KSIMC of Birmingham organised a family event for its members at The Giant Screen, Millennium Point in Birmingham on Saturday 16 August 2014, screening the Film 'The Khojas - A Journey of Faith' produced  by Mulla Asghar Resource Centre (MARC).

Click here to view the trailer of the documentary

This 120-minute film, directed by Dr Hasnain Walji, the former President of the World Federation, chronicles the 650-year journey of a small band of people from Sindh, Kutch and Kathiawar that has become a well organised Community spread all over the globe.

With their genesis from a Hindu heritage, to a mystic faith called Satpanth which combined Sufi ideas with traces of Hindu belief, their subsequent conversion to the Nizari Ismaili path and eventually to follow the Ja’fari school of thought is a fascinating story of a journey of faith.The film vividly illustrates how a community managed to retain it’s faith in the crucible of culture traversing 4 continents in as many generations. The Khojas Shia Ithna-Asheris numbering less than 150,000 pale into insignificance in the context of 200 million Shia Ithna-Asheris worldwide.  Yet they are perceived to have a presence and influence that far exceeds their size. 

The event attracted over 270 people, including community members from Peterborough, Leicester and London. Amongst the guests were Br Mujtaba Datoo (Member of the Documentary Advisory Board), Dr Hussein Jiwa (President of The Council of European Jamaats), Br Shan-e-Abbas Hassam (Secretary General of The World Federation) and Br Mohammed Walji (President of Leicester Jamaat). 

The thrilled attendees provided the following feedback and reflections after the screening:

“As a khoja youth we don't belong anywhere. I wanted to watch this today to know where I actually come from. After leaving here today, I now realise that I am part of something, a BIG something. We are not just nobodies. We have a culture, language and heritage. I am so proud to be part of this community”

“So glad that we are having a family friendly social event that as a bonus collects for a good cause”

“From a non Khoja perspective, I can see the Khoja community have organised themselves much better than many other Shia communities that have come to UK, it could be due to the adverse situations they faced or it is an intrinsic part of the psyche”

“We are three generations here watching. It is a great feeling”

“Every household should have one copy compulsory”

“Should be translated in different languages”

“As a non-Khoja, I want to say MashaAllah and congratulate all those who deeply researched, travelling world to find the historical roots and contributed in making and showing of the film. Every Khoja should be taught their history, forefathers sacrifices and feel proud of their heritage”

“It was great to learn about our background and the roots of our culture, a topic which I personally have been ignorant on up until now. It was amazing to learn of the journey our forefathers have taken and I was surprised, saddened (but yet humbled) to learn that people had sacrificed their life in order for khojas to practice our faith”

“The documentary was a great inspiration to stand up and serve our community”

“The venue at millennium point was ideal and added to the atmosphere”

Guests purchased their tickets for £5 which included a popcorn and drink, with all proceeds going towards relief efforts in the Middle East. 

One of the objectives of the Executive Committee of KSIMC of Birmingham is to increase and promote awareness of the Khoja Heritage. They have also recently started conducting Majalis in Gujarati on a periodic basis, and are looking to organise various such events in the future.

The next UK screening is scheduled to be held in London on 7 September. Details are available on www.khojajourneyoffaith.org

For further information, email [email protected] or visit www.ksmnet.org