If we do this, we will have a united Khoja Shia community. This is not a dream: it is our objective.

I have been blessed with the opportunity to serve as the President of CoEJ - the regional federation for Europe, for the last 6 years. From the European angle I have seen what has worked well and what hasn't in relations with the World Federation.

Practically, we need to do two things to establish positive relations:

a) listening to their needs - as each region has very different needs. For example, the healthcare needs in Europe are completely different to the healthcare challenges in Africa. A one size fits all simply does not work. Instead, we must create tailored programmes in partnership with the regions. This is the only way to achieve success.

b) supporting their work - the regions can benefit from the support of WF. This does not mean financially alone, but practically. For example, the WF Qom office (and the Najaf office that I am pledging to create inshAllah) can serve each and every region throughout the world.

The WF must help strengthen the regions - for example by sharing best practices - a camp for children in one region can be promoted and taken up as an idea in another part of the world. This happens informally but must happen more regularly and more effectively.

We must also help all Jamaats deliver their services by assisting them in their projects.