ভূমিকা

Shiavault - a Vault of Shia Islamic Books The Light From the Editorial Desk The original Light magazine started off as a cyclostyled paper for community students living abroad, especially in the western countries. This then turned into a magazine with a selection of articles of diverse contemporary as well as religious issues.

The readership also spread over the world amongst Muslims and non- Muslims in countries such as West Africa, Latin America and remote parts of the world catering for their scholarly needs. The aim at that time was Tabligh and this continues to be our mission but in different times and circumstances.

We re-launch this magazine in an era of globalization, bearing in mind the revolution in information technology and major events such as the revolution in Iran, formation and consolidation of World Federation and the extensive role of media in covering issues touching upon the Muslim world, which have significantly contributed towards increasing awareness worldwide towards our Islamic faith and its role in shaping events.

The need to adapt in this evolving environment is a necessity to maintain the scholarly standards of this magazine which we shall aspire to do. Brother Latif Ali of British Guyana once mentioned at the World Ahlul Bayt League Conference, "I lived alone as a Shia Ithnaasheri with literature of Bilal Muslim Mission of Tanzania and the Light magazine as my sole companions".

With Light's sister Swahili magazine, Sauti Ya Bilal, let us hope that these magazines continue their companionship from the remotest village of Tanzania to the busiest metropolis of the world. The pioneering efforts and support of Maulana Syed Saeed Akhtar Rizvi, Marhum Mulla Asgher Jaffer, Marhum Ahmed Sheriff and Marhum Mohamed Rafik Somji are a continuing beacon of inspiration for us. Let us pray for their souls and request a Sura e Fateha. A humble servant of Ahlul Bayt a.s Fidahusein A.

Hameer Memoirs As a young kid, I was always fascinated to watch my late grandfather, Yusufali G.M Dharsi writing articles and helping in the typesetting for The Light magazine. Like Sayid Akhtar Rizvi and other writers in those days, he was also a regular contributor for the magazine, researching hours on end to get everything meticulously correct.