• Activities
• 19 Jumada I 1437

The Representative of the leading Marja’iyah in Europe holds a reception for a member of the Board of Trustees and a group of professionals, doctors and academics.

Imam Ali (a.s.) Foundation in London, held a reception on Sunday 28 February 2016 to honour Sayyid Ehsan Shahrestani who is member of the Foundation’s Board of Trustees and the son of the late Dr. Eng. Sayyid  Mohammad Ali Al-Shahrestani. The reception was attended by a number of academics and doctors.

In his opening speech, the Chairman of Imam Ali (a.s.) Foundation in London and its affiliated branches in Europe, Sayyid Murtadha Al-Kashmiri talked about the life of the late Dr. Eng. Sayyid Mohammad Ali Al-Shahrestani and his intellectual contributions to the Muslim community in London, namely; the establishment of the satellite channel Qa’im, which played a positive role and in serving the community. He also established the Islamic University, from which more than two hundred students graduated with BA, MA degrees and PhDs. He also contributed to projects outside of the UK;  such as the expansion of the holy shrines in Kadhimain and Mashad and the reconstruction of the Shrine in Samarra, to mention but a few – this is an ongoing Sadaqa for him. His son Dr. Ehsan Shahrestani has followed in the footsteps of his father. He is the head of the Islamic University and a Trustee of Imam Ali (a.s.) Foundation and its branches in the United Kingdom. He also provides his services to the holy shrines in Iraq and elsewhere.

Then Allamah Sayyid Fadhil Milani, who worked closely with the late Sayyid Mohammad Ali Shahrestani on the projects in London, spoke about his most important achievements. He highlighted essential points regarding the Marhoom’s service to the faith and the community wherever they are.

Then Dr. Shaykh Ibrahim Nassirawi, who is a one of the Islamic University’s graduates, spoke about the role of the Marja’iyah in Najaf; especially during this highly precarious stage in the region and the world – taking accurate account of the situation in Iraq and the Muslim world.

This speech was followed by the consultant Dr. Alaa Haba, who, in his capacity as a member of the medical services team in Karbala, spoke about the educational, medical and general sevices offered by the Hussaini and Abbasi Shrines, and implemented in the holy city of Karbala for its residents and visitors.

Finally Dr. Sayyid Muhammad Amer, who is in charge of the Torath Islamic centre in Germany, spoke about the vital project undertaken by the leading Marja’iyah in Europe, namely; the establishment of a 6100 square meter educational complex in the heart of Berlin, overlooking two main roads and consisting of a nursery and an formal school to prepare community students for university entry, plus an annexe for the Islamic university in London. Also there is a section for training nursery teachers. In addition to this there is a large center, with a capacity to hold more than 1500 people, for religious functions, conferences and seminars available throughout the year.  Demolition of the old existing structure is underway in preparation for building work to commence insha-Allah. This is considered to be the first comprehensive project of its kind for the community in Germany.