterborough

Assistant Treasurer: Br MohamedKazim Bhaloo
Proposed by Peterborough. Seconded by Hyderi.

Six Councillors to be Elected:

Councillors nominated:
•    Sis Waheeda Rahim  Proposed by Wessex. Seconded by Peterborough
•    Br Murtaza Gulamhusein Proposed by Hujjat.  Seconded by Milton Keynes
•    Br Azad Poptani. Proposed by Hujjat. Seconded by Milton Keynes.
•    Br Shabir Merali Proposed by Milton Keynes. Seconded by Hujjat and Peterborough,
•    Br Mahmood Rehemtulla Proposed by Birmingham. Seconded by Essex, Wessex, Hyderi and Peterborough.
•    Syed Mohamed Naqvi  Proposed by Wessex Seconded by Hyderi and Birmingham.
•    Sis Sukaina Manji Proposed by Peterborough Seconded by Br Mahmood Rehemtulla and Milton Keynes.
•    Dr Akber Mohammedali Proposed by Wessex.  Seconded by Watford, Essex and Leeds
•    Br Abbas Rahim Proposed by Birmingham Seconded by Essex and Wessex
•    Sis Sukaina Nurmohamed Proposed by Wessex.  Seconded by Hujjat.

Councillors Elected:
•    Br Murtaza Gulamhusein
•    Br Shabir Merali
•    Br Mahmood Rehemtulla
•    Syed Mohamed Naqvi
•    Sis Sukaina Manji
•    Dr Akber Mohamedali

Electoral Commissioner – (Voting chaired by President)

Br Ahmed Dungersi (Elected) Proposed by Br Murtaza Bharwani  Seconded by Wessex, Br Razahusein Rahim, Leicester, Essex, Hujjat, Dr Akber Mohamedali, Milton Keynes, Leeds.

Resolution by Peterborough Jamaat

Br Razahusein Rahim, the President of MKSI Peterborough proposed the Resolution and it was seconded by Br Mussadique Ladak from KSI of Milton Keynes and Br Sajjad Manji of MSIJ of Essex. It was then put to the Conference. After due deliberation and a friendly amendment removing the word capped, the resolution as follows was passed unanimously:

‘We propose that the subscription for the member Jamaats be in accordance to the Voting rights of the members as follows:

2 Votes  £ 400; 4 Votes  £ 800; 6 Votes  £1200; 8 Votes  £1600;  10 Votes  £ 2000’


Any other Business

a.    Dr Husein Jiwa in accordance with Clause 7.3 of the Constitution, appointed Br Mohamed Dawood as the Secretary General

b.    Br Mussadique Ladak congratulated the newly elected team and announced that with the help of BrShabbir Lakha his Jamaat had secured 2.2 acres of the land and have started planning. Capital Projects paper will have to be completed to proceed with any funding requests

c.    Br Mussadique Ladak also informed the Conference that KSI of Milton Keynes had successfully acquired land next to their Centre with a view to building a new centre in the future. He sought support from CoEJ to hold a Marhum Mulla M.M. Jaffer memorial event on the 10th Anniversary of his sad demise on 21 March 2010. There was consensus and it was agreed the CoEJ would welcome further discussions about the event. Sura- e- Fateha for Marhum Mulla Asgher M Jaffer recited.

d.    Resolution Proposed by Hujjat Jamaat

Br Mustafa Jaffer, the President of KSIMC of London proposed a resolution on behalf of his Jamaat. After due deliberation, points of order and opinions of Constitutional experts it was agreed that it was acceptable to discuss it at this point in the agenda.

Br Mustafa eloquently explained that a Special General Meeting was called in Hujjat, Stanmore based on the interest in the grassroots about the confusion that surrounded the Conference in Toronto and the World Federation Presidential Elections. He stressed that grassroots sentiments had to be taken seriously to redress the situation in Toronto.

Shabir Rehemtulla stated that there was general concern in the community regarding this issue.

The resolution put forward by Br Mustafa Jaffer was as follows:

‘It is hereby resolved that the Councillors and delegates of CoEJ at this Conference demand that the World Federation of KSIMC call an Executive Council Meeting of the World Federation to solely deliberate convening an Extraordinary Conference within the next 120 days as required by Clause 9.2 of the World Federation Constitution, with a view to reconsidering all the business that was conducted at the Toronto Conference, in particular to the election of the office bearers and Councillors’

It was seconded by Br Riaz Datoo, the President of KSISLJ (Hyderi). It was then put to the Conference to deliberate on.

Briefly some of the points made:
•    Peterborough: the whole election process needs to be reviewed not business of gathering in Toronto.
•    Br Mohamed Bharwani –stated that the situation is grave, ethically and morally wrong, and that a way forward  has to be found  to address the whole situation.
•    The President gave his account of what happened in Toronto.
•    Hujjat wants the resolution to stay as it is.

After a friendly amendment by Br Shabir Rehemtulla, the President of KSIMC of Birmingham, by suggesting the addition of ‘and electoral process’ to the resolution, the following Resolution was voted on:

‘It is hereby resolved that the Councillors and delegates of CoEJ at this Conference demand that the World Federation of KSIMC call an Executive Council Meeting of the World Federation to solely deliberate convening an Extraordinary Conference within the next 120 days as required by Clause 9.2 of the World Federation Constitution, with a view to reconsidering all the business that was conducted at the Toronto Conference, in particular to the election of the office bearers and Councillors and the electoral process.'

For the purposes of the record 59 voted for, two voted against, one abstained and the resolution was passed.

e)    Br Riaz Datoo  asked the Secretariat to note the name of Hyderi is KSISLJ Jamaat.
f)    Br Murtaza Gulamhussein queried the timeframe of setting up new Hilal committee, and was asked to contact Secreteriat for Hilal Meeting Minutes.
g)    Br Shabir Mamdani requested live telecast for future Conferences. To be considered by the Executive Council.
h)    Secretary General thanked all at Hujjat for their efforts in making the Conference very successful.
i)    The new Secretary General, Br Mohamed Dawood announced that the next Executive Council Meeting would be held on 5 December 2009, at Al Zahra Centre, Watford, starting with Zohr salaat and a notice would be duly circulated.

The meeting was then brought to a close with a dua’a recitation by Syed Mohammed Naqvi at 2.50am.

Secretariat - Minutes