WMO EC Delegation’s Successful Trip to Lisbon
WMO Europe Chapter
Update: January 2025
The WMO Europe Chapter [“WMO EC”]
The Office Bearers team led by Regional President Mr Shahzad Iqbal including Mr Farhan Farooq (Regional Secretary), Mr Nisar Bawany (Regional Treasurer), Mr Nasir Iqbal (Regional Global Youth Wing Chairman) & Mr Arif Mundiya (Coopted member) supported by Mr Bashir Sattar a founding Trustee and currently serving Secretary General all embarked on a visit to Lisbon Portugal from Friday 24th Jan to Sunday 26th Jan 2025.
The purpose of the visit was to meet the family of our recently departed Life Member and avid supporter Mr Liyakat Hameed Bha and also to strengthen the membership ties with a focus on developing youth and ladies integration as well as discussing forthcoming Zakaat projects for appeal during the holy month of Ramadhan. The visit would also provide the delegation an opportunity to meet one of our founder Trustees Dr Abdool Magid Vakil who due to his age has been unable to attend WMO meetings and conferences.
On all accounts this was a very successful trip with the following program having been successfully executed:
Friday 24th January 2025
The delegation having arrived from London around midday was received at the airport by representatives of the WMO EC in Portugal. They were escorted to the Mesquita Central de Lisboa where they performed Jumma Salah. Thereafter they were taken for a delicious lunch by senior members of the Memon community in Portugal.
A gathering of the members of the WMO in Portugal and the Memon community was organised to meet the delegates from London.
At this meeting, dinner was followed by a welcome by WMO Life Member Mr Mohammed Iqbal Dakla and then an introduction by our Regional President Mr Shahzad Iqbal. This was followed by an inspirational and motivating speech by our Secretary General Mr Bashir Sattar, who gave an overview of the Memon Community and its origins as well as the vision and mission of the WMO and how it was formed and how it intends to engage the Youth and Ladies in its strategic development of the Global Youth Wing & Global Ladies Wing. Mr Nasir Iqbal the Regional Global Youth Wing Chairman set out his vision and plans to collaborate and engage Memon Youth in Portugal all which were very well received and culminated in the recruitment of 5 Global Youth Wing Executives for the region from Portugal.
This was followed by an awards presentation ceremony whereby members of the Memon Community in Portugal were recognised for their endeavours and efforts in meeting the WMO’s mission in serving humanity.
Recipients included:
Posthumous Award to Mr Liyakat Hameed
Mr Mohammed Iqbal Dakla
Mr Gulam Dawood Ossmane
Mr Nasser Sattar
Mr Sabir Rassul
Mr Habib Ali Mahomed
Mr Abdul Gani Mahomed
Mr Shakil Hameed
Mr Imrane Liyakat Hameed
Mr Irfan L Hameed – Youth
Mr Rahil Haji – Youth
Mr Saif Suhail – Youth
Mr Mikail Ossman – Youth
Mr Uwais Majid – Youth
Mr Muhammad Rassul – Youth
Mr Hamza Rassul – Youth
Mr Adam Ismail – Youth
Following the awards presentation ceremony the delegates were taken to an alternative venue for refreshments and discussions ensued to strategically engage the wider Memon Community in Portugal with a sizeable event being planned to be held in the Spring in Lisbon inshallah.
Saturday 25th January 2025
The WMO delegates visited the cemetery to perform duas and fatiha for the deceased brother Mr Liyakat Hameed. The delegation was accompanied by Mr Mohammed Iqbal Dakla and Liyakat Bha’s two sons Imrane & Irfan. Thereafter the delegation proceeded to the house of Liyakat Bha where Imrane Bha’s & Irfan Bha’s wives had very kindly prepared a delicious sumptuous lunch. Discussions progressed about the forthcoming event as mentioned above and dates as well as program highlights were tentatively agreed.
Sunday 26th January 2025
On this day, Mohammed Iqbal Dakla arranged a visit to meet with our Founder Trustee Dr Abdool Magid Vakil. Dr Vakil is an inspirational leader who has worked tirelessly and selflessly to establish the Muslim community in Portugal. He was instrumental in creating and building what is now regarded as one of the most beautiful and extensive Islamic Mosque Institutes in Europe. It is undoubtedly a very impressive establishment and it is recommended a visit to Lisbon must include a visit to the Central Mosque of Lisbon.
Dr Vakil also assisted in the formation of the WMO providing guidance during its inception and formation. It was a very special occasion meeting such an extraordinary and inspirational leader and contributor. Dr Vakil was looking well and reflected on the past with the delegates. The Secretary General Mr Bashir Sattar & President Mr Shahzad Iqbal presented Dr Vakil an award in recognition of his exceptional contribution to the community.
This visit to Portugal was a very successful trip and one which resoundingly achieved its objectives.
In making this visit a huge success our deepest gratitude and appreciation go to Mr Mohammed Iqbal Dakla, Mr Imrane & Mr Irfan Hameed as well as other notable contributors including Mr Nasser Sattar & Mr Gulaam Mohamed Dawood Osmane and others. Their welcome, warmth, hospitality and efforts to gather the community especially our Youth was notable and commendable.
The WMO EC team look forward to the Memon Community in Portugal integrating and playing a more dynamic role within the organisation inshallah.
Some notable quotes from the team:
Bashir Sattar – “A great big well done to Shahzad bha and his team for their selfless endeavours in organising and executing this trip. My heartfelt gratitude to Mohammed Iqbal Dakla, Imrane & Irfan Hameed, Nasser Sattar & Gulaam Mohamed Dawood Osmane. Finally a sincere thanks to Dr Abdool Magid Vakil for allowing us the honour of meeting him despite his age and health concerns”.
Shahzad Iqbal – “This trip to Portugal was truly memorable and each event was impactful, in strengthening our Memon community. My heartfelt thanks to Mohammed Iqbal Dakla, Imrane & Irfan Hameed, Nasser Sattar, Gulaam Mohamed Dawood Osmane, and everyone who welcomed us so warmly. Meeting Dr Abdool Majid Vakil was an honor, special thanks to Bashir Bha, whose wisdom and passion elevated this trip. I look forward to seeing the Memon community in Portugal thrive within WMO, in sha Allah”.
Mohamed Iqbal Dakla – “I would like to express our gratitude for your kindness in including Lisbon, Portugal, as part of the Europe Chapter’s programme of visits. We were delighted to receive such an incredible delegation led by Bashir Sattar Bha and Shahzad Iqbal bha, also including esteemed Memon brothers like Farhan Farooq Bha, Nisaar Bawany Bha, and Nasir Iqbal Bha—who made a great impression on the youth—as well as Arif Bha. The interaction could not have been better, and for the first time, the youth truly felt part of the Memon Nation. Bashir Bha’s speech on the origins of the Memon community was greatly appreciated. I believe we have laid the foundations for strong collaboration on various fronts and will, Inshallah, follow up on the matters identified. Expanding membership and fundraising, particularly Zakat collection, will be our key objectives, Inshallah. Jazakallah to all who were kind enough to share their time with Portugal.”
Nasir Iqbal – “This trip to Portugal was a testament to the power of community and the importance of engaging our youth in meaningful ways. The warmth and enthusiasm shown by the Memon community here have been truly inspiring, and I am excited about the future collaborations that will empower the next generation to continue serving humanity with the same dedication and passion.”
Farhan Farooq – “This visit was more than a trip, it was a journey of brotherhood and heritage. The Memon community in Portugal reminded us that no matter where we are, our roots remain strong. Their dedication to WMO and preserving our legacy is truly inspiring. From honoring Liyakat Hameed Bha to engaging with the youth, every moment reinforced our mission of service. Beyond our purpose, Lisbon itself left a lasting impression, a city rich in history, culture, and a thriving Memon spirit where faith, tradition, and progress harmoniously blend.
Nisar Bawany – “We had a very successful trip to Lisbon Portugal 🇵🇹. I have noticed that all Memons of Lisbon Portugal are very kind & keen to join the WMO shoulder to shoulder and they would like to help those Memon’s around the globe that are less fortunate, under the WMO banner.”
Imrane Hammed – “It was an honor to host the WMO Europe Chapter delegation in Lisbon. This visit marked a significant milestone for our Memon community. The event at the central masjid celebrated our youth and donors while honoring my late father, Liyakat Abdul Hameed’s, vision of fostering meaningful connections. I sincerely appreciate WMO’s role in making this possible. Our discussions were insightful and inspiring, paving the way for future collaborations. The exciting upcoming plans reflect the positive momentum we’ve built together. May Allah bless our efforts and strengthen these ties for the betterment of our community, in sha Allah.”
Irfane Hameed – “It was great hosting the WMO Europe delegation in Lisbon. The visit highlighted the amazing contributions of our memon community in Portugal. The conversations were inspiring and opened doors for future collaborations. In sha Allah, may our efforts continue to grow and make a positive impact.”
Arif Mundiya “WMO Portugal 🇵🇹 Visit was not only memorable. It was a hugely amazing and valuable experience on a whole. The hosts were fantastic in their hospitality and made as feel at home all throughout.
This just goes to show wherever on the planet memons integrate and connect Alhamdulilah, we are ready for the cause as one for the Ummah.
The “Birth of Memon” topic was also one of the highlights from Bashir Bha. All the foundations laid by Liyaqat Bha were reflecting in his son’s and the exuberant youth Mash Allah. Portugal was also a calm, soothing place, eagerly looking forward to the next programs, Insh Allah”.
