Shia Council - Britain
Interim Working Committee

Online Consultation Forms for the Creation of a Shia Council in Britain.

This form is for consultation with organisations.
Please fill the form in carefully with attention to the details therein.

 
Part A - Your Details

The purpose of part A is to find out about your organisation. Please kindly fill in the details below as best you can.
 
Name of organisation *
When was it founded? Select Date
If your organisation is a registered charity, please state the number
Address *
Postcode *
Telephone
Fax
E-mail
 
Please inform us of the main contact person at your organisation
Contact name *
Position *
E-Mail *
Mobile *
  
What is/are the predominant ethnic groups of your community? *Afghan
Iranian
Iraqi
Khoja
Lebanese
Native African
Pakistani
Other
What is the estimated gender composition? *75% male - 25% female
50% male - 50% female
25% male - 75% female
What facilities / services do you offer? *Prayer Hall
Community Hall
Funeral Services
Library
Social Activities
Youth Activities
Recreational Facilities
Islamic Education / Madressa
School
Income Generating Projects
Health Advice
Advice and Counselling
What acitivities do you hold at your centre? *Daily Prayers
Dua Kumail Programmes
Ramadhan Programmes
Muharram Programmes
Interfaith Dialogue
Other
Number of members or average congregation *1 to 500
501 - 1000
1001 - 2000
2001 - 3000
3000 +
We dont have an active congregation
Please provide us with any additional information about your organisation which you feel may be useful
  
 
Part B - The case for a unified umbrella organisation to represent Shia Muslims in the United Kingdom

In this part of the form, we want your views on the case for a unified umbrella organisation that shall represent all Shia Muslim organisations within the United Kingdom.
Please indicate your view in relation to the need for a unified umbrella organisation to represent Shia Muslims in the United Kingdom *I agree
I disagree
I am undecided
In the space below you may add your comments if you wish
  
Part C - Proposed Aims and Objectives for a unified umbrella organisation

In this part f the documentation we want your feedback on the proposed aims and objectives for a unified umbrella organisation. We believe these carefully drafted aims and objectives are vitally important and necessary, what do you think? Please tick the appropriate box. There is space to leave your comments on this issue at the end of this form.
 

Proposed aims and objectives for a unified umbrella organisation *To promote the teachings and practices of the Holy Prophet Muhammad and his Purified Progeny, the AhlulBayt [as]

To unite all the Shia Muslims within the United Kingdom

To represent the interests of the Shia Muslims in relation to the media, Central and Local Government, NGOs and other charitable organisations

To formulate policies and strategies for advancing the best interests of the Shia Muslims

To promote and support best practices in relation to the corporate governance of each member organisation

To encourage the sharing of expertise and the cross fertilisation of ideas between member organisations and within the Shia Muslim community in general

To promote all forms of excellence within the Shia Muslim community

To promote and encourage greater cooperation and understanding within the wider Muslim community

To take all steps to promote peace, justice and harmony within society

To promote and support interfaith activities

To work for the common good of all people within the United Kingdom
  
Part D - Proposed name for a unified umbrella organisation to represent Shia Muslims in the United Kingdom

In this part of the form, we want your views on proposed names for the united umbrella organisation. The selection of names below has been chosen on the basis that they include the combination of the following words: "Shia", "Muslim/Islamic", "Britain/British/UK" and "Council". Also there is the question on the inclusion of the phrase Ithna Asheri. Please indicate which you prefer.
Proposed name for a unified umbrealla organisation to represent Shia Muslims in the United Kingdom *Council of British Shia Muslims
Shia Muslim Council of the United Kingdom
British Shia Muslim Council
Shia Islamic Council of Britain
Shia Muslim Council of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
Should the name specifically state Ithna Asheri? *The name need NOT state Ithna Asheri
The name SHOULD state Ithna Asheri
  
Part E - Eligibility of membership

In this part of the form, we want your views in relation to the eligibility for membership of the unified umbrella organisations. The various factors to be taken into consideration are mentioned below. Please feel free to contribute any additional comments in the space provided.
 
Issue 1

a) Should the proposed umbrella organisation consider for membership every entity that considers itself to be Shia? i.e organisations which represent Agha Khani Ismailis, Dawoodi Bohras and so forth?
OR
b) Should the proposed umbrella organisation restrict eligibility to only those organisations that follow the Jafari Madhab, i.e Ithna Asheri [Twelver] Shia?
Eligibility of membership *Eligibility for membership should be open for organisations of all denominations that consider themselves to be Shia, i.e organisations which represent Agha Khani Ismailis, Dawoodi Bohra and so on.
Eligibility for membership should be restricted to only those who follow the Jafari Imami Ithna Asheri [twelver] Madhab.
Comments on eligibility of membership
  
Issue 2

Should federated and regional bodies be eligible for membership?

Argument For: Federated and regional bodies often represent a number of organisations, and therefore they ought to be eligible for membership.
Argument Against: Individual organisations may directly become members of the unified umbrella organisation. Therefore, to allow federated bodies to also join the umbrella body may well amount to double representation and additional voting power.
Do you think federated and regional bodies should be eligible for membership? *Eligibility for membership should be open to federated and regional bodies, which may also be represented directly by their members
Eligibility for membership should NOT be open to federated and regional bodies, which may be represented by direct participation of their members
Comments on federated / regional bodies issue
  
Part F - Forms of representation

In this part of the document, we want your views in relation to the form of democratic representation which could be adopted in order to ensure that the unified umbrella organisation strikes the right balance between fair representation and effective implementation of any voting mechanism. Two distinct mediums of representation have been tabulated below. Please give careful consideration to each one and make your choice accordingly. There is additional space for your comments.

 

Form A

Argument For

Argument Against

  


The number of votes each organisation is granted is dependant upon membership or their average congregation. The system would be as follows:

Average congregation

Votes

0 - 500

1 vote

501 - 1000

2 votes

1001 - 2000

3 votes

2001 - 3000

4 votes

3000 +

5 votes

  • A more proportional system of representation

  • Organisations shall be granted votes dependent upon their average congregation

  • This ensures larger organisations get their share of votes, compared to smaller less prevalent organisations.

  • Verifying and quantifying a congregation is often subjective, hence an organisation may get an unfairly high or low number of votes.

  • An organisation which has a large congregation may not necessarily be representative of their attendees.

  • The views of smaller organisations may be drowned out by the larger ones.

  • Not all organisations have a regular congregation, but nonetheless contribute to the community,

Form B

Argument For

Argument Against


Each member organisation is given one vote no matter what its size. Hence, the system is one member, one vote, regardless of size.

  • The problem with verifying and quantifying an average congregation is eliminated.

  • Small and big organisations are treated equally.

  • Organisations without a regular congregation are given an equal voice.

  • May be perceived as unfair by larger organisations.
Forms of representation *I agree with Form A
I agree with Form B
There are interested individuals within the Shia community such as scholars, lecturers and academics who work independently and are not under any particular Shia Muslim organisation. In your opinion, how should such individuals, who contribute significantly to the progress of the Shia community in the UK be represented in this proposed council? *
  
Part G - Additional comments and feedback

In this section we welcome your comments and feedback in relation to this document and any other issues which you feel may be of relevance.
Additional comments and feedback
  
Your E-mail Address for Correspondence: *
* Required