In the late ‘70s Rajabali Jumabhoy and his wife Fatima Premjee bought a shophouse in Lim Ah Woo Road where Muharram majaalis were addressed by an Urdu vaiz (speaker) from Lucknow in India, Maulana Mazahir, every year till 2009. The ladies’ section was strongly supported by the late Mrs. Amina Jumabhoy, and her friend and guide the late Mrs. Shams Namazie, and their families.

From 1985 onwards it was noticed that some malay muslims asked to attend these majaalis. For their benefit a short précis of the speaker’s sermon was translated every night. These malay brethren belonged to a group called the Himpunan Belia Islam (HBI) or Muslim Youth Assembly that numbered about four hundred persons. They had been staunch followers of the Wahabi sect . Then, with better access to authentic Islamic books and personalities and the uplifting islamic revival after the Iranian revolution, they began to recognise the truth in shia teachings. Valuable assistance through direct teaching or arranging educational programs came from many well wishers including brothers Javad Souhani, Dabbagh, Syed Ahmed Baragbah and Syed Husin Shahab.

Avid readers, they possessed the determination to seek the truth. They had been blessed with open minds and sincere hearts . Above all, they had the courage to take the tough actions to change once the true path was found. Initially, led by Brother Muhammad Ithinin Kasmin, seven of them ( brothers Farok,Habib, Hizbullah,Ithnin, Jahari, Rahim and Shaaban ) accepted the Shia faith, and in due course most of the rest also became Shia Ithna ’Asheri muslims – the first time that local malays had embraced these beliefs. Describe it as a historic event or a modern miracle , there is no doubt that later generations will continue to thank and pray for these pioneers who put them on a path that brings happiness and inner peace in this world and rewards in the hereafter.

Alhamdolillah, the community in Singapore has grown ever since. Some Khoja brothers from Karachi who had offices in Singapore, namely brothers Reza Chandoo, Askari Taqi, and Reza Premjee supported the da’wah activities. They invited a learned and broadminded intellectual from Karachi named Syed Farzande Raza, who over several visits engaged in discussions with the malay brethren and their womenfolk.

Since the eighties and until his demise in early 2011, a dedicated mentor and a sincere friend of the community imparted knowledge and encouragement every year during the chehlum English majalis, making himself available at all hours of the day throughout his visit with an open door for all who needed information and advice. Malay brethren’s love and appreciation of late Maulana Raza Pasha of India is evident in their large attendances and in the way they refer to him as : our beloved Maulana.

Under the leadership of Ust Mohammad Rosli Hassan and their management committee, the Malay brethen have instituted during a short period an impressive range of year-round activities focussed on moral and religious teachings and prayers with special emphasis on the needs of the young. They have also acquired their own premises and a large collection of books in Malay and English. Driving on the Guillemard Road towards the City, if you look to your right , just before the road ends, you will see a signboard on the second level of a building that reads “HUSSAINIYAH AZ ZAHRA ” …. a humble signboard which speaks volumes for the lovers and their love of our Prophet and his pure household. Lost in the noise and the haste of the daily humdrum , the passing traffic may not take much notice but who knows how bright its light shines for the dwellers of the sky when the sounds of dua Kumayl fill the air on Thursday nights.