Bashirbhai Kassam arrived in Leicester from Dar-es-salaam on 23 October 1965 and was later joined by his family in 1966. During that time, majalis were being held at their family home, every Thursday night, as there were no other Ithna-Asheri families that had settled in Leicester during this time. Two Itnna-Asheri students namely Hassanbhai Fazal and Azaadbhai Jivraj would join the majalis and Rukiabai Kassam would prepare biryani or fateha of some sort as tabarruk.
Occasional visits to the London jamaat, to feel the ‘ronak’ and atmosphere of a large community were met with visits by Muhsinbhai Dharamsi, Nazirbhai Jessa, Nazirbhai Jafferali and Amirbhai P Merali to Leicester - this began a cohesion between Leicester and London that was literally ‘built upon’ over the following years.
In 1971, Haiderbhai Haji and his family as well as Ramzanbhai Dhanji arrived in Leicester, followed by Shaukatbhai Ladak and Habibbhai Daudani. Gulamalibhai Dhanji also came to settle in Leicester in 1972, along with other families from Tanzania and Uganda.
The first Muharram Majalis for the then ‘Leicester Community’ was held in 1973 at Marhum Bahadurbhai Khimji’s residence. The majalis was heard on pre-recorded tape recited by Marhum Mulla Alladinbhai Bhimji.
Typically, families would take turns throughout the year to hold Majalis at their homes. In 1974, a property on Down Street was rented by the community for twelve days of Muharram, for the purpose of holding Majalis.
Due to the growth of the community, it then became necessary to have a separate and dedicated place of worship. A committee was formed in 1974; Haiderbhai Haji, Yusufbhai Sabur, Habibbhai Daudani and other community members raised funds to purchase an Imambara. Yusufbhai Sabur’s association with Africa Federation assisted tremendously in making this project a success - ‘172 Mere Road’ was purchased in the same year. Marhum Habibbhai Walji being a ‘Vakil’ of Marhum Agha Khoei also played a vital role as he was able to obtain 50% of the funds. Leicester Jamaat was officially formed - Haiderbhai Haji was elected as First President of Leicester Jamaat.
Once the centre was opened, Majalis’ were recited by Marhum Jafferbhai Kanani (from Birmingham) and Marhuma Fatmabhai Mawji as well as Azadbhai Kassam and Shaukatbhai Ladak. Nauha’s and Qasida’s were mainly recited by Marhum Roshanbhai Mawji and Azadbhai Kassam, who ensured programs ran smoothly. Azadbhai ran the Madressa and would also lead Eid namaaz.
Regular majalis were held on Saturday evenings at 172 Mere Road, with memorable majalis taking place particularly in Muharram and Ramadhan - Qurankhani sometimes with attendance as low as five to six people did not deter the dedication of the small but growing community.
With marriages and births as well as many newcomers, the Jamaat went from strength to strength - in addition to the growth in population, for example, speakers from outside of Leicester also came to deliver lectures. Azadbhai Kassam, who had become President of Leicester Jamaat, invited Maulana Sayed Zulqadar Razavi to be Resident Alim, and accomodated Maulana in his own home. It follows that Maulana Sayed Zulqadar Razavi was the first Resident Alim of Leicester Jamaat.
By this stage, a good impact on membership meant activities in service to the Holy Ahlulbayt (as) had become deep-rooted and well established. By the early-1980s, Leicester Jamaat had grown to approximately 150 members - the need for a larger property was clearly relevant. In 1983, the Jamaat members initially turned down the proposal of procuring 127 Loughborough Road, however, under the leadership of Zaigumbhai Dhanji and with support from the World Federation (WF), this property was bought in the following year as opened as ‘Hussaini Masjid’. Further, 41 Wand Street was also purchased to provide accomodation for the Resident Alims.
During this time, up to 12 marhumeen had been buried at Saffron Lane cemetery - Leicestershire Council granted a Muslim plot affiliated with the Hussaini Mosque.
In 1998, a Building Committee was formed with the role to purchase a plot of land for the construction of a purpose built Masjid. In 1999, Muhsinbhai Dharamsi on behalf of WF liaised with the Jamaat to formulate the first architectural design for Masjid al Husayn - Duxbury Road - opened on 14 January 2007.
“Our children have found a future in our activities and for our brothers and sisters a boost in the incentives to participate in the Ithna-Asheri traditions. Also, we have been able to put Leicester Jamaat on the map not only in the UK and the World Federation but also with other Ithna-Asheri and Muslim Jamaat throughout the world. It gives me great pleasure to honour this maintenance of our faith and the Ithna-Asheri values over here in Leicester that we had been used to in East Africa.
Alhamdulilah, Leicester Jamaat is now thriving. It is a miracle to see that, the community which started by reciting Majalis at home has its own purpose built Masjid, Masjid al Husayn (as) at Duxbury Road, Leicester.
May Allah (swt) in His infinite mercy accept all our efforts and grant us all tawfeeq to serve our community. Ameen.
Please recite sura-e-fateha for all marhumeens.
Wassalaam.
Azadali J Kassam”