NANMMA BOARD OF DIRECTORS INVESTITURE CEREMONY

 North American Network of Malayalee Muslim Association (NANMMA) held its investiture ceremony for installing its new Board of Directors for the 2020-2022 term on April 11th, 2020. The grand convention planned at Dallas earlier was canceled in the wake of Covid-19 and a webinar session was held in its place.

    NANMMA Regional Delegates (NRD), current and new Executive Board of Directors (NBD), Activity Committee (NAC) leads, and Trustees (NTC) from the USA and Canada attended the virtual event. The turn of the first term brought a significant milestone—the formation of a new chapter of NANMMA Board of Directors in Canada.

    The event started with recitation of the Holy Quran by Rasheed K Mohamed, the outgoing Vice President followed by a heartwarming welcome message by our Chairman Samad Ponery. He highlighted that at a time of the ongoing COVID-19 crisis, this event is not a celebration but a fulfillment of our responsibilities towards our community with love, perseverance, and commitment. He reminded us of how the idea of forming an organization for the welfare of our community was born in 2015 through a WhatsApp group. This later lead to the formation of a structured organization with a legislative body and definite bylaws free from any political, religious, or social predisposition. He gave a modest briefing on how the NTC, Election commission, NBD were formed and have kept going forward unitedly to date. His special mention of the sad demise of our two brothers Rafeeque Octoberene and Abheesh and how NANMMA was at the forefront to sustain their families at the time of their suffering was indeed very touching and emotional. 

This was followed by Presidential address by outgoing President U A Naseer who spoke vividly on the great strides made by NANMMA in the past two years, including its flood relief efforts in Kerala, to emerge today as an organization with new hopes, energy, and dynamism. He informed us that various organizations and political parties in India expressed their concerns for our members when they come to know about the increasing Covid-19 cases in the USA. This is a result of how NANMMA has touched the hearts of the public through its tremendous services along with fostering and building a strong rapport with them.

Outgoing Secretary, Mehaboob Kizhakkepura then presented an operational report on various activities carried out by NANMMA beginning from the Convention held at Chicago in 2018. This gave birth to various activity groups like Faith and Family, Charity and Cause, Civic and Alliance, Guidance and Support clubs, Youth empowerment, Women empowerment, and several others. He also gave a compendious presentation on each of the activities.

This was followed by a comprehensive Finance Report by outgoing Treasurer, Niyaz Ahmed and outgoing Joint Treasurer Ajeeth Karedath, that included fund collection, allocation, and tax filing during their term. 

Dr. Moideen Moopan, an NTC member, then gave recognition to all the outgoing Directors of the NANMMA Board and accredited them for the outstanding and tremendous job that they have put forward during their tenure. The functioning of NANMMA as an institution has acquired newer dimensions towards the promotion of social welfare through an array of well-designed and structured programs.

Organizational Structure and Bylaw updates were then presented by Rasheed K Mohamed. Starting with the importance of a solid foundation and strong bylaws to provide essential guidelines to efficiently run an organization, he elaborated on the roles and responsibilities of the body of the Trustees Council, NBDs, and NRDs as well as the bylaw amendment plans for this term. 

NANMMA NTC member Shaheen A then detailed on the operational structure of the organization and the functioning of the activity leads. 

Then came in the exuberant moment of introduction of the new Board of Directors for both USA and Canada and swearing-in ceremony by NTC members Nirar Basheer and Sajeeb Koya.

The new NBD officially assumed their duty with the introduction of activity leads by the new NBD Executive President of Canada, Musthafa KP followed by the USA Executive President, Omar Sinaph. Both of them laid out the strategic objectives with long term and short term goals gearing towards the benefit of the community to help them in times of need and to enhance the standard of the community. 

USA President Omar Sinaph introduced the following members as Activity Leads for the term: Abdul Rasheed (Faith and Family Lead), Mohammed Muneer (Education Lead), Shafeek Abubaker (Civic and Alliance Lead) and Fysal Ponnambath (Charity and Cause Lead).

Canada President Musthafa K P introduced the following members as Activity Leads for the term: Arshad Salam (Interfaith Lead), Shajil Kunhumon (Faith and Family Lead), Shihab KV (Infrastructure Support Lead), Ansar M K (Civic Engagement Lead), Ansari Muhammed (Charity Lead) and Lubna Irfaz (Travel Club Lead).

Please click here to see all the members in the 2020-2021 Executive Team.

The event concluded with prayers by Muhammad Kamal with special remembrance of all the victims of Covid-19 when the entire global community is facing unprecedented challenges. 

The new NANMMA team has a major obligation during this global pandemic to handle lots of unmet needs above and beyond the usual. There is an overwhelming need to mitigate the consequences of the economic meltdown through lean times ahead and alleviate the upheaval felt by our community in the USA and Kerala.  Although new strategic plans and ideas have been proposed, the fundamental goals and objectives remain unchanged and unwavering. We’re confident that with the help and guidance of the Almighty the new committee will take the passion and commitment exhibited by our previous team to the next level as they execute the strategic plans for the enhancement of our community.

Please click below links to view the Malayalam Newspapers Publications on out investiture ceremony:

https://www.madhyamam.com/world/americas/nanma-us-canada-board-directors-world-news/684932

http://suprabhaatham.com/north-american-network-of-malayalees-muslim-associations/

https://www.emalayalee.com/varthaFull.php?newsId=210137

https://www.manoramaonline.com/global-malayali/us/2020/05/30/omar-sinaph-elected-president-of-nanmma-us-chapter.html

https://www.manoramaonline.com/global-malayali/us/2020/06/01/kp-musthafa-elected-president-of-nanmma-canada-chapter.html

https://sanghamam.com/local/nanma.html