New Hilal Advisory Team

As per item 15 of  the recently adopted Hilal Advisory Team (HAT) Terms of Reference, "The President after consultation with member Jamaats, will recommend names of experts to sit on this Team, to be approved by the Executive Committee."

Dr Husein Jiwa after duly consulting member Jamaats, recommended five individuals to form the new HAT who were then duly approved by the Executive Council.

They are as follows:

Sheikh Mustafa Jaffer
A scholar in Islam, current President of Hujjat Stanmore, was one of the 1st  four members of HAT of the WF and served until COEJ took over the HAT for Europe in 2007. He has profound knowledge and experience in areas of jurisprudence and astronomy. Has been making regular presentations on issues relating to moon sighting to educate the community on the rulings of His Eminence. His contributions to HAT will be invaluable.

Mulla Mohamed Kassamali
A scholar in Islam, currently serving as Resident Alim of Peterborough Jamaat. Has profound knowledge and experience in areas of jurisprudence and astronomy. He has been a member of HAT since the formation of CoEJ HAT in January 2007, and continues to serve HAT to date. His experience will add value to HAT.

Suhail Valji
Is an optician by profession and has taken very keen interest in astronomy. He is an active member of a team on moon sighting of KSIMC of London (TAIA) under current EC committee at Hujjat. He also understands the interpretation of the laws governing the sighting of the moon of several Mujtahids particularly Ayatullah Sistani. It is our understanding that he is currently responsible for preparing the Hujjat calendar and also WF yearly planner. He is also in constant communication with various leading astronomers worldwide. His understanding of astronomy will greatly assist other members of HAT.

Shabbir Rehemtulla
Immediate past president of Birmingham Jamaat, takes very keen interest in astronomy and has a sound understanding of issues relating to moon sighting and prayer times, is well versed with the rulings of His Eminence Seyyid Sistani, Seyyid Al Khoe and various other Maraji’. Being a community worker he is well placed to provide a community perspective which is one of the requirements in the Terms Of Reference for HAT. His knowledge in this area, particularly his experience of community pulse will assist HAT in areas of “community perspective.”

Seyed Mohamed Naqvi
Currently serving as the appointed head of HAT. A scholar in Islam and a longstanding member of HAT, with profound knowledge and experience in areas of jurisprudence and astronomy. His vast experience and continued contribution can only enhance and consolidate HAT.

Hilal Reformation - Background

At the Hilal meeting held on 27 March 2010 in Milton Keynes the draft Hilal Advisory Team (HAT) Terms of Reference (TOR) paper was presented and deliberated on extensively. The meeting was attended by:
Dr Husein Jiwa (President CoEJ),Alhaj Mahmoud Al-Najjar (President KSIMC Milton Keynes Jamaat), Seyed Mohamed Naqvi  (CoEJ Councillor and HAT member), Alhaj Makbul Jaffer (HAT member), Sajjad Manji (HAT co-ordinator and President Essex Jamaat), Sheikh Mustafa Jaffer (President KSMIC of London Hujjat),Mulla Roshan Versi (Member MKSI Leicester Jamaat), Sheikh Yusuf Dhirani (Member MKSI Leicester Jamaat), Alhaj Rasul Bhamani (President KSIMC Metro Leeds Jamaat),Alhaj Abbas Rahim  (Member Al Mahdi Wessex Jamaat, Alhaj Roshan Gangji (President Al Mahdi Wessex Jamaat), Alhaj Jaffer Dharamsi (Invitee),Sheikh Fazleabbas Datoo (Member Al Mahdi Wessex Jamaat), Syed Khalil Kadhmi (Member Al Mahdi Wessex Jamaat), Alhaj Shabbir Rehemtulla (President KSIMC Birmingham Jamaat), Alhaj Razahussein Rahim (President MKSI Peterborough Jamaat).

Alhaj Riaz Datoo (President Hyderi (KSISLJ) Jamaat) and Mulla Mohamed Kassamali (HAT member) were unable to attend and sent their apologies.

Consensus was reached at this meeting and the HAT Terms of Reference paper was subsequently revised for presentation and adoption at the next Executive Council Meeting.

At the Executive Council Meeting on 24 April 2010,  after due deliberation and taking into consideration any objections, the HAT Terms of Reference paper was duly adopted subject to including a preamble from Seyed Mohamed Naqvi incorporating the outcome of the CoEJ delegation’s successful meeting with His Eminence Ayatullah Seyyid Sistani (may Allah SWT protect him and grant him a long healthy life) as agreed by all the members of the CoEJ delegation.