Version: 1.01
Last Amended: 27th August 2000
Compiled By: Amjad Shah

Introduction

Here by is established by the Shia Ithna Ashari Muslim Community of Birmingham, an organization that will be known as Idara Maarif-e-Islam. The head office of which will always remain in Birmingham.

Aims and objectives

1. The advancement of the religion of Islam by promoting teachings of Islam, the Holy Quran and Fiqh-e-Jaffaria.

Powers

In furtherance of these objectives but not otherwise the Idaara shall have the following powers;

1. To promote and organise religious and educational institutions.
2. To establish and assist in the formation of religious and secular education and welfare institutions and training schemes.
3. To promote and develop better understanding amongst different races, cultures and communities.
4. To provide recreational and educational facilities for women, youth and elderly.
5. To provide and maintain Library.
6. In order to carry out the said objectives the Idara may employ and pay any person to supervise, organize and carry on the work of the Idara.
7. Bring together in conference representatives of voluntary organizations, statutory authorities, other relevant bodies and individuals.
8. Arrange and provide for or join in arranging and providing for the holding of meetings, lectures, classes, seminars and training courses.
9. Collect, publish and give out information to further the said objectives.
10. Undertake, execute, manage or assist any charitable trusts that may be lawfully undertaken.
11. Raise monies by means of donations, gifts, legacies, grant in aid from statutory authorities and other loans and fund raising events, as well as from donations from the membership.
12. Purchase, acquire and any rights and privileges necessary for the promotion of the said objectives and construct, maintain and alter any buildings or erections necessary for the work of the Idara. Make regulations for any property that may be acquired. Sell, let, mortgage, dispose of or turn to account all or any of the property of the Idara.
13. Every member will endeavor to respect the English law.
14. The Executive Council of the Idara will have the powers to appoint sub-committees if and when it feels necessary for a specific purpose.

Membership

Any Shia Muslim adult over the age of 18 years can apply for the membership of the Idara. Membership will be subject to the approval of the management Committee.

Conditions of Membership

A member must comply with the following conditions:

1. Pay the subscription fee fixed by the General Body.
2. Obey the constitution and any amendments made to it.
3. Comply with the decision of Executive Council and the General Body.

Entitlement and Rights

All members of Idara are entitled to, without any prejudice or any hindrance, enjoy the facilities and privileges provided by the Idara.

All the fully paid members have the right to:

1. Exercise their right to vote by freedom of choice.
2. Stand for the offices of Idara.
3. See and examine the accounts book of the Idara by appointment.
4. Nominate any other member for election.
5. Express opinion on the business transactions of the Idara.
6. All new members will only be entitled to enjoy the above rights subject to a continuous six-month period of membership.
7. Any previous member who has missed one or more years of membership fee will be considered as a new member.

Disciplinary Action and Termination of Membership.

The Executive Council is empowered to take disciplinary action against any member in the event that any of the following circumstances arise:

1. A member grossly misbehaves.
2. A member fails to comply with the constitution.
3. A member fails to comply with a decision undertaken by the General Body.
4. A member acts in a way detrimental to the interest and the spirit of the Idara.

The Executive Council will have the right to terminate the membership of any individual for a valid reason. The member concerned may appeal to the General Body.

Officers

At the Annual General Meeting the Idara will elect an Executive Council that will consist of a President, Vice President, Secretary, Assistant Secretary, Treasurer, Assistant Treasurer, Information Secretary and 12 Committee Members.

Elections

All the elections held in the Idara including the annual elections will be held by secret ballot.
The Executive Committee will appoint an Election Officer at least four (4) weeks prior to the elections date. The Election Officer will make all the arrangements for the elections. He will prepare an electoral register that will contain the names of members eligible to vote. The Election Officer will not enter any new vote in the electoral register in the fifteen days prior to the election date. The Election Officer will supervise the elections, count the votes and announce the names of the successful candidates.

The Election Officer will have the power to declare an election null and void if he has reason to believe that any malpractice or any other illegal means to determine the outcome of elections have been used.

Members who wish to stand for office will have to inform the Election Officer at least fifteen (15) days before the elections are held.

Election Officer will display the electoral register that will contain the names of members eligible to vote at least 7 days before the election date on the Hussainia Mosque notice board.

All the officer bearers of the Idara shall:

1. Hold office for one (1) year.
2. All posts will be honorary.
3. The President will be the head of the executive. He will preside over the meetings of the Executive Council and the General Body.
4. In the absence of the President, the Vice President will be vested with the powers of the President.
5. The Secretary will implement all the decisions made by the Executive Council and not otherwise.
6. The Assistant Secretary will perform the duties of the Secretary in the absence of the Secretary. He will assist the Secretary all the time.
7. The Treasurer will be responsible for keeping the financial records. He will prepare the annual finance report. He will receive subscriptions and donations etc. and will issue official receipts.
8. The Assistant Treasurer will carry out the duties of the Treasurer in the absence of the Treasurer. He will assist the Treasurer as and when required.
9. The Executive Council will assist the office bearers in the administration of the Idara. All members of the Executive Council will be honorary and their tenure of service will be for one (1) year.
10. No member of the Executive Council will keep in his possession any documents or similar property whether, in electronic, printed or mechanical format concerning the Idara after he ceases to hold office.
11. At the end of their term the Executive Council will hand over all documents, monies and any other property of the Idara to the new Executive Council within fourteen (14) days of leaving the office.
12. The President and the Secretary can sanction the expenditure of not more than £200 for any one purpose.

Auditors

The Management Committee will appoint the auditors of the Idara.

Funeral Committee

The Funeral Committee formally known as (Death Committee) will be responsible to Management Committee. All members of the management Committee will have to become members of the Funeral Committee. The Management Committee will select all office bearers of the Funeral Committee every year.

Trustees

1. The Trustees will be at the Annual General Meeting.
2. Their term will be for a maximum period of five (5) years.
3. A maximum of five (5) Trustees will be elected.
4. The elected Trustees will be bound by the constitution of the Idara and the law of the land.
5. They can attend Executive Meetings but cannot hold any office.
6. They will enter into a deed of trust, setting forth the purposes and conditions under which they will serve as Trustees of the Idara. The title of all and any real property that may be acquired by or for the purpose of the Idara.

Special General Meeting

The Executive Council may at any time in a matter of urgency call a Special General Meeting.

Quorum

Half of the members shall form a quorum at meetings of the Executive Council and General Body.

Dissolution

The Idara shall not be dissolved except by a resolution passed at an Extraordinary General Meeting by unanimous vote of all members present. The quorum for such a general meeting shall be 90%of the members of the Idara. If the quorum is not present, the meeting will be adjourned to the next date at which the same condition for the quorum shall apply.

If upon the winding down or dissolution of the Idara, there remains after the setting of all liabilities any property whatsoever, this shall not be paid to or distributed amongst the members of the Idara but shall be given or transferred to such other charity establishment for similar purpose as the Idara.

Amendments to The Constitution

Any proposal to amend this constitution must be submitted to the secretary at least 15 days prior to the AGM or Special General Meeting called for the purpose. Motion for the amendments must be approved by a two third majority of the members.

This constitution supersedes all the previous versions that are deemed null and void and will become operative with immediate effect.