Exciting News

Management Committee Comments..1

Settlement Service now available ...… 2

Marhoom Hassanbhai Jaffer …...………3

Shaheed Hamid Ali Bhojani……………….4

KSIJ Weekly swimming (Ladies Only & Gents Only)……………………………………...4

Points of Interest

Religious Dates During the Month…..5

Upcoming Events……...…………………… 5

Quiz ………………………………………..……..5

Assalam Alikum

KSIJ Melbourne continues to work on the grass root level in establishing a

community. We believe a community is not created by a centre or a gath-

ering place, instead a community is created by a group of people working

together for the betterment of the society; with or without a place.

Therefore, the focus of KSIJ Melbourne is to first focus on establishing

much needed bonding events to bring the community together and es-

tablishing services such as Jafari Education to provide new approach of

teaching Islamic concepts to kids. KSIJ Melbourne is also focused on es-

tablishing Settlement services to new migrants arriving in Melbourne.

We continue to receive great feedback from the community for focusing

on establishing a strong foundation for current and future generation to

benefit.

Fazeelat of Tasbeeh of Bibi Fatima Zahra (s.a.) The Tasbeeh of Bibi Fatima Zahra (s.a.) is from the emphatically recom-

mended acts of worship in the Islamic Shariat. It has immense significance

in the eyes of the infallible Imams (a.s.) and the Shiite jurists. It is a simple

act of worship from the aspect of performance; however, its effect, re-

ward and merit are abundant. This can be gauged from the fact that

when the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.) wished to impart this act of worship to

his daughter Janabe Zahra(s.a.), he declared, ‘O Fatima! I have granted

you something that is superior to a maidservant and to the world and

everything in it.’ (Aasaar o Asraare Tasbeehe Zahra (s.a.) , Pg. 7)

In this context Imam Muhammad Baqir (a.s.) informs, ‘Allah is not wor-

shipped by anything more meritorious than the Tasbeeh of Fatima Zahra

(s.a.). Had there been any worship superior to it, most surely the Holy

Prophet (s.a.w.a.) would have granted it to Janabe Fatima

(s.a.).’(Wasaaelush Shia , Vol 4 Pg. 1024)

Jamadi-us-Thani 1439A.H. March 2018

Newsletter # 3/2018

Page 1

Prophet Muhammad [saw] said, "The best of you are those with the most beautiful manners, who are hospitable and open to association, and ease the journeys of others." (al-Kafi)

For the past few months, KSIJ Melbourne’s Settlement and Employment Services Sub-Committee has been working hard to establish the Settlement services for ALL Shia migrants (students and families) moving to Melbourne. From pre-arrival consultation and point of contact to answer all questions through to transportation from airport, temporary accommo-dation, week worth of lunch and dinner and general guidance especially during the first week of arrival.

The team has already provided support to 3 migrants to date and is expecting 2 new migrants arriving over the next 2 months. The team sent out request for volunteers and mashAllah received 14 volunteers who are ready to support new migrants.

How does the service work? To avail the services, the new migrant needs to complete a short online form <Click Here>. The Settlement and Employ-ment Services Sub-Committee gets in touch with the migrant and begins initial consultation and answers all their ques-tions and provide links to the Pre-Departure Guide (details below). Once the arrival date has been confirmed the team contacts the volunteers to organise transportation from airport, temporary accommodation, week worth of lunch and dinner and dedicated volunteer to be the point of contact for all general guidance. The team is also looking into sup-porting the migrant with obtaining rental property and is in consultation with real-estate agents. If you are able to assist please contact settlement@ksijmelbourne.org.au.

Below is some information on how you can support the service:

Pre-departure and Post-arrival guides: Settlement and Employment Services Sub-Committee has put together a details settlement pre-departure guide and post arrival guide. Please read through the information and If you have any suggestion to add and/or amend, please email settlement@ksijmelbourne.org.au: Settlement Pre-departure Guide Settlement Post-arrival Guide

Become a Volunteer: Please complete the below form if you are able to assist in one or more areas listed below. We wish to establish a list of volunteers which our team will contact in advance and confirm availability when needed. > Transportation from airport> Temporary Accommodation> Lunch and Dinner> General Volunteering

VOLUNTEER FORM

For any queries and comments, you can contact with our team at settlement@ksijmelbourne.org.au

Page 2

Community Loss — Marhoom Hassanbhai Ali M Jaffer — 1932 - 2018

KSIJ Melbourne expresses its deep sorrow at the passing the passing away of Mu-rabbi Hassan Bhai Ali Mohamed Jaffer and conveys its heartfelt condolences to his wife, sons, daughters, siblings and his many grandchildren.

Generally, people are known by the community they belong to. And then there are those inspiring individuals through whom a community is recognized. Hassan Bhai Ali Mohamed Jaffer Shariff Devji Jamal was that quintessential Khoja personality who personified the KSI Community. Through his words and deeds, he reminded us all of who we were and should be. His thoughts and words, always inspiring, were direct and to the point, as he did not pull any punches reminding us all of some bitter truths. His passion for the betterment of the Khoja Community matched his candor, to make us self-reflect on our follies and foibles as a people. Above all, his thought leadership has had a major impact on shaping the Community. As a thinker, writer, historian, scholar, he straddled several generations, both in his span of Community service as well as his unique ability to engage young and old alike. In the sea of ser-vice, he stood shoulder to shoulder with towering figures like Alhaj Mohamedali Me-ghji, Mulla Asgherali M. M. Jaffer, Hajji Abdulrasul Ahmed Lakha to mention just a few.

As a historian, his own history is quite remarkable. Having the erstwhile ancestor like Alhaj Devji Jamal, Hassan Bhai himself was part of our history. Hassan Bhai was born in Zanzibar in 1932 and spent his life in Mombasa from an early age. After com-pleting his secondary school education in Mombasa, he undertook a practical course in agriculture at the Indian school of Agriculture in Morogoro, Tanzania. His journey of community service commenced in 1953 when he was elected Hon. General Secre-tary of the Jaffery Sports Club, Mombasa. Ever since then his services remained una-bated. He was Secretary and Chairman of the Debate and Education Section of the Ithna-Asheri young Men’s Union, Honorary Secretary and the later Chairman of the Ithna-Asheri Education Board of the Alibhai Panju Jaffery Primary school. He was also Vice Chairman of the Mombasa Jamaat. In the Supreme Council, he served on as Executive Councilor from 1965 and was its Hon. Treasurer during 1965/67, under the chairmanship of late Alhaj Mohamedali Meghji and served with Mulla Asgharali M. M. Jaffer who was then the Hon. Secretary of Africa Federation.

His lifelong labour of love, The Endangered Species was the first comprehensive book of Khoja history in almost a century, when the likes of Sachedina Nanjiani and Adelji Dhanji Kaba put pen to paper in the mid 19th century. His ‘out of the box’ thinking about community affairs is also reflected in his unique turn of phrase in this book, not found in manuals of creative writing.

When elder statesmen like Hassan Bhai pass away, they leave a colossal vacuum in the Community, and much valuable knowledge, memories and experience is interred with them. The paradox is: only after their passing we wish we had recorded these memories and experiences. Perhaps, acutely aware of this, he ensured that his thoughts, knowledge and guidance remain after him in the form of books, lectures and interviews. Thankfully many of his works, interviews and speeches have been preserved. All these will be invaluable for many generations to come to learn to form his into the past and the present state of the Community. His contribution to the preservation of the history of the KSI Community is truly monumental and without a parallel.

Page 3

SHAHEED HAMID ALI BHOJANI - A MAN OF THE PEOPLE

KSIJ Weekly swimming (Ladies Only & Gents Only)

We encourage community to attend in large numbers. It has been already been great opportunity for kids of our commu-nity to meet on a regular basis, become fiends and enjoy swimming together.

Swimming is a good all-round activity because it: keeps your heart rate up but takes some of the impact stress off your body. builds endurance, muscle strength and cardiovascular fitness. helps maintain a healthy weight, healthy heart and lungs. tones muscles and builds strength. Swimming for Gents only will be held at Maribyrnong Aquatic Centre on every fortnightly basis on Saturdays between the timings of 7:00—9:00 P.M. For Ladies only Swimming session will be held at Sunshine Leisure Centre on every fort-nightly basis on Saturday between the timings of 5:30—6:30 P.M.

Note: Charges for swimming will be paid individually at the respective centres

Saturday 17 March 2018 7pm to 9pm Gents only at Maribyrnong Aquatic Centre

Saturday 24 March 2018 5:30pm to 6:30pm Ladies only at Sunshine Leisure Centre

Saturday 31 March 2018 7pm to 9pm Gents only at Maribyrnong Aquatic Centre

Saturday 7 April 2018 5:30pm to 6:30pm Ladies only at Sunshine Leisure Centre

It was 7:10 am of the 24th of the holy month of Ramazan, 1415 (25th of Febru-

ary, 1995) when Shaheed Hamid Ali Bhojani along with his 13 friends and com-

munity members were martyred in Mehfil e Murtaza, PECHS, Karachi. The hide-

ous crime was committed by Sipah e Sahaba on these noble souls who were

committed to His servitude through fasting and various welfare activities.

Born on 13th September 1945 in Bombay, Shaheed has spent a significant

amount of his life in community service leaving a long life legacy for the Karachi

Khoja community. The passion for the community dragged him into the jamaat

affairs at a tender age of 20 and it was in 1968 when he contested the election

for the first time. Since then he engaged in various community affairs until 1988

when he assumed the position of the President of the Karachi Jamaat, by far the

largest Jamaat in the history of Khoja community.

Karachi Jamaat was back on the map after many challenging years of the post-partition. His relentless efforts and dynam-

ic leadership proved to be a pivotal force in the drastic reformation of the Jamaat. The Jamaat geared to an overhaul,

focusing on democratic norms, education and a sense of belonging and participation. His relentless and committed

efforts translated into the construction of Fatimiya School of Karachi. His charismatic attitude could mobilize the poten-

tials and bring a fresh impetus in the areas of faith, education, and welfare of the community. He has to his credit the

construction of Anjuman e Khuddamul Qur’an and Bagh e Zehra in Kharadar and Zainab Punjwani Memorial Hospital in

Soldier Bazar. It was during his tenure when the mammoth undertaking of the census was conducted and computersied

membership was issued, a long overdue project for most of the Jamaats in East and West.

Page 4

RELIGIOUS EVENTS DURING THE MONTH OF JAMADI-US-THANI 1439

3 ‐ Wafat Sayyida Fatima s.a

20 ‐ Wiladat Sayyida Fatima s.a. (Mother's Day)

EXPECTED ISLAMIC DATES

Date Day

1st Rajab 1439 Tuesday 20th March 2018

1st Shabaan 1439 Wednesday 18th April 2018

1st Ramadhan 1439 Thursday 17th May 2018

Page 5

Rattle your brain

Choose the correct answer to test your knowledge. Answers will be publish in the next month’s edition.

Questions 1: Which is the second longest surah in the holy Quran after surah baqarah?

A. Surah Rome

B. Surah Ash-shuara

C. Surah Ahzab

D. Surah Tawbah

Questions 2: What is the mosque in which if you spend 40 consecutive Tuesday nights, you get the honour of meeting

the 12th Imam (atf)?

A. Masjid E Nabawi

B. Masjid E Aqsa

C. Masjid E Sahla

D. Masjid E Kufa

Question 3: Who was the wife of the Holy Prophet (saw) from whom He (saw) has a son called Ibrahim?

A. Maria Kibtia

B. Umme Salma

C. Khadija

D. Ayesha Newsletter #2:2018 Answers

Question 1. What was the name of the sons of Bibi Zainab (A.S.)? Answer: C) Hazrat Aun & Muhammad (A.S.)

Question 2. What was the mother name of Bibi Fatima (A.S.)? Answer: B) Bibi Khadija (A.S.)

Question 3. Name the location of the shrine of Bibi Zainab (A.S.)? Answer: A) Damascus; Syria

Question 4. Is Imam Hassan (A.S.), Imam Hussain (A.S.), Bibi Zainab (S.A.) and Bibi Umm Kulsum (S.A.) the only children of Imam Ali (A.S.) and Bibi Fatima (S.A.)? An-

swer: B) False—They also had Muhsin ibn Ali who did not survive after Bibi (S.A) was crushed behind a door.