Maunatul Islam Association of Fiji (MIAF) represents approximately 30 % of the Sunni Muslims in Fiji who are mostly followers of the Shafi school of jurispudence. The followers of Imam Shafi in Fiji are the descendents of Muslims of Malayalam origin who came to Fiji under the indenture system from Kerala in South India between 1903 and 1916. The other Sunni Muslim organisation in Fiji, the Fiji Muslim League, represents all other Sunni Muslims in Fiji who are mostly followers of the Hanafischool of jurispudence.

History

The organisation originally operated under the name of Then India Maunatul Islam Association of Fiji since it was officially formed in 1942. The key original officials were:

One of the most prominent past President and Speaker of the Association was the late Hon S.M. Koya, who was the leader of the National Federation Party and Leader of Opposition in Fiji for a number of years. The name of the Association was changed in 1982 to Maunatul Islam Association when a new constitution was drawn.

Structure of the Association

National Council

Maunatul Islam’s head office is situated at 72 Vomo Street, Drasa/Vitogo, Lautoka at the Lautoka Branch Mosque. The Association is managed by the National Council and the working committee elected every two years at AGM of the Association. The current office bearers elected in 2010 are as follows:

Office Bearers and Trustees

Branches

MIAF has three main branches at Lautoka, Ba and Tavua and each branch has a Mosque and other properties. The legal ownership of all the properties are vested in the Trustees of the Association.

Lautoka Branch

The Lautoka Brach Mosque is situated at 72 Vomo St, Drasa /Vitogo, Lautoka. The Branch is managed by a Branch Committee elected every two years. Apart from the Mosque, the branch also owns a priest's quarters, 2 other residential properties and a Madrasa which can accommodate 30 students. The branch has approxiamtely 1200 registered and 2000 unregistered members The head priest is Alim C. M.Abdul Kadir Saquafi Al Kamil who is a graduate in Islamic Studies and also has English and Computer knowledge from Markazu Saqafathi Sunniya Kerala.

Ba Branch

The Ba Branch Mosque is situated at Maururu, Ba. The Branch is managed by a Branch Committee elected every two years. Apart from the Mosque, the branch also owns a priest's quarters, a 16-acre (65,000 m²) cane farm and a Madrasa which can accommodate 40 students. The branch has approxiamtely 800 registered and 2000 unregistered members The head priest is Alim Muhyuddeen Shah Faizi who is a graduate in Islamic Studies from Kerala.

Tavua Branch

Tavua Branch Mosque is situated at Tabavu St, Tavua Town. Branch is managed by a Branch Committee elected every two years. Apart from the Mosque, the branch also owns a priest's quarters, a vacant land and a residential property. The branch has approxiamtely 400 registered and 1000 unregistered members

Prospective Branches

Followers of Imam Shafi are spread all over Fiji and there are plans to form Branches at Nadi, Suva and Nausori.

Training and Education

MIAF has education and training centers at its mosques at Lautoka, Ba and Tavua. The priests at each mosque provide Islamic teachings to children as well as the adults. The National Council has formed an Education Board responsible for all educational matters of the Association. Adults are provided Islamic training and education on two evenings every week.

Maunatul Islam Association Islamic Education Centre

In accordance with the aims and objectives of our Association and in order to fulfill the aspirations of our forefathers, a fulltime boarding Islamic Education Centre was opened at our Lautoka Branch Mosque on14th December 2008. 16 students are enrolled at this Centre on a fulltime basis who receive Islamic education and Training under the guidance of our Pesh Imam of our Lautoka Mosque Alim Abdul Kadir Saquafi Al-Kamil who is a graduate in Islamic Shari-at from Islamic Institute Markazu Ssaquafiathi Ssunniyyah in India. These students apart from receiving Islamic education also attend Lautoka Muslim Primary School and Lautoka Muslim College to receive other formal education. We would like to acknowledge and thank all the sponsors for sponsoring our students by contributing cash funds to meet the operating expenses of the Madarasa. Our future project plan is to increase our facilities to accommodate more than 40 students and to also include girls. We would also like to have a small computer lab within the facility to ensure that our students leave our school computer literate. Our Education Centre has been well managed with the contributions and assistance from members of our Islamic Society. We look forward to continued support and assistance from our brothers and sisters towards this worthy project.

For any further information or any enquiries please contact the following

Abdul Kadir Saquafi Al Kamil Chairman Education Board-PH: 9292842 email:abuswaliha@yahoo.com Mohammed Yusuf Manu National President -MIAF-PH: 9089654 Mohammed Yunus Kathim General Secretary - MIAF-PH: 9913923 email: yunus345@hotmail.com

Source : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maunatul_Islam_Association_of_Fiji