Attendance

The meeting commenced at 11:33 with recitation of the verses of The Holy Quran by Sheikh Mustafa Jaffer.

The Vice President Gulamhuseinbhai R J Sumar welcomed everyone instead of Husseinbhai Jiwa who was unable to attend as he was unwell since his return from Hajj. 

Gulamhuseinbhai Sumar thanked Hyderi Jamaat for hosting the meeting.

Sura e Fateha was recited for Br Gulamhusein R J Sumar’s and Br Razahusein Rahim’s mother and also uncles of both Br Mahmood Al Najar and Br Shabbir Merali and for all marhoomeens.
Dua-e-shafa was also recited for all those that were unwell.

Welcome speech by President of Hyderi Jamaat Dr Liaket Dewji.

Secretary General went through the housekeeping rules.

Break for namaaz at 11:45 and recommenced at 12:18

1. Minutes of the last meeting and matters arising therefrom

Minutes approved as corrected   Proposed by: Br Shabbir Merali         Seconded by: Sis Waheeda Rahim

Matters arising
(a)    Shia TV Channels: Br Mahmood Rehemtulla requested update on Shia TV funding.  Br Razahusein Rahim requested further time to prepare up to date budget spreadsheet.  
•    Hidayat TV: a meeting had taken place with Maulana Zafar Abbas – however there had been issues as to who would take over the administration and since then Maulana Zafar Abbas had stepped back.

•    Ahlebait TV: (Urdu) – not had any contact – there were issues regarding their programmes - needed further guidance before being involved.

•    Ahlulbayt TV: Positive discussions ongoing, Lectures by Marhum Mulla Asghar had been aired as well as Br Razahusein Rahim’s interview regarding tabligh work of ICA.
Ahlulbayt TV requested support for fundraising at member Jamaats and for their recycling project.  Br Razahusein Rahim confirmed that concerns had been raised regarding airing of certain programmes.

•    Clarity sought regarding the recycling scheme, as the email received stated that the company contracted would collect second hand clothes and distribute them for free or resell them for lower than cost price and it was this that was of concern.  
Br Rafique Bhojani gave details of a recycling scheme in place at Leicester Jamaat and offered assistance if any Jammat wished to initiate a similar scheme.After discussion it was agreed that for the time being we would not consider the recycling scheme.

•    Br Razahusein clarified that the funds sought were not huqooq money and added that Ahlulbayt TV would provide a list of donors and subscribers to establish the amount of funds received from CoEJ member Jamaat.

Action 1: Secretariat to email CoEJ Member Jamaats to requesting support to Ahlulbayt TV fund-raising during Muharram programmes

(b)    New Members: Br Shabbir Merali enquired about the Jamaats that had applied for membership of CoEJ. Secretary General informed that Secretariat were awaiting response from them.

(c)    Fundraising: Br Murtaza Gulamhusein felt fundraising by non-members at our centres be discouraged   especially where their projects were
similar to those initiated by CoEJ/WF and added that only registered charities should be considered in light of our priorities.

Action 2: Br Murtaza Gulamhusein to draft a policy paper on fundraising in our centres

(d)    TOR: Br Mahmood Rehemtulla sought further guidance on the role of EC link. Br Gibriel and team would continue working on the draft. 
The draft policy paper would be circulated to the Councillors for comment.

(e)    Subscription: On enquiry from Br Shabbir Merali it was confirmed that subscription was outstanding from Switzerland, Sweden and Paris South, Jamaats.

(f)    SND Trip: In the absence of the SND Chair and SND EC Link it was agreed that the East Africa trip would not be discussed.
Br Shabbir Merali emphasised the importance of addressing this issue in a timely manner as it had been ongoing since the last meeting.
Failure to deal with this swiftly may be perceived negatively.  Br Gulamhusein suggested that a report be sought by SND EC Link promptly and this should be circulated as soon as practically possible. 

Action 3: Secretariat to request SND chair and EC Link to prepare a report on the concerns of SND trip to East Africa and on receipt to be circulated to Executive Councillors.

(g)    EHM: Br Mahmood Rehemtulla commented that MOU between EHM Ltd and Executive Council be circulated to EC.  VP advised that the MOU had been drawn up and would be included in the pack for the next meeting.
Secretariat to circulate MOU.

(h)    Marriage Seminar: Secretary General informed that Dr Husein Jiwa had appointed Br Riyaz Ladha as a link to WF marriage committee. A meeting has been arranged in Birmingham to discuss the arrangement of joint marriage seminar.
It was agreed that a CoEJ marriage committee would be considered at a future date.

2. Confirmation of Budgets and projects approval
(a)    Hon Treasurer, Br Mohamed Mavani explained that the budgets had to be approved before submission to WF he clarified that the budget for
John Muslim Mission had been approved the previous year with WF so the project had not being removed from the budget from this year but was authorised to go ahead and the funding would then be released by WF.

(b)    Ijaza: Br Murtaza Gulamhusein felt CoEJ should be independent and not have to rely on WF funding of projects.
Gulamhuseinbhai R J Sumar reiterated that WF honoured all CoEJ projects and had been very supportive.

(c)    Brampton Accord: Br Abbas Rahim commented that according to the Brampton Accord, no individual regions should have own Ijaza.
Br Murtaza Bharwani defined the Brampton Accord and added that getting Ijaza was a separate issue.   

(d)    Br Rafique Bhojani commented that all the meeting packs for the meeting should be consistent irrespective of whether one was an observer or an executive councillor. 
Secretary General explained that Secretariat were merely adhering to constitutional requirements, and as highlighted by an executive councillor previously the Minutes of the meeting as required by the Constitution could not be circulated until they were approved by the Executive Councillors.  

(e)    The overall budget was discussed and the Boards represented at the meeting, in particular, Br Kazimali Khaki (Relief) Dr Rizwan Alidina (HIB) and Br Razahusein Rahim (ICA) went through their budgets briefly.
Dr Rizwan covered the following areas:
•    Vaccination for Hujjaj – in partnership with Novartis (meningitis OCY for £30 - £40 market value)
•    Dementia Awareness – SND talk in Birmingham had been very successful – require support from SND to take further. Dr Abbas Ramji, a psychiatrist registrar to take lead. SND to give guidance and support.
•    Al-Hijra - a self sustaining project to be launched in Muharram 1432 AH.
•    East Africa Trip (Kibaha) - self sustaining project working with WIPAS. Looking to work with other companies (Eg drug companies)
•    The PMI team of merchant finance could not attend. Project had been negotiated over a long period to get a discounted product - the quotes had working out high - HIB team would negotiate for competitive rates.
Dr Rizwan would look into the feasibility of Br Azad Poptani’s suggestion to include travel insurance.
•    YHCP – Dr Shabir Merali (HIB) introduced the project - an initiative to get young health professionals (newly qualified and prospective students) to network - Convention planned for spring of 2011 –
team of volunteers were in attendance to explain the project during lunch break.

(f)    Capacity Building: Br Abbas Rahim enquired if there was an amount allocated for capacity building.  Secretary  General replied that he seemed to think there was  £1000 under secretariat budget.
Br Mahmood Al-Najar suggested that we should consider putting aside £5000 for this purpose, for Jamaats to apply for. Dr Akber Mohamedali suggested that we should consider seeking £5000 from WF and agree an allocation process on this. Dr Akber Mohamedali added that LDP course should be under CoEJ and suggested that a proposal for capacity building be considered at a future date.  He also suggested that CoEJ may consider looking at conflict resolution.

Action 4: Item on the Agenda: Capacity Building & Budget allocation process

The Budgets were then duly approved for presentation to WF, proposed by Br Murtaza Gulamhusein and seconded by Br Shabbir Merali

Break for lunch at 2:30 and recommenced at 15:05.

3. Pre Marriage Screening for Thalasemia and HIV

Dr Rizwan Alidina presented an excellent on-screen presentation on Thalasemia and HIV. He explained that the original mandate had been introduced by WF on 3 October 1988.
He elaborated further on what Thalasemia is, the treatment for it and the importance of its awareness.

Br Razahusein Rahim explained that Peterborough had been enforcing the mandate.  However they were facing challenges as this was not being undertaken by other Jamaats.
Br Abbas Rahim added that Wessex Jamaat is also enforcing this mandate and as such has a pre-marriage agreement in place.
On being questioned, Dr Rizwan replied that the best time for the test would be before announcement of the engagement. He would work out some details before the next EC meeting. He further added that HIV and AIDS had been a major concern in the late 1980’s however treatments were much better these days. He recommended each Jamaat to:
•    have a standardised procedure with pre-marital ‘check list disclaimer’ (to protects those who were too shy to ask the opposite side or felt it implied mistrust of them)
•    promote an open culture where these issues could be discussed freely
•    be aware that the decision not to have the test was also a right but only if the consequences were understood and were from the bride and groom themselves.
•    offer counselling prior to the right to abstain from testing. HIB would support the initiative by providing educational material.

Action point 5: Item on the Agenda – Dr Rizwan to prepare an Implementation plan

4. President’s Report:
On behalf of the President, Secretary General briefly conveyed that:

(a)    On Monday 4 October 2010, a delegation led by the President had visited Sayyid Murtaza Ali Rizvi ‘Kashmiri’ the representative of his
Eminence Grand Ayatullah al Udhma Sayyid Ali Husaini al-Seestani (may Allah SWT protect him and grant him a long life).
(b)    CoEJ would host an Inter-regional meeting on Friday, 3 December 2010 in Birmingham. An item of agenda is presentation on the senior’s retirement village.

Secretary General stated that the President would provide some details to the above at the next meeting.

5. Honorary Treasurer’s Report
Treasurer thanked Br Mohamed Kazim Bhalloo and Br Qasim Alidina for their assistance in preparing the accounts.
He explained thoroughly all the figures in the accounts for the period Jan-Oct 2010 and replied to queries raised.
For cost efficiency he highlighted that all printing be done through Secretariat, telephone calls kept to a minimum and catering costs be reduced by 20%.
He also suggested that other areas should be looked at to make cost efficiency savings.

Break for Maghrib Namaaz - resumed at 16:45

6. WF Constitutional Conference (Dec 2010) & Constitutional Amendments
Dr Akber Mohamedali gave an overview on behalf of the CoEJ CRCT, he explained the processes as previously discussed at the recent CoEJ Conference held on 25 September 2010.
Dr Akber Mohamedali and Br Sibtain Panjwani went through the circulated documents which had been prepared by the
WF Constitutional Review team after various discussion by teleconference amongst the CRC team members of the regions as facilitated by the WF Constitutional Review Team. 
There were 3 documents in the main to be considered:

(a)    Annex 1: CRT Proposed constitutional amendments
•    Dr Akber Mohamedali explained that the fundamental change was that instead of an Electoral Commissioner elected at the Conference, an electoral commission consisting of 3 people would be elected at conference, one of whom to be the Chair.  
•    Br Murtaza Bharwani clarified that the main difference was shift of power from EXCO to Conference.
Dr Akber Mohamedali added that because the conference was held every 3 years if the electoral commission decided to resign or did not work with the SOP, the EXCO would then have the power to replace them.  
•    Dr Akber Mohamedali pointed out that the SOP had not been circulated yet although it was mentioned in the
Constitution and he further added that the document reflected electoral voting proportionality of votes in terms of allocated delegate seats as explained by him at the recent CoEJ AGM in Hujjat. 
Br Murtaza Bharwani stated that the SOP in its draft form was in essence the SOP that would be considered for discussion.
•    On the SOP, a constructive discussion on the pro’s and con’s of where this document should sit, the Conference or the EXCO took place with Dr Sibtain Panjwani enlightening the EC.
Dr Sibtain Panjwani pointed out that the SOP document, belongs to the conference rather than the EXCO only because the EXCO should not then be the executive arm and the legislative arm of the SOP.
The SOP should remain in the hand of the conference so even if it is passed by the simple majority and whatever we need to change in the SOP at EXCO level, we have to go back to the conference.
Dr Akber mentioned that we are technically looking for ways to discuss the SOP at the conference. What we need is a way which is common, at one level the conference has the power but on the other hand the
EXCO gives that power to the conference through the process of ratification by the conference. It was agreed that CoEJ would support this midway option of the
EXCO being able to amend the SOP which would then later have to be ratified by the Conference as it was felt this was practical option.

It was agreed that CoEJ delegates would vote in favour of the constitutional amendments and all delegates were expected to vote accordingly unless consulted to do so otherwise on the day.

(b)    Annex 3: Amendments to the Constitution from NASIMCO
•    After an interesting discussion it was agreed that CoEJ would favour election through grassroots’ voting and the collegiate system as proposed.
It was stressed grassroots’ voting was vital in reaching out to our community and allowing them to choose their WF President. The apportioning of votes in line with delegate seats would ensure equity in the election process

It was agreed that CoEJ delegates would vote in favour of the Resolution and all delegates were expected to vote accordingly.

(c) Annex 4 – Proposed amendments from Dubai Jamaat – (relating to membership).
•    There followed protracted discussion and agreement was reached that CoEJ would not support the Dubai paper as it stood. 
However the EC was mindful that Dubai or any regions should not be isolated and CoEJ would give consideration to an equitable and inclusive solution applicable to all regions but at the same time safeguarding CoEJ interests

It was agreed that CoEJ delegates would vote against the Dubai paper in its current form and all delegates were expected to vote accordingly unless consulted to do so otherwise on the day.

It was also agreed that any delegates not present at the meeting to be briefed on the above discussion.

7. Hilal Update
In the absence of Seyed Mohamed Naqvi it was agreed that the Hilal update would be deferred to the next EC Meeting.

8. Any other business
(a)    Br Shabbir Merali enquired if travel expenses were an issue for Jamaats on mainland Europe having poor attendance at EC meeting. 
Secretary General clarified that the Jamaats in Europe were usually given reimbursement for travelling expenses incurred to enable to attend EC meetings.

(b)    It was agreed that the process of allocation of CoEJ WF delegates be discussed at next meeting and reviewed if necessary. 

Action Point 6: An item of agenda -  Allocation of CoEJ WF Delegates, a discussion

(c)    Br Abbas Rahim gave an update on Al Mahdi project. He thanked all the Jamaats and CoEJ Office Bearers for their support and assistance.
Secretary General thanked Br Abbas Rahim for sharing the good news on Al Mahdi project and added that we looked forward to having a meeting at the new centre.

(d)    Br Murtaza Bharwani enquired whether the Prestige Home tender for Essex rebuild had been tendered and whether it was the cheapest.  Br Fayaz Haji confirmed that it was.

(e)    It was confirmed that the Gloucester roof repairs cost (in the region of about £5000) was a donation from the Prestige Homes and the repairs were in the progress.

(f)    Dr Sibtain Panjwani thanked everyone for the opportunity to participate in the constitutional amendments. 
Secretary General on behalf of the EC thanked Br Sibtain Panjwani and CRCT for their invaluable contribution.

9.  Date of next meeting:
It was agreed that the next meeting would be held on Saturday, 19 February 2011.  Time and venue to be confirmed in due course.

Meeting was brought to a close at 19.16 with a recitation from the verses of the Holy Quran by Br Razahusein Rahim.

Secretariat - Minutes