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19TH EDITION FEBRUARY 2008 - Safar 1429

Inside this issue

SHEIKH RAED SALAH FINALLY
VISITS CAPE TOWN By Sanaa Petersen

S heikh Raed Salah, fondly

known as Sheikh Al-Aqsa,
because of his dedication to
the preservation of Masjidul
Aqsa and leader of the Islamic
Have your say with Movement in the Occupied
Palestine 1948, previous Mayor
the President of Umm el-Fahm, Head of the
PAGE 3 Supreme council for Da’wah
and Relief Agency and Free
Prisoners Agency, arrived in
Cape Town on the 31 January.
His visit illustrated the harsh
realities of Masjidul Aqsa and
the Palestinian people. Sheikh
Raed was first scheduled to visit
South Africa (SA) in 1998, but
on the eve of his departure, he
suffered a blotched assassina-
tion attempt on his life instead
TOP 10 MUSLIM killing three of his supporters.
A second attempt to visit SA,
MATRICULANTS was retaliated by the Zionist
PAGE 4 incarcerating him. “It has taken
over ten years (of good rela-
tions) to get the Sheikh to visit
South Africa,” said Mln Ihsaan
Hendricks, president of the
Muslim Judicial Council and
host.
The Sheikh mainly addressed
varied large Muslim audiences
and pointed out that Masjidul
Aqsa remains in danger of oblit-
eration by the Zionist. He high-
NURJAHAN, CHAMPION lighted that in earlier years of
OF FAMILY LAW occupation the Zionist denied
excavating under Masjidul
PAGE 7 Aqsa and openly vowed to
build the Temple of Solomon
on its ruins. Sheikh Raed
reminded the Muslim audi-
ences, that Masjidul Aqsa is
the first Qibla, before Makkah,
and the place where the sacred
journey of Miraaj occurred. He
said that the preservation of
Masjidul Aqsa is the respon-
sibility of all Muslims and not
only Palestinians. “The United
Nations (UN) was originally
established for all the people of
the world, they (UN) select who
to help, but we don’t depend on
the UN, we calling on the jus-
tice loving people of the world
…we pray Allah (swt) will
allow us to liberate Masjidul
Aqsa,’ said Sheikh Raed. His
brief visit rejuvenated the com-
mitment of Muslims to liberate
Masjidual Aqsa and Palestine
from the illegal occupation of
the Zionist. “Don’t think we
asking for your charity and
donations,” said Mln Ihsaan and
urged Muslims to give Masjidul Sheikh Raed Salah, Leader of the Islamic Movement in Jerusalem,
arrived in Cape Town on 31 January 2008
Aqsa its haq (right).
which left the Sheikh and par- the plight of Masjidul Aqsa and
The Cape Town leg of Sheikh ticular Sheikh Ebrahim Gabriels Palestine. The youth displayed
Raed’s visit raised over and Sheikh Erefaan Abrahams their consciousness of the dire
R1million for the preservation in tears was the mini Mahrajaan situation in Palestine with ref-
and liberation of Masjidul Aqsa, (rally) led by the Muslim youth. erence to Gaza and donated
with Mln Ihsaan Hendricks, A tearful Sheikh Gabriels their lunch monies to Masjidul
Sheikh Ebrahim Gabriels, said, “This day is the proud- Aqsa.
Sheikh Ihsaan Taliep pledging est moment in my life.” The
half of their salaries, until its Darul Islam hall overflowed Picture gallery on page 12
liberation. with young Muslims, from the
independent Muslim schools,
The most heartwarming event, pledging their commitment to

CHIEF RABBI
POOR CONSUMERS MILKING’ THE POOR
SAYS MOVE PAY FOR BREAD CONSUMER
GAZANS TO A CARTELS PRICE-FIXING
PALESTINE IN L ast month, the price of bread with rival bakeries to fix the price

SINAI I
rose between 35c and 40c
a loaf after the Competition
Commission, confirmed it inves-
of bread. Pioneer Food denies it
had done anything wrong. "We
have sent them the names of the
n 2006 the Competition
Commission referred a
cartel case against Clover
who said supermarkets were
taking part in price-fixing.

PAGE 8
ISLAMIC MEDIA AGENCY CC
CK 2002/001313/23
Editor: Sanaa Petersen
Religious Contributors:
Dr Abdul Malik
Printers: F.A. Print
Lifestyle Editor: Mymoena Arnold Tape
466 Lansdowne Road,
Lansdowne, 7780
Tel: 021 697 2294 • Fax: 021 697 2304
Email:info@islamicmedia.co.za
Website: www.islamicmedia.co.za
tigated price-fixing allegations
against Pioneer Foods, Premier
Foods and Tiger Brands and would
ask the Competition Tribunal to
fine Pioneer 10 percent of its
R11,7-billion turnover of last
year. The commission fined Tiger
Brands an administrative penalty
of R98,8-million last year. Premier
Foods was granted immunity in
return for its willingness to assist
the investigations. Pioneer Foods,
which owns Sasko and Duens bak-
eries, faces a fine of nearly R1,2-
billion for allegedly colluding
people in their company who
attended meetings (with rival bak-
eries) where prices were fixed and
we have provided details of the
times when these meetings took
place, but Pioneer still insists they
have done nothing wrong,” said
Thulani Kunene, acting deputy
commissioner of the Competition
Commission. Kunene said Pioneer
would defend itself in an open
hearing before the Competition
Tribunal. The date of the hearing
is not known.
Industries, Clover SA, Parmalat,
Ladismith Cheese, Woodlands
Dairy, Lancewood, Nestle SA
and Milkwood Dairy to the
Competition Tribunal.
Clover successfully applied at
the time for leniency in relation
to the accusation that it removed
surplus milk from the market in
order to keep prices high. A sep-
arate investigation was under-
way into a complaint by the
Milk Producers' Organisation
In 2006, the commission said
investigations since 2005 had
found evidence of price fix-
ing by milk producers and the
manipulation of trading condi-
tions for raw and retail milk. If
found guilty, the milk compa-
nies could pay a penalty of up
to ten percent of their annual
turnover. And, then the price of
Milk will increase!
 2 February 2008 - Safar 1429
NEWS BITES
COMPILED BY SANAA PETERSEN
Yvonne Ridley sues
Islamic TV bosses
for sex and religious
discrimination
High-profile Muslim convert Yvonne
Ridley was driven out of her pre-
senter job on an Islamic TV station
by "sexist" male bosses, a tribunal
has heard. The former Fleet Street
and Al-Jazeera reporter claimed a
campaign of bullying and smears
from Islam Channel chiefs was
more stressful than when she was
kidnapped by murderous Taliban
fanatics in Afghanistan. Ms Ridley,
a member of George Galloway's
Respect party who styles herself
'Sister Yvonne' after very publicly
converting to Islam, is suing the
channel for sex and religious dis-
crimination and constructive dis-
missal after her current affairs show
was axed last year. She told a
London tribunal relations with chan-
nel boss Mohammed Ali - who she
claimed thought gay people should
be "thrown off tall buildings" - got
so bad he deliberately set out to
trash her reputation by claiming he
had seen her kissing and shaking
hands with men. This, she said, was
a serious slur for a devout Muslim
woman that threatened to wreck
both her career and her marriage.
SANZAF congratulates the 2007 Academic Achievers
The South African National Zakaah
Fund – WC (SANZAF) congratu-
lates all matriculants on their aca-
demic achievement, with a spe-
cial note to the learners from the
Independent Muslim High Schools.
Evidently, these learners have dis-
played remarkable achievements
in their scholastic and Islamic cur-
ricular by achieving distinctions in
the Arabic language.
“We commend the Islamic Media
Agency for the first ever awards
ceremony in the Province,’ said
Mogammad Amien Jacobs,
Administrator.
SANZAF believes that through
education a community can be
empowered to develop and grow
into a progressive, sustainable and
positive one. It recognizes that not
British Jews
condemns Israel’s
oppression in Gaza
A controversial coalition of prominent
Jewish activists and academics has
reignited controversy in the British
Jewish community after taking out a
paid advertisement in The Times this
week calling for Israel to lift its eco-
nomic blockade of the Gaza Strip and
accusing the state of breaching inter-
national law. The statement appeared
on the inside pages of the paper and
was signed by 250 of the group’s
members, entitled "End the siege of
Gaza!" "Independent Jewish Voices"
was formed a year ago and counts
Nobel laureate Harold Pinter and actor
Stephen Fry among its prominent sig-
natories. The group was formed to
provide an alternative to the Board
of Deputies of British Jews - a cross
communal Jewish organisation dating
back to 1760 - who the IJV felt were
inauthentically presenting themselves
as the exclusive voice of Judaism in
Britain.
ANC, SABC: divorce
on the cards?
The relationship between the ruling
party and the public broadcaster has
severely deteriorated in the past few
all achieving learners are financial-
ly able to further their studies.
“SANZAF is committed to empow-
ering the destitute and the needy
person, who is intent on pursueing
their education,” said Jacobs.
Since, its inception in 1985
the SANZAF Education and
Empowerment Project has grown
dramatically into one of SANZAF’s
prioritized projects. In the finan-
cial year ending August 2007
SANZAF Western Cape has award-
ed R1,652,635 in bursaries. The
budget for the current academic
year is R2mil.
The chart reflects the type of insti-
tution, the number of students
SANZAF assisted and the total
amount sponsored.
years amid accusations by Jacob
Zuma supporters, which includes
Zwelinzima Vavi-led Cosatu, Fikile
Mbalula-led ANC Youth League
(ANCYL) and Buti Manamela
and his Young Communist League
(YCL), that Mpofu and head of
news Snuki Zikalala are biased
against Msholozi. Some observers
believe that the ‘marriage', which
has lasted for more than a decade,
might be heading for a ‘painful
divorce'. Prof Harber said: “Things
are topsy-turvy. Normally, political
parties try and seduce the media and
journalists play hard-to-get. “But
here the SABC has stripped off its
clothes and it is parading around
naked, and the political party is beg-
ging them to get dressed.”
AMERICAN
CANDITATES USE
ISLAM TO SECURE
VOTES
Juan R.I. Cole, a professor of history
at the University of Michigan, said
that immediately after Sept. 11, 30
percent of Americans had a negative
view of Islam. But reports published
in the Washington Post and USA
Today in December found that 45
percent of Americans held nega-
tive views of Islam. He said such a
change "is not natural." He blamed
379,029,739
(105 assisted)
University
For more information on the application process of a bursary please
log onto www.sanzaf.org.za or telephone 0861 726923
"the American right wing" and the
media for creating this negative
view to help win elections. Cole and
Corey P. Saylor, legislative director
of the Council on American-Islamic
Relations, discussed "Exploitation
of Islamophobia in Elections," or
how they said politicians are creat-
ing and exploiting new threatening
terms to manipulate public opinion
and get their votes.
Cole said President Bush and other
Republicans, including some of the
current presidential candidates, have
used the term "Islamofacism." He
compared it to an old political tac-
tic. "They used to make them afraid
of the Communists, now they are
making them afraid Muslims," he
said. Most people would find such a
term applied to other religions to be
"highly objectionable," Cole said.
"Nobody talks about Christofascism,
and they should not."
While fascism is an old, hierarchi-
cal, elite system that is based on
discrimination, he said, "Islam is
none of these things." Noting that
Rep. Tom Tancredo, who briefly
ran for president, suggested blowing
up the Islamic holy sites of Mecca
and Medina if there were anoth-
er attack on the U.S., Cole asked
what the U.S. response would be if
SANZAF WESTERN CAPE Bursary Project
01 September 2006 - 31 August 2007
249,640
(50 assisted)
Private College Technical College
Iranian leaders suggested blowing
up the Vatican. He called ideas such
as Tancredo's "crackpotism of the
highest order."
Both Cole and Saylor said Muslims
in the U.S. today face similar prob-
lems of other minorities, including
Japanese-Americans during World
War II and African Americans.
NEW FLEA-MARKET
FOR RONDEBOSCH
Rashidah Mahatey starts local flea-
market on the corner of 4th Avenue
and Mosman Road in Rondebosch
East, “The site has huge potential
and we want to turn it into a real
family social destination by intro-
ducing a small park for children as
well as hosting programs for ladies.
We also want this flea market to be
different from others by encourag-
ing home industries. We know there
are a lot of ladies who are looking
for an outlet for their business and
this will serve as an ideal opportu-
nity for them,” said Mahatey. Those
who wish to apply for a stall can
contact me at 021-633 1833 or 082
7843844 or visit us at the flea mar-
ket on a Saturday
511,739
(117 assisted)
512,232
(133 assisted)
Darul Uloom
 February 2008 - Safar 1429
Have your say with President Thabo Mbeki
P resident Thabo Mbeki
addressed the nation at the
opening of Parliament on 8
February 2008, below is an
edited version of his speech,
highlighting the main points
affecting South African citi-
zens. The full address can be
downloaded from our website
– www.islamicmedia.co.za.
We encourage our readers to
respond to Mbeki’s speech
which is addressed to them,
citizens of South Africa. Please
begin your response with
Dear Mr President and email
to info@islamicmedia.co.za,
fax 021 697 2304 or sms 074
2274345, we will publish it
and forward to him.
State of the Nation Address
(edited)
They (SA citizens) are con-
cerned about the national emer-
gency into which the country
has been thrown by the unex-
pected disruptions in the sup-
ply of electricity.
Energy crises: Black-outs
In essence the significant rise
in electricity demand over
the last two years has out-
stripped the new capacity we
have brought on stream. The
resultant tight supply situation
makes the overall system vul-
nerable to any incident affect-
ing the availability of energy.
In this situation, we have to
curtail the unplanned outag-
es and the only way we can
do this immediately is reduce
demand and thus ensure a bet-
ter reserve margin.
Government will start imple-
menting a campaign to ensure
efficient lighting, solar water
heating and geyser load man-
agement in households, includ-
ing housing standards for all
new houses and developments.
We urge households that can
afford to act immediately to
consider implementing these
energy-saving measures.
On the supply side Eskom is
working furiously to ensure the
3
introduction of co-generation
projects as a matter of urgency.
We are taking steps to enhance
tion and how they can help to
address our current challenges.
to 50% of the population by
the end of the year. Attached
to this will be a manufactur-
the lowest three quintiles, free-
ing them from the responsibil-
ity to charge fees, and speeding
Eskom's mainte- ing strategy for up on-the-job training for pro-
nance capacity. We the development fessional graduates.
have emergency in South Africa
task teams dealing of Set Top Boxes, Further, after correcting weak-
with the challenge which should be nesses in our Adult Basic
of coal quality and finalised by the Education programme, we
supply with the coal middle of the shall this month launch the
mining industry year. Kha Ri Gude mass literacy
and we are work- campaign. This will include
ing to fast track Having noted that the training of master trainers
the approval and the tardiness with who will provide basic literacy
construction of gas which government classes to 300 000 adults and
turbine projects. processes applica- youth in 2008.
All these actions, tions for invest-
taken together ment in relation Alleviating of Poverty
with the electricity to issues such as Among the key proposed
saving measures, land acquisition, interventions are: expand-
will improve cer- infrastructure and ing the public works pro-
tainty and raise the environmental gramme, employment sub-
reserve margin. impact assess- sidies for direct job-creation
ments can at times for targeted groups, enhancing
Next week the make or break employment search capability,
Provincial Premiers investor deci- improving education and train-
will convene their sions, set up a call ing, improving services and
fora with mayors centre through assets among poor communi-
to plan and imple- which prospec- ties, specific interventions in
ment the energy tive investors and poor households, and ensur-
saving measures government can ing effectiveness of institutions
in all the munici- track these pro- supporting women and other
palities across the cesses. sectors. Among others, we will
country. They will make an evaluation of the gen-
be supported by Skills develop- der machinery so as to improve
technical teams ment all aspects related to women
from EDI Holdings, A deliberate empowerment.
Eskom and the focus will be on
National Energy matters of skills Parallel to this initiative is
Efficiency Agency. development. a special project to examine
The Department Work to review interventions required to deal
of Provincial and the National with vulnerable children over
Local Government President Thabo Mbeki at the opening of Parliament Human Resource the age of 14.
will co-ordinate on 8 February 2008 - Sanaa Petersen Development
this activity sup- Strategy will be We will require a National
ported by the line Departments Information and communi- completed this year, and the War Room for a War Against
of Mineral and Energy and cation technology projects that the joint team Poverty bringing together
Public Enterprises. We will this year complete the of government, labour, busi- departments such as Social
licensing and operationalisa- ness and academic institu- Development, Provincial and
I will convene a meeting of tion of Infraco. Already, money tions organised under the Joint Local Government, Trade
the Joint Presidential Working has been allocated for Sentech Initiative on Priority Skills and Industry, Agriculture and
Groups to co-ordinate our to become a wireless internet Acquisition (JIPSA) will be Land Affairs, Public Works
overall actions. I will also wholesaler as well as finance intensified. and Health as well as pro-
shortly announce a team of its digitisation. Working with vincial and local administra-
'Energy Champions' consist- other governments on the con- In addition to this work we will tions, which will work with
ing of prominent and knowl- tinent and the private sector, in the coming period prioritise non-governmental organisa-
edgeable South Africans who we will complete the process to further interventions in the tions (NGOs) and business to
will assist government with the launch the undersea cables. further education and training identify the interventions
energy efficiency campaign (FET) colleges, the sector edu-
and inform investors and com- At the same time, we aim to cation and training authorities continue on page 6
munities on the actual situa- provide digital broadcasting (SETAs), resourcing schools in

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 4 February 2008 - Safar 1429

TOP 10 MATRICULANTS FROM MUSLIM

HIGH SCHOOLS Alia Limbada

S habbeer Omar came in

tops with 98% at the
Annual Award Ceremony
Omar came in at 208 in
the province, out of a total
48 000 learners who wrote
Agency (IMA). The Muslim
high schools are Al-Azhar
High (Athlone), Iqraa
that we need to recognise
our Muslim youth, not only
for completing Matric but
the media that they planned
to study Medicine at the
University of Stellenbosch.
for Independent Muslim the Senior Certificate Academy (Old Belhar), Darul for excelling and wanting Ijaz Mukadam from the
Schools and Kaamilah Examinations in 2007. Islam High (Surrey Estate), to be better and want better. Al-azhar High said that he
Fakier followed planned to specia-
close behind with lise in cardiology,
97,5%. Shafeeqa while Natheerah
Mohammad, Galer said that the
with 96%, came hardest subjects
in third followed for her were math-
by runners up ematics and sci-
Shakira Dawood, ence. According to
Ridwaan Osman, Shakira Dawood,
Zaakirah Moosa, who received 94%
Altaaf Harnekar, at the end of mat-
Ulfa Hendricks, ric, her achieve-
Natheerah ment came after
Galer and Ijaaz hard work and a
Mukaddam. balanced lifestyle.
“I had quite a bal-
The above learn- anced life last year.
ers were named I would go to the
as the Top Ten movies with my
Achievers of family and also
Distinction from have my breaks.
the Independent But when it came
Muslim schools in to exam times I
the Western Cape would really put
and were award- my head to it and
ed on Wednesday wok hard.”
at the first-ever
Islamic award With the mat-
ceremony in the ric class of 2007
province. The MEC Cameron Dugmore awards the Top 10 Academic Achievers of the Independent Muslim High Schools in the Western Cape receiving the first
awards, held at with the Islamic Media Agency : 2007 Awards of Academic Excellence Pic: MH Fryddie award for Muslim
the International independent
Peace University of South Dugmore highlighted the Madrasatul Rajaa (Strand), All these debates and talks schools, Petersen ensured
Africa, were hosted by importance of such an inde- Islamia College (Lansdowne) throughout the year culmi- that the 2008 ceremony
The Islamic Media Agency pendent event and was in the and Darul Arqam Institute nated in this award of excel- would be much bigger as
(IMA) with their partners process of finding Omar a (M/Plain). lence,” said Petersen. the on-going aim to uplift
the Muslim Judicial Council scholarship/bursary to spon- learners in the community
– Youth Desk (MJC). sor his studies in Actuarial “The IMA has worked with A total of 326 learners from continues. The IMA sin-
Science at the University of various youth through its these independent schools cerely appreciates the com-
Minister Cameron Dugmore Cape Town in 2008. community newspaper and wrote the matric exam and a mitment of the community
at the ceremony handed its partnerships with the total of 18 learners achieved bank Albaraka Bank for
over The 2007 Overall Top The award, still in its pilot MJC Youth Desk where distinctions, Petersen report- their unflinching support,
Achiever - IMA Trophy stage was to highlight the we have empowered them ed. “Even though the num- Frysche Marketing and
of Academic Excellence achievements of Muslim by improving their writing ber of learners who achieved Hijri Travel for sponsor-
to Omar in addition to a learners at the six indepen- skills. Often, these young distinctions are few, we are ing the 2nd and 3rd prizes,
Futuregrowth Albaraka dent Muslim schools in people would complain hoping that the awards will Salies Electrical, Ummati
Equity Fund (A Shariah the province according to that their achievements jack them up a bit.” and the MJC Youth Desk.
compliant unit trust invest- organiser, Sanaa Petersen, were never acknowledged.
ment) valued at R2500-00. Director of the Islamic Media Through this, we realised Three of the top ten told

Congratulations to the 2007 Academic Achievers of the Independent Muslim High Schools.
Wishing our young leaders a successful and bright future.
February 2008 - Safar 1429
Abuse of parents – a neglected plight
By Ismail Osman
T he plight of abuse against
children has over the years
been prioritized by the NGO
sector as a top priority on their
agenda and has drawn the
attention of our Legislators,
resulting in government formu-
lating stringent laws with heavy
punitive measures to deal with
perpetrators of this crime.
In no-way am I criticizing this
very necessary and long over-
due move by all, but my point is
that while we focus much of our
energies on the safety and the
prevention of our children from
abuse, very little is said or done
with regard to parent abuse.
This particular type of crime is
on the increase, yet it escapes,
as much as we parents try to
wish it away, it is there and
needs to be addressed. After
perusing the following quranic
chapters and verses namely,
C17:23-24; C29:8; C31:14-15;
C46:15 you will discover how
serious the Almighty views the
crime of parent-abuse.
In these verses it becomes
clear that the child has no jus-
tification whatsoever to treat its
parents with disrespect. The
Almighty makes it abundantly
clear that event if the parents
to persuade the child to ascribe
partners to Him, the child
should in no way obey their
parents, but still maintain the
love and respect for them. The
child is constantly reminded of
the trials, trauma and tribula-
tions the parents underwent
in raising them, with specific
reminders of the hard times
the mother experienced during
her pregnancy. Once again
the Almighty reminds the child
of its total dependence whilst
in its infantile stages until it
reached the age where it could
fight and fend for itself.
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5
In early days many of our par-
ents were not afforded the
luxury of high academic edu-
rooms when colleagues of the
academia frequent our posh
residence. The ‘old folks’ or
children place their Jannats in
old-age homes. Interestingly,
in the past two parents could
when the man replied, “I car-
ried them in Tawaaf around
the holy Kaabah, and there
cation. The earlier generation ‘oxygen thieves’ are some of raise and average of twelve is no greater act done to par-
of parents were largely victim the unbecoming names we call children under the most trying ents than this.’ The Prophet
to circumstances and had to them. They appear to be a nui- conditions, but twelve children (saw) answered that even if
suffice with only a few years sance and children find it diffi- find it a major problem to tend he carried his parents for a
of primary learning, with very cult to tolerate their parents so- to one or two parents. thousand circumambulations
few reaching secondary level, called irresponsible behavior of the Kaabah it would not be
let alone tertiary or university when they’ve reached old age Lastly, to illustrate the value equivalent to one drop of milk
level. They were forced to or bordering on senility. Parents placed on parents , I would like his mother fed to him when he
leave school in order to earn a are becoming a nuisance to narrate an incident during was a baby.
living to sustain their families. to children when they have the time of the Prophet (saw). A
In many instances mothers had become ill and frail. Children man came to the Prophet (saw) Ismail Osman is the public
to work in the absence of the have forgotten the narration of saying that he had repaid his relations officer of the Islamic
father. Academics, intellectu- the Prophet (saw), ‘Al Jannatu parents for everything that they Social and Welfare Association
als, professors were few and tagta aqdaamul Ummahaat’ had done for him. The Prophet (ISWA)
far between. meaning ‘The paradise lies at (saw) enquired as to what it
the feet of the mothers.’ Some was which was so important,
In this modern day and age
the situation has changed sig-
nificantly. Every second family
prides a doctor, lawyer, teacher,
chartered accountant, engineer
and many other academics.
This begs the question, How
is this turn-around possible?
Many parents went through life
struggling to provide a ‘better’
quality of education for their
children. Some parents went
to extreme measures (sacrific-
es) to acquire financial assis-
tance to ensure their children
completed tertiary education.
If we should ask our parents
what payment they expected
for all their patience, persever-
ance, love and sacrifices. The
answer would be simple, they
expect no materialistic return
only love, respect, appreciation
and kindness. The rights which
the Almighty enjoins on us,
which is due to our parents.
Sadly, instead of reciprocat-
ing their love, sacrifices and
Happy 80th birthday Mama
kindness, some of us, children
have become arrogant and To my dearest grandmother, Gadija Brown, who celebrated her birthday on 1 February, 2008, at Cosy
self-important, viewing our par- Corner, in the dreadful black-out. Shukr to Allah (swt) for honouring me with your love, wisdom, kind-
ents as an embarrassment. We ness and compassion. Love: Sanaa Petersen
hide our parents away when
our high profile socialites come This is my grandmother, do you have a picture of your grandmother, we would love to honour her.
to visit. Locked away in back Email: info@islamicmedia.co.za or fax us on 021 697 2304
Lansdowne Glass Islamic
Superior Insurance
Wholesalers cc Brokers cc Co-Ordinating
Council
Clear and tinted PVB safety glass
FSP 1228 – Members of Insurance
Glass shelving and table tops Mirrors
Frameless Shower Doors Polishing Done Brokers Council of S.A. Congratulations to the 2007
Specialists in Motor Insurance, Domestic, Commercial
In-House Cut outs and Holes drilled Academic Achievers of the
and all other classes of Insurance, Life Assurance
Congratulations to the 2007
Independent Muslim
Academic Achievers of the Congratulations to the 2007 Academic High Schools. Wishing our
Independent Muslim High Schools. Achievers of the Independent Muslim young leaders a successful and
Wishing our young leaders a High Schools. Wishing our young bright future.
successful and bright future.
leaders a successful and bright future. Islamic Co-Ordinating Council - for the
5 Range Road, Kenwyn
105 Repulse Road, Rylands Estate 7764 Greater Grassy Park Area
Tel: 021 797 2726 Fax: 021 797 4969
Tel: (021) 691-3900 • Fax: (021) 691-4767 For more information contact
Email:majdie@yahoo.co/ Cell: 082 491-0720 • Email: sib.igsaan@telkomsa.net
Yusuf Bharoochi on 021 705 6909 or
strauss8@webmail.co.za
masamodien@absamail.co.za
 6 February 2008 - Safar 1429

continuing from page 3
required in specific house-
holds and implement them as a
matter of urgency.
We shall this year attend to
other specific priorities which
are critical to the country's
war against poverty, in pursuit
of socio-economic inclusion.
These are:
* speeding up land and agrarian
reform with detailed plans for
land acquisition, better imple-
mentation of agricultural sup-
port services and household
food support, and improving
the capital base and reach of
the Micro-Agricultural Finance
Institutions of South Africa
(MAFISA) to provide micro-
credit in this sector: focus will
be placed on areas of large con-
centrations of farm dwellers and
those with high eviction rates,
and we aim to increase black
entrepreneurship in agricultural
production by 5% per year, and
the audit on land ownership will
be speeded up;
* the Budget will provide for
an increase in the social grant
system by equalising the age of
eligibility at 60, thus benefiting
about half a million men;
* intensifying efforts already
started to scale up assistance to
co-operatives and small enter-
prises especially those involv-
ing women, with emphasis on
providing training and markets,
including linking them up with
established outlets;
* scaling up the National Youth
Service programme including
a graduated increase of the
intake in the Military Skills
Development programme of the
South African National Defence
Force (SANDF) from the cur-
rent 4 000 to 10 000. R700 mil-
lion has already been given to
the SANDF to start scaling up
this programme;
* intensifying the Expanded
Public Works Programme
(EPWP) which, by surpass-
ing the set targets, has shown
potential to absorb more
entrants: this will include
increased intake of young peo-
ple in the programme to main-
tain public infrastructure, dou-
bling the number of children
enrolled in Early Childhood
Development to over 600 000
through 1 000 new sites with
more than 3 500 practitio-
ners trained and employed,
and increasing the number of
care-givers. About R1 billion
over baseline will be allocated
to programmes that fall within
the EPWP; and, lastly,
* introducing the system of
products for preferential pro-
curement by government from
small, medium and micro-
enterprises; and through the
Small Enterprises Development
Agency setting up a rigorous
system to ensure that the 30-day
payment period is observed.
We will also integrate the pro-
gramme to speed up the devel-
opment of sustainable human
settlements, with intensified
efforts, as a matter of urgent
priority, to accelerate univer-
sal access to water, sanitation
and electricity, so that by 2014,
we should have decent human
settlements and access by all
households to these services.
Accelerating our advance towards
the achievement of a goal of
health for all includes intensified
implementation of the National
Strategic Plan against HIV and
AIDS. We also aim during the
course of this year to reduce
tuberculosis (TB) defaulter rates
from 10% to 7%, train over 3 000
health personnel in the manage-
ment of this disease and ensure
that all multi-drug resistant
and extreme drug resistant TB
patients receive treatment.
We aim to complete the work on
the comprehensive social secu-
rity system, benefiting from the
consultations that have started
with social partners.
Youth
The first of these is a proposal
that we should develop an oath
that will be recited by learners
in their morning school assem-
blies, as well as a Youth Pledge
extolling the virtues of humane
conduct and human solidarity
among all South Africans. The
Minister of Education will next
week elaborate on the national
debate on these matters.
Crime
Cabinet has agreed on a set of
changes that are required to
establish a new, modernised,
efficient and transformed crimi-
nal justice system. Among
other things, this will entail
setting up a new co-ordinat-
ing and management structure
for the system at every level,
from national to local, bring-
ing together the judiciary and
magistracy, the police, prosecu-
tors, correctional services and
the Legal Aid Board, as well
as other interventions, includ-
ing the empowerment of the
Community Police Forums.
We shall also, during the course
of this year, process the Bills
on the transformation of the
judiciary in consultation with
judges and magistrates, com-
plete the strategy aimed at
strengthening border control
and security, further give life to
the Victims' Charter, pay par-
ticular attention to the issue of
repeat offenders, and continue
the implementation of addition-
al measures deriving from rec-
ommendations of the Truth and
Reconciliation Commission.
Informed by the imperative to
intensify the offensive against
organised crime, as well as
the recommendations of the
Khampepe Judicial Commission
on the functioning and location
of the Directorate of Special
Operations and continuing
reflections on this matter, we
shall by the end of March this
year, interact with Parliament
on legislation and other deci-
sive measures required further
to enhance our capacity to fight
organised crime.
What I do know and hereby
make bold to say is: whatever
the challenges of the moment,
we are still on course!
Please email your views,
addressed to Dear Mr President

Book Reviews Aziza’s Exotic

Chicken Curry
By Roshaan Misbach

Blissful Marriage is an excellent book, aimed
at both single people and married couples
alike. It is an easy read and a practical guide
for young and mature adults. It adequately
introduces the objectives for marriage which
are unfortunately not always considered when
embarking on this extremely important jour-
ney.
The authors challenges one to question and
ponder about what one should look for in
a potential spouse be it male or female. A
brilliant and detailed questionnaire is also
included to assist and guide with the selection
process.
We now make our way to tried and proven
ingredients for a successful marriage, can you
imagine what these could possibly be :
• The 7 Essential C’s
• The 5 Wonderful A’s
• The 7 Magical S’s
You’ll definitely have to read the book to
find out as it also discusses other ingredients
such as
• Rahmah
• Love
• Forgiveness
• Trust and Faithfulness
• Open mindedness and Understanding
• Respect
• Patience
What I loved about the book is that it’s filled
with examples based on Quran and Hadith.
I found the chapter on Tazkiyah (Purification
of the Soul), particularly fascinating. It is
encouraging to see that an entire chapter is
devoted to this very important aspect, empha-
sizing the fact that in order to have a whole- Ingredients Method
some relationship one has to continually strive • 1 x 1,5kg chicken cut into por- 1. Braise onions with stick cinna-
to purify one’s own soul. tions mon, cardamon and cloves in
• 3 medium-sized onions butter till golden brown.
There’s still loads more gems e.g case studies • 65 ml butter or ghee 2. In a bowl make a paste with
on common marital problems and not forget- • 2 x Shaikhs Exotics stick cinna- Chicken Masala, Garam masala,
ting family dynamics but buy the book and mon pieces tomato puree, ginger and garlic
discover it for yourself. • 3 x Shaikhs Exotics whole carda- paste and 1 cup (250ml) water.
mon 3. Add masala paste to onions and
Title: Blissful Marriage , A Practical Islamic • 2 x Shaikhs Exotics whole cloves cook for 5 min.
Guide • 5 ml salt or to taste 4. Add chicken pieces and cook for
Authors: Dr Ekram and M Rida Beshir • 30 ml garlic and ginger paste 5 min. so that the chicken is well
Paperback: 278 pages • 20 ml Shaikhs Exotics Chicken coated with spice mix.
Publisher: Amana Publications (August Masala 5. Add 375ml water and cook for 10
2003) • 2.5 ml Shaikhs Exotics Garam min.
Language: English Masala 6. Add potatoes and coconut milk
ISBN-10: 159008019X • 125 ml coconut milk and cook for 10 min. or until
ISBN-13: 978-1590080191 • 30 ml tomato puree potatoes are soft.
Sister Roshaan has started a Muslimah book • 3 potatoes quartered 7. Garnish with chopped coriander
club, please • 375 ml water leaves.
call her on 083 • ¼ bunch fresh coriander leaves, 8. Serve with basmati rice or rotis
647 3707 for washed and chopped and papadams
more details.
Optional: Add 50g raw cashews
when adding potatoes
for an exotic taste
This Exotic Chicken Curry can be
made the day before as the fla-
vour increases the next day.
Enjoy !
February 2008 - Safar 1429
7

NURJAHAN, CHAMPION OF FAMILY LAW

By Mymoena Arnold Tape

U pon first meeting with Nurjahan

Khan, you cannot help but be
enamoured by her verbal feistiness
and firm resolve. Meeting her on a
particularly cold Cape Town morning,
I was surprised to find a modestly-
clad woman before me, devoid of
designer labels and accessories, with
a warm smile and engaging personal-
ity. She definitely did not conform
to the general stereotyping of female
lawyers, chic and emotionally defunct.
So much for stereotyping!
Hailing from a suburb called
Kensington in Cape Town, Nurjahan
Khan is one of seven siblings.
Patriarchal traits were very evident in
Nurjahan’s home. However as a girl-
child, finding herself in a man’s world,
she would constantly question and
challenge. She attributes these patri-
archal traits to our apartheid legacy
and cultural impositions, “during the
apartheid days, games were played
and men played these games while the
women were just expected to follow,
used like pawns in it all”. Nurjahan,
however says she never saw herself
as a victim, “since you can choose
whether you want to be a victim or
not”.
Twenty-eight year old Nurjahan
enrolled for matric part-time, intent on
pursuing her childhood dream to study
Law. Three weeks before she was due
to write her final matric exams, hav-
ing persevered and persisted for three
years, Nurjahan suffered a personal
setback. Her husband of ten years was
tragically killed in a motor vehicle
accident in Johannesburg. Widowed
with three children to fend for, her spir-
its were at an all time low. However,
sheer determination managed to get
Nurjahan through her matric.
In 1985, she enrolled at the University
of the Western Cape for a B.A. degree
full-time, since she was now unde-
cided between Law or Psychology.
However, during 1986 she eventually
made up her mind and switched over
to Law.
However tragedy was to strike
yet again, when in that same year
Nurjahan’s mother fell seriously ill
with cancer. Nurjahan summarily
abandoned her studies to tend to her
mother, who passed on shortly there-
after. Nurjahan resumed her studies
part-time despite the emotional tur-
moil raging within.
She started working at the Department
of Justice in 1996, leaving in 2001 to
set up her own advice office, “assist-
ing complainants with problems such
as child maintenance, divorce, access,
custody and protection orders”. All
of this while still pursuing her stud-
ies. In 2005, after 20 years of hard
labour, personal trials and tribulations,
Nurjahan completed her studies.
Today Nurjahan Khan is an esteemed
and accomplished advocate of the
Cape High Court. When it comes to
justice and the implementation thereof
Nurjahan, dedicates her professional
labour to ensuring that no stone is
left unturned or allowed to pile for
too long. In the foreword of her
recently self-published and warmly-
received book, Law and I (2006),
she says, “Most challenging is the
issue of child support and domestic
violence having the most devastating
socio-economic effect on women and
children. I found it difficult indeed, to
keep issues of maintenance, divorce,
access and custody separate because
they are so intrinsically interlinked
within the complex nature of domestic
relationships”. Herein lies the depth of
Nurjahan’s passion for justice, evident
in the Family Law course she has
also introduced, empowering social
workers from diverse communities on
the Cape Flats, with a comprehensive
understanding of South African Family
Law, using her book as a guiding and
informative tool. She points out that,
“I offer workshops as a service to the
community so that people are more
equipped and informed when they
visit the courts and police stations.”
Nurjahan has on record repeatedly
commented that the Justice Deparment
“has dismally failed the people and let
the children down”.
Adding to this Nurjahan makes a very
serious concluding statement at the
end of her book, “ We are a long way
from rectifying past imbalances. What
is required is progressive restructuring
and reshaping of mindsets in govern-
ment to facilitate social cohesion in
order to attain Constitutional value of
human dignity”.
In order to spread the word, create
a deeper and increased awareness,
Nurjahan has distributed her book
free of charge to various NGOs on
the Cape Flats. Her hope is that these
NGOs will invest in purchasing more
copies of the book to help their field-
workers, who deal with these actual
cases on the ground. She also hopes to
take her workshops to other provinces
as well.
Asked whether her family life was
ever adversely affected, Nurjahan
comments “ I am saddened, because
often we compromise on family time
to serve the community, so one must
try and strike the balance.”
Nurjahan says she has “always been
inclined to run to people’s assistance”,
drawn to helping others in need or dire
straits. An established pillar of support
and source of refuge within her family,
professional and social circles. She
has always “felt obliged to come to the
rescue” of those who call on her.
Cape Town is fortunate to have such a
champion in the legal arena within the
ambit of child support, custody, access
and domestic violence, with the neces-
sary moral will and fortitude to help
ensure her that she contributes produc-
tively and positively to the collective
upliftment, empowerment, education
and more importantly, protection of
the weak and vulnerable, at all times.
Nurjahan’s book, Law and I, is avail-
able at the following Cape Town out-
lets :
Shaiks Exotics in Lansdowne, I
Care Children’s Foundation and at
Newworld Foundation at a cost of
R169.00 . The books are also available
on the shelves at municipal libraries in
the Western Cape.
If you have any questions for
Nurjahan please email us on info@
islamicmedia.co.za or fax on
0865 038 747.

SAXONSEA
HARDWARE & GIFTS
Congratulations to the 2007
Academic Achievers of
Lentegeur, Mitchells Plain
the Independent Muslim
Tel: 021 372 1106
High Schools. Wishing our
Fax: 021 372 1110
young leaders a successful
and bright future.
Congratulations to the 2007
Sincerely Imam Achmad Dien
Academic Achievers of the of Masjid Ummah, Kent cresc,
Saxonsea, Atlantis
Independent Muslim High Cnr Hermes Avenue & Grosvenor
roads, Saxonsea, Atlantis, 7349
Schools. Wishing our young
leaders a successful and Cnr Hermes Avenue & Grosvenor roads,
Saxonsea, Atlantis, 7349
bright future. Tel: 021 572 5466/4560
Fax: 021 572 7189
8 February 2008 - Safar 1429

AN URGENT APPEAL FROM JEWISH RABBIS, TO THE CANDIDATES

RUNNING FOR THE PRESIDENCY OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
A group of Anti-Zionist Orthodox Jewish
Rabbis toured several New Hampshire sites
on 7 January 2008, campaigning the end of
the Zionist State of Israel.
"We all have been witness to the tragedy of
the strife and bloodshed, in the most holy of
places, the Holy Land. This pain and suf-
fering has been ongoing, unabated, for well
over fifty years,
The time has come to step back and truth-
fully analyze the root cause of all this suffer-
ing, to Arab and Jew, alike.
From ancient times, the relations between
the Jewish and Arab peoples, have been
those of peace, brotherhood and harmonic
coexistence. Friendship reigned between
them in all the Muslim countries. What has
transpired to cause such a complete reversal,
that mistrust and deep rooted animosity
exists between these people?
The answer is actually very clear and sim-
ple. The birth of a wholly new and entirely
materialistic movement named "Zionism".
"Zionism" is the basis of the State of "Israel",
and is not the same as the religion, Judaism.
In fact it is antithetical to Judaism.
Zionism is a political movement, created
almost entirely by non-religious Jews. Its
existence is a mere hundred years.
The philosophy of Zionism is the trans-
formation of Judaism, from a religion and
spirituality, to a base nationalism. It is a
materialistic goal to have a land, army etc.,
removing the Almighty out of the equation.
Orthodox Jews have opposed the ideology
of Zionism since its inception and the State
of Israel from the day of its ratification.
The existence of the State of Israel is in
direct contradiction to the teachings of the
Torah which forbids the establishment of a
Jewish state and commands Jews to remain
in exile until released from that exile by
the Almighty Himself, without any human
intervention, at which time all nations of the
world will live together in peace.
This rebellion against the Almighty has
been compounded immeasurably by the
fact that in order to create this State, a land
has been taken, clearly against the will of
the indigenous population, the Palestinian
people. Many have been murdered, their
homes and properties have been confiscated
and untold thousands have been expelled,
etc., their suffering continues unabated until
the present day.
We decry, in the strongest of terms this
ongoing crime and tragedy. The anti Zionist
Jewish people sees itself as simply continu-
ing the Jewish people’s age old obliga-
tion of living humbly and in peace with all
nations, in loyalty to their authorities, as is
required by the Torah.
Rabbis, Orthodox Jewish leaders and lay-
men, have combated the concept of Zionism
continuously since its inception and up
until the present day. True Torah Jews will
never accept Zionism and the State of
‘Israel’.
Supporting the Palestinian people, does not
make one, in any way, less of a friend of the
Jewish people and most certainly does not
label one an anti-Semite.
In fact, the contrary the mere existence
of the state of Israel and the actions that
emanate from it is the greatest cause of the
exacerbation of anti-Semitism throughout
the world.
How much more Arab and Jewish blood
must be spilled?
May we merit to see the day, soon in
our times, when all humanity will serve
the Almighty in brotherhood and harmony.
AMEN."
For more information please contact Rabbi
Yisroel Dovid Weiss at 914-262-8342
Neturei Karta International, Jews United
Against Zionism - www.nkusa.org

NURUSH SHABAAB MATHEMATIC

QIRAH WINNERS
S hukrie Frydie, Mogamad Rafiq Salie and
Shaikh Mogamad Adiel Brown emerged
as the winners of the second national Qur’aan
recital competition held under the auspices of
Nurush Shabaab in South Africa.
The event kicked of on 3 December 2007
with recitations of the Holy Qur’aan by
reciters from Malaysia, Iran, Indonesia and
Lebanon at various mosques in the Western
Cape.
More than 50 participants from across South
Africa entered the contest out of which
five top reciters qualified in the Junior and
Teenage categories and six reciters in the
Senior category of the competition finals.
EXTRAORDINAIRES
The national competition which was held at
the Masjidur Rahmaan complex in Hanover
Park, Cape Town, commenced on 7 December
and ended with the competition finals on 9
December. Yusuf Fisher and Waseem Shaikh
achieved first and second runner up positions
in the Junior category respectively while
Muhammad Ameen Abdoraooft and Ismail
Ebrahim attained second and third place in
the Teenage category. The second and third
place positions in the Senior category were
taken by Shaikh Fahmie Parker and Shaikh
Muhammad Allie Davids. Waseem Shaikh
who hails from Durban was the only partici-
pant from outside Cape Town to reach the top
positions in the competition.
Saadiq Moolla, 18, matriculated from
Rondebosch Boys High withdistinctions
and is a Mathematics genius. His love for
the mathematics subject enabled him to
compete in the International Mathematics
Olympiad in 2006, which was held in
Slovenia and again in 2007 in Vietnam.
In 2005 he represented South Africa in
the Pan-Africa Mathematics competition
which was held in Algeria.
'I enjoy mathematics, it is interesting and
intricate... I love challenges,' said Saadiq.
He is very keen in helping others to study
mathematics and intends on tutoring pri-
mary school learners, but first has to settle
in at the University of Cape Town (UCT),
where he is studying Medicine.
Following in big brother's footsteps is his
little brother, Haroon, 17, who has com-
peted in the 2007 Pan-Africa Mathematics
competition which was held in Nigeria.
'We are very proud of our sons and sup-
port them in their quest,' said their dad, Dr
Shabir Moolla

Junior category winners at the Nurush Shabaab Qirah competition with 1st place Shukri Haroon and Saadiq Moolla, mathematic extraordinaires
Frydie, 2nd place Yusuf Fisher and Waseem Shaikh took 3rd place

Fairfield Meat Centre The most popular Meat Centre

339 Voortrekker Road Parrow Tel:021-939 4222 or 021-930 3162 Fax 021-930 7460
Congratulations to the 2007 Academic Achievers of the Independent Muslim High Schools.
Wishing our young leaders a successful and bright future.
February 2008 - Safar 1429
9
THE MUSLIMAH OF BONTEHEUWEL CELEBRATES MUHARRAM
L atiefah Hendricks
Bonteheuwel, a married home
from

executive and mother of three, decided

a year ago to host a social event for the
Muslim ladies in her area, including
family and friends, during the month of
Muharram, as part of her Islamic social
obligation. This year the Muharram cel-
ebration was held at Bellville Swimming
Baths, from 9am till 13h30.
The guest complement cut across all
ages, hailing from diverse spheres of
life.
The keynote address was delivered by
Soraya Salie, a revert and cancer survi-
vor of note.
72 year old Amina Philander, a past pri-
mary school teacher of Pioneer Primary
Bonteheuwel, enthralled the guests with
her Haj tales and buckets of wisdom.
Activities for the morning included an
introduction to fabric painting and for
the more adventurous, a dip in the swim-
ming pool with some exercises to boot.
Guests were treated to a lavish breakfast Soraya Salie reading a poem to the guests of
spread and finger lunch, followed by an the Ladies Muharram celebration held at Bellville
array of desserts. Swimming baths

AL-AZHAR PRIMARY CELEBRATES MUHARRAM WITH

THEIR ELDERLY NEIGHBOURS
T he highlight for the Muslim
and non-Muslim residents
of Lotus River each Muharram
is a day of pampering. The
Al-Azhar Primary school in
Lotus River, treats their elder-
ly neighbours to a five-course
lunch with live entertainment.
After all the pampering, each
guest, is given a ‘barakaat’
filled with biscuits, fruit,
bread, lindt chocolates, mon-
etary contribution and more.

AFGHANISTAN Community health workers in the frontlines of health care

I n Chaka, a village with a
population of about 1,750,
community health work-
ers Abdul Qayum Habibi
and Shafiqa Habibi, a mar-
ried couple, work together to
provide essential health care
and referrals. Selected by the
local shura, or village council,
according to criteria such as
literacy, the trust and respect
of the community and their
level of commitment as vol-
unteers, they are two of four
community health workers
here. After their selection, the
couple undertook a six-month
training course based on a stan-
dard curriculum endorsed by
the Ministry of Public Health.
During the course, they learned
about common health prob-
lems, first aid, raising health
awareness in the community
and making referrals to the
nearest health centre, a two-
hour walk away. Alongside
his new responsibilities, Abdul
Qayum continues his work as
a schoolteacher in the village,
while Shafiqa is also a house-
wife and mother.
as a couple
are barred by tradition from dren and women of all ages.
Providing health care contact with men other than We have cases of diarrhoea,
those in their families. “It is pneumonia and also many
It is unusual for women to difficult for women to work children facing malnutrition. I
venture outside their homes with men,” Abdul Qayum also talk to mothers about the
to work in many parts of explains. “At least as hus- importance of breastfeeding.”
rural Afghanistan. Health care band and wife we can work
provided by couples, there- together, where I work with Like this dedicated cou-
fore, has distinct advantages, the men and my wife works ple in Chaka, community
both for the providers and the with the women.” Shafiqa health workers across rural
recipients. In Chaka, not only agrees “As a couple, both Afghanistan enter into a trans-
does Shafiqa have the oppor- men and women in our vil- parent and vital contract with
tunity to work for the health lage feel comfortable coming their community, delivering
of her community, but she is to us discussing their health health messages and services
also able to bring health mes- problems,” she says. “In our where they are needed most.
sages home to women who village, I work with chil-

EHP
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 10 February 2008 - Safar 1429

MAIL BAG – LETTERS, EMAIL AND SMS

info@islamicmedia.co.za • fax 021 697 2304
sms 074 227 4345
Photograph of Prophet Muhammad
(saw) posted on Wikipedia
Wikipedia site has published the image
of the Prophet Mohammad (saw). Please
sign the petition on the below mentioned
link to have it removed. We need 10,000
signatures to get pictures of Prophet be
removed from WIKIPEDIA. So far only
4300 signatures are obtained. Please act
now! JAZAKALLAHU KHAIRA. Also,
please inform all your Muslim contacts.
FOR PICTURE OF PROPHET AND
DETAILS OF ISLAMIC MOVEMENT
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muhammad_
FOR THE REMOVAL PETITION TO
BE SIGNED; PLEASE LOG ON;
_http://www.thepetitionsite.com/2/
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Learn to deal with your reality Part 1
In this life, if you inwardly disparage
something you can't have, its value will
diminish for you. And if you are not
contented with not getting something that
you really wanted, then your heart will
find solace.
"Allah will give us His Bounty, and [also]
His Messenger [from alms, ect]. We
implore Allah [to enrich us]." (Quran
9: 59)
I once read about a man who fell out
of a window . The ring he was wearing
became stuck around a nail that was'nt
nailed down completely on the ledge,
and consequently, his ring finger was
pulled from its root, leaving him with
four fingers. The amazing thing is not
the incedent itself, but the contenment
shown by the man long after the accident, imposed upon us. Fifty years ago, a house An Arab poet said:"The soul desires more
contentment that that is illustrated in the consisted of a carpet made from palm tree if you encourage it, But it returns to con-
following words, "It hardly ever crosses leaves, a jug for water, a small amount of tentment when it is disciplined"
my that I have four fingers on one hand coal, and a fewother paltry items. People
managed as they do now, and a lack of (BY Aaid ibn Abdullah al-Qarni) email
or that I have lost a finger. It only comes resources or comfort did not make life any by Faagir
back when I remember the accident. less important that it is now.
Otherwise, my work is going well and I
am content with what happned"
"Allah has made His decree, and as He
pleases, he does."
I know a man who lost his left arm as a
result of desease. He has lived for many
years since: he got married and has chil-
dren. He drives his car without difficulty
and performs the various tasks of his work
with ease. He is so at ease that it is as if
Allah created him with only one arm to
begin with.
"Be content with what Allah has portioned The Indonesian Consul-General, Mr Andradjati with Antonia Malan
out for you and you will be the richest of of the Transcription of Estate Papers at the Cape of Good Hope, SA
people" (TECP) hosted a workshop on 26 January, in developing strategies to
attract community participation in research on the 'exiles' and 'bandi-
How quickly we adapt to our circum- eten' at the Cape. If you would like to know about your ancestors or
stances! And it is amazing how we adapt have 'kitaabs' or information to share, please contact TECP on info@
our thinking when a change in life-style is capetranscripts.co.za or 021 650 2358

POWER OBSCURING RAPE

by Azad Essa and Aisha Lorgat

One of the most disconcerting diseases
doing the rounds these days, other than
those of a bio-medical type - is impas-
sioned denial to any and every point
of critique that appear to undermine
our reconciliatory, brilliant optimistic
post-1994 South African brand.
This inclination towards denial alludes
to a literal one-party democracy too
drunk with power to separate ideology
from the rational problem solving and
constructive debate that are the basic
tenets of a democratic culture.
Moreover, with such thirst for power
comes an inevitable guilt that is played
out in defensive rants bred by fascist
ambitions for power, resulting in a self-
perpetuating vicious cycle. This guilt
furthermore creates a desire to attack
critics and recast them as the 'other'
- enemies of the new South African
democracy, because the revolution and
the revolutionaries are infallible.
As the run-up to Polokwane has thus
far illustrated, the cannibalism for pow-
er's sake has long begun. This sort of
thirst for establishing power, ideology
and personal achievement at national
leadership level is filtering very fast
through the structures of regional, local
and student leadership.
The National Democratic Revolution
(NDR), as many in positions of power
remind us is a never-ending process
with national leadership providing tacit
mentorship to local and student lead-
ers, with fancy political jobs almost
guaranteed in order to carry on these
later stages of the revolution. After all,
politicians pass on or join business,
or both, and the next rung of political
leadership must come through to take
over the reins.
What we have ultimately is an assem-
bly-line of arse-licking student leaders
prepared to sacrifice even the respect
and dignity of their own mothers to
further their political careers.
In no other forum has this been better
exemplified than in the events that took
place during this week's mass meet-
ing between University management,
security services, staff members and
students over security issues at UKZN,
following the rape of a UKZN student
in the residences a week ago.
In a forum that was designed to show-
case the measures and mechanisms
that were to be upgraded and improved
to avoid a repeat of the tragic event,
the issue degenerated into a politically
charged circus.
Student representatives formally con-
demned the 'alleged' rape with the
sincerity of an MP addressing poor
communities during election time. This
condemnation was aptly followed by
bizarre allegations that the University
community's mobilization and collec-
tive outrage to the rape case was essen-
tially race-based, because the victim
was an international student, and by
implication, not a black student.
A black African rape victim is as vic-
timised and oppressed as a White rape
victim. Their suffering is the same irre-
spective of their racial/cultural back-
grounds and also irrespective of the
level of attention the crime receives
after the fact. In this case, gendered
analysis of issues around identity and
power must take precedence over all
other analytical prisms.
Women are disproportionately the vic-
tims of gender based violence, and
therestoration of agency needs to occur
in a space defined by and for women.
References to the Zuma rape allega-
tions (with the implication that as he
was found not guilty all other allega-
tions of rape are to be mistrusted) serve
only to perpetuate a misogynistic sexist
point of view that results effectively
in a re-victimisation of the woman
involved.
Some statistics say that 10 women are
raped every four minutes in this coun-
try, and that a woman is killed every six
hours by a man close to her.
Statistics are a notoriously inaccu-
rate way to understand society and its
workings and they of course conceal
as much or more than they reveal.
Nevertheless the aforementioned fig-
ures are extremely difficult to ignore.
They suggest that South African women
are under attack in an undeclared war
perpetuated primarily by men. The fact
that it is undeclared makes it ever more
difficult to fight against.
In fact, history shows us that when
we try and draw attention to the unac-
ceptably high rates of gender violence
(ala Charlize Theron and the rape ads),
we are labelled as unpatriotic, and as
tarnishing the image of the rainbow
that is supposedly representative of a
reconciled, democratic South Africa.
This knee-jerk jingoistic reaction for-
gets that when over half the population
lives and dies in fear of the other half,
the rainbow has long disappeared. And
the attempt to reduce this issue to a race
based one is reprehensible, as it serves
mainly to dilute and displace the argu-
ments around gender-based violence.
Perhaps a psychological perspective is
needed to understand why men abuse
and brutalise women. Perhaps it's an
instance of mummy didn't love me
enough so I will go out and hurt other
women. Whatever the case may be, it is
undeniable that South African society
is dysfunctional in the extreme and
perhaps part of the explanation does
have historical roots. But these are
inadequate in explaining the particular
violence perpetrated against women so
frequently. Going back to statistics, we
have, arguably, the highest rate of rape
in the world (other than in situations of
war). This level of violence is not eas-
ily hidden away and trying to displace
the issue simply serves to increase
anger and frustration.
Nevertheless, there is a perception that
there are greater levels of security from
violence within the confines of the
campus than outside it.
Whether this is justified or not is obvi-
ously questionable given the numer-
ous security breaches that have been
experienced. Perhaps the short term
measures that need to be put in place
to ensure that students are able to
study without excessive levels of fear
need to involve a trade-off between
security and freedom at least until
South African society normalizes to an
acceptable level.
This could involve implementing dra-
conian access control measures par-
ticularly in the residences. It could
also involve providing all (female)
students with personal security devices
(like stun-guns or pepper spray) that
would enable them to take back some
agency in terms of providing for their
security especially at this vulnerable
time. Other measures obviously need
to include better training of security
personnel, and perhaps making gender
sensitivity literature widely available to
the whole university community.
Azad Essa and Aisha Lorgat are
researchers at IOLS-Research
 February 2008 - Safar 1429
GUANTANAMO DETAINEE INFECTED
WITH HIV VIRUS
U S Attorney H. Candace
Gorman has revealed
that her client Abdul Hamid
Al-Ghizzawi has been
infected with the Human
Immunodeficiency Virus
(HIV). Al Ghizzawi believes
the infection happened dur-
ing medical procedures at
Guantanamo in 2004 when he
was given a blood test which
resulted in alarm amongst the
hospital staff. Al Ghizzawi
was not given any explana-
tion for the alarm at the time.
As a result Al-Ghizzawi has
now been told that he is suf-
CHAD’S SPIRALING CONFLICT
F our rebel groups have
been fighting to over-
throw Idriss Deby, Chad's
president, who seized power
in a Libyan-backed uprising
in 1990.
After leading a lightning
three-week offensive from
Sudan's Darfur region to
topple Hissene Habre, Deby
became president. He was
then elected in the country's
first multi-party election in
1996. In 2001 he was re-
elected for a second term.
However, large-scale deser-
tions from the army in 2004
and 2005, which forced Deby
to disband his presidential
guard and form a new elite
military force, weakened
the president's position and
encouraged the growth of
armed opposition groups.
AUSTRALIA HONOURS MUSLIM
EXPLORERS
T he National Library in
Canberra, Australia, host-
ed an exhibition in December
dusting off the neglected and
unrecorded great contribu-
tions of Muslim cameleers to
Australia in the 19th century.
"Muslims have come to
this country and contribut-
ed blood, sweat and tears,"
said Philip Jones, the cura-
tor of the "Pioneers of the
Inland: Australia's Muslim
Cameleers" exhibition.
fering from Acquired Immune
Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS).
Having already been suf-
fering from Hepatitis B and
Tuberculosis (which he also
acquired at Guantanamo) Al
Ghizzawi has been held in
severe isolation in Camp 6.
Gorman filed an emergen-
cy application with the US
Supreme Court asking that
the US military be ordered
to treat Al-Ghizzawi’s medi-
cal problems and for medi-
cal records to be turned over
to her. Chief Judge Roberts
The Rally for Democracy
and Liberation (RDL) was
formed in August 2005,
and the Platform for Unity,
Democracy and Change
(SCUD), two months later,
to overthrow the current gov-
ernment, accusing it of being
corrupt and totalitarian.
Later that year, the RDL and
SCUD joined six other groups
to form the United Front
for Democracy and Change
(FUCD).
Ndjamena attacked
In April 2006, FUCD brought
Chad to the brink of all-out
civil war, crossing the entire
country as far as the capi-
tal before government forces
were able to repel the attack
with French logistical and
intelligence support.
Jones added that expedition
diaries confirm several cam-
eleers deserve the status of
"explorers."
"Cameleers assisted all major
expeditions into Australia's
uncharted interior, starting
with the Burke and Wills
expedition in 1860, and have
contributed significantly to
Australia's economic and cul-
tural development," he said.
"They successfully negoti-
ated these enormous obsta-
denied the motion despite it
being stated by the chief med-
ical doctor at Guantanamo, Dr
Sollock, that Al-Ghizzawi did
not suffer from any ill health
on arrival to the base.
Al-Ghizzawi’s health has
rapidly deteriorated and
Cageprisoners calls for the
immediate release of his med-
ical records so that adequate
medical treatment can be given
to the detainee. Spokesman
for Cageprisoners and for-
mer Guantanamo detainee,
Moazzam Begg said,
Deby blamed the attack on the
Sudanese government, claim-
ing that many of the rebels
were either Sudanese backed
by their government or resi-
dents of Chad conscripted by
the Sudanese.
The battle occurred just
months after a conflict between
Khartoum and Ndjamena had
ended with the signing of
the Tripoli Agreement. Deby
broke off relations with Sudan
as a result, expelling its diplo-
mats and threatening to stop
giving shelter to thousands of
Darfur refugees.
Three weeks later Deby was
re-elected for a third time,
capitalising on a change to
the constitution that removed
a two-term limit for heads
of state and an age limit of
70 for presidential candidates.
cles across the landscape and
brought supplies and provi-
sions and took wool and min-
erals back to ports from the
inland in a way that was pre-
dictable and efficient."
Nearly three thousand cam-
eleers came to Australia
between 1860 and 1930.
Nineteen of every 20 were
Muslims and their effect on
inland Australia was pro-
found, said Jones.
“That a man who has endured
more than half a decade in
the world’s most infamous
prison – without charge or
trial – is now infected with
the world’s most dreaded dis-
ease is preposterous. How
will the US administration
explain this one to his fam-
ily? More ‘robust interroga-
tion techniques’?”
With Al-Ghizzawi’s condi-
tion as it is, Candace Gorman
made the following plea,
“Al-Ghizzawi is an innocent
The opposition boycotted the
election.
In November, a state of emer-
gency was imposed in the
capital after an escalation
of activity by armed rebel
groups.
Peace accord
Hostilities left hundreds of
people dead in clashes in the
east but in October last year
four rebel groups signed a
peace accord with the govern-
ment. Deby described it as the
last chance for peace.
Mahamat Nour Abdelkerim,
the leader of the FUCD, was
made defence minister after
the peace deal was signed.
The peace deal was under-
mined when Arab horsemen
raided and torched villages
With the arrival of motorcars,
many of them returned home
but some remained, married
and established communi-
ties and mosques in outback
towns.
Jones notes that Muslim pio-
neers enjoyed an atmosphere
of tolerance and freedom of
religion unlike today.
"I think in ways that we would
tend to be a bit surprised by
now because after all these
are people coming into small
11
civilian turned over to the
Americans in response to a
bounty (cash American dol-
lars for Arabs). Al-Ghizzawi
has been taken from his wife
and young daughter and he
will die if he is not given
immediate medical care, and
yet the American military
cannot be bothered… I ask
that all of you please contact
the American state department
and ask them to release this
innocent and very ill man.”
whose inhabitants are mostly
of black African descent, kill-
ing around 300 people.
In late November the accord
all but totally collapsed when
Abdelkerim accused Deby
of ordering an attack on his
fighters.
In December, Abdelkerim
was removed from his posi-
tion and his faction rejoined
the armed opposition.
The conflict is further com-
plicated by about 240,000 ref-
ugees from Darfur who have
crossed the border and now
live in a number of camps
alongside about 180,000
Chadians displaced by vio-
lence. (Al-Jazeera)
country towns, building reli-
gious mosques, praying five
times a day, holding their reli-
gious festivals, speaking in
a foreign language....a whole
range of cultural practices
and gestures which are today
greeted with some kind of
irritation if they're encoun-
tered in Australian society."
 12 February 2008 - Safar 1429

CHIEF RABBI SAYS MOVE GAZANS

TO A PALESTINE IN SINAI By Saul Sadka

A shkenazi Chief Rabbi

Yona Metzger has been
quoted as calling for Gazans
Egypt's Sinai Desert.

According to Metzger, the plan

to be transferred to the Sinai
Peninsula, to a Palestinian state
which he said could be con-
structed for them in the desert.
In an interview in English with
the British weekly The Jewish
News, the chief rabbi also said
that while peaceable Muslims
should be allowed to pray
in Jerusalem mosques, they
should recognize that Jerusalem
belongs to the Jews. Muslims
have Mecca and Medina, he
was quoted as saying, adding
that "you don't need a third
place."
Metzger called for Britain, the
European Union and the United
States to assist in the construc-
tion of a Palestinian state in
would be to "take all the poor
people from Gaza to move them
to a wonderful new modern
country with trains buses cars,
like in Arizona - we are now
in a generation where you can
take a desert and build a city.
This will be a solution for the
poor people - they will have a
nice county, and we shall have
our country and we shall live in
peace."
Metzger was quoted as telling
the paper that the plan was new
and he had not presented it to
Prime Minister Ehud Olmert.
"I have thought about it with
some wise people only in the
last two weeks, and I think it
is a great idea - nobody spoke
about it before." He expressed
his intent to discuss the mat-
ter with Olmert and anticipated
that the idea would find popu-
larity among Israelis. He pref-
aced his comments by pointing
out that he could not advise
on political matters as he is a
religious leader in Israel, not-
ing that according to the law he
"cannot be involved in political
situations."
Muslims 'don't need a third place
Metzger also called for Muslims
to have the freedom to return to
pray in mosques on condition
that they do so peaceably: "We
will welcome every Palestinian
man who wants to pray in his
mosque. Every Friday they can
come, but with one condition,
without violence. We have the
same feeling about prayers, we
want to give you respect but let
us live and believe our land is
the Holy Land and Jerusalem
belongs to us. You have another
place, Mecca and Medina, you
don't need a third place."
In the interview Metzger also
described Jerusalem as "the
capital city forever to the
Jewish nation." He argued that
Muslims have no connection
to Jerusalem commenting that
"behind the Kotel we have a
mosque. But when they pray
even though they are in our
holiest place, they face Mecca.
Their back is to Jerusalem. So
you can see from only one sign
that it does not belong to them.
They have nothing - no con-
nection."
The tenure of Metzger, 54,
appointed as chief rabbi in 2003
for a ten-year term, has been
marked by controversy. In 2006
Attorney General Menachem
Mazuz called on him to resign
his post in a report which
alleged that he had accepted
discounted hospitality at a num-
ber of Israeli hotels - a call that
Metzger rejected.
Metzger has also proposed the
establishment of a "religious
United Nations" comprised of
religious leaders from around
the world, and was named one
of the 12 most influential inter-
national religious figures in a
recent CBS documentary enti-
tled In God's Name.
Video of the interview is
available by logging on:
h t t p : / / w w w. y o u t u b e . c o m /
watch?v=s8KR3dIAjM4&eurl
=http://www.totallyjewish.com/

Supporters at the Mahrajaan 'Al Aqsa in Danger' held at Darul Islam Hall 3 February (l-r)Sh Ebrahim Gabriels, Sh Raed Salah, Sh Ihsaan Taliep and Mln Ihsaan Hendricks at the
Mahrajaan 'Al Aqsa in Danger' held at Darul Islam Hall 3 February

Principals of the Independent Islamic High Schools receiv- Learners of the Darul Islam Primary School pledging support Learners of the Darul Islam Primary School pledging support
ing a Thank-you gift from Sheikh Raed Salah at the youth, at the youth, Mahrajaan on 4 February at the Darul Islam Hall at the youth, Mahrajaan on 4 February at the Darul Islam Hall
Mahrajaan on 4 February at the Darul Islam Hall

Sheikh Raed Salah at the youth mini Mahrajaan. Learners welcome Sheikh Raed Salah at CT International Sheikh Raed Salah presents a gift to Dr Anwah Nagia from
Airport on 31 January Altius Investment Holdings, who hosted the business break-
fast, in aid of the Palestinian crises and Masjidul Aqsa

To view more photographs log onto: www.islamicmedia.co.za.