AFGHAN DELEGATIONS IN BANGLADESH
Wazir Cap. Amir could not make his second trip in Afghanistan due to his occupation in other works. He however invited the representatives of three groups in Dacca, Bangladesh for onward discussion. Nad Ali and Nazir Hussain represented the group of Sayed Nasir Naderi, Sayed Mansur delegated his own group, and Ramzan Ashuri and Sahibdad Mehri led the third group. Haji Abdul Hussain, an eminent merchant also joined them. The Imam graciously granted an audience to the Afghan jamat in the State Guest House in Dacca on November 20, 1977 in presence of Wazir Cap. Amir Ali and Sayed Jalal Badakhshani. Sadi Naderi, Arbab Juma, Abdul Samad and Imam Ali also attended it.
The Imam blessed the Afghan jamats and their representatives with best loving blessings, and made farman as follow: -
My spiritual children must remember that there are many tariqahs in Islam, who do not have a living Imam. We are Shia Muslims and we have a living Imam. Our fundamental principle is to obey the farman of the living Imam, because our jamat has a living Imam’s decision concerning religious practices come from him and are obligatory upon the jamat. Imam has final authority in religious matters.
If all the spiritual children in Afghanistan are clear in their understanding that Imam’s authority in religion matters is the cardinal principle of our faith from the time of Hazrat Ali, then all these misunderstandings and differences will disappear. Where my jamat go for prayer and who are the Mukhi and Kamadia to lead the prayers and do other ceremonies, it is the decision of Hazar Imam.
You have now given an assurance again that whatever Jamatkhana I indicate and whoever Mukhi and Kamadia I appoint etc., it is my right. Are you confirming this now in my presence?
All the representatives confirmed it in Imam’s presence. On that moment, the Imam left the room for five minutes, so that the delegations should decide conclusively for one Jamatkhana for every day prayer and write down names of new Mukhi and Kamadia. Sayed Mansur and Haji Abdul Hussain proposed to Wazir Cap. Amir Ali that it was not possible to solve such serious matter within five minutes, and assured that soon after the mulaqat with the Imam, they would jointly submit their proposal to the Imam. Unfortunately, the members of the delegations failed to extemporaneously make up their mind to take a final discussion. After five minutes, the Imam entered the room and made following Farman:-
That to me the most fundamental issue in Afghanistan is that they pray in the Jamatkhana indicated by Imam, where the Mukhi and Kamadia are appointed by the Imam. I am happy to hear that the different group representatives here want one Jamatkhana and appointment of Mukhi and Kamadia. Wazir Amir Ali also intended that the affairs of Afghan jamat should become uniform like other jamat of around the world. Thus, first of all the appointment of Mukhi and Kamadia should effect, or in other words the dynasty system come to an end then the other organizations bring into existing.
Concerning the proposal i.e., one Jamatkhana and introduce some persons for appointment of Mukhi and Kamadia, the Imam said, "In reply that don’t make such recommendations that would cause me to take decisions and which may prove disappointment to one or other group, so that one group does not understand that it is its victory or the other group that it is its loss. You use your logic not your emotion. If you could forget your past differences, who was Mukhi, who was Kamadia or else, then Imam will guide you, the principle of guidance will be of use to you. This is what I expect and this is what I hope."
Regarding the contacts of the jamat with the Imam until the existence of a committee, the Imam said that, "Until the committee is appointed, you consider the present persons conducting the prayers and ceremonies as representatives of the jamat and representatives of the Imam." In the end the Imam said, "And lastly, I again remind you all the responsibility I have kept upon you to recommend me solution whereby the jamat pray together daily."
As soon as the mulaqat was over, shortly afterwards, Wazir Cap. Amir Ali recalled the members of the delegations to make their proposals, so that the Imam would appoint the Mukhi and Kamadia. He also pointed out that each group should recommend maximum three pairs of names, who should be sincere and loyal to the Imam and religion.
Sayed Mansur strongly recommended his own candidature and one amongst the sons of Sayed Nadir Khan. Despite his deceits, he could not succeed; therefore, he played another card and told that he could not propose names without the consent of his people. The representatives of Sayed Nasir Naderi absolutely showed themselves disqualified for the office. Haji Abdul Hussain, who was invited as an accomodator and conciliator orbenevant, required to use promptly all of his prudent, sober and also his best effort to encourage both sides to take a moderate manner and did not loose the good opportunity, which for the first time have provided to jamat.
In sum, an inflexible attitude of Sayed Mansur, the passive role of Sayed Nasir’s representatives and insincerity of Haji Abdul Hussain, the tireless and sincere efforts of Wazir Cap. Amir Ali and Sayed Jalal Badakhshani could not be materialized the very objective of the meeting, and a very historical and important chance had been lost.
When the members of delegations returned to Karachi, the Imam ordered that each group must prepare 3-3 names, total 9 names for the posts of Mukhi, Kamadia and Joint Kamadia and submit to the estate office. Wazir gave him some printed forms, which are provided for such purpose and directed the mode of filling and instructed to return it within a week duly filled to the estate office. Sayed Mansur asked a respite of 12 days, which was equally granted. With the exception of Sayed Mansur and Sayed Nasir Naderi, the third Ashuri group forwarded the required names within 12 days to the estate office.
The Imam made a tour of Bombay on January 1, 1965. Sayed Mansur and Sayed Nasir jointly sent a letter to the Imam through their emissary. In his reply, the Imam said, "I only want the names of persons, so that I will appoint the Mukhi and Kamadia for Kabul Jamatkhana on the occasion of Navroz." Unfortunately, no appointment could be made for Kabul Jamatkhanas on Navroz in the absence of the names of the candidates for Mukhi and Kamadia.
[RITUAL PERFORMANCES & CEREMONIES] [THE SAYEDS OF KAYAN] [SPLIT IN AFGHAN JAMAT]
[IMAM’S REPRESENTATIVE IN AFGHANISTAN] [ANOTHER SPLIT IN AFGHAN JAMAT] [WAZIR CAPTAIN AMIR ALI KARIM IN KABUL]
[AFGHAN DELEGATIONS IN BANGLADESH] [NADERISM] [CASUALTIES & MIGRATION OF THE ISMAILIS]
[AFGHAN DELEGATIONS IN PESHAWAR] [CONCLUSION] [BIBLIOGRAPHY]
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