Muslim Views, April 2014

MAHMOOD SANGLAY

THE solution to gang violence lies in change inmindset. Local

communities should stop expecting the government tosolve the problem. The solutionlies in the hands of local communities.

Imam Abdul Rashied Omarspoke on the gang violence inManenberg in his Friday sermon,on March 14, at Claremont MainRoad Mosque.

We need a paradigm shift awayfrom a reliance on the state to asocial activism driven by civilsociety organisations to buildsafer communities, he said.

He announced an initiativecalled the Safe Manenberg Cam-paign, which is an interfaithforum of local religious leaders topromote peace, safety and securi-ty.

As chairperson of the WesternCape Religious Leaders Forum(WCRLF), he addressed thevolatile environment of the 16 000 learners enrolled atManenberg’s 18 public schools.

In February this year, at leastfour schools in Manenbergreported attendance of less than50 per cent due to gang violence.

He accused the local andnational government of failing tocurb gang violence. ‘Politicians ofall stripes have forsaken theirlegal duty and moral responsibili-ty to protect the children ofManenberg by cynical politicaljostling.

‘In the coming weeks, regret-tably, the safety of the people ofManenberg will be reduced to apolitical football as political par-ties scramble to get votes,’ hesaid.

Imam Omar shared his diagno-sis of the problem with the con-gregation as a means of ‘re-ener-gising a much needed discussion’to combat gang violence.

He said that Manenberg repre-sents a ‘microcosm of the margin-alisation and exclusion of people’and that the ‘root causes of gangviolence lie firmly in the apartheidpolicy of forced removals’ due tothe Group Areas Act.

‘It was built to accommodate35 000 residents but, currently,has a population in excess of 70 000 inhabitants.

It has the most triple-storeymaisonettes on the Cape Flats,and an unemployment rate ofover 60 per cent,’ said ImamOmar.

He referred to Quranicadmonishments relating to thesanctity of human life in 5:32,and added that the conscientiousMuslim respects human life anddoes not remain silent in the ‘faceof wanton loss of human life’.

On a positive note, the khut-bah ended with the narrative ofthe lives of two inspiring individ-uals from Manenberg, CraigSampson and Ivy Booysen.

Sampson lived with his motherin a Wendy house. With the sup-port of teachers and a sponsor, hematriculated, studied commerceat UWC and, in 2013, qualifiedas a chartered accountant.

Ivy is a reformed gang memberwith a history of verbal, physicaland psychological abuse.

Imam Omar related, ‘At theage of thirteen, she stabbed herstepfather with a knife, and hermother threw her out of thehouse.’

The only refuge for her in thestreets was the gangs. However,even as a gang member she neverabandoned school.

She matriculated and wasawarded a scholarship to studyanimation at a local college. Sheis still studying and is determinedto succeed as an animation spe-cialist, and to give back to hercommunity.

Imam Omar asked the congre-gation to remember victims ofgang violence, like nine-year-oldSadiq Stemmet, and to join themosque in providing support forthem.

Sadiq was shot in the back inthe crossfire during a gang fightin December, 2013, and is nowwheelchair-bound.

After the Friday sermon andprayers were concluded, ImamOmar invited the congregation toremain for a discussion led bytwo speakers.

The first was Father DonovanMeyer of the Church of Reconcil-iation, in Manenberg, who saidthe role of the church is to restorethe damage done to the spirituali-ty of people.

The second speaker, RukshanaPascoe, is a Manenberg residentwho is also the provincial co-ordi-nator of the Right2Know Cam-paign.

She sounded a note of hope byreporting that she had organised amarch for peace by children,which has had some effect, eventemporarily, to bring calm to theviolence-ridden area.

She intends to continue thiskind of campaigning to make adifference in Manenberg.

Vol. 28 No. 4 JAMAD-UL-AKHIR 1435 l APRIL 2014

Sanzaf hosts international zakaah conferenceAS part of its 40th anniversary programme, the South African National Zakah Fund (Sanzaf) willbe hosting a major conference that will potentially be the largest gathering of Muslim organisations working in the field of zakaah. The conference will be held from May 17 to 19.

See page 7 for details

Community activism is answerto gangsterism says WCRLF

Rukshana Pascoe spoke after the Friday prayers at Claremont MainRoad Mosque, on March 14. She saidthat children have shown that theycan march to register protest againstgang violence more effectively thanadults.

Photo MAHMOOD SANGLAY

MAHMOOD SANGLAY

THE 16-year-long disputebetween Radio 786 andthe South African Jewish

Board of Deputies (Sajbod) hasfinally been settled.

The Islamic Unity Convention(IUC) that currently controlsRadio 786 reached an agreementwith Sajbod on March 31.

Sajbod agreed to withdrawthe complaint lodged in 1998following the broadcast of whatcould be viewed as ‘nonsensicaland anti-Semitic’ statementsmade by Dr Yakub Zaki in aRadio 786 interview.

In a joint statement, the IUCconceded that the broadcast‘may have caused offence anddistress to members of the SouthAfrican Jewish community’. Saj-bod, in turn, conceded thatRadio 786 did not intend tocause any offence or distress.

Both the IUC and Sajbodclaim that the agreement hasvindicated their positions. Saj-bod states that the legal battlecould have been avoided hadRadio 786 conceded 16 yearsago that Dr Zaki’s views couldbe seen as offensive and a causefor distress. Ali Chiktay, secre-tary of the IUC, speaking onbehalf of the group in control ofRadio 786 says this response ofSajbod is ‘disingenuous to saythe least’ because the IUC hadmade this acknowledgement atthe inception of the dispute andextended an invitation to Sajbod

to respond to Dr Zaki’s com-ments on air, which theydeclined.

He also said that the agree-ment ensures that the Sajbodcomplaint is withdrawn and thatother pending complaints priorto 2009 are set aside. Accordingto Chicktay, the agreement alsoaverted a possible second Con-stitutional Court applicationwith the same outcome as thefirst in 2007.

The original application effec-tively compelled the IndependentCommunications Authority ofSouth Africa (Icasa) to hear acomplaint they had already dis-missed. The agreement, accord-ing to Chicktay, effectively savedRadio 786 and the IUC millionsof rands.

However, the historic settle-ment reached between Radio786 and Sajbod came underthreat by the split between thetwo groups calling themselvesthe legitimate representatives ofthe IUC, the licence-holder ofRadio 786. Attorneys acting forImam Achmad Cassiem,Mogammad de Vries, FaldielaMartin, Idris Surve and NizaamToefy say the agreement contra-venes the resolution of the Gen-eral Convention of the IUCtaken in 1998 and 2006.

Chicktay disagrees and saysthat the resolution in questionaffirms a principled position todefend freedom of expression.

Radio 786-Sajbodreach settlement

CONTINUED ON PAGE 4 CONTINUED ON PAGE 4

Muslim Views

Muslim Views . April 20142

Muslim Views . April 2014 3

Muslim Views

AS political parties and politicians enter the final, frantic vote-catching days before the2014 South African general elections on May 7, there is muchthat is the same as during the last general elections in 2009, and alot more that is different aboutthe present political landscape.Similar to 2009, the vast majority ofthe South African electorate, namelythe poorest sections of our populace, will again hoist theAfrican National Congress (ANC) topower on the expectation of promises of a better life being fulfilled.This is not trivial nor is it to be chauvinistically dismissed in language that is patently racist andpaternalistic.What this voting bloc should be signalling to the ruling ANC is thatthey have a massive obligation todeliver on the 1994 promises of a‘better life for all’.As we have seen around the country over many years now, citizens are more bold in taking tothe streets to demand what ought tobe normal, daily, availableresources needed to live in somemeasure of dignity.When informal settlements (a majorblight on the South African ‘goodstory to tell’ canvas) near despicablyrich ore-producing mines cannoteven get clean water to drink, thecontradictions in our society are alltoo stark.Labelling these protests as ‘service-delivery’ protests masks the actual

issues.At the heart of these protests is acalculated citizen-making and citizenship-claiming moment, albeitas yet not organically linked in thevarious places around South Africawhere protests are now a commonplace occurrence.What is different about the politicallandscape in 2014 is that the Tripartite Alliance (an alliancebetween the ruling ANC, the trade-union movement and the SouthAfrican Communist Party) has beendecisively challenged on variousfronts.The most visible, in terms of theirred berets, are the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) under theleadership of a dauntingly charismatic Julius Malema.Banished from the ANC, his ANCYouth League disbanded by theANC elders, Malema has added astrident, often surprisingly coherentanalytical voice, to what was a staid‘liberation movement party’ vote versus a ‘neo-liberal, capitalist’ vote,represented by the DemocraticAlliance (DA).The EFF has resonated amongstSouth Africa’s alienated Blackyouth, who desire exactly what mostof us desire: a decent school education, a chance at tertiarystudy, the chance to compete equally in the job-market, and anoverall desire to continually improvetheir economic, social, political andother horizons. Malema and his red-bereted EFF speak powerfully tothis disenchanted group of SouthAfricans, and their voice will surelygrow stronger by the time the 2019general elections come around.More profound, perhaps, since2009, we have had unprecedentedlabour power being asserted onfarms, by transport workers and,most significantly, on the mines.Marikana’s killings in August 2012accelerated the undermining of theonce-dominant National Union ofMineworkers (NUM).The promise of a true socialist formation come 2019 is in the making. The gnawing hunger of theoppressed will drive this new movement.

Our editorial comment represents the composite viewpoint of the Editorial Team of Muslim Views,and is the institutional voice of the newspaper. Correspondence can be sent to [email protected]

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MAHMOOD SANGLAY

THE Order of Luthuli:Gold will be posthumously

awarded to Imam AbdullahHaron on April 27. Thiswas announced last monthin an official communiqué tothe family of Imam Haronfrom the Chancellor ofOrders, Dr Cassius Lubisi,in the Office of the President.

The award of a nationalorder is the highest form ofrecognition that a countrybestows on deserving citi-zens. The President, as theGrand Patron of nationalorders, awards them to recip-ients on behalf of all SouthAfricans.

The award tothe Imam isunprecedented asit is the first timethat the nationalgovernment isrecognising himas a ‘legendaryliberation struggleleader’ sharing thevision and mis-sion of ChiefAlbert Luthuliwho was the firstAfrican recipientof the NobelPeace Prize, in1961.

The award fol-lows a decisionthree years ago bythe Imam Abdul-lah Haron Educa-tion Trust (IAHET) to cam-paign for the highest nationalrecognition with a view topreserving and building hislegacy.

Imam Haron was born onFebruary 8, 1924 in Clare-mont, the youngest in a fam-ily of five, and he was still aninfant when Asa Martin, hismother died. He marriedGaliema Sadan on March 15,1950. He completed Grade 6at Talfalah Primary Schooland thereafter pursued Islam-ic studies under ShaikhAbdurahman al-Alawi al-Maliki in Makkah, and inCape Town under ShaikhAbdullah Taha Gamieldienand Shaikh Ismail Ganief.

In 1955 he was officiallyappointed Imam of Al-JamiaMosque in Stegman Road,Claremont. Along with aclose circle of friends heestablished the progressiveClaremont Muslim YouthAssociation (CMYA) in1958.

In December 1960 he wasappointed founding editor of

Muslim News.Imam Haron channelled

his message of social justicevia Friday sermons and pub-lic lectures during the late1950s and 1960s. It was alsoin these sermons and lecturesthat he hit out at the regime’sapartheid policies.

The Imam was detained bythe apartheid regime’s Securi-ty Branch on the morning ofMay 28, 1969. He was heldincommunicado for over fourmonths (123 days). On Sep-tember 27, 1969 the Imamsuccumbed to injuries sus-tained as a result of torture.The Security Branch said thatImam Haron had died asresult of injuries following ‘afall down a flight of stairs’.

The Order ofLuthuli is award-ed to SouthAfricans whohave made ameaningful con-tribution to thestruggle ford e m o c r a c y ,human rights,nation building,justice and peace,and conflict reso-lution.

The Imam hasbeen nominatedfor and designat-ed to receive thehighest categoryof this order,namely Gold,which is forexceptional con-tributions to the

ideals of the order.The Bronze and Silver

Order awards are for out-standing and excellent contri-butions, respectively. Theformal process preceding theaward involves completing anomination form togetherwith a motivation detailingthe exceptional contributionsof the nominee.

The Chancery of Orders inthe Office of the Presidentinvites nominations frommembers of the public, non-governmental organisations,civic-based organisations andfaith-based organisations forindividuals deemed worthyrecipients of the range of sixorders in diverse areas ofhuman endeavour.

Imam Haron will beamong scores of outstandingSouth Africans who havereceived the Order ofLuthuli, including IsmailMeer, Ayesha Dawood,Kader Asmal, Albie Sachs,Ruth First, Dullah Omar,Amina Cachalia, Alfred Nzoand Matthew Goniwe.

Late ImamHaron to receiveOrder of Luthuli

Muslim Views


MAHMOOD SANGLAYTHE Al Jama-ah CommunityParty has been threatened withlegal action by the DA foralleged violations of election legislation, including the publication of false and defamatory allegations in anelection campaign pamphlet.

The DA has also threatened tosue Al Jama-ah for plagiarising itssymbols, colours and acronyms.

The offending pamphletdepicts the logo, colours andacronym of the DA superimposedwith the words ‘Don’t vote DA, Itis Gharaam’ and the new logo ofthe City of Cape Town superim-posed by the Star of David.

Counsel for the DA notified AlJama-ah to ‘remove and/ or desist

from distributing’ the pamphletsby March 31, failing which fur-ther action will be taken. Al-Jama-ah’s attorney, Zehir Omar,in response to the legal threat,agreed to comply with the DA’sdemands.

However, Al Jama-ah, in pro-ceeding with its criticism of theDA, states that Palestine hasbecome ‘an election issue’ anddemanded answers from the DAon a number of questions relatedto Palestine, Israel and electionfunding.

The questions include possiblefunding the DA received fromdonors who support Israel’s con-tinued occupation of Palestine.

In particular, Al-Jama-ah ques-tioned the DA on whether it hadreceived funding from Nathan

Kirsh, the South African billion-aire who is a director of Magal,the main supplier of electronicfences for the wall separatingIsraelis from Palestinians in theWest Bank.

This enquiry by Al Jama-ahcoincides with the call by a coali-tion of 60 South African civilsociety organisations to pressurisepolitical parties to disclose thesources of their funding.

The organisations include Cor-ruption Watch, Media Monitor-ing Africa, Opposition to UrbanTolling Alliance, Right2KnowCampaign, Rape Crisis, SAN-GONeT, Muslim Youth Move-ment, the Union of Muslim Stu-dents Association, ClaremontMain Road Mosque Congrega-tion, the Sex Worker Education

and Advocacy Taskforce, and theWestern Cape Religious LeadersForum.

The coalition says politicalparties and their private fundersare subject to the ‘corruptiveinfluence of money’ and that‘such funding shapes our politics’.

Hence, the forum demands, inthe interests of transparency andaccountability, that all politicalparties provide a ‘detailed break-down of all private donations’including individuals, trusts, cor-porations and foreign govern-ments by April 10.

The coalition intends hosting aworkshop on this theme, inJohannesburg, on April 14. Fur-ther information on this cam-paign may be obtained at [email protected]�or 083 299 7717. To Allah is our return: Zainab

Nakidien passed away suddenly aftera car accident on March 26, in CapeTown. She will be missed as a dedicated and loyal worker at MuslimViews but also as a deeply spiritualvolunteer for the Madinah Institute,where she was fondly known asAunty Zainab. She joined MuslimViews in the sales department in July,2012, and is considered a renownedambassador for the paper due to theearnest manner in which she engagedadvertisers and readers of the paper.In the first quarter of 2013, Zainabtook ill and was unable to work. However, her recovery enabled her toat least dedicate her time to her faithand voluntary work at the MadinahInstitute till her last day. As a discipleof Shaikh Muhammad bin Yahya al-Ninowy, she thrived in the spiritualmission and touched everyone withwhom she worked with her pleasantdisposition. The female students atthe institute saw her as a role modeland were impressed by her deep spirituality and devotion. The Madinah Institute announced that anauditorium at the institute will benamed in her honour. Zainab Nakidienis survived by four sisters, four brothers, three sons, a daughter andfive grandchildren.

Photo SALEEMAH JAFFER

DA confronted over party funding

A brisk discussion followedwith members of the congrega-tion and invited guests. Theseincluded Cassiem Christians,chairperson of the Nyanga Clus-ter Community Policing Forum,Waheed Sookool, project co-ordi-nator of the WCRLF, andJonathan Jansen, leader ofFusion, a community-based youthskills development organisation,in Manenberg.

Also present was Don Pinnock,a photographer and author oftwo books on gangsterism on theCape Flats, The Brotherhoods:street gangs in Cape Town andGangs, rituals and rites of pas-sage.

Pinnock located the scourge ofgangsterism in a social gender

analysis.For men or fathers, he says, the

notion of masculinity occurs in a‘demoralised’ space with highpoverty rates, rising expectationsand a globalised commodity cul-ture that exalts middle-classlifestyles.

However, they are forced toconfront a gross disconnectbetween the ideal and the real.

The ideal happens to be a‘relentless stream of hegemonicnotions of largely white, hetero-sexual masculinity staring at youfrom magazines and on bill-boards or beaming at you fromtelevision soapies or the movies’,says Pinnock.

For many, the attainment ofthat ideal through violence andwithin a gang is a socially accept-able vehicle.

According to Pinnock,women’s and mothers’ roles occur

through the cycle of genetic mal-nourishment. Poor diet and alco-hol intake contribute significantlyto the foetal, prenatal and postna-tal environments of stressedorganisms.

He says that research suggeststhat the very early biological andsociological conditions of chil-dren, and their relationships withtheir mothers, play a major rolein the health of developing chil-dren.

The antisocial, hostile andunhealthy environment of sub-urbs in the grip of gang activitygives rise to a ‘cascade of antiso-cial behaviour in the next genera-tion’, including the nurturing ofsocial aggression, says Pinnock.

Claremont Main RoadMosque is frequently a publicforum for engaging social issuesand a forum that is accessible towomen and non-Muslims.

He adds that the agreementwith Sajbod in no way detractedfrom this position or from theirresolve not to apologise for the1998 broadcast. The IUC groupled by Imam Achmad Cassiem inits legal correspondence to theother IUC group – a copy ofwhich was sent to Icasa – hascalled on the latter to ‘give effect’to the relevant resolution and notto ‘act in any unauthorized,unlawful and unconstitutionalmanner’. Icasa’s Complaints andCompliance Committee said inits response to the IUC led byImam Achmad Cassiem that itsdispute with the IUC group incontrol of Radio 786 is ‘not [a]matter that the Committee can beasked to deal with. Your organi-sation will have to deal with itsown internal affairs.’

GangsterismCONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1


Muslim Views

Muslim Views


Muslim Views


FARID SAYEDAS part of its 40th anniversaryprogramme, the South AfricanNational Zakah Fund (Sanzaf)will be hosting a major conference that will potentiallybe the largest gathering of Muslim organisations working inthe field of zakaah.

The Southern African ZakahConference will be held in CapeTown from May 17 to 19.

The conference, which willbring together delegates fromover 15 African countries, isbeing jointly hosted by Sanzaf,the Islamic Development Bank(IDB) and the Islamic Researchand Training Institute (IRTI).

An IDB expert facilitator will

lead the interactive programme,giving delegates an opportunity torelate their practical experiencesof zakaah collection, distributionand administration.

The conference is aimed atfinding viable solutions to thechallenges organisations face toestablish a robust zakaah fund intheir region.

GUESTSConfirmed guests include Pro-

fessor Mustafa Omar Muham-mad, International Islamic Uni-versity, Malaysia; Professor AliyuDahiru Muhammad, Bayero Uni-versity, Kano, Nigeria; ProfessorOsman Ahmed Hassen Khieri,Director, Strategic Research andStudies Centre, Sudan; and Saudi-

based IRTI and IDB representa-tives, Dr Mohammed Obaidullahand Dr Nasim Shah Shirazi.

The workshop-style conferencewill cover the following topics:

Identifying the poor and their•needs;Islamic approach to poverty•alleviation and empowerment;How to expand outreach;•How to distribute zakaah;•Credibility and governance of•Muslim NGOs; andMaster class: How to calculate•zakaah.The conference will be of par-

ticular relevance to existingorganisations looking to improvetheir efficiency and effectiveness,and to new and emerging organi-sations seeking to address issues

of poverty and community devel-opment utilising zakaah funds.

In trying to encourage as manyorganisations to participate inthis landmark conference, Sanzafhas managed to secure sponsor-ships to minimise the costs to par-ticipants. The packages range

from conference attendance only,to attendance and accommoda-tion.

For further details contact San-zaf’s head of Marketing, Commu-nications and Public Relations,Sakeena Bock, on 021 447 0297or email: [email protected]

Sanzaf hosts internationalzakaah conference tomark 40th anniversary

As the official NGO partner of the 2014 Sunshine D/ Polar Ice Cream 10KM BigWalk, Sanzaf participated in a series of outside broadcasts in the lead up to theevent. Mualima Yasmine Abdurazaaq (right) is seen here with children from thecommunity who visited the Sanzaf office in Athlone where the organisation hosted Radio 786 for a Big Walk entry drive. Photo SUPPLIED

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Muslim Views


NASEEMA MALLFIVE brave mothers conqueredMt Kilimanjaro in March, 2014,to raise awareness for the needfor better healthcare in theircountry.

Muslim Views spoke to the ini-tiator of the venture, Mrs Wahee-da Manji-Bharwani, a real estatedeveloper and mother of three.

‘The motivation to climb Kili-manjaro was to push ourselvesphysically in the health realmand, complementing the healthaspect of our climb, I formed anNGO in 2013 called Why PAUSE.

‘Our mission is about takinginitiatives in promoting healtheducation in Tanzania.

‘…The need for better preven-tative healthcare in Tanzania ishuge, and creating awareness fora need for better healthcare edu-cation in rural Tanzania is vitalbecause mortality rates are high,and giving a little information onhealth education goes a long wayin saving lives before it is too late.

‘Hence the climb for Kiliman-jaro also became an alliance with

two other NGOs called AfyaFoundation (which sends medicalsupplies to developing countriessuch as Tanzania) and Fame

(which is a health clinic located inrural Tanzania that, over theyears, has grown and now ser-vices 225 000 Tanzanians).

‘… The simple basic needs onetakes for granted in the developedworld such as hygiene, sanitation,pre-term delivery prevention care,benefits of a nutritional diet areaspects that Why PAUSE seeks toadvocate and raise awarenessabout.

‘Educating the locals in thesebasic fundamentals will empowerTanzanians, and promote aware-ness for a stepping stone that isbetter in healthcare and preventthe on-going struggles of bacterialinfections, spread of germs and,hopefully, even reduce deaths dueto infant mortality.

‘For every year of schooling amother receives, infant mortalitydeclines by 5 to 10%.’

The other four women, Nahi-da Esmail, Jamila Karim, Hamida

Lalji and and Suhaila Fazel areDar-es-Salaam-based profession-als and mothers.

‘Giving back to the country inmy own little way by trying tomake a change to empower Tan-zanians and, at the same time, torejuvenate myself by trying what Idid when I was a teenager! Noth-ing is impossible!’ exclaimed chil-dren’s author Nahida Esmail.Why Pause (a non-profit organisation) is calling you tojoin, pledge and/ or support ajoint mission that Afya Founda-tion (www.afyafoundation.org)and Fame (www.fameafrica.org)have been working on over thepast few years in getting medicalsupplies from North America,and sending them to the villagesof Tanzania. In addition, Famecontinues to assist the villages ofTanzania by setting up mobilemedical centres and empoweringlocal Tanzanians by educatingthem in medical schools. Pleasereach out to us with your contribution at [email protected] and/ orfind us on facebook.

Tanzanian mothers take on Kilimanjaro to raise awarenessRepresentatives of NGOs WhyPAUSE, Fame and Afya Foundationraised funds for health projects inTanzania by scaling Mt Kilimanjaro.From left: Hamidah Lalji, NahidaEsmail, Jamila Karim, Waheeda Bhar-wani and Suhaila Kermali.

Photo SUPPLIED

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Muslim Views


MAJDI RYKLIEF and ADNAAN BAZIER

THE Quran, our criterion, provides the perfect startingpoint to unpack the concept ofleadership.

‘It is He who made you (His)agents, inheritors of the earth; Heraised you in ranks, some aboveothers, that He may try you in thegifts He gave you, for your Lordis quick in punishment yet He isindeed Oft-forgiving, Most Mer-ciful.’ (Surah Al-An am: 165)

As vicegerents on earth, humanbeings have been blessed withextraordinary abilities and facul-ties which, through proper useand deployment, could achieveamazing outcomes.

The Quranic injunction indi-cates that humans are Allah’s rep-resentatives on Earth and, as Hehas provided us with various gifts(such as wealth, intellect, exper-

tise in various fields, and skills),we will be answerable to the Cre-ator concerning their usage.

Our Prophet (SAW) is reportedto have said, ‘Each of you is ashepherd, and all of you areresponsible for your flocks.’

This well-documented hadith,as reported in Bukhari and Mus-lim, indicates that all ofhumankind is a leader, and whenin the position to lead, must do soin a manner that would gainAllah’s favour.

As the commemoration of thebirth and life of the NobleProphet Muhammad (SAW) drewto a close recently, an opportunityis presented to reflect on theprime example of leadership thatour beloved messenger (SAW)lived. The Quran states, ‘Youhave, indeed, in the Apostle ofAllah, a beautiful pattern of con-duct (model of behaviour) foranyone whose hope is in Allah

and the Final Day…’ (Surah AlAhzab: 21).

According to Dr Adalat Khan,it is through the study of the Seer-ah and Sunnah of the Prophet(SAW) that Muslims will derive abrilliant model of altruistic lead-ership for all to emulate; a modelthat effected change and impactfelt to this day.

‘The Prophet began his mes-sage with a handful of individu-als, organised them into dedicatedgroups then into larger coherentorganisations, until the processled to the setting-up of an Islamicstate. This clearly required thedevelopment of a versatile leader-ship process of incredible com-plexity and effectiveness,’ wroteKhan.

Leadership definedThe general understanding of

leadership is the ability to influ-ence change and enable others to

fulfil outcomes to achieve anobjective.

Robin Sharma, in a seminalpiece on the concept, wrote:‘Every one of us alive today hasthe power to inspire, influenceand elevate each person we meetby the gift of a great example.And you need no title to do that.’

Effective leadership has provento transform nations, societies,businesses, sporting teams andvarious other collective groups.

We see that nations are honedthrough tough times, and NPOsare able to achieve their missions,through good leadership.

Effective leadership withinfamilies develop children tobecome effective leaders them-selves.

Leadership, as a theory, hasbeen studied for decades, andthere seems to be no blueprint onhow to be an effective leader.Having said that, the question

remains: are leaders born ormade?

One is inclined to believe thatthere are certain qualities insomeone that suggests leadershippotential.

However, many leaders devel-op and get better as they proceedin life.

What then does it take to be agreat leader?

Many scholars have contrast-ing views but the golden thread toleadership development is aboutbeing truly self-aware. This jour-ney starts with the reclamation ofself, finding your identity, prideand awareness.In the second part of this featureon leadership, we will look atwaqf leadership and socialchange.Majdi Ryklief and Adnaan Bazierare volunteers at the AwqafFoundation of South Africa(AWQAFSA).

Waqf: leadership and societal changeAWQAF - promoting self-reliance and sustainability

Muslim Views


MAHMOOD SANGLAYOASIS Crescent Trust Fund hosted the launch of its bursary programme at its head office, onMarch 8. The programme hasbeen running for over ten yearsbut this occasion was to celebrate its official launch.

The event was marked by aninvestment of R3 million for 32students undertaking studies invarious disciplines.

This investment is for theirentire programme of study tocomplete their degrees or diplo-mas at their respective institu-tions.

For the five years endingMarch 31, 2013, Oasis had com-mitted in excess of R375 000directly to students by means ofinformal financial support.

Over R9,2 million had beencommitted to educational institu-tions for the same period. Theannual investment by Oasis inthis programme is expected togrow and attract a greater num-

ber of applications from diversefields.

Nazeem Ebrahim, DeputyChairman of Oasis Group Hold-

ings, said at the launch that Oasisis determined to augment its cor-porate social investment in educa-tion by ‘breathing fresh air into

young people’ and promotingleadership in South Africa.

The event was attended byleading academics, educationistsand investors.

Eric Atmore, Professor ofSocial Development at UCT andDirector of the Centre for EarlyChildhood Development said hiscentre is a beneficiary of a ‘large-scale early childhood develop-ment programme’ of Oasis.

This programme supportsteacher training and educationalequipment for the benefit of sev-eral thousand learners on theCape Flats.

Prof Atmore said the notewor-thy merit of the Oasis bursaryprogramme is the innovativeapproach of long-term financialsupport coupled with mentoringand on-going ancillary support toensure young people take owner-ship of their own progress.

This view was echoed by Glenvan Harte, District Director forthe Western Cape EducationDepartment and manager of 200

schools in the province.Van Harte was programme

director for the launch event, andhad assisted Oasis with a conceptdocument to strengthen the bur-sary programme and ensure thataspects such as tutorials are partof bursary support.

Programme director Glen VanHarte was particularly excitedthat Oasis had decided to ‘gopublic’ after they had done thisquietly for about ten years.

He said this affords them theadvantage of building a best prac-tice model over years of experi-ence so that the programme ismore than just handouts forneedy students, and includesother forms of support, supervi-sion and mentoring.

Prof Brian Figaji, former rectorof CPUT, director of Nedbankand the Centre for DevelopmentEnterprise said he is struck by theway the company brings familyvalues to bear on the programme,and that the directors manage abursary programme personally.

Oasis launches R3m bursary programme

Adam Ebrahim, CEO of Oasis Group Holdings, addressed beneficiaries and par-ents at the launch of the Oasis bursary programme on March 8, at its head officein Walmer Estate. He said investment in early childhood education plays a vitalrole in a more productive population, and as a driver of economic growth.

Photo MAHMOOD SANGLAY

MAHMOOD SANGLAYMAJOR NGOs are closing downdue to a lack of funding foroperational and project costs.This was reported by presentershosting a series of workshops forthe benefit of non-profit organisations (NPOs).

Tax benefit workshops forNPOs are being presented inJohannesburg, Durban and PortElizabeth, respectively, on April 8,April 15 and May 13, by TurningPoint Consultants.

The presenters of the work-shops are Hoosen Agjee, RezaAmra and Ridhwaan Khan.

In turn, they deal with adiverse range of issues relevant tothe operations of the NPO sector,particularly the legal structuresand administration relating toNPOs and the relevant tax envi-ronment.

The premise of the workshopsis that cohesion between pieces oflegislation like the Income TaxAct and the New Companies Actprovides an enabling environment

for NPOs to effectively andproactively seek strategic direc-tion in fulfilling their obligationsand benefitting from their rights.

The presenters avoided anoverly technical presentation butengaged technical issues wherenecessary, explaining the differentways in which PBOs can legallyclaim for costs to save money.

One of the provisions is thatthe PBO must be registered interms of section 18A of theIncome Tax Act.

A number of commonly-held

myths were also dealt with.An example is that PBOs are

generally tax-exempt.The presenters provided cogent

details of the conditions wheretax exemption is applicable, andwhere claims on taxes such asVAT are possible.

Some interesting facts werealso brought to light in the work-shop.

Currently, 48 000 PBOs areregistered with SARS.

In the financial year ending in2012, South African Revenue Ser-

vices paid R145 million to donorsfor 18A tax deductions.

Agjee told the workshop thatthis amount should have beencloser to R500 million.

The key message of the work-shop is that NPOs must see taxbenefits as a means to benefitfinancially so that money is notunnecessarily lost to taxes.

The Cape Town workshop wasattended by thirty delegates froma wide range of NPOs, includinga number of faith-based organisa-tions.

Money at the end of the SARS tax-rainbow, PBOs told

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13Muslim Views . April 2014

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14 Muslim Views . April 2014

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15Muslim Views . April 2014

Wither thelibrary?PARDON the cliché but yes, ‘wither’. What else is to be expected when nothing is sparedthe juggernaut of commercialisation?

Several years back, a French-man, looking on the cultural waste-land that Europe has become, daredto point out that ‘the rise of themercantile caste spells intellectualnight’.

And, sadly, if anything, thegoings-on in our poor local com-munity with regard to the IslamicLibrary, and, I dare predict, the

much-touted Academia Library atIslamia College, have done nothingbut prove him right!

[As for Islamia College, I’ll leavein abeyance, for now, the questionof the ‘ethics’ (and the legality even)of having a restaurant, and othernon-school ventures intrude on thepurdah of the girls-only schoolwhich is housed in the very samebuilding.]

Not that the money-men do nothave their place in today’s society.No, but they are no longer in theirright place; it takes more than thepossession of lucre to be qualifiedto make the intellectual discern-ment necessary when setting out afundamental service such as a

library.Shelves, furniture and books on

shelves do not a library makethough, nowadays, a visit on anytypical day, to any library (privateas well as public), would seem togive the lie to my contention.

Well, what is the answer then?As with the much-lamented crisis ineducation so also with the ‘dried-up’ state of affairs at the libraries,the answer is a qualitative one, andone to which there is no overnightanswer.

This, in its turn, may seem likean evasion to those who still believein the will-o’-the-wisp of overnightsolutions. But, consider this: ifthrowing heaps of other people’s

money at this or that problem hasbrought us to this, is more of thesame going to yield any otherresult?

Not that anyone else – even withthe right qualifications (or any gov-ernment or world movement, even)– can do anything to significantlyreverse this trend. But, nonetheless,‘to feel a disease, is to have it nolonger’ (sic).

To the technocrats, also, we havethis question: do you see the evi-dence (leave aside for the momentyour belief or what you hope for)that an increase in electronic mediaresults in a qualitative increase in,not only ‘literacy’ – for, ‘better thata man not know how to read, thanthat he not know what to read’ –but in intellectual and culturalactivity within the library itself; ifnot every day, then, at the veryleast, once a month?

There is a word for a body thatno longer shows any signs of life:

cadaver. And for those who need alittle more convincing, consider thewarning in the Quran about thedonkey labouring under the burdenof books on its back...

For the Islamic library, and asone who was there in 1984 already,I’m not a little disheartened thatthere has been no forward move-ment as far as genuine intellectuali-ty goes...

M K GamieldienOttery East, Cape Town

LETTERS TO THE EDITORLETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Write to: The Editore-mail: [email protected]

Madrassa Tul MaymoenahEat & Treat

Sat 10 May 2014 • 7.30pmWestridge Civic Centre

Mitchells PlainContact Mualiem Ismaeel BrownTel 021 376 3865 / 084 289 3600

Muslim Views


Battle of the Trench

ONCE the announcement of the victory of The Battle ofthe Trench, which occurred in April, 627 AD, had beenmade, it is reported that many of the Companions

were so exhausted that they fell asleep in the streets of Madinah on their way home.Nabi Muhammad (SAW) had just returned home, laid downhis arms and had taken a bath when Jibreel (AS), whoseemed to be partly covered in dust, appeared to him saying, ‘You have put down your arms, by Allah, I have notput down my arms yet.’He informed Allah’s Apostle that he and a group of angelswere on their way to the tribe of Bani Quraizah and that AllahSWT wanted the Prophet to go there as well. The Prophet(SAW), without hesitation, let it be known that the Sahabahshould gather there at Asr.The Saudi authorities, who have always maintained that it isbidah (an innovation) to visit the masajid at Khandaq, havedecided to destroy the remaining masajid at the foot of JabalSala and replace it with one large mosque, which is alreadybuilt and named Masjid Al-Khandaq (Mosque of the Trench).Masjid Abu Bakr has already been demolished, and MasjidFatima only has a foundation still visible. The other masajid(Salman al Farsi, Umar, Ali and even Fath) are in variousstages of neglect.Even though it is often referred to as the ‘Seven Mosques’,there were actually only six. Masjidul Qiblatain was oftenincluded in the six to number seven. Text SALIM PARKER

Stories from the Hijaz is sponsored by Al-Anwar Hajj and Umrah.

In this old photograph of the Khandaq area we can see Masjid Fath, Masjid Salman al Farsi and probablywhat used to be Masjid Abu Bakr and Masjid Umar.

Photo courtesy SHAIKH FAIZEL GOOL and FAHDIEL OR

Masajid in the area of the Trench: The map illustrated bySAAID RAHBEENI, gives an idea of the location of the variousmasajid that were built in the area where the Battle of theTrench took place. As can be seen, the masajid were situatedin a line running roughly north to south. At the time of writing,the masajid or remnants thereof were still to be found exceptfor Masjid Abu Bakr which was demolished a few years ago.

(Above) Masjid Umar is located opposite the new and imposing Masjid Al-Khandaq, on anisland in what is now the parking area for cars and buses. Masjid Abu Bakr was situatedsomewhere between this masjid and Masjid Salman al Farsi. Photo SALIM PARKER

(Above) When Masjid Al-Khan situated on the

Muslim Views


h: After the victory

In the past, pilgrims would stop at each of the Trench masajid and performtwo sunnah rakaats in those masajid which were open. Most of the oldmasajid have since been closed – and Masjid Abu Bakr demolished – and pilgrims are now expected to perform salaah in the new Masjid Al-Khandaq.Pictured here (top), we see a few pilgrims peering over the wall of MasjidSalman al Farsi, which has now been closed. In the middle photograph, takena few years ago, we see a few pilgrims performing salaah in the masjid. In theother photograph (taken in February, 2014), we see that the masjid is nowfalling into disrepair. Photos SALIM PARKER

RRIE

Masjid Fath: Despite the Saudi authorities’ attempts to discourage visits to the area, it is clear thatthere are still many pilgrims who visit the site where Nabi Muhammad (SAW) prayed for three daysfor victory over the Confederates, and where he (SAW) received the news that Allah SWT wouldgrant the Muslims victory. Photo SALIM PARKER

All that remains of MasjidAli (far left) are a few broken walls and the floorof the masjid. The masjid issituated in a garden-likearea which is usuallylocked. As can be seenfrom the map, it is situatednear to the site of MasjidFatima, which, nowadays,is just a floor with a lowwall around it. Outside theentrance to the site ofMasjid Fatima (left) are twoblue boards placed thereby the Saudi authorities, discouraging visiting thearea. One of them reads:‘Visiting the so-calledSeven Mosques is something for which thereis no evidence; rather it isan innovation if onebelieves that they have aparticular virtue.’

Photos SALIM PARKER

2014

2014

2008

one stands at the top of the hill, outside Masjid Fath and looks down, the new ndaq, which has been built to replace the small historic masajid in the area, is

e left while Masjid Salman al-Farsi and Masjid Umar can be seen lower down.Photo SALIM PARKER

(Left) Standing outside Masjid Al-Khandaq andlooking towards thehighest masjid,which is MasjidFath, Masjid Umarwill be located diagonally behindand to your left.Further back,almost in line withMasjid Al-Khandaq youwill find theentrance to theruins of Masjid Ali,while the entranceto the area whereMasjid Fatima was situated will be onthe right (when facing those twogates). Masjid Fathbears that name asit is in that areawhere angel Jibreelappeared to theProphet (SAW)bearing Allah’spromise of victory.

Photo OSMANKHAN

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Muslim Views


SCORCHING, unbearablyand unforgivingly hot. Sometimes it is difficult to

find the words to adequatelydescribe the midday heat inMakkah. The temperatureexceeded 40oC, the humidity wassky high and the harsh sunseared the skin.

Add to that the millions whowere present in the weeks justbefore Hajj was due to com-mence, all migrating to and con-gesting each and every shadedspot, the heat disseminatingamongst the pilgrims amplifyingthe discomfort.

As soon as anyone stepped outof their air-conditioned buildings,drenching sweat would suffocatethem with an effect similar to thatof being in a straightjacket in afurnace. It seemed that everyonewas equipped with a bottle ofwater to replenish the rapidlyaccumulating sweat.

We were in Makkah. Hajj wasapproaching and everybodywanted to perform their prayersin the Holy Mosque or in theimmediate vicinity. Spray bottlesabounded, and pilgrims smilinglysprayed all and sundry aroundthem with the welcoming andrefreshing mist.

One sun-evading umbrellasoon shielded three or four, andthere were no qualms aboutsqueezing in ‘just one more’ per-son into an already tightly packedshaded area in and around theMosque.

It was time for the mid-dayprayers and it was already impos-sible to get into the Mosque itself.It is human nature to leave every-thing for the last minute; and theheat also induced pilgrims to stayin the comfort of their rooms foras long as possible until it wastime for the actual prayer.

Then, suddenly, hundreds ofthousands converged to the fewentrances.

True, there was probably still alot of space available inside butthe Saudi authorities have learntto prevent too many people fromentering simultaneously.

Huge cranes and massivestructural projects also hamperedthe easy movement of people.

Another strategy implementedwas to reduce the time betweenthe athaan (call to prayer) and thepraying time itself.

The imaam must also have

been mindful of the heat and thatthere were hundreds of thousandsof elderly.

The prayers were always shortyet never rushed.

In previous years, I wouldhear the call, perform the wudu(ritual washing) and still get intothe Mosque in time for middayprayers.

This was despite still seeingpatients till the athaan was heard.

Our hotel was situated close tothe Haram, and I could walk afew minutes down a wide roadright to the Haram.

This road was in the full glareof the sun from early morning tilllate afternoon and, despite beingflanked by tall hotel skyscraperscasting a little shade on eitherside, was essentially only used asa walkway and virtually never asan area to sit in.

This year, I had resigned myselfto performing the midday prayersoutside the Mosque, mostly insome shaded area.

Daily, I could feel the heat ofthe black, heat-absorbing tarsomehow penetrating the thicksoles of my sandals whenever Iwalked to the Mosque.

One day, I actually had to per-form the prayers in the road as Iwas quite late and all the shadedspots had been taken.

I was wearing a large scarfover my head, and stood on athick prayer mat.

The prayer was over within afew minutes but by that time, Iwas sweating profusely and myprayer mat was hot.

My feet were burning despiteme standing on my thick mat andwearing socks.

Nearby, I saw some plasticimplements in the early stages ofmelting.

I went back to my room andhad a cold shower before seeingsome patients.

It was another of those hecti-cally busy mornings and before Iknew it the athaan for Dhuhr wascalling us to pray in unison. Irushed to get done and, prettysoon, left the cool foyer of thehotel.

The blinding and piercingbrightness of the sun’s rays mademe immediately reach for my sun-glasses.

My head was already coveredwith a scarf and I was wearing awhite, heat reflecting kurtah.

This did not prevent me fromimmediately feeling the heat. Afew hundred thousand pilgrims

must have arrived overnight for,on this day the crowd in the roadreached to just outside my hotel.

I heard the iqama, theannouncement that the prayerwas about to commence.

There was not a shaded area insight and I headed for the nearestrow of pilgrims.

This was in the middle of theroad, with the sun torching downon us.

The last row started in a shad-ed area and extended into themiddle of the road.

The first person in the row hadhis left shoulder against the wallof the shade-providing building.

I laid down my thick mat nextto the last pilgrim and stoodshoulder to shoulder next to himon his right side, in the direct sun.

Within seconds, an elderly manhad laid out his mat adjacent tomy right and stood prepared forprayers.

I could already feel the heat ofthe black tar penetrating my matand socks but at least it was justabout bearable.

Just as the imam was about tostart the prayers, a young mancame to stand to the right of theelderly man.

He had no prayer mat andfaced the prospect of standingbarefooted on the hot tar. In direcircumstances, one is allowed tokeep one’s shoes on but theyoungster removed his.

Some of us in the row startedsqueezing to our left, in order toaccommodate the extra pilgrim.

The youngster literally tookthe older man’s mat out fromunder him and placed the rectan-gular mat, which was about ametre long, and half-a-metrewide, crosswise in front of themso that their hands and foreheadswould be on it during prostration.

However, they were now liter-ally standing on hot coals. ‘Thetar is hot!’ the old man protested.

‘Hell is infinitely hotter,’ wasthe youngster’s sage-like reply.

I moved even more tightly tomy left, which allowed the elderlyman some space to put his leftfoot onto my mat.

The prayer commenced and itwas evident that the elderly manwas so engrossed in prayer thathe was unaware of the heatbeneath his right foot.

Or he was simply used to it.Not so the young man; he was

clearly extremely uncomfortableand was tiptoeing on the spot.

One of the cardinal rules ofcongregational prayers is thatattendees must stand in a straightline.

Our youngster could not bearthe heat though, and virtually afew seconds later stepped forwardonto the comfort of the elderlyman’s mat.

He was completely out of lineand somehow even managed toprostrate on the fifty centimetrespace of the width of the mat.

The prayers did not last longand it was over pretty soon.

The young man immediatelyrose and shot off into a nearbybuilding.

The elderly man turned andgreeted me and smiled, his rightfoot by now somehow on my matas we all subconsciously and con-tinuously edged closer to eachother.

A call was made for the prayerfor the deceased.

We were all sweating profuselyby now and yet most still decidedto perform the prayer.

‘It is hot,’ the old man said.‘Insha Allah it will be much cool-er and pleasant where thedeceased is going; surely theirHajj is accepted, even if we havenot been on Arafah yet.’

Yes, Arafah beckoned, andAllah’s all-embracing Mercy wassoon to shade and shield usagainst the hell of our own sins.

Hell is hotter than hot tarIt is human nature to leaveeverything for the lastminute; and the heat alsoinduced pilgrims to stay inthe comfort of their rooms,writes Doctor SALIM PARKER.

Muslim Views


In this edition, we publishextracts from the paper byASLAM FAROUK-ALLI delivered at the InternationalPeace College of SouthAfrica’s 5th AnnualWasatiyyah Symposiumwhich addressed the theme‘Sectarianism: A Middle WayReflection’.Farouk-Alli pointed out that the‘religious and the political intertwine in all sectarian conflicts and the violent conflagration in Syria is noexception’.

However, for a deeper under-standing of the complex nature ofthe Syrian conflict, his papertraced ‘the manifestation of thesectarian dimensions of the con-flict, following the developmentof the heterodox Alawi communi-ty from a marginalised sect to itsascendance as Syria’s ruling class’.

It focused on how sectarianidentity has constantly beenexploited by hegemonic powerslike the Sunni Ottomans, theFrench colonisers and, mostrecently, the Asad regime.

The paper suggested that theonly escape from the sectarianminefield was the entrenchmentof a strong Syrian national identi-ty within the framework of equalcitizenship, pluralistic democracyand the protection of minorityrights.

‘This could,’ Farouk-Allipointed out, ‘potentially limit theinterference of outside parties butsuch an outcome is over-opti-mistic at the current juncture

since vested interests outweighinternal peace and stability.’

In light of the length of thepaper, we present his conclusionagainst the background of theobservations in the introduction.

The Alawi dilemma and the search for a

common Syrian identityWhen Hafiz al-Asad died on

June 10, 2000, he bequeathed thecountry to his eldest living son,Bashar, and, with it, the deeply-rooted repressive state apparatusthat he had so carefully built.

In spite of early speculation onthe possibility of a power strugglein Syria, the transition fromfather to son was remarkablysmooth, and the party and armyelite closed ranks, ratifying theprocess initiated by Hafiz al-Asadto establish his son as his succes-sor.

Bashar al-Asad fashioned hisimage as a moderniser who sawreform as a gradual process, andstrove to win the appeal of theyounger generation of Syrianswithout raising the concerns ofthe older generation, and therebycame to represent both continuityand change.

[For a detailed account of thetransition and its possible trajec-tories, see: David Lesch (2005),The New Lion of Damascus:Bashar al-Asad and Modern Syria(New Haven, CT: Yale UniversityPress)]

Whereas the three decades ofBa’thist rule under Asad Seniorcould, in some respects, be seen asa necessary stage that left Syria

with a stronger state that hadbroken down class and commu-nal cleavages while producing amore diversified economy, thetransition to Asad Junior was byno means the dawn of democracy.

As Raymond Hinnebuschexplains (Modern Syrian Politics,p 274), the political and econom-ic liberalisation instituted byBashar amounted to a meredecompression of authoritariancontrols and greater access for thebourgeoisie to decision-makers;the regime’s legitimation of plu-ralism was really envisioned as asubstitute for democratisationand not as its precursor.

As such, the 2001 DamascusSpring – the brief mobilisationcalling for the institution ofdemocracy – was quickly nippedin the bud, even if the role of the

security forces under Bashar al-Asad were, at this stage, muchless obtrusive than before.

In essence, Bashar’s rule wasvery much the perpetuation of thesystem of governance that wasestablished by his father, with amodernising tweak here andthere.

The ‘populist authoritarian-ism’ of the father, alluded toabove, became the ‘modernizingauthoritarianism’ of the sonwhich, according to Perthes, wasan attempt to make the systemwork better so that it could sur-vive and deliver development.

[For more details, see: VolkerPerthes (2004), Syria underBashar al-Asad: Modernizationand the Limits of Change, Adel-phi Papers (London: Oxford Uni-versity Press for IISS)].

But Syria’s fate, under bothfather and son, was inextricablytied to regional and internationalstruggles in good part outside ofits control.

Nonetheless, the regime’sstrong commitment to an Arabnationalist identity, its hard-lineon Israel and its opposition toAmerican Imperialism all con-tributed to maintaining its inter-nal cohesion.

These positions resonated withthe Syrian street and the Arabmasses in general, providing theregime with far more insulationagainst internal opposition thanwas the case with other Arabcountries.

However, contrary to whatBashar al-Asad believed at theonset of the Arab Spring inDecember 2010-January 2011,Syria’s foreign policy posture andcosmetic reforms were notenough to save it from the protestmovement that spread across theregion like wildfire, as a new gen-eration of Arab youth took to thestreets demanding politicalagency and the right to determinetheir own destinies.

Starting in the Southern Deraaprovince, the protest movementspread across Syria and, as theregime’s reform façade collapsed,it quickly revealed its fangs, aposture that the Syrian peoplewere all too familiar with but nolonger intimidated by.

Assad regime’s reliance on ‘sectarian solidarity’IPSA 5th Annual Wasatiyyah Symposium

CONTINUED ON PAGE 22

However, contrary to what Bashar al-Asad

believed at the onset of the Arab Spring in

December 2010-January 2011, Syria’s foreign

policy posture and cosmetic reforms were not

enough to save it from the protest movement

that spread across the region like wildfire, as

a new generation of Arab youth took to the

streets demanding political agency and the

right to determine their own destinies.

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Muslim Views


Unable to quell the uprisingwith force, and unwilling toreform, Bashar al-Asad was pow-erless to stop the country fromspiralling into a brutal civil war.

[For an account of the begin-nings of the Syrian uprising, see:Fouad Ajami (2012), The SyrianRebellion (Stanford, California:Hoover Institution Press)]

Once the floodgates wereopened, Syria became a battle-ground for regional players seek-ing to assert their influence and,in a twist of historical irony, itwas the Shi’ite Islamic Republicof Iran and its Lebanese Islamistproxy, Hizbullah, that came tothe rescue of the secular Ba’thistregime, joining in the fray to keepAsad in power.

In the midst of the struggle

over Syria’s future, the Alawicommunity now faces the painfuldilemma of seeing its fate beinglinked to that of the regime’s,which still strives to exploit sec-tarian solidarity to maintain itssupport base.

However, the fissures in societyare far too deep and the extent ofthe uprising has been far too per-vasive.

Bashar al-Asad’s future andthat of his regime’s now lie in thehands of regional and interna-tional powerbrokers, and theirimmediate fate remains uncertain.

Nonetheless, what has clearlybeen established by the Syrianuprising is that the political acqui-escence of the people is a thing ofthe past.

As such, many Alawis havealso begun voicing their opposi-tion to the regime, calling for theestablishment of a democratic dis-pensation and the building of anation that encompasses all Syri-ans.

Such an outcome at this specif-ic juncture is at best still over-optimistic as the vested interestsof outside parties in the current

global environment still out-weighs the aspirations of the Syr-ian people fighting for freedomand liberation.

What is, however, certain isthat the fate of the Alawi commu-nity is not inextricably linked tothat of the Asad regime.

The transition from theoppressive minority white rule inSouth Africa to a democratic dis-pensation that embraced all ofthat country’s people stands outas a beacon of hope for Syria aswell.

The Alawi community is now

more than ever before a part ofthe Syrian social fabric and so,while Bashar al-Asad and hisregime may have no role to playin the re-building of a betterSyria, the Alawi community mostcertainly will.Aslam Farouk-Alli is a ResearchAssociate at University of CapeTown’s (UCT) Centre for Contemporary Islam (CCI). Heholds an M.Soc.Sci. in ReligiousStudies from UCT and an MA inArabic from University of SouthAfrica (UNISA). His researchinterests are religion and politics.

Bashar al-Asad’s future and that of his regime’s now lie in the hands of regional and international powerbrokers, and their immediate fate remains

uncertain. Nonetheless, what has clearly been established by the Syrian uprising is that the political acquiescence of the people is a thing of the past.

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 20

Muslim Views


SHAMEEM BRAYJOIN Muslim Hands in thisonce-in-a-lifetime experiencewhen we trek the Great Wall ofChina.

Come with us this June as weclimb the Great Wall over tendays. Like a gigantic dragon thatwinds across deserts, grasslands,mountains and plateaus, theGreat Wall stretches approxi-mately 6 300km from east to westacross China.

With a history believed to spanover 2 000 years, it is still one ofthe most appealing to all fromacross the world owing to itsarchitectural grandeur and histor-ical significance.

There is aChinese sayingthat goes: ‘Youwouldn’t havelived a greatchapter of yourlife if you haven’tbeen to the GreatWall of China.’

By joining usin trekking thisgreat feat ofhuman achieve-ment, you will beraising fundsthat will, InshaAllah, go a longway in providingthe security ofeducation for

many orphaned children in sub-Saharan Africa.

The overwhelming majority ofthese children would otherwisehave no access to any kind ofschooling or education at all.Recognising this, Muslim Handshas been focused on the childrenof sub-Saharan Africa since 2003in providing an accessible andhigh quality of education.

Muslim Hands runs purpose-built schools throughout Sudan,Niger, Mali, Senegal, Mauritaniaand Gambia. In total, we haveeleven schools in these countriesand support over 4 420 impover-ished children.

All the facilities we offer thechildren are free and, as well as

having their school fees covered,children are given textbooks,exercise books, stationery anduniforms. Sponsored orphans areprovided nutritional needs atschool, medical check-ups andtransportation if applicable.

If you think you are up for thechallenge and you can imagineyourself trekking along the GreatWall of China, you are just a fewsteps away from registration. Byjoining Muslim Hands, you cangive these orphan children theeducation that they deserve.

Register today for this adven-turous fundraising event atwww.muslimhands.org.za or callour information line at021 633 6413.

- ADVERTISEMENT FEATURE -Muslim Hands’ third Great Wall of China Trek for orphans

Trekkers of lastyear upon completion of theiradventurousfundraising trip.Photo ALI HAIDAR

Previous Muslim Hands participants looking ahead to their exciting journey.Photo ALI HAIDAR

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Muslim Views


MARXISMS IN THE 21st CENTURY: Crisis, Critique and Struggle waslaunched at the Book Lounge in Cape Town on March 6, 2014. A packed audience heard presentations from editors Michelle Williams, who chairedthe event, and Vishwas Satgar (right), as well as a response from formerSouth African Minister of Intelligence, Ronnie Kasrils. The Cape Town launchof Marxisms in the 21st Century was hosted by Amandla! magazine. Thebook, which is the first in a planned series innovatively exploring Marxistthought and implementation globally, and in South Africa, will be reviewed inthe next edition of Muslim Views. Photo YUNUS OMAR

International Peace College South Africa (IPSA) held its annual graduation ceremony on Tuesday, March 18, 2014. Fifty students graduated from the One-Year Enrichment Programme and four students completed the Four-Year Programme.From left: Moulana Azizur Rahman Patel (HOD: Shariah and Islamic Studies); Dr Mogamat Hoosain Ebrahim (Head ofResearch); graduates Johannes Kgosi Abdur-Rashied Ndhlovu, Shadrack Mpho Abdu Shakoor Serati, Musa Mabe Motsitsiand Hafizah Rukayya Samsodien; keynote speaker, Dr Nuraan Davids (lecturer in Philosophy of Education, StellenboschUniversity); Dr Abdul Kariem Toffar (Deputy Principal: Academic); and Shaikh Ighsaan Taliep (Principal). Muslim Views willpublish a full report, including extracts from Dr Davids’ address, in the following edition. Photo FRED BARKER

Muslim Views


THE budget provides for personal tax relief of R9,25 billion for individual taxpayers.About 40% of the relief goes to South Africans earning below R250 000 per year.

The amount individuals earn before they are taxed has also been increased for the taxyear that runs from March 1, 2014 to February 28, 2015.

Increases in the amount in respect of social grants are also welcome news for thosereliant on this as a source of their livelihood.

The budget also provides tax breaks to businesses, which is positive news for emergingsmall businesses.

IndividualsThe tax threshold – which is the amount individuals can earn before they are required

to pay tax – has been increased as follows:

The rebate for individuals in respect of the tax payable has also been increased as fol-lows:

The tax table for the tax year ending February 28, 2015 is as follows:

Other benefits to individuals include an increase in the medical tax credit in respect ofmedical scheme contributions to R257 from R242 for the first two individuals and R172up from R162 for each additional dependant thereafter.

The child support grant will increase from R300 to R310 a month in April, and toR320 in October.

The old age and disability grants will increase in April from R1 270 a month to R1 350,and the foster care grant will increase from R800 to R830.

The annual exemption on interest earned for individuals younger than 65 years isR23 800 and the exemption for individuals 65 years and older is R34 500.

Small Business CorporationsThe new tax rates for Small Business Corporations for the tax year ending February

28, 2015 are as follows:

It is proposed that the above graduated tax structure for small and medium businessesbe replaced with a refundable tax compliance credit in the near future.

Micro Businesses

It is proposed that Turnover Tax for Micro Business up to R335 000 should be tax-free,and the maximum tax rate should be reduced from the current 6% to 5%.

Other suggestions include scrapping the requirement for businesses to opt into theregime for three years and requiring annual, rather than biannual, tax returns.

OtherThe budget also includes an increase in excise duties or ‘sin taxes’ for the current tax

year.The price of cigarettes is to increase by 68 cents per packet of 20; this increase is effec-

tive immediately.In recognition of recent increases in the imported cost of fuel, the general fuel levy

increase is limited to an inflation-related 12 cents per litre on April 2, 2014, and the roadaccident fund levy will increase by 8 cents per litre.

This will push up the general fuel levy on petrol to R2,25 per litre of petrol and R2,10per litre of diesel.

This article is intended for information purposes only and should notbe considered as a legal document. If you are in doubt about anyinformation in this article or require any advice, please do not hesitateto contact Nexia SAB&T Tax department at 021 596 5400.

How the 2014/15Budget affects you

Focus on Finance

On Wednesday, February 26, Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan deliveredthe fifth budget of the President Zuma Administration. HASSEN KAJIE, CA(SA), a director of NEXIA SB&T, based in the Cape Town office, andWALIED HEYNES, CA (SA), Technical Manager at NEXIA SAB&T, point outhighlights of the 2014/ 15 budget that affects individuals, small, mediumand micro business.

Hassen Kajie is a Director of the Cape Town officeof Nexia SAB&T.

Walied Heynes is Technical Manager in the CapeTown office of Nexia SAB&T.

Muslim Views


Muslim Views


MEHBOOB BAWATHE halls of the Nassau Auditorium at Groote SchuurHigh School reverberated withthe sounds of tumultuousapplause from students, teachersand other audience members asJ2G’s transformational seminarcame to a close on the evening ofFebruary 15.

Moments before, team leaderA G (Baboo) Phoplonker hadclosed his dynamic, interactivefive-hour seminar with a versionof the Frank Sinatra song ‘MyWay’ rendered by RobbieWilliams.

The lyrics of the song speak ofliving the best life you can, livinglife your way and not succumbingto the whims of others. It certain-ly resonated with the audiencewho sang along and ended theseminar on a wonderfully pas-sionate high note, pun not intend-ed.

Included in the presentationwere interventions from guestspeakers Hilaire Akolo and me,Mehboob Bawa.

Akolo hails from Cameroonand was forced to seek exile inSouth Africa. As a journalistreporting on the injustices in hiscountry, he was persecuted by thegovernment and was forced toleave his family behind in searchof a better life in the Mother City.

Despite his challenges, he isnow reading towards an MBA at

University of Cape Town.I shared with the audience my

love for broadcasting and enter-tainment, and how I, too, pursuedmy dreams, despite facing manytribulations on my own journey.

J2G (A Journey to Greatness)was started by Baboo – as he isaffectionately called by his friendsand colleagues – to bring about amind-set change within society atlarge and, in this way, providingcitizens of the world an opportu-nity to effect positive changeswithin their life. Baboo wants toensure that everyone has thecapability to enjoy life in a holis-

tically successful manner. He hasachieved great success within theeducational and corporate worldby sharing his way of life withothers. His philosophy is simple:be the best that you can be.

Based on his own life experi-ences, Baboo has developed aseries of courses that show usershow to effect positive change intheir lives. His Success Pack con-tains the entire course of ninedimensions covering every aspectof living a powerful dynamic lifeincluding ‘Heart and Mind’ med-itations on CD and DVDs of livetransformational events.

The event held at the NassauAuditorium, entitled ‘Involve toEvolve’ is the latest course devel-oped and designed by Baboo toshow attendees that they too canovercome the challenges they facedaily.

The content of the presentationincluded stories of many well-known philosophers, businesspeople, sports stars and celebri-ties, all of whom had overcometheir own personal trials andtribulations to achieve great suc-cess.

Baboo’s question to his audi-ence is: if the Almighty has madeus all the same, why are we not assuccessful as others?

As the evening unfolded, audi-ence members of various faithsinteracted with Baboo as he posedquestions based on theories ofEinstein, quotes from the variousholy scriptures including the Bibleand Quran.

Students and adults alike dis-cussed and debated with Baboo ashe showed them examples of howto achieve success in their lives.

One of the many highlightswas the presentation of donationsto Langa, Fairmont and Living-stone High Schools. Educatorsand learners of these schoolsreceived tickets sponsored bycommunity members to attendthe course.

Also, on the night, J2G donat-ed a percentage of the proceeds ofthe ticket sales towards the uplift-ment of these schools.

This part of the programmewas co-ordinated by various teammembers including Zubaida Firfi-ray, Dilnawaaz Datay, ShuaibMohideen and Razia Rawoot.

Another member, JameelMohideen, was responsible forthe lucky draw which saw anaudience member win a tour fortwo around the Cape Peninsula.

In keeping with the aim toempower all, Baboo gave teammember Faziela Mohideen anopportunity to make her debut asthe MC of the event.

The comments of the audienceon the night were exceptionallypositive with many feeling veryemotional and more convincedthat they could truly be the bestthat they can be by followingBaboo’s advice.

You too can effect a positivechange in your life. Simply attendone of the many events plannedor get your copy of the SuccessPack and share it with your fami-ly.

Schools wishing to take advan-tage of the J2G Educational Planwill certainly empower their stu-dents and educators alike by hav-ing them attend a workshopdesigned specifically for theirindividual needs.

Call Baboo on 083 412 9299for more details.

- ADVERTISEMENT FEATURE -

Changing your mind-setJ2G team leader, A G ‘Baboo’ Phoplonker, addressing the transformational seminar.

Muslim Views


SAKEENA BOCKON March 6, 2014, the SouthAfrican National Zakah Fund(SANZAF) hosted a 40thAnniversary launch khatamulQuran and dhikr programme atMasjid Ighwatul Islam, inBridgetown.

Moulana Hassiem Cassiem,Regional Chairperson, SANZAF,expressed his sincere appreciationand gratitude to SANZAFfriends, family, co-workers,founder members, trustees, vol-unteers and the local communityfor their tremendous support.

He added that some 40 yearsago, a feasibility study and a blue-print for a zakaah fund were pre-

sented at a convention held inBraemer. A resolution was passedcalling for the formation of theSouth African National ZakahFund. While this was taking placein the former Transvaal andNatal, another initiative waslaunched in 1975.

2014 marks SANZAF’s 40thanniversary and, today, the fundhas 28 offices throughout thecountry, and a staff complementof 113 employees.

According to Sajid Dawray,National Chairperson, ‘Institu-tionalised zakaah is embraced bythe Muslim community in SouthAfrica as the preferred method ofdisbursing their zakaah, and acollective effort can be far more

effective than individual distribu-tion.’

Across the country, khatamulQuran and dhikr programmeswill be conducted at the SANZAFoffices, in partnership with localcommunities.

Ml Hassiem Cassiem alsoannounced that SANZAF will behosting a 40th anniversary com-memorative dinner at IslamiaCollege Hall on Friday, April 11,2014, and an internationalzakaah seminar will be held fromApril 12 to 14, 2014, at IslamiaAcademia Centre.

For more information regard-ing the zakaah seminar and thecommemorative dinner, contactIsghaak Sydow on 021 447 0297.

- ADVERTISEMENT FEATURE -Thanking community for tremendous supportSANZAF commemorates 40 years of service

Emerging ulama: SANZAF recently launched phase one of the Imam Develop-ment Programme, where eleven imams from various areas in the Western Capeare undergoing an intensive 12-month course which will enable them to developtheir skills in business writing, communication and computer literacy. Picturedhere are the participants along with SANZAF’s Abdurazaaq Razaaq and the Muslim Judicial Council (MJC) Secretary General, Moulana Abdul Khaliq Allie.

Photo SUPPLIED

SANZAF launchesannual WinterWarmth CampaignTHE South African NationalZakah Fund (SANZAF) haslaunched the annual nationalWinter Warmth Campaignthemed ‘help us help others’ toprovide essential items to children, the aged and families inneed across South Africa.

SANZAF is working in part-nership with various organisa-tions and corporates to tacklechild poverty and deprivation inSouth Africa.

Reflecting on the campaign,SANZAF National ChairpersonSajid Dawray said, ‘There are

thousands of children growing upin poverty in South Africa. Someof these children are living inhomes lacking the most basicamenities which the rest of us takefor granted.

‘These children could end upgoing to school hungry, not hav-ing had a proper breakfast or gothrough winter without warmclothing or even a decent pair ofshoes. Some even have to sleep ondamp mattresses on the floor asthey do not have their own beds.

‘This winter, we are working inpartnership with the communityto provide warmth to families inneed.’

SANZAF Western CapeAdministrator, Moulana Sar-faraaz Hamza said, ‘We arepleased that SANZAF is able to

make this contribution to 1 130learners at Huguenot PrimarySchool, in Tafelsig, MitchellsPlain.

‘We envisage to roll-out theprogramme at five schools, reach-ing 5 000 learners in the CapeFlats area. This programme willhave a positive impact on low-income families with young chil-dren who have a serious materialneed in their homes.

‘Items awarded will improvechildren’s ability to eat, sleep andlearn in their home environment.At this time of year, when familiesare struggling to afford to keeptheir homes warm and pay fornecessary items to ensure childrencan sleep in a warm bed and eat ahot meal, our programme is morecritical than ever.’

Zakaah is an act of ibadah. Zakaah is to be distributed to recipients who qualify for itaccording to the Quran and Sunnah.Zakaah is an economic institution that generates a spirit of social responsibility, caringand compassion among people. Zakaah is nota charity given in sympathy to the destitute; it istheir right.Allah says: ‘And in their wealth and possession(was remembered), the right of the (needy), hewho asked and he who (for some reasons) wasprevented (from asking).’ (Surah Thariyaat,verse 19)The South African National ZakahFund administers the collection and distributionof zakaah, fitrah, sadaqah and lillah funds.

Muslim Views


JASMINE KHAN

THERE seems to be no disagreement that the stateof education in this

country is desperately in need ofan overhaul.

Between the government’sdetermination to pass learnersthrough the system with the low-est possible pass mark, the teach-ers who are overburdened withclerical duties, and the parents’inability to make a difference, thefuture looks bleak for this genera-tion of learners.

In speaking to parents to gettheir views, I found that there aredifferent categories of parents.We have those who have nochoice but to send their childrento public schools because offinancial constraints, and hopefor the best.

There are those slightly moreaffluent who do the research andfind the public school with thebest reputation and academicrecord.

Speaking to the former group,the parents are impressed with theeffort the teachers put into teach-ing their children and their will-ingness to make things easier forthe parents who, in most cases,are not educated themselves andunable to assist the children.

Parents in the second grouppay between R3 000 and R4 000per annum, and feel that theirchildren are getting a quality edu-cation; the learners are reason-

ably well-adjusted and can holdtheir own in any situation.

However, it must be said that alarge part of this is due to the par-ent’s involvement in the child’sschoolwork, and the fact that themajority of these parents arethemselves educated.

Let us look now at two morecategories of parents: the oneswho can afford the rates at pri-vate schools, and here we look atIslamic schools and the ‘formerModel-C’ schools. When askedwhy they send their children to anIslamic school the responses wereas follows:

‘Because I wanted them tohave a more Islamic approach onlife, showing that one can becomewhatever you want but also be agood Muslim. The idea that Mus-lim schools function around thesalaah is great. Most of our chil-dren’s development happenswhen they are at school, and I

think having them sur-rounded by Muslimpeers is a great start!’

‘I felt that it wouldbe great if they couldget their madrassaheducation during schoolhours, otherwise theday is very long forthem plus, they wouldhave to be transportedto another venue.’

It was at an Islamicschool that the teacher

did not complete the prescribedwork in Grade 10. When askedabout this, and whether they weredoing anything about it, the gen-eral consensus was:

‘It was very disappointing, Ididn’t want to make too much ofit as well because I don’t want myson to be victimised.’

‘No I didn’t. This was notbrought to our attention by theprincipal or teachers; I’m hopingthat they have an interventionstrategy.’

To the question of whether thestandard of education is ade-quate, the unanimous reply was:

‘For a private school, no! Also,their support structure is non-existent. I remember when I wentfor my first interview at theschool I was promised that noadditional tuition would be need-ed.

‘If the child lacked understand-ing in any subject, they wouldarrange extra classes after schoolat no additional cost. I have sinceenrolled my child in both mathsand physics for private tuition –something I can least afford.’

There are many Muslim par-ents whose children started out atan Islamic school, and theymoved them to a ‘former Model-C’ school where the fees can be asmuch as R40 000 per annum. Themain reason behind this move isthat parents feel that the standardof education is much higher.

They feel that Islamic schoolsare too clannish; at the otherschool, their children learn tointeract with diverse groups; theylearn to be tolerant of differencesin race and religion, they are self-confident and can hold their ownin any strata of society.

The Islamic school teaches thechild academic knowledge where-as at the other school the child iseducated to cope with life.

In spite of the diversity ofviews, one fact stands out veryclearly. In order to do the best forthe youth, teachers and parentsmust work with the learners,however much they may feelalready pressurised.

In the past, the education sys-tem was dealt two severe blows,which goes a long way in explain-ing the situation today.

The government closed theteacher training colleges and, as ateacher of 55 years experiencepointed out, ‘Today’s teachershave not been shown how toteach; they come with academicknowledge and no skills. A casein point is the way children learnto write; they make a circle andadd a stroke to make an a, b or d.’

The second blow was when theeducation department offeredvoluntary retirement packagessome years ago.

This resulted in a mass exodusof experienced teachers whocould today have mentored the

young ones fresh from university.There is a difference between a

teacher and an educator: an edu-cator motivates and inspires thechild to discover for himself so hecan become a holistic, responsibleadult.

It is just as much the parent’sduty; children are entrusted to usby Allah and we will have to givean account of what we did, anddid not do.

Our children come into theworld pure and unblemished, andwhoever touches the child’s lifewill make a mark. Parents do notchoose to have a child, that is thetaqdir of Allah; yet they have tofulfil the responsibility by tryingto do their best.

Teachers, on the other hand,have made a choice. When agroup of children walk into theclassroom at the beginning of theschool year, the teacher is therebecause he or she has chosen theprofession of teaching. Teachingused to be a vocation, with someexceptions; this is no longer thecase.

There is no denying that teach-ers are under a lot of pressure andstress, and we empathise with theconditions under which theylabour. However, it is their choiceand, therefore, an amanah theyhave accepted.

When a teacher rolls his/ hereyes when a child asks questionsor says ‘for God’s sake’ when achild does not understand the les-son, should that person be stand-ing in a classroom filled withyoung children?

Parents who are made awareof things not being right in theirchildren’s classrooms have theresponsibility of addressing thesituation, instead of hoping forthe best.

Let us now open all the doors,and work together.

We may be working withyoung minds but we are alsoholding the very souls of ourfuture.

From Consciousness to Contentment

Education: opening the doorsThere are many Muslim parents

whose children started out at an Islamic

school, and they moved them to a

‘former Model-C’ school …

Muslim Views


Muslim Views


THE pain in my stomachwas intense. I sweated. Iwrithed. I screamed. I

begged to be taken to hospital.The gastro-enterologist admittedme to hospital.

I was wheeled into a ward,given intravenous fluids and med-ication.

The man next to me in the pri-vate, two-bed, ward screamedincessantly.

He coughed, spluttered andspat. His doctor came, wrote upsomething, shook his head in dis-may and muttered to himself.

A private care-giver was morevocal. She loudly begged, bad-gered and cajoled the frail oldman to be quiet and get some rest.He ignored her, spat some more,coughed louder and screamedthat his son was a doctor.

Through the mist of the potentpainkilling Pethidine and anti-spasmodic, I wished the care-giver would shut up and juststrangle the man.

But my wishes were empty.And then, miracle of miracles, thenight staff came on duty and thenursing sister-in-charge flew intomy room, raised her hands in hor-ror and shouted, ‘Who put you inhere?’

Before I could answer, shegrabbed the end of my bed andswung it right out of the room.Down the hall I rode and into aroom at the end of the corridor.

Peace at last, thank Almightypeace at… it wasn’t to be ‘at last’.The room was right next to thenoisy kitchen.

There was banging and clang-ing at every meal and, often, inbetween.

Woozily I sighed; at least thescreaming was gone. My sighevaporated into despair. The manin the bed next to me jumped

around in his bed. Swoosh,swoosh and again swoosh, heswished his legs from side to sideevery few seconds.

The starched linen screechedtill it sent me up the wall. I askedhim to stop.

He stopped.Then he started texting ream

upon ream on his cell-phone,soon followed by some lustyphone calls.

He was being divorced butthere were two mistresses at theother end of the phone. I turnedaway. Sleep kicked in.

Hospitals are terrible places;nurses wake you every few hoursto take your blood pressure andtemperature.

Mercy and rest are not in theirmanuals. In their gossip, I heardthat the old man in my first wardhad died during the night, aged103.

With dawn, my neighbour’sphone fired on all cylinders. Mid-morning, a mousy woman creptin. The bedside curtain wasdrawn but the conversation inwhispers sounded suspiciouslylike ‘sweet-nothings’. She fledbefore noon.

At visiting hours, a viragomarched in, scowled at me andmade a crude remark directed atme for not having conversed withsaid neighbour. How could I,sedated and in need of rest?

It was best not to answer; thevisitor’s loud voice could crackconcrete. A few heavy breathsand she let go. She berated theneighbour for consorting withsluts of dubious morality. He wason the defensive.

Then she gave him some badnews: he would not be compen-sated for his illness and absencefrom work.

He grabbed his phone and letloose a stream of invectives I hadnot heard since the days of Dis-trict Six when, on a Saturdayafternoon, a bare-breasted, drunkwoman screamed a challenge toall the local prostitutes to comeout and fight.

Like her, he concentrated par-ticularly on the female areassouth of the navel. Victorianladies would have had thevapours and fainted; the viragojust laughed.

After tea, the gastroenterolo-gist came and told me to stayanother night.

My gut wrenches had subsidedto minor cramps. All tests werenormal. My neighbour was apoliceman with problems. I fled.

This wake-up call galvanisedme into action. I had to get mywill and papers in order and, evenmore urgently, I had to savour thesweet nectars of life I enjoyedmost.

Photography has been one oflife’s blessings for me. Say ‘cheese’photography, standing in front ofthe Pyramids and the Taj Mahal iswell and good if you want to havebackground memories adornedwith smiles and teeth but it has itslimitations.

To me, the Pyramids and theTaj Mahal, as objects of man’sfinest creative hours, are infinitelymore special. They have geomet-ric shapes painted with history.They change moment to momentwith sun and shade.

In moonlight, they glow; it isthen that their beauty thrills. Mycontention says that, whether dayor night, photography can cap-ture all their vicarious moods,keeping them forever alive andprecious.

My cupboards and albumsburst with thousands of slides andphotographs. They have recordedthe dew on spider’s webs, thefighting-charge of Moroccanhorsemen and the nimble fingersof ragged children deep in Kash-mir, weaving the most beautifulcarpets.

My collection has recordedvaried cultural heritages and cere-monies, particularly those of ourimmediate surrounds.

But, my lenses have also dwelton the infinite beauty of the nat-ural world and the skies.

With time, they will have senti-mental and historic value. I haveto get them annotated andlabelled.

Recently, multi-lingual Dr AnnSiim, a Muslim researcher from StPetersburg, in northern Russia,paid me a visit.

She was interested in the originof Arab-Afrikaans.

I was somewhat taken abackthat a researcher from Russiawould be interested in so obscurea facet of history as the historicaldevelopment of Arab-Afrikaansand its role in the genesis of mod-ern Afrikaans.

She had been to a UCT confer-ence and was interested in Africanlanguages. Dr Siim could readand speak both English andAfrikaans. My collection of oldmanuscripts and kitaabs (reli-gious-books), some of which Ihad used during madrassah years,excited her.

She lovingly pored over themas if they were a researcher’scaviar. Three hours of non-stopquestions and banter drained mebut she said in the end: ‘I gotmore out of this session than thewhole conference.’

That was a thanks that put sig-nificance to my years of accumu-lating papers that most wouldhave buried or burnt, as was thecustom not so long ago.

Fire and burial of historic doc-uments and cultural ephemera(short-lived objects and fashion)poison objective history; keepthem safe for the following gener-ations.

Books have stored the memoryand the history of empires, writ-ers and poets; without them wewould be the poorer. Books havekept the windows to the pastopen for scholars and ordinaryman.

Modern technology is threat-ening the existence of the paperand parchment written word. Butone should treat with cautionrapidly changing techno-access tothe creative word.

Differently coded computerword-processing has made manysupposedly secure forms such asWordperfect largely obsolete.Recordings on shellac, vinyl,wire, tape, compact disc (CD) andDVD will soon be superseded byflash-drives, and even that isthreatened by ‘cloud storage’.

Words on papyrus, velum andpaper have had longer storagelives and readability than any-thing in the nebulous ether ofcomputers. So, save your historicpapers.

Sadly, I’ve accumulated somany books that I need a string ofreincarnations to read them all.But, I love them all.

They are my trusted friends,and they’ve never talked behindmy back.

Books can, of course, recordthe good, the bad and the funny. Irecently read The Court of theCaliphs of Bagdad by HughKennedy (Muhammad ibn Jarir alTabari was a prime source).

Caliph Harun al-Rashid (766-809), renowned for The ArabianNights Fairy Tales, had a stepsis-ter, Ulayga, who was a very goodpoetess.

‘Ulayga spent her life caughtup in contradiction of her posi-tion.

‘She is said to have been piousand much preoccupied withprayer and study of the Koran.Poetry and song were her onlypleasures and she would, we aretold, not drink wine except dur-ing her periods, when she wasbanned from prayer.’

Also noted (p. 174) was: ‘Inthe early Abbasid period the HolyCity of Medina, perhaps surpris-ingly, was the most famous centrefor the training of singing girls,mostly slave girls.’

Fiction and fact can sometimesbe difficult to tell apart. Readingmust be accompanied by insight-ful assessment and questioning. Itis common wisdom to wear athinking cap, not some of thetime but all of the time.

One never knows when yourwake-up call comes; be readywhen it does.

Hospitalsare terribleplaces;nurseswake youevery fewhours totake yourblood

pressure and tempera-ture, writes Doctor M C D’ARCY.

FOR ALLFOR ALL

A wake-up call

Azeemat for luck – my collection.Photo M C D’ARCY

Koples book in Afrikaans used in ‘Kitchen Madrassah’. Photo M C D’ARCY

Documents

Muslim Views, April 2014