Mulla Asgarali Jaffer

Mulla Asgarali Jaffer (Persian: ملا اصغرعلی جعفر‎) was the leader of the Khoja Shia Athnā‘ashariyyah Community.

Mulla Asghar was born and educated in Mombasa and spoke in seven languages, English, Arabic, Persian, Urdu, Kiswahili, and his native Gujerati. Also, he was a plain spoken and had many books and lectures about Ahl al-Bayt to the global community in the different languages. His wife was Sakina and had four children.

During four years, attempts of Mulla Asgharali led to establishing of the headquarters in London of the World Federation of Khoja Shia Muslim community and the first president was him. The origin of the Khoja Shia Muslim was in Pakistan, India and East Africa, but these days they have communities in Britain, France and the United States. His father has optician's shop in the old town of Mombasa. He managed it and in 1960 the shop developed into big optics factory in Nairobi. At that time he assumed the responsibility of the Mombasa Shia community and the African Federation of Khoja Muslims. He managed many charity projects inclusive of and medical and housing projects in Bombay, educational schemes in Africa (Zainabiya Child Sponsorship Scheme, better known as ZCSS which had been provided educational condition for 25000 students in India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Kenya, and Tanzania.

In 1983 went to Iraq and met Abu al-Qasim al-Khoei, one of the most influential Twelver Shia Islamic scholars (marja'). When he decided to return, he was arrested and became imprisoned in Baghdad jail. At international pressure he was paroled.

Dr Moledina, the President of The World Federation in honour of Mulla Asghar stated: "I clearly remember the words of him, when he said Our community's heightened capacity to withstand the trying times and its zeal to serve, has provided a permanent motto to The World Federation of KSIMC and that is We exist to serve. This message continues to inspire me and my team at The World Federation to continue in our work today." To commemorating of Mulla AsgaraliJaffer, the book, Relentless Endeavours was authored by Al-Hajj Hassan Jaffer.

Mulla Asgharali Jaffer, the leader of the Khoja Shia Athnā‘ashariyyah Community died on 21 March 2000.