Newsletter of the Claremont Main Road Mosque · Vol.3 No.3 - January 2014/1435
Mawlud 2014
Fiqh Of Voting
Imam A . Rashied Omar
In April/May 2014 South Africa will convene its fifth national elections since the advent of non-racial democratic rule in South Africa in 1994. As conscientious Muslims and responsible South African citizens it is important for us to positively engage the public processes in our country. I would like to provide some guidelines for voting in the upcoming general elections. First, Islamic teachings on good governance, public policy and political strategy (al-siyasa al-shar`iyya) does not provide specific and detailed instructions on how public policies or political strategies should be applied or executed in society. Instead, it tends to provide only general principles and guidelines. Three of the most important of these principles are justice (`adl), mutual consultation (shura), and accountability (hisbah). These three principles should feature prominently in our evaluation of the manifestos and histories of political parties.
“Muslims should be encouraged to participate in the general elections and vote for a political party of their choice” Second, consonant with the above Islamic ethical principles there is no explicit textual evidence (nass) either from the Qur’an or Sunna (prophetic tradition) that can be used to substantiate the view that Muslim participation in democracy is proscribed or that Muslims in South Africa should vote only for so-called Muslim parties. A number of Muslim scholars, such as Abdulaziz Sachedina in his book The Islamic Roots of Democratic Pluralism, have cogently demonstrated that Islam and democracy are indeed compatible. Muslim scholars have pointed out that both the Islamic concept of shura and democracy arise from the central consideration that collective deliberation is more likely to lead to a fair and sound result for the social good than individual preference. Muslims should therefore be encouraged to participate in the general elections and vote for a political party of their choice.
Editorial Third, when one votes for a particular party, it does not necessarily mean that one agrees completely with all of their ideology or policies. Rather the intention should be that the party will be of help to the whole community and represents the best alternative among the various options. Muslim jurists have always advocated the principle of realism represented in the concept of akhaff al-dararayn – lesser of the two evils. In other words, if the major part of the manifesto of a political party is deemed non-objectionable in terms of Islamic ethics, then it is acceptable for Muslims to vote for such a party. Fourth, voters are advised to study the histories of each party, the status and integrity of their candidates, their past and present policies and the promises they make in their electoral manifestos. The party which in their estimate best resonates with the Islamic value system and advances the cause of the poor and the marginalized should be supported. Fifth, if any political party is found to be overtly and unequivocally hostile to Islam, it would not be in the best interests of Muslims to vote for such a political party. Moreover, Muslims should especially not join or support a political party based on racial or sectarian lines since non-racialism and non-sectarianism is one of the hallmarks of Islam.
2013 will forever be remembered as the year Nelson Mandela died. In this issue CMRM joins our fellow compatriots and people all over the world in paying tribute to this global icon and father of our democratic nation. The tribute on pg 12 by Shaykh Sadullah Khan was delivered at CMRM on Sunday 8 December 2013. Consonant with CMRM’s view on how to honour the legacy of Madiba (tribute on pg 11), the lead article by Imam Rashied calls on us as conscientious citizens to exercise our right to vote in 2014, and to support political parties that in our view best advance the cause of the poor and the marginalized in our society. It is with a sense of great pride and gratitude that we report on the many efforts we have made in our Jihad Against Poverty programme to bring some comfort, joy and nourishment to orphans and impoverished communities over the Christmas holidays. Our thanks to all donors and volunteers who contributed so generously to making these efforts a success. This issue also coincides with our annual celebration of Milad-an-Nabi. As part of this celebration, Jaamia Galant’s article on pg 7 reflects on the Cape’s long tradition of women’s mawlud jamats. We wish you all a blessed 2014.
“We should cast our votes for the best candidates and parties that will not only serve the interests of Muslims but of all the poor and marginalised citizens in our country.” The role of the `ulama should be to facilitate dialogue among Muslim representatives of various parties and to encourage the observance of proper adab al-ikhtilaf - in their debates and contestations about who to vote for. May Allah guide us to cast our votes for the best candidates and parties that will not only serve the interests of Muslims but of all the poor and marginalised citizens in our country.
40-42 Main Road, Claremont, 7708 • 021 683 8384 • www.cmrm.co.za
Chairperson’s Message Yusuf (Jowa) Abrahams
t on the many successful It is with deep gratitude that we reflec the past year. 2013 has programmes and activities at CMRM over year. The following five rding been a challenging and yet very rewa in key thrusts of all our rema still on Missi key dimensions of CMRM’s e; Interfaith Solidarity; activities: Jihad Against Poverty; Gender Justic e. Justic l Youth Empowerment and Environmenta our growing Jihad Against The many interventions we have made in have been possible without Poverty programme especially would not am Baderoon, Achmat Mari rs. the generous contributions of dono bers and volunteers mem d boar r othe and Peters, Jaamia Galant, ssly in these programmes. from this congregation have worked tirele positive impact CMRM the Over the past year, we have also seen our many Interfaith gh throu unity comm has had on the broader Imam Rashied for his Solidarity activities. We are thankful to role he is playing as vital the visionary leadership in this regard and ers Forum (WCRLF). Lead ious Relig Cape Chairperson of the Western and Environmental Justice Our Youth Empowerment, Gender Justice -Allah, through the able programmes are still in their infancy. Insha Osman we hope these hid Muja and leadership of Mariam Baderoon gain momentum in and grow will ort, supp programmes, with your 2014 and beyond. and maintain its vision One of the ways in which CMRM tries to build reflect on topics related and mission is to invite guest speakers to lists of guest speakers The to the key dimensions of our mission. ony to the range of testim s bear izan published in every issue of Al-M ful to all these speakers speakers we have had in 2013. We are grate for helping us to advance our mission. has been to improve the One of our serious challenges in 2013 ency of this institution. organizational and administrative effici rship, it is only with leade the de While the Board has tried to provi bers that CMRM mem its all and ion regat the support of this cong see the active will 2014 can truly flourish. Insha-Allah, we hope that ger. We look stron and r membership of CMRM grow even bigge es. ramm prog our on teers volun forward to work with more ed to have Imam Rashied Finally, this congregation is indeed bless rs; our heartfelt thanks leade ual and Imam Shaheed as our spirit t to this jamat and itmen comm and ation to them for their dedic nd the call of duty. Imam for availing themselves sometimes beyo ing stint in the U.S. on teach al Rashied will be departing for his annu departs again on 16 He . 2014 h Marc 6 on 15 January and will be back him a safe passage and March and returns on 1 May 2014. We wish delighted to inform also are well in his endeavours Insha- Allah. We 13 April - 1 May from h umra on going be you that Imam Shaheed will Shaheed, Imam ied and 2014. During the absence of both Imam Rash . Imam Shaykh Omar Masoud will be the officiating gratitude to my fellow Once again I wish to express my sincerest contributions to building Board members for their commitment and ur to be part of such a hono an and maintaining CMRM. It is really ion. regat cong erful wond a dedicated team and such erity in 2014 Insha prosp and e peac h, healt good all We wish you Allah.
Imam’s Message Imam Dr. A. Rashied Omar It is regrettable that in the past few weeks I have been called upon to respond to two recent opinions that seek to promote bigotry within our communities. The first is the view that it is haram (prohibited) to make du`ah (prayer) for a non-Muslim who has passed away. This view led to a prominent local Mufti declaring that Nelson Mandela, despite his struggle and commitment to social justice for all, is going to hell because he did not embrace Islam. The second is the view that it is haram (prohibited) for Muslims to wish their Christian neighbours a Merry Christmas. At the heart of both of these bigoted opinions is a fundamental misinterpretation of the Muslim perspective on those who do not share our faith commitment. A paradigmatic Qur’anic verse that should inform our interpretation of all other Qur’anic verses as well as prophetic traditions (ahadith) on those who do not share our faith commitment is verse 8 of Surah al-Mumtahina in which Allah, the Lord of Compassion, proclaims: “Allah does not prohibit you displaying kindness and justice to those who do not fight you for your faith nor drive you from your homes. For Allah loves those who are just and equitable” (Q60:8) It is erroneous to believe that the kindness (birr) and justice (qist) to be accorded to those who wish to live in peace and harmony with Muslims excludes wishing them well in this life as well as in the hereafter. On the contrary, the Qur’an (4:86) exhorts us to respond to the courteous greetings of others with even more courteous greetings. Moreover, there are a number of authentic prophetic traditions (ahadith) that inform us that the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) not only extended courteous greetings to non-Muslims but accepted gifts from them and reciprocated. In fact two Qur’anic verses (Q2:62 and Q5:69) dramatically claim that people of other faiths will achieve salvation in the hereafter. According to the Asab al-Nuzul of al-Wahidi (d.1065) when the Prophet (pbuh) casually affirmed Salman al-Farisi’s question if righteous Christians will be tormented in hellfire for their choice of faith, the Qur’an taught the Prophet (pbuh) and the Muslim community differently. To the contrary the Qur’an proclaims: “Those who believe (in Islam) as well as those who are Jewish, Christian or Sabean – anyone who believes in God and the Last Day, and do what is morally right, shall have a reward with their Lord. They shall have nothing to fear, nor shall they have any regrets” (Q2:62) Muslims who affirm the full dignity of all human beings irrespective of their religious affiliation (Q17:70) and who seek to live with their neigbours with kindness and justice must become more vocal in their rejection of bigoted worldviews from obscurantist Mufti’s and sectarianists within our community.
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Lessons in Prophetic Leadership Ameen Amod At this time of Milad an-Nabi and in light of our recent reflections on the inspirational life of Nelson Mandela, I would like toexplore some aspects of the Prophetic model of leadership, to help us understand and apply principles in our own domains of leadership, be it personal, social, political or economic. Whilst my list is by no means exhaustive, in each of the following five points, there are lessons for all of us in the way the Prophet (pbuh) conducted himself as leader of the Muslim ummah. We all have positions of leadership and responsibilities in our lives, and my prayer is that some of these traits begin to form our character. The Qur’an describes the character and leadership quality of the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) as follows:
You have in the Messenger of Allah a beautiful pattern (of conduct) for any one whose hope is in Allah and the Final Day, and who engages much in the Remembrance of Allah. (Q33:21) From the various Qur’anic verses, and writings of numerous scholars, one can summarise the pertinent aspects of the Prophet’s (pbuh) leadership qualities as follows: 1. Ethical Leadership – The Prophet (pbuh) demonstrated the highest qualities of ethics, even before he became a Messenger of Allah. He was known as Al-Sadiq and Al-AmIn- the truthful and trustworthy. The Qur’an declares: And you (Muhammad) have an exalted character. (Q: 68:4) This aspect is a challenge for all of us in different dimensions of our lives, be it within our family or social circles, political or economic involvement, etc. 2. Transformative Leadership – The Prophet (pbuh) worked to transform individuals and society. His goal was not merely to achieve hollow victories, with no sustainability. Transformed individuals have a lasting influence on the viability of the revolution. The Qur’an re-iterates the concept and mentions: Verily never will Allah change the condition of a people until they change it themselves (with their own souls) (Q13:11) 3. Leading by example – He was a leader that performed his share of the work. During the Battle of the Trench, each Companion was allocated a portion of the trench to dig up. The Prophet (pbuh) was not a passive onlooker, but modelled his actions on the Qur’anic verse: O believers! Why do you say things and then you do not do them? (Q61:2) 4. Mutual Consultation – Although the Prophet (pbuh) was divinely guided, he constantly consulted his Companions, and even acceded to their views above his. The Qur’an implores: (The true believers are) those who conduct their affairs by mutual consultation (Q42:38) 5. Merciful and Forgiving – At the conquest of Makkah, the Prophet (pbuh) could have taken revenge or placed the persons guilty of gross human rights violations on trial. His attitude was to forgive, where he quoted the Qur’anic verse that exemplifies the words of Yusuf (pbuh) to his brothers: He said: “This day let no reproach be (cast) on you: Allah will forgive you, and He is the Most Merciful of those who show mercy!” (Q12:92)
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JIHAD AGAINST POVER Christmas Solidarity For the second year in succession CMRM embarked on a Christmas solidarity campaign as part of our Jihad Against Poverty programme. We received food hampers for distribution from Islamia Cares Foundation, Saabri Ashrafi Relief Fund and youth from the Janjira Habsani Society, established in 1916. Our Christmas solidarity campaign kicked off in Dunoon on Saturday 21 December 2013, where we distributed 200 food hampers. The distribution was co-ordinated by Imam Nurul Iman Mustafa from the Naqshbandi Muhammadi masjid in Dunoon and was preceded by a brief programme inside the masjid. Advisor to Dunoon Councillor, Mr. Christopher Notombela addressed the local audience and Deputy Minister of Home Affairs, Ms. Fatima Chohan, commended CMRM’s Christmas Solidarity Initiative as upholding the great legacy of Nelson Mandela of building unity across racial and religious divides. On Sunday 22 December 2013, more than 30 CMRM congregants travelled to Robertson, where we distributed 300 food hampers and fed over 500 farmworkers a hot plate of food. The food was donated by Nakhlistan. We also distributed potatoes, onions, chicken packs, Ladies Toiletry Care packs and Baby Care packs to the families of 55 dismissed farmworkers. The distribution was accompanied by speeches from CSAAWU union organizers, a few farmworkers and Imam Rashied. This was our second visit to Sunshine Farm in Robertson and the response from farmworkers was overwhelming. On Tuesday 24 December 2013, Shariefa Wydeman and her family cooked food and fed 350 people in the Blikkiesdorp community. The meat and ingredients for this feeding programme were donated by Farhad Khan, a CMRM congregant, to mark the birth of his first child. Our Christmas solidarity programme culminated on Christmas day, Wednesday 25 December 2013, when more than 30 CMRM congregants again participated in the programme at Leeuwenkuil farm in Agter Paarl. We were accompanied by about 10 volunteers from the Trust for Community Outreach and Education (TCOE). We distributed 100 food hampers, 100 fresh chicken packs donated by County Fair, 300 loaves of bread donated by SASKO, and served 200 farmworkers and children a hot plate of food. In addition, we distributed 100 Ladies Toiletry Care packs, 25 Baby Care packs and 70 children’s party packs. The humility, gratitude and joy we witnessed was overwhelming. These salt of the earth people who live in abject conditions, showed us the meaning of ‘dankbaarheid’. Waheed Sookool led us in a beautiful prayer in Afrikaans in which he gave thanks for this special day of sharing and solidarity and expressed hope and faith in the Almighty to bring ease to the plight of farmworkers and to strengthen the capacity of all those struggling for social justice.
Dunoon
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OVERTY CHRISTMAS 2013 Robertson
Blikkiesdorp
Leeuwenkuil
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SATURDAY MORNING MADRASAH Madrasah Report Ridwan Wagiet
In this report we would like to focus on the many achievements of the CMRM Saturday Morning Madrasah [CMRM-SMM] since its inception in 1992. Our 2013 graduation day was opened with a recitation from the Glorious Qur’an by Shifaa Hendricks who is one of the first cohort of students that benefitted from the new modular Quran Reader books designed and formulated by Fahmi Gamieldien and Mymona Galant. These modules are an extension and an upgrade of the widely used but un-authored Yasarnal Quran Reader. The keynote speaker at the 2013 graduation was Mr Jeff Jawitz a parent of two madrasah students for sixteen years. In his emotional address which he termed as his last Saturday at the madrasah, having dropped off and fetched his children religiously every madrasah Saturday, spanning more than one and a half decades, he praised and thanked the madrasah for providing Islamic Education not only to his children but for all other children and to adults who were interested in a madrasah teaching career. He offered some serious advice to parents to become involved and to take an interest in their children’s madrasah, rather than to just drop the children off on a Saturday morning. He spoke to a captivated audience who realised that every word came from the heart. Jeff is also a newly elected member of the Board of governors of the Claremont Main Road Mosque. The CMRM-SMM has a very successful adult class which was introduced five years ago and was run parallel with our teacher development programme. The initial focus was to provide training for parents who needed to assist their children with madrasah homework. The adult classes are attended by adults with very diverse backgrounds from reverts to parents who were exposed to a different madrasah education system. To this end we find that we have multigenerations attending our classes which include adult classes offered by the mosque as well.
The CMRM-SMM chief facilitator of these classes is Teacher Fajwa Abrahams. Our Principal is Shafiek Abrahams. Both are professional educators.
Finally, because the education component is spearheaded by professional educators our teacher development programme became a ground breaking success. The first adult class for parents produced four teachers of which two are currently still teaching at the madrasah. All junior phase teachers are now fully trained to teach students according to the Yasarnal Modular method using our Qur’an Readers. This method is guaranteed to prepare students to read the Glorious Qur’an with the necessary Tajwid Rules.
The madrasah now also provides a training ground for student-teachers from other Islamic educational institutions.
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The Tradition of Women’s Mawlud Wardha Gadhraa jamat have had their annual women’s mawlud at Stegmann Road masjid in Claremont and is led by H. Asa Abrahams (better known as Aunty A), Hatta’s sister. Most of the current jamat members are family and friends who once hailed from Claremont.
Jaamia Galant The tradition of women’s mawlud jamats is a distinctive feature of Cape Muslim cultural practice. While this practice is less vibrant now than it was in the past, it remains an event that women, especially elders, look forward to annually. The earliest women’s mawlud jamat in the Cape can be traced back to the Al-Fadeelatul Mawlud jamat led by H. Mariam Dramat, better known as H. Mariam Bassier in the 1920’s. Mariam Bassier’s father was Imam Abdul Bassier of the Boorhaanol Islam Masjid, in Longmarket Street, Bo-Kaap. Mariam was only 15 years old when she first led the ladies mawlud jamat. She was taught the format of the mawlud and recitation of riwayats by a woman visitor from Makkah in the 1920s. Riwayats are narrations from the life of the Prophet (pbuh) that are written in poetic style and are thus recited in a particular way to bring out the rhythm of the poetry. While the men recite the more familiar Barzanji mawlud, it is the tradition of the women’s mawlud to recite the Sharaf alanam mawlud. Riwayats in both mawluds narrate stories about the Prophet’s (pbuh) birth, geneology and early life. The first members of the women’s AlFadeelatul Mawlud jamat in the 1920s were the family and friends of H. Mariam Bassier, and their annual mawlud was held at Boorhaanol Masjid in the BoKaap. Women from outside Bo-Kaap also started attending this annual event and it was much later that women’s jamats in other areas started up, led mostly by women who were taught and inspired by the mawlud of H. Mariam Bassier. In addition to gathering women together for an annual mawlud, H. Mariam Bassier
also used to gather women in Bo-Kaap for regular Thursday evening dhikrs or ratibul haddads as well as an annual ‘shawwal werk’. The latter is a unique dhikr in honour of Sayyidatina Khadeeja, made only by this jamat that was also taught to H. Mariam by a woman visitor from Makkah. These gatherings were a way of getting women to at least recite dhikrs if they could not recite the qur’an. Today the Al-Fadeelatul Mawlud jamat is led by the granddaughter of H. Mariam Bassier.
“The women’s mawlud is an empowering space for women, and we should think about innovative ways of encouraging young girls to participate in these events to keep the tradition alive.” Women’s mawlud jamats also have a long history amongst Claremont, Wynberg, Strand and Worcester communities. In Claremont, H. Zuleiga Galant (better known as Hatta) started to teach the women and teenage girls in the community and they had their first mawlud in the 1940s at Talfallah School in Draper Street. But with the turmoil of the Group Areas Act the jamat dissipated, and it was only in the 1970s that the jamat was reconstituted. By then most of the former Claremont residents lived in Landsdowne and Grassy Park. The Claremont jamat are known as the Wardha Gadhraa Jamat. This translates to ‘Green Roses’, which was the name of the first men’s mawlud jamat in Claremont. Since the 1980s the
Some of the longstanding traditions of the women’s mawlud is that all the jamat members wear the same colour dresses and scarves, riwayats are recited individually and includes many young girls, and in between riwayats dhikrs are recited in which everyone participates. For many women, being able to participate in the mawlud was the motivation for them to learn to read the qur’an and recite Arabic, so that they could also recite riwayats. Prior to the mawlud, women make rampies at home or at the masjid – these are scented lemon leaves cut up and put into sachets. These are given as gifts to guests during the salawat together with rose water. Traditionally these are distributed by young girls who are present. The mawlud usually culminates in the ashrakal, which are salutations on the Prophet (pbuh) recited in different melodious tunes (laagoe). For the women who are part of these mawlud jamats, mawlud is a social occasion that they look forward to annually. It is a space for women only and hence an opportunity for women to lead the dhikrs and read the riwayats and ashrakal. More than that, the mawlud practice meetings leading up to the day of mawlud are also social occasions – done over tea and cake for many Saturday afternoons before the mawlud. Logistics are discussed, the format of the mawlud and lots of practice. A big part of the ‘logistics’ is always what food will be served and what will be included in the mawlud barakat. The commitment of jamat members is demonstrated not only by their attendance at meetings but also their annual subscriptions that are used to fund the costs of the annual mawlud. It would be a deep loss to our community if the cultural practice of annual women’s mawluds dies out. The women’s mawlud is an empowering space for women, and we should think about innovative ways of encouraging young girls to participate in these events to keep the tradition alive.
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INTERFAITH MASJID ACTIVITIES Visits to the Masjid
On Wednesday 13 November 2013 the Grade 3’s from Micklefield School visited CMRM. The girls learnt about the history, features and role of the mosque as well as the Five Pillars of Islam. The focus of the lesson was Wudhu (ritual ablution) and Salah (ritual prayer) and the participatory practical demonstration was a lot of fun. On Sunday 1 December 2013 the children and parents from the Ananda Kutir Ashram visited CMRM to learn more about Islam, the ritual prayers, and to get a closer look at the Qur’an. These visits form part of our endeavours to forge interfaith solidarity by welcoming visitors from different faith communities to the mosque.
Interfaith Service for Mandela Road Safety
On Thursday 15 November 2013 members of the Western Cape Religious Leaders Forum (WCRLF) gathered at Zinatul Islam masjid in Zonnebloem to pledge their allegiance to the Western Cape Department of Transport and Public Works’s Safely Home campaign. Religious leaders signed a road safety pledge and committed to spreading the message of road safety to their respective congregations.
On Friday 11 December 2013 Imam Rashied Omar and Shaykh Ebrahim Gabriels opened the Interfaith Prayer Service for Nelson Mandela hosted by the City of Cape Town at the Grand Parade. Imam Rashied recited verses 155-157 from Chapter 2 (Surah al-Baqarah) of the Glorius Qur’an. This is the translation of the verses he recited: “(God) shall test you with a little fear and hunger, loss of property, lives, and crops. Give glad tidings to those who when they are afflicted with a calamity patiently persevere and cry out (in prayer): We have come from God and to God we shall return Such are those upon whom God’s Grace and Mercy Descend, They are the rightly guided.” (Q2:155-157)
Reconciliation Day Pilgrimage
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On Monday 16 December 2013, a day after Tata Madiba was buried, Cape Town’s Interfaith community dedicated its 8th Annual Interfaith Reconciliation Pilgrimage to honour his memory. The event commenced from the Labyrinth at St. George’s Cathedral with an address by Shaykh Ighsaan Taliep of the MJC as well as Mayor Patricia De Lille. It proceeded to the Garden’s Schul where Lynette Maart of Black Sash addressed the group. The walk ended at the Awwal Mosque in Bo-Kaap with an address by Melanie Judge. The programme concluded with a Reconciliation Walk along Cape Town’s fan walk led by the mayor, Quinton Fortune (Manchester United) and Imam Rashied Omar.
EMASITHANDANE PICNIC A Fun Day in the Park On Saturday 30 November 2013 CMRM brought Christmas cheer for the fourth consecutive year to the children and caregivers of the Emasithandane Children’s home. This annual event forms part of our ongoing Jihad Against Poverty Campaign. It was a wonderful, albeit windy day on the fields of the Western Province Cricket Club. The day started with 7-a-side soccer in which girls and boys participated. The toddlers entertained themselves on Kiddies Rides and jumping castles, and a magician was on hand to entertain everybody. Burgers were served for lunch and cupcakes for dessert. The highlight of the day was no doubt the handing out of the brightly wrapped gifts by ‘Father Christmas’. Once again, our sincere gratitude to all those who so generously contributed to making this joyous day a success – those who bought gifts, those who donated money, food and drinks and those who gave of their time to spend an afternoon entertaining orphaned children.
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MASJID AFFAIRS Guest Speakers
Blood Donation
Shaykh Abdul Jalil Nawee
We ran our first successful Blood Donation Clinic on Friday 20 December 2013 with the assistance of the WP Blood Transfusion Service. We thank everyone who took the time to do something remarkable and give this precious, priceless gift. We look forward to hosting many more blood donation drives in the future Insha-Allah.
Idara Jaferia Islamic Centre, Maryland, USA
Khadeeja Bassier
Janazah Course
Imam Rashied ran a very successful fiqh al janazah course at the Daroel Ielm madrasa in Salt River from 21 October to 9 December 2013 with two guest lecturers. The Rev. Peter Fox, former spiritual counselor at St. Lukes Hospice in Kenilworth, gave an informative lecture on counseling the terminally ill and the bereaved and Boeta Fareed Khan, undertaker of the Arme Muslim Burial Society in Wynberg provided practical demonstrations of the washing (ghus al-mayyit) and shrouding (kafan al-mayyit) of the deceased. The large student attendance and lively questions is a clear indication that this is a course that needs to be repeated from time to time.
Roshieda We [women] don’t always make salatul janazah. Now we have the understanding of how to perform it.
Investec Asset Management and a member of the CMRM Board
Faghmieda Miller
HIV and AIDS Programme, University of the Western Cape (UWC).
Lynette Maart
Black Sash Trust
Yasir Ahmed Latiefa The lectures were very interesting especially the practical classes on the washing (ghusl) and shrouding (kafan) of the mayet. Western Cape Department of Transport and Public Works
Zuleiga Our family started their own ‘Burial Society’ and this course has made me realize how unnecessary the food part is. This has now been changed in our Constitution.
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Nazeem Counselling the bereaved and caring for the ill should be explored more, with the hope that more of us can be trained in this field.
Tribute | Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela
(18 July 1918 – 5 December 2013) to the apartheid state. We are thankful that Mandela often chose the middle way of compromise over political brinkmanship. We are thankful that Mandela always advocated policies which were driven by the ‘greater good’ rather than selfish interests. We are thankful that Mandela chose to be inclusive rather than parochial. We are thankful that he was around to oversee the transition and emergence of the democratic South Africa.
Editorial Team In paying tribute to Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela it would be easy to confer a messianic status on the personality we lovingly called Tata Madiba. Madiba is the embodiment of the South African heroes and heroines who sacrificed their personal lives so that we may be free. In this tribute, we pay homage and give thanks for an inspirational life that epitomized the concept of ‘Ubuntu’, of living your life through others. We are thankful that Nelson Mandela had the love and compassion to emerge from 27 years of incarceration without an iota of bitterness to lead South Africa onto the democratic pathway. We are thankful that his Humanity averted a catastrophic end
The Day Mandela Died Yumna Martin 27 April 1994, I was ten years old, seated next to my childhood friend. We both anxiously peeked out the car window waiting for her father to return from casting his vote. He was too scared to take us inside with him, everyone was still very unsure of what this day of freedom would bring. We didn’t understand the immensity of the day, but we could feel the electricity that filled our home, neighbourhood and community. 19 years later, and I cannot count the numerous opportunities I have been afforded. Possibilities my parents never even dared to dream of – simple things, like studying at a university, travelling abroad, being able to sit in the same restaurant as a white person… There are many people responsible for
There are many great qualities and words of wisdom that will abide with us but one quotation that adorns the conclusion of his autobiography Long Walk to Freedom and that should live with us forever is the following: “I have walked that long road to freedom. I have tried not to falter; I have made missteps along the way. But I have discovered the secret that after climbing a great hill, one only finds that there are many more hills to climb. I have taken a moment here to rest, to steal a view of the glorious vista that surrounds me, to look back on the distance I have come. But I can rest only for a moment, for with freedom comes responsibilities, and I dare not linger, for my long walk is not yet ended.”
my freedom, but of course there are names that will always ring when we look back to the liberation of South Africa – Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela is one – the man who symbolised the ushering of South Africa into a peaceful democratic state. We revered Madiba, and always will, the
man who gracefully held his power. With all the tributes rushing in, I will mostly value my mother’s words this morning. She reminded me of the day Madiba was released from prison. She was driving us home from school, tears pouring down
The greatest honour we can bestow on the memory of Madiba is to embrace this call of responsibility that comes with our freedom. This is a responsibility that should not only fall on our current leadership, but on all of us as conscientious citizens, to continue the struggle for social justice.
“We give thanks for an inspirational life that epitomized the concept of ‘Ubuntu’ , of living your life through others.” Nelson Mandela was born into a time where his humanity and humanness, discipline and diligence, love and compassion and spirit of sacrifice, enabled him to endure tremendous personal pain and suffering and ultimately leave a lasting legacy and an indelible mark on the pages of history. CMRM expresses its gratitude for the remarkable contribution of Nelson Mandela to the struggles of the oppressed and exploited masses of South Africa for a life of dignity and equality. May his soul rest in peace and his Spirit continue to inspire. Hamba Kahle Mandela!
Neslon
Rolihlahla
her face, when she says I clung to her and asked, ‘Why are you crying Mommy?’ And she said, ‘Because now Madiba can see the sky without any bars.’ There is not doubt that his passing leaves a gaping hole, but I know that this hole will leave space for us to form a new understanding of who we are. The notion of a ‘rainbow nation’ was needed in 1994, but as the years of democracy have worn on, that notion has faded, and the nuances of being one of the youngest democracies in the world shines through. With Madiba’s passing it is the final closing of a chapter in the South African liberation history, and the start of a new understanding and healing in our country. As a friend so poignantly put it, ‘the question is no longer when will we have freedom, the questions is, what is freedom?’
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Long Walk to Freedom Comes to an End example that makes him, in this cynical age, the only living global hero. His life, in many ways, symbolized most of what is exemplary in great human beings, he stirred our conscience in pursuit of dignity and human rights; he embodied a unique mixture of humility, clemency and integrity. He more than most exemplified dignity, love and selflessness. It is hoped that he continues to serve as an inspiration for a new generation to mobilise against injustice and inequality.
Shaykh Sa’dullah Khan On Thursday 5 December 2013, South Africans came to the grim realization that Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela was no more. We are a South Africa now without Mandela, faced with the challenge of turning the absence of his towering personality into the presence of his noble example. The fact that we all have to face the inevitable reality of death does not diminish the profound sense of loss we feel at his passing. He, more than anyone, came to embody our sense of common nationhood. In the liberation struggle, the name Mandela evoked memories of a protester, political activist; among the greatest sons of the soil of Africa, liberation hero, internationally inspirational, universally admired. Thus, a nation mourns, a continent bids proud farewell and the world salutes Madiba.
“Mandela was a man of courage and integrity, a genuinely good human being, someone of whom we can truly say, he lived for a cause greater than himself.” While the legend may have moved on, Mandela’s spirit remains with us. His legacy will forever live in our hearts, minds and soul. We take solace from the fact that his was a life lived in the service of his fellow beings. His concern for the welfare of children, his desire to unite people through sport, his focus on environmental awareness, and his general concern for the totality of the human condition are all championing of the primary essence of our humanity. Mandela was a man of courage and integrity, a genuinely good
human being, someone of whom we can truly say, he lived for a cause greater than himself. There is an Arabic saying that “he who lives for himself, lives a small life, dies a small death and is soon forgotten, but he who lives a selfless life, lives a great life, dies a great death and is lovingly remembered.” Mandela lead our country from a divided black and white nation to a united rainbow nation; from racist apartheid to ubuntu (acknowledging our common humanity); he lived a life that cannot be ignored and left a legacy that can never be forgotten. He leaves a proud legacy of striving for freedom and human rights, a legacy of tolerance and reconciliation. He has left us many life lessons to draw inspiration from: “What counts in life is not the mere fact that we have lived. It is what difference we have made to the lives of others that will determine the significance of the life we lead.” While his words were indeed memorable, much of his most memorable expressions were revealed through wordless gestures, warm embraces, loving smiles, spontaneous dance and raised fist. His indomitable spirit sustained him through years of incarceration, his magnanimity allowed him to forgive his jailers, his life story is a beacon of hope for those whose situation may seem forlorn. He was the global trendsetter for redemption and grace. He was the personification of wisdom in the presence of comrades and adversaries, the embodiment of courage in the face of adversity; one who had the uncanny ability of defeating his foes without dishonouring them. It was perchance the fact that he led by humble
‘Id Milad-un-Nabi Mubarak May you have a blessed and joyous Mawlud
As world leaders leave the largest officially represented funeral in history, the African sun sets over the little village of Qunu where one of the greatest sons of Africa was born and now lies buried; and we reflect on the words of the universal poet Rumi as parting memory of Madiba: “Cry not at our departure, rather smile and remember the fond memories we shared. Search not for our tomb in the graveyards of the world; rather search for us in the hearts of the people we have touched.”
“He leaves a proud legacy of striving for freedom and human rights, a legacy of tolerance and reconciliation.” We bid farewell to the hero of our nation, pride of the continent and an icon to the world. His parting leaves a distinct void in the collective psyche of our people and indeed a deep sense of emptiness. As his remains are laid to rest, a part of us lies buried with him and much of him lives on in us. As a long walk to freedom comes to an end, the struggle for justice and peace continues. Hamba kahle/farewell, Madiba!
NEXT ISSUE MAY 2014 MI’RAJ