A look into the most important centers of Ithna Asheri Shia Muslims across the world

The Ithna Asheris

The majority of Shia Muslims across the world belong to the Shia Ithna Asheri group or the Twelvers, deriving their name from their belief in the twelve Imams. About 85% of all the Shias across the globe are Ithna Asheris, with their numbers counting to about 200 million. Most of the Ithna Asheris live in Iran, India, Pakistan, and Azerbaijan.

The Organizations of Ithna Asheris

Although most Ithna Asheri Shias live in the Middle East and its neighboring countries, Twelvers’ centers are distributed around the world since they have constituted global organizations such as Shia Rights Watch, Islamic Students Organization, Imam Al-Khoei Foundation, World Islamic Network, and other political parties, boards, councils, etc. These organizations are vital in setting up cultural and education centers in their respective countries to overlook the needs of the communities of Ithna Asheri Shias. The Twelvers’ centers provide facilities such as libraries, mosques, hussainiyas, schools, etc., and undertakes activities such as Azadri, Congregational prayers, and other social and charitable activities.

Imam al-Khoei Foundation

The Imam al-Khoei Foundation, which is among the most important Twelvers’ centers these days, was established in 1989 by Ayatollah Abu al-Qasim al-Khoei. The foundation is also an UN-affiliated consultative body. The organization undertakes various social welfare and educational activities. It had established centers in different parts of the world that provide financial and educational support to Shia communities in different locations.

 Schools

The institution has established various schools such as the As-Sadiq and Az-Zahra schools in Londons and Al-Iman schools in Queens, New York. Religious practices are observed at the schools, including congregational prayer and Quran recitation. Sports facilities including gym and swimming pool are also provided to the students.

Islamic Seminaries

Running Islamic Seminaries including Madinatul Ilm in Qom and Darul Hikmah in Najaf is among the services provided by al-Khoie foundation.

Centers

The institute has also established the following religious and cultural centers:

• • As-Sayyid al-Khoei Center, Bangkok
  • As-Sayyid al-Khoei Center, Dhaka
  • Imam al-Khoei Islamic Center, London
  • Imam al-Khoei Islamic Center, Queens, NY
  • Imam-e-Zamana Mission in Hyderabad.
  • Jamia-tul-Kauthar, Islamabad
  • Najafi House, Mumbai

Apart from these schools and cultural centers, the foundation has also established an orphanage, the Imam al-Khoei Orphanage, in Beirut, Lebanon.

To see how you can contact this foundation you can check the listing on our Shia Directory.

To know more details about this center you can check their website.