HARARE: 7 APRIL 2026
The Islamic Community of Mutare received the Cultural Counsellor of the Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran in Zimbabwe, Dr. Ahmad Ghane. The visit was aimed at strengthening institutional ties with the local body of Mubalighin, who serve as religious educators and ambassadors of Islam within their communities.
During the beginning of the meeting, Dr. Ghane delivered a comprehensive address on the principles of Islamic propagation (tabligh), emphasizing the centrality of Salaat (prayer) as an obligation enjoined even upon the Prophet Muhammad (SAWA). He described Salaat as the foundational act and the starting point of every mubaligh’s journey as an ambassador of the faith. The cultural counselor further highlighted the necessity of ritual purity and physical cleanliness, explaining that a Mubaligh must always be prepared to perform sacred acts, including the recitation of the Holy Qur’an and the offering of supplications (du’as) on behalf of the Muslim Ummah.
Dr. Ghane then went on to highlight the professional and spiritual tasks that every Mubaligh must fulfill. According to him, tabligh is a mandatory activity rather than a voluntary one. He explained that this supernatural certainty of reimbursement requires Mubalighin to provide for their families as well, resisting the temptation to judge their labor in terms of fleeting earthly rewards. He reasoned that whereas material pursuits are finite, the work of tabligh serves as an eternal benefit, a seed for future generations, and a sort of wealth deserving of Allah’s infinite bounties.
The cultural counselor also stressed the imperative of continuous learning and self-improvement, noting that a Mubaligh must serve as a living example of Islamic conduct. He pointed to the intellectual legacy of Imam Jafar As-Sadiq (AS), whose scholarly contributions led to numerous scientific and philosophical developments from which the modern world continues to benefit. In his concluding remarks, Dr. Ghane urged the gathering to remain attentive to pressing global issues, particularly the situation in Palestine, the Israeli occupation, and the ongoing tensions involving Iran and the American-Israeli alliance.
During the discussion, the Mutare community’s leader, Sheikh Mustaf Chindandari, formally welcomed the Cultural Counsellor’s visit to Manicaland and expressed gratitude for the cultural centre’s ongoing engagement with the community. He described how the community’s spiritual and organizational journey began 22 years ago, when he first came across books on Shi’ism. The Sheikh revealed that his own journey to the truth began with the simple act of reading, in direct adherence to the Holy Qur’an. He read Surah Al-Alaq (Chapter 96, Verse 1):
“Iqra bismi rabbika alladhi khalaq.”Â
“Read! In the name of your Lord Who has created all that exists.”
The Sheikh underlined that obeying the holy order to read has been the foundation of the community’s progress and cohesiveness. The group currently consists of 34 households, who constitute more than 80 Ahlulbayt followers. He remarked that this expansion is a direct result of embracing the power of literacy and adhering to the Holy Qur’an, which has defined their identity as a strong and expanding community.
Sheikh Mustaf further explained that their success has not come through material wealth or political influence but through the quiet, persistent work of tabligh and the example of their personal conduct. He concluded by announcing their firm intention to increase the number of trained Mubalighin through sustained propagation efforts, noting that each new Mubaligh represents another seed planted for future generations. He reaffirmed that the community is committed to upholding their character as a mirror reflecting the values of Islam to the wider world, serving in their full capacity as true ambassadors of the faith, just as the cultural counselor had encouraged.
Cultural Counselor Dr. Ghane’s visit to the Imam Hussein Community Mubalighin in Mutare shows the Cultural Centre of the Embassy of Iran in Zimbabwe’s ongoing commitment to supporting grassroots religious organizations and fostering spiritual development throughout the country. The interaction reaffirmed Mubalighin’s crucial positions as educators and exemplars of Islamic ideals, while also addressing practical and spiritual problems with their mission. The community’s astonishing growth from a single person’s encounter with a book to a thriving congregation of over 80 members exemplifies the enduring power of information, reading, and religion. The shared commitment to establishing continuous learning and unwavering attention to global issues of justice and oppression will guide the partnership forward, ensuring the light of the Ahlulbayt shines across Manicaland and beyond.
