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Join me in making a difference...
(Interview
of Syed Hassan naqvi in Federation Samachar, Issue 09, Jamadil Akher
1430, June 2009)
Born in Moshi, Tanzania in 1955. I come from the family of Ulema. My
father Marhoom Maulana Seyed Ansar Hussein Naqvi was one of the
first missionaries to come to Africa. We have a generation of
community services by the family.
Community affliations:
I am affiliated to Birmingham Jamaat as a member. My connections
with the grass root as well as leadership are strongly founded, and
no doubt over the years I have enjoyed affiliations with members of
the community at all levels, and have in the process through this
relationship tapped and acquired valuable information which I can
effectively employ for the overall benefit of the community.
Why do you want to be WF president?
Having benefitted from the sacrifices made by our past leaders who
persevered and toiled day and night for the progress of the
Community is an inspiration and I feel it is now payback time. I
want to make positive and meaningful contribution to the advancement
of the existing infrastructure, to instill fresh ideas, uphold and
further the core values of ‘’living Islam’’ in our daily lives. It
is also my desire to improve, promote and strengthen our
relationship with regional bodies, but most importantly, listen to
and engage with cross section of the community my decision to run
for this august office is my wish to inspire, motivate and pave way
for others to aspire for leadership roles.
What are your short range objectives?
I firmly believe that the modern challenges facing our spiritual
growth are of detrimental nature and need the guidance and direction
from the experts. - First and foremost it is my desire to urgently
form a “Religious Advisory Council” to assist the leadership in
critical promotion of spiritual growth of the community with close
global partnership with regional bodies.
Your greatest accomplishment?
I have served as the President of Dodoma Jamaat and was actively
involved in Tabligh activities in Dodoma. I was also honored to
serve as the Hon secretary of Birmingham
Jamaat for 4 years and was able to successfully execute my duties.
It is important to note however that opportunities lead to and earn
accomplishments, and I
am positive that if the community places its confidence in my
candidacy, and avails me with the opportunity, I am in no doubt I
will be able to demonstrate further
accomplishments in the future inshaAllah.
What should you say are the greatest strengths and weakness in our
community?
Our strength: Our Organizational structure and our efforts and
desire in the realization of the progress of our Community on all
fronts. The spirit of Enthusiasm, selflessness, sacrifice and
volunteering are the hallmark of our community.
Our weakness: Lack of spiritual leadership and this vacuum is
evident as we struggle to maintain this spiritual health.
Vulnerability to external forces to compromise
on the very essence of our belief system causing havoc and
confusion. I believe isolation of scholars from the leadership is
detrimental to our spiritual progress.
We need to awaken and explore the apparent sluggish and latent
talents of our community and motivate participation.
What is your plan for recruiting leaders to help you assist you
in WF?
Involvement of community scholars and past leaders in an advisory
capacity, also inclusion of professionals, youth and women- hence an
inclusive and collective
leadership.
Where do you see WF in next five –ten years?
“Appropriately It is better to ask “where do we see the WF in the
future?” WF has made huge progress over the years and every
subsequent leader has taken WF a step further. It is up to all of us
to strive and make contributions to take it to the next level.
I want to encourage marriages within the community and promote
family values. I want to eradicate poverty and illiteracy , beside
other things; but most importantly,
I want to cultivate the culture of Piety and Taqwa by employing
every possible tool to achieve this goal.
How best you will forge WF partnership with Africa Federation?
There can be no doubt that Africa has always played an important
role of mother to all Community organizations in the world after
India. The great contributor to the
progress of the Community, Africa Federation must remain an
essential partner in advancement and progress of the Community at
large. Given the opportunity, I
will revitalize the cooperation leading to vibrancy and warmth vis a
vis African Federation.
Your message to the Community:
I am here to serve my dear Community and take it forward to great
heights so that our children and grand children reap the benefits of
our vision and so lead a
fruitful and successful life, while maintaining a strong and
unflinching bond to the cord of Islam. The progress of any community
is highly dependent upon the active
participation and contributions of its members, active involvement
strengthens the bond, shapes the vision and keeps the focus, and
when desired results are achieved
gives a collective satisfaction to one and all.
My humble message to the community is to actively get involved for
survival, protection and preservation of the culture and ethos of
this wonderful community...Join me in making a difference |
