Salaam Alaykum,

Over the past few days, our community has participated in a global election for the President of The World Federation. I would like to thank all of you who took the time to vote - your ballots will determine the future direction of our community. Special thanks to all those who have joined in my campaign and supported me, I am truly grateful for your belief in me and my team.

My thanks must also go to the volunteers who assisted in the administration of the elections in centres around the world. InshAllah the Electoral Commissioner will make a declaration about the outcome of the election in the coming days.

In these final few nights of Mahe Ramadhan, I would request that we all remember each other in our du'a, especially on the Nights of Qadr.

With Du'a

Munawer Rattansey

5 Reasons To Vote For

Al Haj Munawer Rattansey

in next week's World Federation Elections

1. Track Record

I have outlined an ambitious manifesto, but these aren't meaningless promises. I believe in ACTION.

As President of the Council of European Jamaats Alhamdullilah we have transformed the organisation from into a much more powerful and effective regional body. One that takes action and delivers results. There is still more to do and inshAllah it will continue to make strides forward in the future.

One such example of change is bringing in the youth! But it's not enough to talk of empowering the youth - we actually achieved it. Today the majority of team heads at CoEJ are vibrant young leaders. Yes, we must spread that message: the youth are NOT the leaders of tomorrow, BUT the leaders of today.

And I want to continue this progress at a global level.

2. The Issues

My manifesto has 99 Pledges covering all areas of community life. These have been researched extensively. I have talked to experts and community members about how we can deliver these effectively.

Whether it's DELIVERING a worldwide census or SETTING UP an office in Najaf. Or REJUVENATING the Zainabiyya Child Sponsorship scheme or CHAMPIONING the rights of the disabled. I want to action the SOLUTIONS to the the issues affecting our community.

 

3. Openness

I believe in HONESTY about our success and our failures. I want to bring The World Federation to a level in which everyone FEELS part of this organisation and TRUSTS it.

To do this we need to celebrate our achievements, but also be OPEN about our mistakes.

I have pledged to report HONESTLY every year on what has ACTUALLY been achieved from my manifesto. And I will provide an annual report on our administration costs and work hard to REDUCE THEM. We need to be TRANSPARENT and ACCOUNTABLE to you.

And I promise to lead The World Federation based on the PRINCIPLES of simplicity, transparency and humility.

 

4. A Listening Candidate

A good leader does not dictate but LISTENS. I have travelled to our centres around the world, met with many of you and listened to your concerns.

I have created the 99 pledges based not only on experience and research, but also by talking to brothers and sisters around the world.

I want The World Federation to ENGAGE with the community using innovative methods to exchange honest feedback.

 

5. The Vision

It is my dream, my hope and my goal that we can cultivate The World Federation to be a VALUED organisation that truly serves all its commuity members.

So much has been achieved. But so much more NEEDS to be done.

We need to ACT on poverty and development.

We need to ENGAGE and develop a new generation of volunteers

We need to INVEST in our aalims.

Our forefathers WORKED VERY HARD to build our community organisations. Now it is our time.

I have outlined a clear and ambitious vision for the future. And I humbly request you to join me in the MISSION to develop our community's global organisation and take it to new heights.

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I am continuing my travels to visit community organisations and members around the world. In the upcoming week I am going to inshallah be in Africa visting our members in Dar Es Salaams, Arusha, Moshi, Mwanza and other regions in Africa.

After completing my visits to Africa, I will inshallah be in India and complete my campaign in Pakistan before returning home to the United Kingdom.

As ever, I'm keen to hear from as many of you as possible. These visits are about listening to community members around the world. So if you live in or will be in any of these cities at the same time as me, do get in touch either by emailing me at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or on my mobile +44 (0)7754 444 409

Having released my manifesto 2 weeks ago (In English, French, Gujarati and Urdu), I have since received many questions from the commnity. I have compiled the most frequent questions received and feel it is important to share this with you.

Please feel free to ask me more questions by email ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ) , phone (+44 (0)7754 444 409) or in person.

1. The 99 pledges are impressive but isn't this too ambitious? How will you achieve them?

2. How will your team improve relations with the regional federations (e.g. Africa Federation, CoEJ, NASIMCO)?

3. How do you see Jamaats progressing in the future?

4. What qualities do you think are necessary in a leader?

I am continuing to release more questions which I've received from community members around the world.

Please feel free to ask me more questions by email ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it )
by phone (+44 (0)7754 444 409) or in person.

 

5. Many community members don't know anything about The World Federation, and frankly don't care, why should we? And what will you do to change this?

6. You have talked about seniors housing projects, what do you mean by this?

7.  What will you do for the disabled community members whose needs have been largely ignored for many years?

This is the final release in this series of  highlighting some of the many questions that I have received from Mo'mineen around the world.

Please feel free to ask me more questions by email ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ) by phone (+44 (0)7754 444 409) and I will do my very best to reply to you as soon as possible.

8. What do you make of how The World Federation has performed over the last 3 years?
9. One of the issues mentioned at the debate in Birmingham (but not discussed in detail) is the Zainabiya Child Sponsorship Scheme ("ZCSS"). What is your opinion on this Scheme?
10. Currently many women are excluded from taking part in elections. What is your opinion on this?

MUNAWER DETERMINED TO STUDY THE PROBLEM OF THE COMMUNITY AROUND THE GLOBE
By: Qamar Abbas D. Lakhani

LONDON: President of CoEJ Mr. Munawer Rattansey who initiated his election campaign for the President of the World Federation for the term 2009-2012 from Dubai, after visiting the holy shrines in Damascus Syria; wants first hand report of the misery and problems being faced by our community around the globe. For this very reason during the past two months he has visited various jamaats of Europe, Canada, US, Africa apart from Pakistan and currently he is on his visit to India.

After completing his 10 days successful visit to the communities largest Pakistan jamaat; he is now on the visit to the second largest India jamaat. He has initiated his Indian visit from Ahmedabad. Apart from Ahmedabad he will visit cities like Mahuwa, Bhawnagar, Talaja, Kutch, Bhuj, Mumbai and Pune; where our community members reside in considerable number.

The purpose of his visit is to get familiar with the major problems of the community; apart from their education, health, housing, religious and social needs of the community residing in this part of the world; and assist them in finding the ways and means to overcome them; so our community in this part of the world can also progress and prosper.

During his visit he said that: "I begin my travels to connect my communities across the globe, to meet them, and most importantly to listen to them, to hear their visions for betterment of the community."

Last Wednesday at 3 p.mPST; he had arranged his first open conference call with the members of the community from all around the globe. Followed by another on Sunday last; during which he heard their views, advice and complains regarding various affairs of the community and promised that these will be considered when he'll chalked-out his future plan if elected as the President of the World Federation.

Meanwhile Mr. Munawer Rattansey has released his manifesto last week. He has asked the community to see the vision that he has set out for the next three years at The World Federation. His manifesto contains 99 pledges under 14 separate themes. Each one is crucial to moving our community forwards.

He has invited the community atlarge to come forward and to debate and discuss his vision with him. He has adviced the community to contact him, via phone, email or messenger and he'll take time to explain his pledges and action points

Download Zulfiqar Weekly 31-07-2009