The World Federation Of Khoja Shia Ithna-asheri Muslim Communities

Quick Stats

• Annual Income: £15.9 million (2024)
• Annual Expenditure: £15.3 million (2024)
• Charity Number: 282303
• Founded: 1976
• Decision Time: Varies by program and regional federation
• Grant Range: Varies significantly by program type
• Geographic Focus: Global (30 countries across Africa, Asia, Middle East, Europe, Americas, Australasia)
• Application Method: Through regional federations and established partnerships

Contact Details

Main Secretariat:

• Address: Wood Lane, Stanmore, Middlesex, HA7 4LQ, United Kingdom
• Phone: +44 (0)20 8954 9881
• Fax: +44 (0)20 8954 9034
• Email: secretariat@world-federation.org
• Website: www.world-federation.org

WF-AID (Humanitarian Arm):

• Email: info@wfaid.world-federation.org
• Phone: +44 (0)20 8954 9881
• Website: wfaid.org

Overview

The World Federation of Khoja Shia Ithna-Asheri Muslim Communities (KSIMC) is an international umbrella organization established in London on 15-17 October 1976, serving the global Khoja Shia Ithna-Asheri community of approximately 150,000 members. As a registered UK charity since 1976 and an NGO in Special Consultative Status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), the Federation has evolved into one of the most significant international organizations for the Khoja community.

The organization operates primarily as a grant-giving entity, working through six regional federations: The Federation of Khoja Shia Ithna Asheri Jamaats of Africa, the Council of European Jamaats, Khoja Communities Australasia, India Federation, the Organization of North American Shia Ithna-Asheri Muslim Communities, and the Federation of Khoja Shia Ithna Asheri Jamaats of Pakistan. Rather than implementing programs directly, the Federation facilitates endeavours of its member organizations through strategic planning and providing necessary resources for effective implementation.

With activities spanning 30 countries in the most heavily-deprived parts of Asia, Africa, and the Middle East, the Federation's strategic approach focuses on long-term sustainability and community self-sufficiency. The organization recently achieved a significant milestone by obtaining NGO status in Iraq in 2024, enhancing its capacity to serve communities in that region.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

1. WF-AID (Humanitarian and Development)

WF-AID, established as a distinct brand in 2016, serves as the Federation's humanitarian arm providing emergency relief and long-term development support. Operating as a grant-giving organization, WF-AID works with local partner organizations across Kenya, Tanzania, Pakistan, India, Bosnia, Burundi, Djibouti, Iraq, Syria, Madagascar, Myanmar, Palestine, South Africa, Thailand, and Bangladesh.

• Emergency disaster relief (including recent appeals for Gaza, Lebanon, and Pakistan floods 2025)
• Economic development and empowerment programs
• Food security and emergency food packs
• Medical care and healthcare facilities
• Cash grants and loans for affected families

2. Ali Asghar Water Appeal (AAWA)

Running for over ten years, this flagship initiative provides clean water access and sanitation facilities in developing countries. Projects include:

• Water well construction (including solar-powered wells)
• Hand pumps and water distribution systems
• Sanitation facilities and latrines
• Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) initiatives
• Active in Gaza, Lebanon, Tanzania, Mozambique, Kenya, India, Pakistan, Yemen, and Bangladesh

3. Zainabiya Child Sponsorship Scheme (ZCSS)

Supporting over 5,000 students across India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Thailand, and Kenya (through Bilal Muslim Mission since 2000). The scheme provides educational support and has been instrumental in the establishment of the BLESS Project in Kenya.

4. Madrasah Centre of Excellence (MCE)

Established in 2011, MCE reaches over 17,300 students globally, focusing on:

• Maintaining educational standards among community religious schools
• Nurturing piety in students through flexible online learning platforms
• Combining classical Shi'i scholarship with modern educational methods
• Achieving harmony and structure among Madaris worldwide

5. Education Support Programs

• Hiridjee Family Student Loan: Available for three female Khoja community members for undergraduate tuition fees
• Information and resources about international scholarship opportunities
• Support for community-run schools

6. Housing Program (2024-2027 Priority)

One of five major strategic aspirations is to build homes for 30% of community members living below $3,000 per annum, addressing economic vulnerability within the global Khoja community.

Priority Areas

• Poverty Alleviation: Supporting the poorest and most deprived communities globally
• Education: Islamic education, secular schooling, scholarship support, and lifelong learning
• Healthcare: Medical facilities, eye clinics, healthcare provision in underserved areas
• Water & Sanitation: Clean water access, sanitation infrastructure, WASH programs
• Economic Development: Economic empowerment, business development, self-sufficiency initiatives
• Emergency Relief: Rapid response to natural disasters and humanitarian crises
• Housing: Providing decent housing for low-income community members
• Disability Support: Programs supporting disabled community members
• Faith & Spiritual Development: Promoting Shia faith and Islamic learning worldwide

What They Don't Fund

While not explicitly stated, the Federation's focus is primarily on:

• Supporting the Khoja Shia Ithna-Asheri Muslim community and their established partners
• Working through their regional federation structure rather than funding individual organizations outside their network
• Projects aligned with their strategic pillars: Faith, Operational Excellence, Unity, Outreach, and Prosperity

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Governance and Leadership

Office Bearers (Term 2024-2027):

Elected at the Triennial Conference in May 2024, which was the largest attended conference in the organization's history with almost 140 delegates (physical and virtual):

• President: Alhaj Safder Jaffer
• Vice President: Alhaj Habib Meghjee
• Secretary General: Alhaj Ali Jawad Hansraj
• Assistant Secretary General: Dr Ali Abbas Hasham
• Treasurer: Alhaj Sajjad Rajan
• Assistant Treasurer: Alhaj Mohsin Musa

Governance Structure:

• 6 Trustees (comprising the Office Bearers)
• 16 Employees
• 4 Volunteers
• Executive Council with representatives from regional federations
• Triennial conferences held every three years for major decision-making
• No trustees receive remuneration, payments, or benefits from the charity
• No employees earn over £60,000 in total benefits

Strategic Vision (2024-2027):

President Safder Jaffer outlined five major aspirations built on five strategic pillars:

Five Strategic Pillars:

1. Faith
2. Operational Excellence
3. Unity
4. Outreach
5. Prosperity

Five Major Aspirations:

1. Develop a 2050 vision for long-term sustainability
2. Build homes for 30% of community living below $3,000 per annum
3. Strengthen community-run schools and develop lifelong Islamic learning programmes
4. Launch a Khoja digital ID card and increase the use of AI
5. Upgrade WF-AID and International Outreach capabilities

How to Apply to The World Federation Of Khoja Shia Ithna-asheri Muslim Communities

How to Apply

The World Federation does not operate a traditional open grant application process. Instead, it functions as an umbrella organization serving its member regional federations and established partner organizations.

For Member Organizations:

• Work through your regional federation (Africa, Europe, Australasia, India, North America, or Pakistan)
• Engage with local jamaats (community centers) within the Khoja network
• Participate in Executive Council meetings and regional federation discussions

For Potential Partner Organizations:

WF-AID accepts inquiries from organizations interested in partnering on humanitarian and development projects:

• Contact: info@wfaid.world-federation.org or +44 (0)20 8954 9881
• WF-AID conducts rigorous due diligence on all partners to ensure legitimacy and proper fund usage, complying with UK Charity Commission regulations
• Partners must demonstrate local knowledge, community connection, and capacity to implement programs effectively
• Current partners operate in 15 countries across Africa, Asia, and the Middle East

For Individual Community Members:

• Education Loans: Apply online through world-federation.org for the Hiridjee Family Student Loan (female undergraduate students)
• Child Sponsorship: Contact regional federation about ZCSS enrollment
• Emergency Assistance: Reach out to local jamaat or regional federation during crises

Partnership Model

As President Safder Jaffer has emphasized, “The role of The World Federation is to facilitate endeavours of its member organisations through strategic planning and providing necessary resources for effective implementation.”

WF-AID operates primarily as a grant-giving organization working with local partners rather than implementing programs directly. According to their operational model:

• Local Empowerment: Partners are small, local organizations operating within the communities they serve
• Economic Benefits: Local organizations purchase products regionally, supporting local economies
• Donor Relations: WF-AID handles communications, reporting, and fund management on behalf of partners
• Quality Assurance: Comprehensive due diligence ensures compliance with UK Charity Commission requirements

Decision Timeline

Decision timelines vary significantly based on:

• Emergency Appeals: Rapid response mechanisms for disasters (e.g., Gaza, Lebanon, Pakistan floods)
• Triennial Conference Decisions: Major strategic decisions made every three years
• Executive Council Meetings: Held multiple times per year for ongoing strategic decisions
• Regional Federation Processes: Vary by region and program type
• WF-AID Partnership Applications: Contact directly for current processing times

Application Success Factors

For Partner Organizations Seeking WF-AID Collaboration:

Alignment with Strategic Priorities:

The Federation's 2024-2027 strategy clearly prioritizes projects that advance their five strategic pillars. As articulated in the Triennial Conference 2024, successful partners demonstrate:

• Strong faith-based community connections
• Operational excellence and accountability
• Ability to unite and serve diverse populations
• Outreach to underserved communities
• Programs promoting economic prosperity and self-sufficiency

Local Knowledge and Presence:

WF-AID specifically values partners who “operate within the same communities they serve, giving them deep contextual knowledge.” The organization states: “The main benefit being that we are empowering these small and local organisations who are trying to help local people.”

Compliance and Transparency:

As stated on their website: “UK charity laws require a number of different steps to be followed to ensure we are working with reliable and reputable partners and that we are using charitable funds in the correct way.” Partners must demonstrate:

• Legal registration and good standing
• Transparent financial management
• Regular reporting capabilities
• Compliance with international charity regulations

Focus Areas with Proven Success:

Recent projects funded include:

• Water well construction in Tanzania (8 solar-powered wells funded through Ali Asghar Water Appeal)
• Housing reconstruction in Pakistan (190 homes built with solar panels and facilities following 2022 floods)
• Support for over 5,000 students through ZCSS in multiple countries
• Healthcare clinics treating malnutrition and providing essential medical care
• Food packs, medical care, loans, and cash grants during COVID-19 in Africa across Madagascar, Tanzania, Kenya, Burundi, DRC, Mozambique, Malawi, and Rwanda

For Member Jamaats and Community Organizations:

Engagement with Regional Structures:

The Federation operates through six regional federations. Successful funding requests demonstrate:

• Active participation in regional federation activities
• Alignment with regional priorities and community needs
• Strong local community support and engagement
• Sustainable project planning

Long-term Vision:

The organization emphasizes sustainability. Projects should demonstrate:

• How they contribute to community self-sufficiency
• Long-term impact beyond immediate relief
• Capacity building within the community
• Alignment with Vision 2050 objectives

Recent Organizational Achievements:

The 2024 Triennial Conference highlighted several areas of success that indicate funding priorities:

• Attainment of NGO status in Iraq
• Expansion of MCE to 17,300 students globally
• Growth of ZCSS to over 5,000 beneficiaries
• Delivery of over USD $1 million each in emergency aid to Lebanon and Gaza
• Development of Leadership Development and Capacity Building Programmes in Africa, Europe, and North America

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

1. Understand the Community Focus: The World Federation primarily serves the Khoja Shia Ithna-Asheri Muslim community. External organizations should approach through WF-AID's humanitarian arm and demonstrate how projects serve communities aligned with the Federation's mission.

1. Work Through Established Structures: There is no open application portal. Connect through regional federations (for member organizations) or contact WF-AID directly (for potential humanitarian partners) at info@wfaid.world-federation.org.

1. Emphasize Local Partnership: WF-AID explicitly states they are “a grant-giving organisation” that works with local partners. Position your organization as a capable local implementer with deep community knowledge rather than seeking direct funding for your own organizational operations.

1. Align with 2024-2027 Strategic Priorities: Projects addressing housing for low-income community members, educational excellence, water/sanitation access, emergency relief, or economic empowerment are most likely to resonate with current strategic goals.

1. Demonstrate Compliance Readiness: Be prepared for “rigorous due diligence” as required by UK Charity Commission regulations. Have transparent financial systems, legal registration, and reporting capabilities ready to demonstrate.

1. Focus on Sustainability and Self-Sufficiency: The Federation's long-term aim is “to bring about self sufficiency within the developing world.” Projects should show how they create lasting impact, not dependency.

1. Consider Geographic Focus: Current WF-AID partners operate in Kenya, Tanzania, Pakistan, India, Bosnia, Burundi, Djibouti, Iraq, Syria, Madagascar, Myanmar, Palestine, South Africa, Thailand, and Bangladesh. Projects in these regions may have established pathways.

1. Leverage Emergency Response Capacity: The organization demonstrates rapid response to disasters (Gaza, Lebanon, Pakistan floods). Organizations with emergency response capabilities in crisis regions should highlight this capacity.

Similar Funders

These funders have a similar focus and geographic reach:

• The Mainstay Foundation
• Zarina Foundation
• The Zahra Trust
• Rabetah Al-ulama Al-islamiyyah
• Ganco Charitable Foundation
• Muslim Hands
• Yafa Foundation
• Belron Ronnie Lubner Charitable Foundation
• The Stone Family Foundation
• Thurmaston Educational Trust

References

1. The World Federation of KSIMC Official Website - www.world-federation.org
2. WF-AID Official Website - wfaid.org
3. UK Charity Commission Register - Charity Number 282303 - https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-details/?regid=282303
4. “Reporting on the First Meeting of the Executive Council for Term 2024-2027” - The World Federation of KSIMC, 2024
5. “Reporting on The WF Triennial Conference 2024” - The World Federation of KSIMC, May 2024
6. “How We Work” - WF-AID - https://wfaid.world-federation.org/about/how-we-work/
7. “About Us” - The World Federation of KSIMC - https://www.world-federation.org/about/
8. World Federation of KSIMC - Wikishia - https://en.wikishia.net/view/World_Federation_of_KSIMC
9. “Ali Asghar Water Appeal 2024” - WF-AID - wfaid.org/aawa2024/
10. “Transforming Lives Together: Celebrating Your Impact with ZCSS!” - The World Federation of KSIMC, 2023
11. “Declaration of President of The World Federation of KSIMC Term 2024-2027” - The World Federation of KSIMC, 2024
12. Religious Education Council UK - World Federation of KSIMC Member Profile - https://religiouseducationcouncil.org.uk/member/world-federation-of-ksimc/