• Statements
• 26 Shaban 1428H

English translation of the Statement from Imam Ali Foundation - London, concerning the the annual meeting held by Imam Ali Foundation for Mubaligheen and Juma Imams in the UK to address Tabligh issues.

By His Name, The Most High

On the advent of the blessed holy month of Ramadhan for the Hijri year of 1428, Imam Ali Foundation held its annual meeting for Mubaligheen and Juma Imams on Sunday 26 Sha’ban 1428 (9/9/2007). The meeting aimed to address Tabligh issues and new methods to be followed by the Mubaligh in order to encourage and attract people to adhere to their religious obligations, worshiping throughout this month, by reciting the holy Quran and supplications - like the Imams of Ahlul Bayt (a.s) who spent their days and nights during this holy month worshiping and supplicating [The Almighty].

Over 150 Alim and Mubaligh attended the meeting. They emphasised on the significance of the holy month of Ramadhan and how to benefit and enjoy its spiritual atmosphere through special supplications - as recited by the Masoomeen (a.s.)

Everyone present stressed the need to increase people’s awareness that terrorism and killing of innocent souls, attacking lives and livelihoods, be they personal or public, terrifying people gratuitously is deplored by all heavenly religions. God and his Messenger (s.a.w.w.) deplore such acts that are against the true teachings of Islam, the religion of love, charity and elevated manners, forbearance and equilibrium.

The representative of Grand Ayatullah Sayyid Seestani (long may he live), the scholar Sayyid Murtadha Kashmiri also articulated the qualities of the Alim and Mubaligh. The most important of these are; avoiding all that is against Islamic law no matter how trivial, piety, steadfastness, social awareness and other elevated manners, thus cultivating peoples’ trust and loyalty to the Alim. He also stressed the need for unity among the Alims themselves and to continue their consultations through individual meetings or other forms of communications in order to enhance their success.

He concluded the meeting by conveying the recommendations made by the office of the supreme Mardja’ Imam Seestani (long may he live) in Najaf - urging the Mubaligheen and the eulogists to take note and adhere to them - as follows:

1- Reduce the lectures on the teachings of Ahlul Bayt (a.s.) to accommodate what people can take; as the saying goes: speak to people according to their aptitude.
2- Diffuse the wonderful words of the Imams (a.s.) that will endear them to the people and refrain from stating what has been purported and has no effect.
3- Avoid relating tales and other baseless stories that insult peoples’ intelligence and refrain from saying that which is not credible.
4- Allocate part of the program to disseminate Shari’a rulings on everyday matters either to do with worship or transactions.
5- Educate people and increase their social awareness by including historical and factual stories that will be a lesson for them now and in future.

9 September 2007