JULY 2008 ­- RAJAB 1429

Keeping you in contact with your community

22ND EDITION JULY 2008 ­- RAJAB 1429

Inside this issue

SA Youth connecting hearts
with their African brothers
A fter visiting the Soetwater
Refugee camp and helping
the victims of the xenophobic
a beautiful and safe country,”
said Raees Ismail, team
leader of the “Helping Hands,
going children at the various
refugee camps. “The children
are further traumatized by not
“Helping Hands, Connecting
Hearts” project.

violence at their school. The Connecting Hearts” project. being able to attend school and The “Helping Hands,
Darul Arqam Scoops learners of the Ibn Connecting Hearts”
“Most Developing Al Jazariy Academy are appealing
Mathematical School” in Kromboom were to young South
Award appalled at the Africans to assist
living conditions them in rebuilding
PAGE 3 of the refugees and the hope, trust and
saddened by the friendship with the
many traumatized refugee children
and displaced and families by
children. dropping off toys,
books, art and
To affirm their love school stationery
and support for at Masjidus Sunni
the children and in Ayeshire road,
families displaced Kromboom or
Health Minister by the senseless Albaraka Bank,
attacks, they have cnr Belgravia
To Assume More arranged to spend and Klipfontein
Powers If New Bills one Friday per road, Athlone.
month after-school Community bank,
Are Passed at the Soetwater Albaraka, has
PAGE 5 Refugee camp kindly partnered
interacting and with the “Helping
playing with the Hands, Connecting
children. Hearts” project
Ghaafithau Razak, learner of ‘Helping Hands, Connecting Hearts” project playing with to help the youth
“We are hoping to 21month Fasug at the Soetwater Refugee camp. realize the dream
assure the children of building bridges
that not all South Africans are The learners will also conduct losing their school stuff,” said with all people.
bad and that South Africa is a needs assessment of school Zakkiya Lalla, learner of the

Us Planning Big New

Prison In Afghanistan
PAGE 8

How To Help The

Xenophobia Survivors
PAGE 12

ISLAMIC MEDIA AGENCY CC

CK 2002/001313/23

Editor: Sanaa Petersen

Religious Contributors:
Dr Abdul Malik
Printers: Independent
Contributors: Mariam Salie, Roshaan
Misbach and Sheikh 'Abd Al-Rasheed

466 Lansdowne Road,

Lansdowne, 7780
Tel: 021 697 2294 • Fax: 021 697 2304
Email:info@islamicmedia.co.za
Website: www.islamicmedia.co.za Muslim Judicial Council leadership building bridges with the ANC president Jacob Zuma on 24 June 2008.
 2 JULY 2008 ­- RAJAB 1429

NEWS BITES
Compiled by Sanaa Petersen

Capetonian awarded for his contribution to Melayu Keris
Lok 9
Mogammad Hartley, local
Capetonian, was invited by
Tuan Guru Azlan Ghanie of
Silat Melayu Keris Lok 9 and
publisher of the only Martial
Arts Magazine “Seni Beladiri”
in South East Asia to a grading
in Kuatan,Malaysia in May
2008. He was awarded with a
symbolic sash for his contri-
bution in promoting Melayu
Silat in Cape Town.
The Malay Keris is the only
sword featured prominently
at the IZIKO Slave Lodge
museum in Adderly street,
Cape Town. This sword was
awarded for the bravery shown
by the “Panglimas” Malay
Warriors (shortened to Pang
here in Cape town) in fighting
the Portugese, Dutch, English
and Spanish during their occu-
pation of the Melayu world.
This Malay Keris is the only
sword that can stand on its
point and known to have mys-
tical powers. Urban legends
have written about the Malay
Keris including a prescribe
book in our schools titled,
“Golden Keris” written by Dr
Cassiem D’Arcy.
------------------------------------
Local doctor stops four-sto-
rey construction
Azeem Hassan Walele, a doc-
tor from Walmer Estate, won
an appeal in the highest court
to stop his neighbours from
putting up a four-storey build-
ing next to his property.
“The applicant applied to the
High Court to set aside a deci-
sion by the City of Cape Town
to approve building plans for
a four-storey block of flats to
be erected on a parcel of land
situated in Walmer Estate,
Woodstock, Cape Town. The
applicant owns the residential
property adjoining the prop-
erty on which the block of
flats is to be erected,” read the
judgment. It said Walele raised
numerous objections to the
city’s approval of the plans.
“The first major complaint
was that the city had failed
to comply with the manda-
tory conditions set out in sec-
tions 6 and 7 of the National
Building Regulations and
Building Standard Act 103 of
1977 (the Building Standards
Act). “(Walele) contended
that the city’s decision-maker
had not considered the effect
that the erection of the flats
would have on his property.
He argued that this violated his
right to property protected by
section 25 of the Constitution.
He secondly asserted that the
city had violated his constitu-
tional right to procedural fair-
ness by failing to afford him a
hearing prior to the approval
of the building plans,” said the
judgment.
Walele’s victory didn’t come
easy with the City of Cape
Town and the (friend of the
court) City of Johannesburg,
arguing that Walele was not
entitled to a hearing in rela-
tion to his neighbours’ build-
ing plans and that the city had
complied with the Building
Standards Act. Walele only
met success when he turned
to the Constitutional Court for
leave to appeal
------------------------------------
Re-integration is a deadly
reality for (African) foreign
nationals
The re-integration of foreign
nationals back into the com-
munity following the recent
spate of xenophobic attacks
may not be possible for some
time under current conditions,
the Human Sciences Research
Council (HSRC) said on
Monday. “If government does
not engage with the sentiment
being expressed by ordinary
residents that foreign nation-
als should leave the country,
the risk is that these feelings
of alienation between govern-
ment and South African citi-
zens will deepen and the pos-
sibility of a successful reinte-
gration will be diminished,”
said the report released by the
HSRC.
The HSRC invited Minister of
Social Development, Dr Zola
Skweyiya to receive the report.
Skweyiya said the xenophobic
attacks were an embarrass-
ment to all South Africans.
“We didn’t do enough work
in educating the masses about
the help we received from the
African countries during the
apartheid era,” said Skweyiya.
The HSRC recommended that
a national summit or Indaba
on foreign nationals and immi-
grants in South African should
be held to achieve social inte-
gration and peaceful coexist-
ence.
A sign of the danger still faced
by returning refugees was still
evident in the Southern Cape
where people assisting in
the so-called refugee camps
that were set up there in the
last month reported that one
Somali who tried to return to
his shop in the Nekkies loca-
tion was beaten and his car
badly damaged by a crowd
of 30 who threw stones at
him. This prompted a call for
urgent advocacy help for dis-
placed non-nationals.
“The Somali national has now
returned to the Loerie Park
camp, as have about five other
Somalis so far who had tried
unsuccessfully to return to
their shops. They have now
decided, in view of this latest
attack, that they are not safe in
the location.
------------------------------------
Corruption delays houses
for the poor
A 260-unit housing scheme in
Kewtown, Athlone which is
due to begin on 19 April, has
been delayed for more than
a decade due to allegations
of corruption and constant
changes in the leadership of
the programme, stretching the
patience of beneficiaries to
the limit.
The provincial department
of housing said the People’s
Housing Process (PHP) ini-
tiative would cost nearly R10-
million. Addressing more than
100 excited Kewtown resi-
dents, who had braved the cold
weather to attend the meeting
addressed by Housing MEC
Richard Dyantyi. Dyanti
said housing needs had to be
met. While the residents were
happy that the project was now
taking off, there was some
tension over the likely benefi-
ciaries. Some argued that they
had been on the waiting list
longer than others and there-
fore deserved preference.

Lentegeur,
Mitchells Plain
Tel: 021 372 1106
Fax: 021 372 1110
Forgotten Young Heroes Of Islam
These days it seems that the only heroes/ idols our youth know about are singers, actors and the like. Yet in Islam there were many brave young heroes. Here are some
of them:

• Sayyidinaa Aisha (RA) the wife of the Prophet Muhammad (SAW). She lived with the Prophet (SAW) for most of her teenage years and learnt a great deal
during that time. The Prophet (SAW) died when she was 18 years old. She was the authority on marriage related matters. She narrated thousands of Ahadeeth as
well and taught the companions for 40 years.

• Osama Bin Zaid (RA) – at the tender age of 17 he was chosen by the Prophet Muhammad (SAW) because of his abilities, war acumen and tactic to serve as a
General in the army.

• Ali (RA) – accepted Islam at the age of 10. When the Prophet (SAW) life was threatened and he migrated to Madinah, Ali (RA) risked his own life by sleeping in
the Prophet’s bed pretending to be the Prophet.

• Abdullah Bin Affan (RA) – he was a commentator/interpreter of the Quran. At the age of 13/14 he sat on the senate of Sayyidinaa Umr (RA).
• Musab Bin Umair (RA) – before the advent of Islam, he was a wealthy prince of the Arabs, well dressed and extremely handsome. When he accepted Islam he
donated all his wealth for the spread of Islam and for battles. He died a martyr at the battle of Uhud.
JULY 2008 ­- RAJAB 1429
3
Celebrating our Youth Darul Arqam scoops
– Radio 786 ‘hands’
over airwaves
“Most developing
Mathematical
Y outh day, 16 June, is a historic be exact). Clearly it was a major
event etched in the hearts and
minds of all South Africans. It is
a day aimed at remembering the
sacrifice as most of us are still busy
with exams. School” award
sacrifices made while celebrating I myself as well as other Youthopians

youth and developing them
into future leaders. Radio 786, a
community radio station decided to
take it one step further by having the
youth run the station on youth day.
Shanaaz Gool-Hamid, station
manager of radio 786, says that youth
day is a time to reflect on the history
but more importantly to focus on
the future and identify ways to give
youth opportunities to learn. The
youth day programme is one such
project which aims at developing
youth and encouraging them to
discover their capabilities through
practical learning. Empowering the
youth is very important to Radio 786
and through training during the year
they are exposed to the management
of various departments at the radio
station. On youth day, the radio
station is “handed” over to the youth
who are in charge of running the
station for the day.
“This project allows the youth to
gain experience for the day and
developthemselves in a practical
manner, which is the best way to
learn skills, build confidence and
acquire the skills and tools that they
can use in their everyday lives,” said
Hamid
My experience as Chairman of
the Youthopia team – Tashreeq
Truebody
This year the broadcasting of youth
day was clearly unforgettable as well
as mind-blowing. With 10 members
being assigned to certain duties such
as Station Manager, programme’s
manager, technical duties, reception
duties etc. I had the opportunity
to be the Station manager for the
second time in a row, being only
16 years of age I managed to be
in charge of the radio. It wasn’t
easy though. Youthopians started
pitching up at the radio in the early
hours of the morning, (06:30 to
F
coming from the so-called
impoverished areas has shown that ive thousand learners competed in the annual UCT Maths Olympiad on the 11th
although there are many factors that June 2008. This year the thirteen-year old school, Darul Arqam High in Mitchells
contributes to why youth are going Plain scooped the “Most developing Mathematical School” award.
astray we are capable and equipped
to live up to our motto, that being The proud principal, Sheikh Ebrahim Dawood, said ‘I am extremely proud of the
taking the lead and being apart of a school’s achievement especially since Darul Arqam is a fairly young school that was
meaningful change. only established in 1995’.
On a lighter note, the day was
successful, with so many different
moods existing within the studios
of radio 786 such as, excitement,
teamwork. The day also made me
aware that Radio is not just about
sitting behind the microphone. As
the acting Station manager for two
successful years it has been real fun
and also ‘a lot of work’.
We were present at radio from 06:30
till 24:30. These are only but some of
the sacrifices that we normally do to
serve our youth and the community.
We say Shukran to our parents as
well Radio 786 for enabling us to do
what we do. Without Radio 786 for
granting us this opportunity and the
support we would’ve not been able
to achieve what we have.
We urge youth to join Youthopia and
Radio 786 and be apart of such an
activity as it can only do you good.
We looking forward to many more
good times and experiences as it can
only get better.
Tashreeq Truebody(chairperson
of youthopia, producer, presenter Learners of the Darul Arqam High school that competed in the UCT Maths Olympiad in June are Imraan
and acting station manager for Starks, Sheikh Ebrahim Dawood - Principal, Gadija Taliep, Zainab Kamaldien and Aneesa Chibba.
youth day )

Legal battle to recognize Muslim

Polygamous marriages
T he High Court in Cape Town
is to decide if polygamous
Muslim marriages should be
recognised so that the wives
can benefit if their husband dies
without leaving a will. However,
the courts recognise polygamous
African customary marriages,
but not polygamous religious
marriages.
Jennifer Williams, director of
the Women’s Legal Centre, said
“The Surviving Spouses Act and
the Intestate Succession Act in
this sense discriminate against
people in this kind of religious
marriage.”
If the court rules in favour of
Fatima Gabie Hassam, thousands
of other Muslim widows in
polygamous marriages could
have their claims to inheritance
recognised by the courts.
Hassam wants the court to order
the executor of her husband’s
estate to recognise her marriage
and allow her to inherit. She
was married to Ebrahim Hassam
for 30 years and bore him four
children before his death in
2001. She now stands to lose
the house they lived in. Under
Muslim law, Ebrahim Hassam
instance can rely on any relief from
the courts.” The consequences of
dissolution of a Muslim marriage
had another wife, Miriam, and by divorce remain unregulated
fathered more children while she and under the jurisdiction of the
lived elsewhere. Miriam is not Muslim Judicial Council (Cape
opposing Fatima’s application. Town), whose decisions remain
largely unenforceable.
Hassam’s attorney, Igshaan
Higgins, said: “Under current
legislation, neither wife in this
 4 JULY 2008 ­- RAJAB 1429

BAHASA MALAY The Stone – weapon of the oppressed

S
Ismail Osman
ince the beginning of time the stone has played to lift it while he placed the black stone into posi-

GRADUATES a significant role in the life of the oppressed.

During times of conflict and war the disadvantaged,
tion, thus bringing peace and harmony to tribes who
for years were at war with each other.

T
because of the exploitation by those in power, they
he language teacher, Hadji Osman was sent on the instructions of the found it difficult to procure the bare necessities
Chief Minister of Melaka, Datuk Seri Hj Mohd Ali Bin Mohd Rustam needed for their sustenance and survival, let alone
at the request of the Western Cape Premier, Ebrahien Rasool during a finding resources for arms and weapons. They were
Malaysia - South African seminar at Capetonian Hotel in early March of forced to the most crude, though inexpensive form
2007 to promote the Bahasa Malay language. of defence and counter attack - the STONE. The
stone need not to be purchased as it never had and
never will have a market value. It is and always
will be freely available and there for the taking.
Almighty Allah has made it possible that the whole
earth is strewn with the stone.
Allow me to cite a few cases in history of the
power of the stone. At the time when the Holy
Kaa-bah made of stone, became the focal point of
mankind’s attention and direction, Abra came with
a herd of elephants to break down the Kaa-bah.
Allah had a better plan. A host of birds each carry-
ing tiny stone pebbles in their beaks, with utmost
precision, released the pebbles onto the approaching
elephants, thus preventing them from destroying the
Holy Kaa-bah.
Goliath the giant had the strength to crush David to
a pulp, yet again the stone saved David, who car-
ried a sling, in which he placed a stone. As Goliath
approached he swung the sling a few times releasing
the stone, knocking Goliath against the forehead
bringing him crashing to the ground.
When the Nabi (PBUH) was in Mecca, there existed
many warring tribes who were continuously at each
others throats in their struggle for possession and
power. The Nabi (PBUH) task was to place the stone
in its position. Each of the tribes wanted to gain the
honour of lifting the stone. The Nabi (PBUH) real-
caption: BAHASA MALAY graduates of 2007 held ized this and while tension was starting to build up
at IPSA, Habibia in Athlone on Sat, 14 June 2008. amongst the tribes, the Nabi (PBUH) removed the
Back : [L] Nazeema Salie, Mogamat Kamedien, Nazreen Salie scarf which he wore around his head and shoulders.
Front : Riedoh Allen, Ebrahiem ManuelL, Hadji Osman [Malaysian language He laid the scarf on the ground, moved the black
teacher], Achmat Abrahams, Ganief Toefy stone onto it and called each leader of the four tribes
When performing the pilgrimage, Muslims are
required to pelt the jamaraats at Muna. This ritual
stems from the time Nabi Ebrahim (A.S) was tor-
mented by shaytaan, where upon he pelted shaytaan
with stones
During the year 1976 the notorious apartheid gov-
ernment was fought with stones. As the army
advanced towards the schools firing real bullets,
the students’ only method of counter-attack was
to hurl stones at them. The persistent stone-throw-
ing proved to much for the army, as well as their
sophisticated caspers and buffels. So, finally after
years of oppression, exploitation, and subjugation
the perpetrators of the evil apartheid regime were
annihilated by the power of the stone.
Another case of note is that of the Afghanistans
against the Russians. For years Muslims were
prevented from freely practicing Islam under
Communist rule. Once again the catapult fitted with
the stone being the only weapon in the hands of the
oppressed did great damage in that part of the world,
liberating people from the shackles of oppression.
In recent times the significance of the stone has
once again surfaced vis-à-vis the oppressed of the
land of Palestine. Israel possessing the world’s
most sophisticated weaponry are at this very point
in time experiencing great difficulty in coping with
the young stone-throwing Palestinians. Indeed this
continuous hurling of stones has caused great con-
sternation with in the Israeli camps and has surely
proven itself a force with which to be reckoned.
Oh! You who are the oppressed,
Do not grieve while being dispossessed,
For if in your hand you have a stone,
You shall never ever be alone

Cape Muslim Attitudes

T he Institute for the
study of current Islam
(ISCI), a research wing of
the International Peace
University of South Africa
(IPSA), conducted a ‘Muslim
Attitudes Survey’ during the
month of April 2008 to assist
the ‘ulamā in strategizing
for their communities and
to locate and obtain insight
into the views and feelings of
Muslims in Cape Town. The
survey was conducted with
random participants via the
ISCI and VOC website and
focused interviews in Delft
and Lansdowne. A total of 320
respondents were surveyed.
In general the survey showed
that immorality, Islamic
educational institutions and
joblessness feature high on
the list of challenges and
priorities as compared to
racism, income gap, global
onslaught against Islam and
the building of mosques
and Islamic associations.
However, in Delft the
priorities and challenges are
substantially different. The
majority of respondents felt
that there should be a stronger
focus on local issues and
less on International issues
because it seems that there
is an obsession with namely,
Palestine instead of local
poverty, crime and violence.
The results of the survey
indicated that the Muslim
community are diverse in its
thinking with respondents from
the 50+ age group varying
greatly from their 18-30 year
old counterparts. There is also
a vast difference in the results
from respondents from the
Upper and Middle Economic
Sectors (UES & MES) and the
Lower Economic Sector (LES),
which in this case was the Delft
area. There is however, no
significant gender divide.
According to the survey
facilitator, DrAuwais Rafodien,
the survey results are available
on the website http://iscisa.
tripod.com and may be used
by individuals and/ or Ulema
to determine a needs analysis
of the Muslim community or
may be used for information
purposes. For our readers that
have limited access to the
internet, we have published
a snapshot of the survey, for
your empowerment.
Findings of Muslim Attitudes
Survey Ethnographic data
Options were also given to
respondents to expand upon
their particular responses. The
following represents the data
collected in this respect.
What is your general view of
the South African Muslim
community:
1. The SA Muslim
community is a well
functioning one : As
compared to other places;
we have laid a solid
foundation in SA; we
have a major influence on
national policy;a vibrant
financial, educational and
religious infrastructure
2. The SA Muslim
community has its ups
and downs, with more ups
than downs: Compared to
countries abroad; we have
good basic knowledge of
Islam; we tend to be a
close-knit family
3. SA Muslim community
has its ups and downs
with more downs than
ups: Too many unresolved
issues; too ritualised; its
a fragmented community
with many ulama bodies
4. The South African Muslim
community is in deep
trouble: Gay marriages
and apostasy; materialism;
hypocrisy; large scale
immorality; disillusioned
youth
5. None of the above (state
other) …Community
has seriously lapsed into
“Shaytani practices”;
certain sectors display
range of above four;
problems in coping
with the demands of the
modern world; need to
assert Muslim identity
Q: The biggest challenge
facing Muslims in South
Africa is:
6. Racist attitudes by
Muslims themselves:
Holier than thou attitude;
racism towards black and
foreign Muslims; we only
stick with and help our
own
7. The increasing gap
between the rich and
poor Muslims: Affluent
Muslims do not give; gap
leads to immorality; rich
Muslims look down on the
poor ones; conspicuous
consumption leads to
class envy
8. The increasing immorality
we find in society:
dress code; gay couples;
disrespect of mosques; a
society without taqwa is a
dangerous and scary one;
superficiality; children
are not taught how to
implement their rights
9. The global onslaught
against Islam generally:
West sees us as a threat
because of our religious
beliefs and values; they
make trouble in Muslim
countries; we are constantly
put on the defensive;
negative media portrayal
Continue to page 7
JULY 2008 ­- RAJAB 1429
5

Health minister to assume more

powers if new bills are passed
Anso Thom

T wo bills recently tabled

in Parliament are set to
shake up the private hospi-
tal industry and centralise
decision-making over hos-
pital tariffs as well as the
regulation of new medicines
and scientific trials within
the health minister’s office.
The National Health
Amendment Bill (health
bill) and the Medicines
and Related Substances
Amendment Bill (medicines
bill) were both published
in April and there is wide-
spread agreement that they
are the most important piec-
es of health legislation to be
proposed in recent years.
However, the health depart-
ment has been accused of
hasty drafting and being hell
bent on rushing both bills
through parliament before
the general elections early
next year.
Some groups in the African
National Congress and the
Congress of South African
Trade Unions are lobbying
for the bills to be withdrawn
to attend to other priority
issues, according to well-
placed sources.
“There is a strong feel-
ing that National Health
Insurance is a more urgent
priority at this stage and
would have a greater impact
on the lives of especially
poor South Africans. But
there just seems to be a lack
of enthusiasm on the side of
the minister to tackle such
issues, rather going for easy
targets which are important,
but not a priority at this
stage,” said an ANC source.
Doctor groups have also
warned that the laws would
see an exodus of specialists
and the destruction of pri-
vate healthcare.
The medicines bill seeks to
replace the inefficient and
overburdened Medicines
Control Council with a new
regulatory authority, and it
gives the health minister the
power to turn down an appli-
cation to register a medicine
on the grounds that it is not
in the public interest.
This is in contrast to inter-
national regulatory bodies,
which operate on the premise
of that medicine registration
is a technical process over-
seen by a specialist body that
considers safety, quality and
efficacy and are independent
of political structures.
In a joint submission to
Parliament, the Aids Law
Project (ALP) and Treatment
Action Campaign (TAC),
called for the medicines bill
to be withdrawn, warning
that if it became law
it would signal the death
knell of the scientific gover-
nance of medicines and clin-
ical trials in South Africa.
“In our view, this [bill] is
the latest attack on evidence
based regulation of medi-
cines and clinical trials,” the
organisations said.
“This latest development,
made in the name of improv-
ing effectiveness and effi-
ciency, seeks to destroy what
to date has only been weak-
ened. It does so by propos-
ing an amendment to the Act
that will effectively allow
the health minister to block
the registration of medicines
of proven quality, safety and
efficacy, as well as to allow
the sale and provision of
untested ‘treatments’ and
‘cures’,” said ALP lawyer
Jonathan Berger.
The ALP and TAC also
accused the health depart-
ment of developing the bill
in an unaccountable and
non-transparent manner that
makes a mockery of public
consultation.
Continue on page 6

Youth Day message from Premier

Ebrahim Rasool
The symbolism and associations of National Youth Day resonate powerfully with millions
of South Africans.

The generation of 1976, who stood up resolutely against injustice, will recall the bitter
conflict of the time * the teargas, the batons, the caspirs, the marches - and close their eyes
in remembrance of their compatriots who sustained injury or died in pursuing their just
cause.

The generation of the 80s will reflect on how they built on the foundation of their predeces-
sors by forging unprecedented levels of solidarity in the face of intensifying state violence,
in their efforts to finally end apartheid and usher in democracy.

Today, we have the privilege of joining our young people as we explore the full
potential of our creativity and abilities in an unfolding non-racial democracy.

As you mix-it, dance to Kwaito, Hip Hop Pantsula and Brasse vannie Kaap,
listen to I-pods, connect through Facebook, read novels, enjoy recreational
facilities, watch DVDs, debate freely, recite poetry and pursue educa-
tional opportunities, understand that these and other seemingly simple
freedoms were hard fought for and must be protected.

I wish you well on National Youth Day.

Premier Ebrahim Rasool

For information on the range of Youth Services

offered by government, phone 0861 142 142
 6 JULY 2008 ­- RAJAB 1429
Continue from page 5
However, Dr Anban Pillay,
Chief Director Health
Economics in the health
department said efficacy,
safety and quality would not
be compromised. He said a
body similar to the MCC
would investigate the effi-
cacy, safety and quality of
a drug.
A “declaration” would then
be made and a certificate
issued. The company would
then be able to export the
medicine to a market outside
of South Africa. However,
if its intention was to sell
it locally, then it would be
scrutinized by committees in
accordance with its benefit
to the population, the burden
of disease and its appropri-
ateness for the local market.
The pricing committee would
rule on the value for money
of the drug in question.
“These committees have to
report to someone to make
the final say and it has to
be the minister,” said Pillay.
He denied that the process
would be slowed down sig-
nificantly stating that many
of the applications could run
in parallel.
According to Pillay, interna-
tional evidence showed that
government would also have
more bargaining power in
terms of pricing if the drug
was not registered until an
agreement was reached on
the price.
He confirmed that every new
drug application would have
to go via the minister for
final approval, based on the
recommendations from the
various committees.
Meanwhile, the publica-
tion of the National Health
Amendment Bill has seen a
forceful response from vari-
ous stakeholders including
threats of legal action.
The health bill aims to make
private health care more
affordable by regulating the
annual price negotiations
between the private health-
care providers and medical
schemes. A facilitator would
be appointed by the minis-
ter to facilitate negotiations
between the private health-
care industry and medical
schemes. By combating ris-
ing private healthcare costs,
the department believes
medical scheme membership
would become more afford-
able to more people.
It is also not an unprecedent-
ed type of health reform.
Japan, Germany, Belgium
and Switzerland, among oth- public sector. tiate individually with these expressed concern that the
ers, negotiate tariffs with the large provider groups, is not proposed facilitator was not
private sector. However, Pillay said that the healthy,” she said. independent and that neither
bill created an opportunity the facilitator nor the health
However, there is concern for medical schemes to nego- Private hospital groups told department accepted any lia-
that the facilitator would be a tiate with private healthcare Parliament’s health portfolio bility should the results of
political appointment, work- providers. “I do not see the committee this week that is the regulations cause dam-
ing under the direction of the problem with this,” he said. had been impossible to con- age to any organization or
health minister. sult with the health depart- individual.
Professor Di McIntyre, health ment.
Medical aid companies are economist at the University “This leaves one with the
complaining that rising costs of Cape Town said there had “We have often felt like an impression that they them-
have made medical aid cover been a massive outflow of orphan … tugging at the selves have a lack of faith in
unaffordable for low income doctors from the public sec- skirts of a mother who will the proposed legislations,”
earners. The private sector tor to the private sector since not listen,” Nkaki Matlala, said Bishop.
is primarily funded through the eighties and only a slight chairman-designate of the
contributions to medical increase in private patients. Hospital Association of SA, Dr Richard Friedland, CEO
schemes, which provide said. of Netcare acknowledged the
health insurance coverage to “So the number of patients substantial inequities in the
some 7 million beneficia- per doctor in the private sec- Medi-Clinic CEO Koert delivery of healthcare, but
ries (of a total South African tor has dropped. Doctors in Pretorius maintained that said he believed the private
population of approximately turn have to push up their private hospital tariffs were sector could play a meaning-
47 million). fees and make sure people reasonable and that annual ful role in the provision of
see them more often. Also, increases had been reason- services to those people who
Interim results from the the current power imbalance, able. are unable to currently access
Council for Medical Schemes where three hospital groups private healthcare services. –
has revealed that the closed own 85% of beds and 120 or Mark Bishop, head of Health-e News Service.
medical aids serving most- more schemes have to nego- funder relations at Netcare,
ly blue collar workers have
had to dip into reserves as
medical costs rise. As this is
Muslim Journalists attend
unsustainable, there is a fear
that these medical aids will investigative journalism workshop
have to close and that their
members will be dumped on
the public sector. J ournalists of the local Muslim media
organisations were amongst the fifteen
community journalists who attended a two-
Journalism Project of the University of the
Witwatersrand, Johannesburg and facilitated
by Frayintermedia. Most participants echoed
The 2007 South African day investigative journalism workshop that investigative journalism skills are need-
Health Review (SAHR) held earlier this month in Stellenbosch. ed to strengthen community journalists as
reported that just over The workshop was commissioned by most of their reporting are from grassroots
R100 billion was spent on Birgit Schwarz, Director of Investigative – directly affecting the ordinary person.
health care in South Africa
in 2005, equivalent to some
7.7% of the country’s Gross
Domestic Product (GDP).
However, only about 40%
of total health care funds
in South Africa are spent in
the public sector, while 60%
flow through private inter-
mediaries.
Another complaint is that
the expanding private health
system disproportionately
absorbs health resources in
the country. Historically, the
distribution of health person-
nel in the country has been
highly inequitable, skewed
in favour of the private sec-
tor, the richest provinces and
urban areas.
Hospital and doctor groups
as well as opposition politi-
cal parties have warned that
the bill would see the col-
lapse of the private health
sector and exodus of doctors,
particularly specialists who
usually charge higher rates
than medical schemes’ rec-
ommended tariffs.
A snap survey conducted
by a South African Medical
Association committee
revealed that 66% of doctors
surveyed, the vast majority
specialists, would consider
emigration if the health bills
becomes law. Only eight of (f) Sanaa Petersen – Islamic Media Agency, (l-r) Mariam Salie – Islamic Media Agency, Shanaaz
the 1 000 doctors said they Gool Hamiet – Radio 786, Nabuweyah Malick – MJC-Media Desk, Muneebah Benjamin – Voice
would consider joining the of the Cape, Mahmood Sanglay – Muslim Views and facilitator Michael Schmidt
JULY 2008 ­- RAJAB 1429
Continue from page 4
10. no commitment to
the deen; to find balance
between local and global
commitment; youth are
the biggest challenge
as they out of control;
growing prevalence
of shirk; must see
ourselves as part of the
global ummah; lack of
direction; drug abuse and
gangsterism
Q: Respecting other
religions and cultures
means that Muslims
should:
11. interact with them to find
out what they believe and
practice: needed in order
to engage and live with
neighbours; interaction
develops true respect;
it makes one appreciate
one’s own religion more;
one exposes them to Islam
through interaction; it
is an opportunity for
da’wah; it demystifies
the boogie man
12. respect from a distance
and be more concerned
about one’s own beliefs:
To you your religion and
to me mine; cleanse our
own morals first; we tend
to become like them;
temptation to practise
easier religions; we first
need to respect ourselves;
many Muslims too weak
to engage with others
Q: The first priority for
well to do Muslims is to
put their money into :
13. building and maintaining
mosques and Islamic
associations: so that other
religions and cultures can
look up to Muslims and
associations can spend
money where it is needed
in the Muslim community;
build infrastructure
for Shariah compliant
youth activities; masjids
struggle financially and
need help; mosques is
where people pray
14. building and maintaining
Islamic educational
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is the key
15. projects that will result
in job creation for the
unemployed: hungry
stomach leads to crime;
self-sustenance leads
to education and social
upliftment; society
reinforces inequality; will
bring people to Islam;
leads to increased self-
worth; this is a practical
benefit
16. educational, health
and social projects
that benefit all; self-
sufficiency; create
Islamically focussed
conventional education
systems of a very high
standard; provide basic
human needs such as
food and shelter; we
need to uplift people
with both employment
and guidance; to educate
one’s own children;
support da’wah and relief
organisations; should be
helping township people
Agree or disagree:
Differences of opinion
weaken the community:
17. Agree-Breaks family ties;
art of debate has been
forgotten; disagreements
have proved divisive at
leadership level and have
led to dishonesty and
arrogance; we nitpick
over secondary issues;
renders community
vulnerable to attacks;
results in confusion
18. D i s a g r e e - M e t h o d
rather than content of
differences that is the
problem; differences
healthy and leads to
educational enhancement
and critical thinking; we
should not be like sheep;
leads to awareness,
respect and sharing;
mindless agreement
leads to stagnation and
monopolies; it can be
positive and constructive;
leads to a more
democratic and hence
stronger community;
Tel: 371 6882/Tel: 371 9600/Fax: 371 4315
everone has the right to
their opinion
Culture is an important part
of religion:
19. A g r e e - B o n d s
communities; if you
know where you come
from you can make the
right decisions; creates
pride and sense of
belonging; keeps religion
alive; creates vibrancy in
a community; culture is
the gateway to religion;
20. Disagree-Religion first,
culture second; culture
not part of religion; there
is no clear understanding
of what is acceptable
culture; can lead to bidah
and racism
Madrassa education is still
a vital part of a child’s
education:
21. Agree-Teaches the
basics; in today’s rat
race no time to educate
children on our own;
with strong fundamentals
faith will not be
compromised; kids need
to interact with their own
kind; children with no
madrasah education are
mislead; a child can be
easily moulded
22. Disagree-Parents should
become more involved
rather than leaving it up
to a third party
Islamic schools are better
for Muslims than secular
ones:
23. Agree-they can get both
religious and secular
education allowing free
time in the afternoon; are
better if done well
24. D i s a g r e e - M o r e
important for Muslims
to integrate rather than
be isolated; some have
become elitist and serve
class interest; does
not provide necessary
quality and balance;
misbehaviour of students;
we are part and parcel of
secular society as well;
creates silos that leave
them unprepared to deal
with the real world; do not
live up to their mission
statement; can lead to
exclusive mentality; too
expensive; they focus
more on secular rather
than Islamic studies; we
live in a multi-cultural
society
Islamic financial
institutions benefit the
Muslim community:
25. Agree-provides interest
free facility; without
them progress will be
retarded; they do help
the community
26. Disagree-they concerned
with their own profits;
have not seen them build
an orphanage
Learning Islamic law is
more important than being
able to read Quran:
27. A g r e e - B e a u t i f u l
recitation meritorious
but does not lead to
understanding and
knowledge; Obligations
have to be fulfilled first;
both are important
28. Disagree-Everybody can
read the Quran but not
everybody can afford to
study law; Quran is the
same as the Law or leads
to the Law; Quran and
Islam must be imbibed in
hearts first before details
of law
The South African
government protects
Muslim’s interests:
29. Agree-Enjoys protection
like other faiths; more
freedom than in some
Islamic countries;
Government enables
efficient Hajj; we have
financial institutions,
halal food and are allowed
to practise our deen in
schools and universities
30. Disagree-No, protects
interests of all its citizens;
politicians only fill their
own pockets; marriages
7
not legal yet;many rights
and provisions opposed
to the Shariah; its
becoming increasingly
Islamophobic; too much
poverty and struggling
Muslims
Muslims should focus
more on local rather than
international issues:
31. Agree-Charity begins at
home; think global, act
local; our own people
are struggling; grassroots
work more effective than
marches; too much focus
on what is happening
elsewhere; this is the
country of our birth and
we owe it a duty
32. Disagree-World affairs
affect us; Muslims are
an Ummah; Solidarity
with Muslims first above
other religious groups;
there is greater suffering
in other parts of the
Muslim world;
The West is the major cause
of our problems:
33. A g r e e - C o n t r o l
everything including
media and business;
they are jealous of our
practice of the Sunnah;
the importation of their
values erodes ours;
they wish to dismiss
importance of religion;
due to ubiquitousness of
West; their way of life
misleads and they see us
as terrorists
34. Disagree-It is due to our
failure that they do not
know Islam; they are able
to impose themselves
because of our weakness;
we created our own
problems; we have not
armed ourselves with
Islamic knowledge and
behaviour; we lack unity;
the earth is borderless;
Muslim excess can rival
Western excess; if we
think like that then we
just like them; we choose
what can influence us
 8 JULY 2008 ­- RAJAB 1429
US Planning Big New Prison in Afghanistan
The Pentagon is moving for-
ward with plans to build a new,
40-acre detention complex on the
main American military base in
Afghanistan, officials said, in a
stark acknowledgment that the
United States is likely to continue
to hold prisoners overseas for
years to come.
The proposed detention center
would replace the cavernous,
makeshift American prison on
the Bagram military base north
of Kabul, which is now typically
packed with about 630 prisoners,
compared with the 270 held at
Guantánamo Bay, Cuba.
Until now, the Bush administra-
tion had signaled that it intended
to scale back American involve-
ment in detention operations in
Afghanistan. It had planned to
transfer a large majority of the
prisoners to Afghan custody, in an
American-financed, high-security
prison outside Kabul to be guard-
ed by Afghan soldiers.
But American officials now
concede that the new Afghan-
run prison cannot absorb all the
Afghans now detained by the
United States, much less the
waves of new prisoners from the
PALESTINIAN SOLIDARITY
GROUPS COMMEMORATE THE
60TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE
PALESTINIAN AL-NAKBAH 0F 1948
W
hile the Israeli
administration cel-
ebrates 60 years of occu-
pation a human tragedy
unfolds in the occupied
territories of Gaza and
the West Bank. The
Palestinian people are
refugees in the land of
their birth. Access to
basic supplies like water,
electricity and medicines
are denied to them. South
Africans, experienced in
the horrors of apartheid,
are able to identify and
sympathise with the peo-
ple of Palestine, who are
subjected to atrocities at
the hands of the Israeli
government.
Meanwhile, South African
based Palestinian soli-
darity groups namely,
Salahuddeen.com, the
Al-Quds Foundation
S.A and the Friends of
Al-Aqsa hosted a tour
guided photo exhibi-
tion on the Palestinian
Al-Nakbah (Catastrophe)
of 1948 in May at the
Darul Islam boys High
School in Athlone. The
60th Anniversary of the
AL-Nakbah was com-
escalating fight against Al Qaeda
and the Taliban.
The proposal for a new American
prison at Bagram underscores the
daunting scope and persistence of
the United States military’s deten-
tion problem, at a time when Bush
administration officials continue
to say they want to close down the
memorated through exhi-
bitions highlighting the
plight of the people and
advocates a free Palestine
and the “right of return”
of the Palestinians living
in the Diaspora.
According to the direc-
tor of the Al-Quds
Foundation and President
of the Muslim Judicial
Council, Moulana Igsaan
Hendricks, says: “the
Al-Nakbah (catastrophe)
of 1948 saw the mass
deportation of a million
Palestinians from their
cities and villages, mas-
sacres of civilians, and
the razing to the ground
of hundreds of Palestinian
villages which continues
today.”
The Al-Nakbah has made
a whole people virtually
stateless aliens in their
own homeland, kept
them in an indefinite and
vicious form of colonial
domination, and permit-
ted the ideology of mili-
tant Zionism to massacre
innocent Palestinians.
facility at Guantánamo Bay.
Military officials have long been
aware of serious problems with
the existing detention center in
Afghanistan, the Bagram Theater
Internment Facility. After the
prison was set up in early 2002, it
became a primary site for screen-
ing prisoners captured in the fight-
ing. Harsh interrogation methods
and sleep deprivation were used
widely, and two Afghan detainees
died there in December 2002,
after being repeatedly struck by
American soldiers.
Conditions and treatment have
improved markedly since then,
but hundreds of Afghans and
other men are still held in wire-
mesh pens surrounded by coils
of razor wire. There are only
minimal areas for the prisoners
to exercise, and kitchen, shower
and bathroom space is also inad-
equate.
Faced with that, American offi-
cials said they wanted to replace
the Bagram prison, a converted
aircraft hangar that still holds
some of the decrepit aircraft-
repair machinery left by the
Soviet troops who occupied the
country in the 1980s. In its place
the United States will build what
officials described as a more mod-
ern and humane detention center
that would usually accommodate
about 600 detainees - or as many
as 1,100 in a surge - and cost
more than $60 million.
“Our existing theater internment
facility is deteriorating,” said
Sandra L. Hodgkinson, the senior
Pentagon official for detention
policy, in a telephone interview.
“It was renovated to do a tempo-
rary mission. There is a sense that
this is the right time to build a
new facility.”
American officials also acknowl-
edged that there are serious health
risks to detainees and American
military personnel who work at
the Bagram prison, because of
their exposure to heavy metals
from the aircraft-repair machin-
ery and asbestos.
“It’s just not suitable,” another
Pentagon official said. “At some
point, you have to say, ‘That’s it.
This place was not made to keep
people there indefinitely.’ ”
That point came about six months
ago. It became clear to Pentagon
officials that the original plan
of releasing some Afghan pris-
oners outright and transferring
other detainees to Afghan custody
would not come close to empty-
ing the existing detention center.
Although a special Afghan court
has been established to prosecute
detainees formerly held at Bagram
and Guantánamo, American offi-
cials have been hesitant to turn
over those prisoners they consider
most dangerous
Some detainees have been held
without charge for more than
five years, officials said. As of
April, about 10 juveniles were
being held at Bagram, according
to a recent American report to a
United Nations committee. By
Eric Schmitt and Tim Golden,
NY Times
JULY 2008 ­- RAJAB 1429
Muslim Youth Engineering the Future
Sanaa Petersen
The Muslim Judicial Council
(MJC) recognised through its
2006 and 2007 interactive 40-day
campaign titled, ‘Working
Towards an Exemplary Society’
the vital need to play a piv-
otal role in supporting today’s
Muslim Youth (MY) in its rap-
idly changing and challenging
environment.
This realization has activated the
MJC to facilitate a Participatory
Muslim Youth conference titled,
‘Youth Engineering the Future’
with the objective of establish-
ing a functional think tank to
revitalize existing Islamic mod-
els or create new Islamic mod-
els to respond to the challenges
of young Muslims growing up
in a contemporary and pluralis-
tic environment. These Islamic
models can hopefully;
1. create a supportive platform
for SA Muslim youth grow-
ing up in a pluralistic envi-
ronment with respects to the
debate of identity, culture,
tradition and religion.
2. develop and enhance proac-
tive and preventative initia-
tives with regards to peer
pressure, HIV/Aids, sub-
stance abuse, sexuality and
all forms of violence and
abuse.
3. enhance civic participation
with regards to community
and economic development
inorder to eradicate poverty
Young Muslims connecting hearts at Soetwater Refugee Camp
The learners of the Ibn Jazariy Academy distributed toys and played with the children that were displaced by the recent Xenophobic attacks in Cape Town.
4. enhance civic participation in
responsible engagement with
the media and its technologi-
cal tools
The MJC commissioned Sanaa
Petersen from the Islamic Media
Agency (IMA), a grassroots
women engendered media and
community development organi-
sation to develop and manage the
‘Youth Engineering the Future’
project. ‘Sanaa Petersen was the
Project Developer for the suc-
cessful 2006 and 2007 MJC–40-
day campaign ‘Working Towards
an Exemplary Society’ her part-
nership with the MJC can ensure
that the ‘Youth Engineering the
Future’ will attain its outcome (s)
to be a catalyst ‘…Towards an
Exemplary Society’, said Sheikh
Achmat Sedick.
The conference was symbolically
hosted in June to commemorate
Youth month and attracted 138
young participants from senior
grades (14-16years) of the inde-
pendent Muslim high schools
and Hifz (religious) academies.
The opening session on the 27
June was held at The Green Shed
in Schaapkraal with renowned
South African Muslim comedian
Riaad Moosa, who enthralled the
young guests. The Consulate-
General of Indonesia, Mr
Andrajati, reminded the young
participants of the eight steps to
success, “the prophet Muhammad
(saw) has left you the perfect
model to succeed”. One of South
Africa’s first Muslim chartered
accountants and senior Financial
Planner of Oasis Group Holdings,
Ebrahim Bardien, inspired the
young participants to not be
afraid to want to achieve as a
Muslim. He expounded on the
Quranic verse found in Chapter
3, Verse 104: “Let there arise out
of you a band of People inviting
to all that is good, enjoining what
is right, and forbidding what is
wrong: They are the ones to attain
felicity.’ Sheikh Shaheed Esau,
a tireless community developer,
expressed that Islam is the answer
for life “many of the self-help
books and advice of non-Muslim
inspirational and motivational
speakers are based on Islamic
thinking’ and the MJC Youth
Affairs Co-ordinator,
Moulana Shuaib Appleby, con-
cluded that the structure of the
conference was to ascertain the
status of Muslim Youth in Cape
Town and ‘develop the tools to
support their growth in a plural-
istic environment.’
The one day participative confer-
ence on the 28 June was divid-
ed into seven functional facets
that impact and plays a critical
role in the development of
MuslimYouth (MY) namely;
1. MY& Politics
2. MY & Education
3. MY & Gender, Sexuality
&related
4. MY Religion, Culture &
Tradition
5. MY & Community
Development
6. MY Sharia &SA Law
7. MY and Media
All the workshops were facilitated
by experts in the particular fields
to maximize the outcomes of the
“Youth Engineering the Future’
project. The facilitators were cho-
sen on the basis of their expertise
academically and ‘real’ knowl-
edge. ‘We sought facilitators that
were Muslim Achievers in their
fields and that worked within the
Muslim community,’ said Sanaa
Petersen. The facilitators were
astonished by the young Muslim’s
interactive response to the intense
debate and intelligent observations
and recommendations.
After twenty-one hourly think-
ing sessions participants were
physically challenged to imple-
ment thinking into doing.
9
The team-building and leader-
ship exercise entailed a scaven-
ger hunt, with learners divided
into groups to deliberate and
assess each others skills as to
which team would best represent
the hunters and the wordsmiths.
Dr Anwah Nagia of Frater Asset
Management and Taj Adlekker
ended the explosive mind chal-
lenging day with motivation and
wise advice for young Muslims
growing up in a non-Muslim and
changing environment.
The ‘Youth Engineering the
Future’ would like to thank
the facilitators for sharing
their valued time and exper-
tise namely; Ighsaan Higgins,
Shiekh Shahied Esau, Is-haaq
Lekganya, Yusuf Mataar,
Shaheeda Khan, Najmunisa
Solomons, Taj Adlekker, Sheikh
Faiek Gamieldien Ebrahim
Galant, Achmat Patience, Adv.
Muhammad Abderouf and Farid
Sayed. Thank you to the kind
partnerships of the SA National
Zakaah Fund, Albaraka Bank,
Cosy Corner, Classic Bakery,
Consulate-General Indonesia,
Debonaires Pizza, The Green
Shed and Oasis Group Holdings.
 10
SANZAF responds to needs of displaced refugees
The South African National Zakah
Fund (SANZAF) has been appoint-
ed the official service provider for
the supply and distribution of two
meals daily to about 1,200 refugees
at the Youngsfield military base in
Wynberg.
This appointment came about as a
result of exceptionally good net-
working between the various key
role players in the relief support
programme set for the refugees,
most of whom are from Somalia.
Other nationalities include people
from Zimbabwe, Mozambique
and the Democratic Republic of
Congo.
The South African National Defence
Force (SANDF), the City of Cape
Town’s Disaster Risk Management
Centre (DRM) and the Health
Department of the Provincial
Government of the Western Cape
are an important part of the infra-
structure of the programme at
Youngsfield. Security, shelter,
health, child care, social welfare
and secondary services such as
education and leisure activities are
provided at Youngsfield.
Although conditions are not ideal
in the tents and not suited for the
cold and wet winter conditions,
Book Reviews
Title: My Sisters’ Lips
Author: : Na’ima B. Roberts
Paperback: 359 pages
Publisher: Bantam Press (2 May 2005)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0593054415
I am a practising Roman Catholic girl
who is considering becoming a nun.
‘From My Sisters’ Lips’ may seem like
an unusual choice of book for such a
person to read, but the fact that I am
firmly rooted in one faith doesn’t mean
that I fail to appreciate the wisdom of
another. Na’ima has shattered every
misunderstanding and every uncomfort-
able stereotype that seem to stick like
burrs to the abaayat [gown-like cover-
ings] of Muslim women. In a lively,
informal style, she describes how she
discovered Islam and made a conscious,
educated choice to live as a Muslim.
Her own story is interwoven with anec-
dotes and insights provided by other
Muslim women (most of them converts)
who hail from a bewildering myriad of
cultures and countries.
They candidly talk about all kinds of
topics, ranging from arranged marriage
to covering their faces to Islamic educa-
tion. But the sad thing is, will people
listen to them? I once read an article
by one Saraji Umm Zaid, who wryly
commented, “Because people assume
that Muslim men long ago robbed us of
a voice, they don’t trouble themselves
by listening for one.” I know several
Englishwomen who will happily fill
the various role players have taken
several steps to ease the plight of
the refugees.
SANZAF officially commenced its
services at Youngsfield on 2 June
when a group of dedicated Muslim
volunteers from the Kenwyn
Muslim community had already
been providing relief support to the
refugees.
“The group who is attached to the
Waterloo Road mosque in Kenwyn
contributed significantly to the
relief work at a time when no infra-
structure or organized support was
available,” SANZAF Administrator
of the Western Cape, Amien Jacobs,
told Community News.
We gratefully acknowledge the role
played by Maulana Farouk Rylands
and the Kenwyn Muslim commu-
nity,” Jacobs added.
Even though such relief support is
not part of their core activity, the
organisation does respond to such
calls when needed. SANZAF’s
core activity is the administration
of the collection and distribution
of Zakah to the poor and needy in
South Africa.
In the case of the displaced for-
purchase Jean Sasson’s books (which
are speckled liberally with cultural and
theological errors) because they are
promisingly gory and lurid and shock-
ing - and, ultimately, deeply satisfying.
But although they claim to be ‘inter-
ested’ in Islam, they would never read
‘From My Sisters’ Lips’ because it
doesn’t tell them exactly what they
want to hear.
All the same, I wish Na’ima Robert and
her friends the best of luck as they delve
deeper into their chosen faith. They
have chosen a tough path to walk. I pray
that anyone who reads their book will
appreciate the depths of their courage
and devotion. Jessie-UK
JULY 2008 ­- RAJAB 1429
eign nationals, SANZAF provided
5335 blankets on 23 May which
were distributed to various loca-
tions in the Western Cape, par-
ticularly mosques that were pro-
viding accommodation to refugees.
Additional support in the form of
brunch and a hot meal for 300
refugees in the Nyanga Community
Hall was also provided from 24
May to 2 June.
At present SANZAF remains in
place at Youngsfield where brunch
and a hot meal is provided to 800 to
1000 refugees daily.
Sanzaf waxa aay ka jawaabtay baa-
hida qaxootiga soo barakacay
South Africa national zakah fund
(sanzaf) waxa loo magacaabay ka
shaqeeyo gaarsiinta qeybinta iyo
quudinta laba waqti dad gaaraya
1,200 oo qaxooti ah oo ku nool
xerada malitiriga e youngfield eek
u taala wynberg
Magacaabistaasine waxa aay ka
dambeysay natiijooyin kii caji-
ibka ahaa iyo isku xirnaashihii
wanaagsanaa ee u dhaxeeyaya fara
ku tiriska kala duwan e doorar-
ka lixaada leh ka qaato kaala-
mada barnaamijka gargaarka ah e
qaxootigaas oo intooda badani ka
VERSATILE
EXOTIC CURRY
The Shaikhs Exotics Way
Ingredients
• 45ml oil
• 2 large onions, chopped fine
• few sprigs curry leaves
• 2 x pieces stick cinnamon
• 3 x whole cardamon
• 10ml Shaikhs Exotics Kokni masala
• 10ml Shaikhs Exotics Special Blend curry
powder
• 2.5ml Shaikhs Exotics Garam masala
• 10ml ginger/garlic paste
• 6 fresh tomatoes, blanched and chopped or
2 tins canned chopped tomatoes, liquidise
• 5ml salt
• 10ml sugar
• 1 x tin coconut milk
• ? bunch fresh coriander, washed and
chopped
Method
To make the sauce
1. Braise onion, curry leaves, stick cinnamon
and cadamon in oil till golden brown.
2. Add kokni masala, curry powder, garam
masala, ginger/garlic paste.
3. Cook for 2 minutes until combined.
4. Add tomatoes and cook for 10 minutes
4. Add salt, sugar and coconut milk and
simmer till thick and creamy.
5. Last add chopped coriander.
yimiday somaliya . dadyowga kale
e kula jirane waxaa ka mid ah
Zimbabwe, mozanbique, iyo jam-
huuriya dimiquraadiga ee congo,
South African national defence
force, oo marka la soo gaabiyo
loo yaqaano (sandf) disaster risk
management (DRM) oo ka horta-
ga masiibooyinka u qaabilsan
magaalada cape town iyo waaxda
cafimaadka ee maamulka gobalka
western cape ayaa qeyb muhiima
ka ahaa barnaamijka ka socday
youngfield sida amaanka guriy-
eynta caafimaadka xanaanada caru-
urta iyo waxyaabah kale ee iska
caadiga ah oo laga waday xirada
yuongfield
Inkastoo xaaladu xuntahay qaboow
fara badan jiro teendhooyinku
aysan celin kareyn hadane doorarka
kala diwan waxay ka qaateen tilaa-
booyin badan sidii looga qafiifin
lahaa duruufaha heysto qaxootiga
Sanzaf waxa shaqadeeda ay ka
bilaawday youngfield 2 jun markii
isxilqaameen koox muslimiin oo
mutadawiciin ah kana mid ah
bulshada muslimka ah e kenwyn
kuwaaso soo gaarsiiyay gargaar
qaxootiga
Continue to page 12
SAUCE
This versatile curry sauce can be used with
the following options:
Devein 1kg prawns and cook in oil till pink.
Add salt and pepper and 2.5ml lemon juice to
prawns. Cook in curry sauce for 5-10 minutes.
Add freshly chopped coriander. Serve with
basmati rice
Cook chicken or beef strips in oil, add salt
and pepper. Cook in curry sauce for 10-15
minutes. (optional: add cashew nuts or dried
apricots) add freshly chopped coriander and
serve with roti
Cut a variety of vegetables (carrots,
courgettes,cauliflower, butternut etc.) into
bite-size pieces and stir-fry in oil. Add salt and
pepper. Cook in curry sauce for 5-10 minutes
until all flavours have been absorbed.
Do not overcook the vegetables.
This curry sauce can be frozen in smaller
quantities.
If frozen, defrost sauce first then use any of
the above options.
ENJOY!
Shaikhs Exotics
Blomvlei Rd. , Lansdowne
JULY 2008 ­- RAJAB 1429
11

Israel the Media’s Angel

F or a media that has
shown ”exceptional
tenacity” in its ability to
probe and uncover many
startling details in rela-
tion to shady operations by
powerful individuals and
groups, the South African
media has been much more
circumspect in dealing with
issues related to Israel. This
claim has prompted media
advocacy group, Media
Review Network chairper-
son Iqbal Jassat, to accuse
the South African media of
dealing with Israel as it if
was a “holy cow”.
“Many of the daily and
weekly papers have made
remarkable strides in pur-
suit of exposes, matched
at times by the electronic
media, resulting in shock-
ing disclosures. No politi-
cian is spared, neither the
President of the Republic
nor any of his cabinet min-
isters. Indeed, the message
inherent in these revealing
accounts of the high and
mighty is that there are no
‘holy cows’ as far as the
media is concerned.
“Yet, it can be argued that
despite their reluctance to
admit it, media do have
‘red lines’ which deter-
mine their levels of cov-
erage or analysis on such
‘untouchable’ subjects. For
instance, The Star under
Moegsien Williams’ edi-
torship has an unwritten
policy not to touch Israel.
Thus, by conferring a ‘holy
cow’ status upon Israel,
Johannesburg’s leading
daily denies its consumers
access to critical analysis
and debate on Israeli poli-
cies as well as conduct vis-
à-vis Palestinians under its
occupation,” Jassat said.
Radio 702 too has been
accused of protecting
Israel. “Many regular call-
ers to its daily talk shows
have complained about
being denied access when-
ever they attempt to raise
issues critical of the Jewish
state. Yet, they point out,
that Israel is discussed
though only by ‘kosher’
analysts or spokespersons
of the Olmert regime or
some or other pro-Israeli
academic,” Jassat said.
He said the SABC’s lack of
substantial depth in its cov-
erage of Israel “and at most
times to completely ignore
the suffering experienced
by Palestinians as a con-
sequence of policies best
described as inhumane, is
further evidence of a ‘holy
cow’ syndrome.”
A snap survey of the print
media conducted by the
Media Review Network
shows that there is a gen-
eral disinclination to get
to grips with brutal facts –
warts and all – of Israeli vio-
lations, settlements, check-
points, tortures, detentions,
abductions among others.
To its discredit, SA press
coverage of Israel remains
in the archaic realm of “cut
& paste”, Jassat charged.
“Archbishop Desmond
Tutu’s recent trip to under-
take investigation of the
Israeli massacre of a
Palestinian family in Gaza
provides a critical indict-
ment of shoddy neglect by
SA media. The expectation
that a UN probe of a ghast-
ly crime led by an icon of
this country would war-
rant reams of space filled
with pictures and commen-
taries did not materialize.
Instead, coverage of Tutu’s
visit was confined to a few
centimeter columns mainly
sourced from agencies such
as AP and AFP.”
Jassat said not a single
paper provided any edi-
torial comment. Neither
did any print journalist
attached to SA media inter-
view Tutu on his expe-
rience and observations.
“What does it say about
‘holy cows’? Is it not ironi-
cal that the Cape Times
header for one of its AFP-
sourced reports read: ‘Tutu
slams the world’s silence
on Gaza’s plight’, when in
fact it and other SA media
remain silent on Israel’s
atrocious conduct?”
Jassat said while there
exist notable exceptions,
“the unfortunate truth is
that unless media practi-
tioners are able to confront
this demon of selective cri-
tique, their ability to take
a critical view of Israel’s
destabilizing role and ser-
vice of America’s imperial
interests will remain ques-
tionable.” VOC

UNITED WE
SAID NURSI CONFERENCE CAPE TOWN 2008
A
By Nabuweyah Malick

s Europe and America are preg- onslaught against Islam was most for our existence and Who sent us to
nant with Islam. One day, they brutal. While Mustafa Kemal lead this earth?

will give birth to an Islamic state.
Just as the Ottomans were pregnant
with Europe and gave birth to a
European state.”
the advances of secularism in Turkey
so Bediuzamman Said Nursi com-
bated this with his work written by
scribes in mountains and the valleys
of Turkey, a country which forbade
STAND
Amongst the guest speakers who
explored the vision of the Risale-I
Nur were academics from Canada,
UK, Turkey, USA and South Africa

These are the words of Beduizamman
Said Nursi, the great 20th century
Turkish scholar of Islam, whose life
and work was commemorated in
Cape Town on the 31st May, 2008
at the Baxter Theatre. The
Divine Guidance Trust
hosted the 2 day confer-
ence which was a 1st for
South Africa and was
titled “Between despair
and hope, the Alienation
of Modern Youth and the
Response of Religion: The
Case of Risale-I Nur.
Beduizzaman Said Nursi
was born in Eastern
Turkey, 1877 and died
in Urfa in 1960. During
this period physical science had
been dropped from the curriculum
of the madressah and this contrib-
uted towards the decline of Ottoman
empire and the dominance of the
Europe. European dominance was
extended by the attacks on the Quran
and Islam which they claimed to be
incompatible with science.
The Risale-I Nur written by Said
Nursi proves that far from contra-
dicting science and the order and
working of the universe, religion
and science are compatible. This
work played a major role in pre-
serving and revitalizing the Islamic
faith in Turkey during the very dark-
est days of its history when the
all religious scripts. These were
written and copied by students and
passed from village to village, until
it spread across Turkey.
The conference was greatly appreci-
ated by those in attendance as speaker
after speaker caught the attention of
the audience with a depth of spiritual
insight which left many in awe and
admiration for the love and devotion
for Islam which inspired the many
volumes from the pen of Said Nursi.
Part of these writings focused on the
spiritual wellbeing of the youth by
emphasizing the importance of pro-
viding the youth with moral values
by speaking to their mind, heart, and
soul. This it said could be achieved
by teaching the purpose of living,
adding value to this existence and
the exploration of questions such as:
“Where do we come from? Where
are we heading? What is the reason
who gave deep insight into the mas-
terpiece which guides Muslims dur-
ing social secular advances by devel-
oping the conscious spiritual state
and increases the sense of responsi-
bility. It also gives a solid
Muslim identity and gives
a voice to the downtrod-
den, marginalized, poor
and those severely affected
by Western secular Turkish
society.
Prof. Dr. Bilal
Kuspinar,(UK) who spoke
on “The Role of Faith
in the Protection and
Bringing up Youth.” stated
that when writing his lec-
tures he put himself in the
mind of a teenager and said; “ One
of the lessons to be gained from
Risale-i Nur is when you look upon
life or the environment with faith,
you see a meaning for everything.
When you look upon it without faith
you will see that everything looses its
purpose. With the rise of technology
more and more teenagers see them-
selves ever so hopeless and alone.
Alas at this point Said Nurisi gives
the youth the lesson of mana-i harf
which means every thing around you
has both a meaning and purpose and
therefore give purpose and meaning
to your lives. There is no Despair
according to Said Nursi only hope
and meaning.”
W
e here the roar back
and rumble of the Next time we will pre-
SARACENS drawing pare ourselves in no
closer and closer to our uncertain terms
school We shall strategise and
Some one shouts ‘do not plan together to eradi-
panic, will you all just cate the germs
keep your cool’
While we realize that we
While they bulldoze our are indeed the oppressed
gates and fences We shall not grief while
We watch in agony and being dispossessed.
awe, silent and defense-
less For if the only weapon in
our hand it to be a stone
The hard cruel faces of We shall never ever be
the soldiers as they run alone!
into our classrooms
With rifles loaded ever Yes back the boere
ready, leave us in a state came, but then we were
as we listen to the bangs prepared
and booms No one ran away and
none of us were scared
There is chaos and con-
fusion as someone is The stones we hurled at
being shot them were too much too
Gripped by terror and handle,
fear at the sight of gush- Leaving them scurrying
ing blood to their buffels to quick-
ly drive away
Pupils running in all Since then we are enjoy-
directions to take cover ing freedom and justice
from this inhumane until this very day!
attack
While leaving a boer By Ismail Osman
shouts ‘doners ons kom Athlone
trug’ while cold blooded
shooting a pupil in the
 12 JULY 2008 ­- RAJAB 1429

We need warm baby clothing and blankets

X enophobic Violence has left
an estimated 25 000 people
displaced, destitute and in despair.
Our African brothers and sisters
have been abused, tortured and
stripped of their dignity. We can
only but pray to the Almighty
for a solution to this political and
humanitarian crisis.
Since the onset of the attacks,
Mustadafin Foundation has been
providing more than 10 000 of the
displaced victims with meals twice
a day, every day. The Foundation
has also been providing the vic-
tims with clothing, toiletries, baby
packs and other essentials. The
Foundation has also been receiv-
ing international funding from
Muslim Hands, which often part-
ners with Mustadafin for the alle-
viation of poverty in the Western
Cape.
But the work is not over and while
the xenophobia crisis continues,
Mustadafin urges the community
to continue with its support, which
has been of great help over the
past weeks. The Foundation is
calling for more donations in cash
or kind, especially warm cloth-
ing, blankets, baby things and
men’s shoes as the winter months
approaches.
We would like to thank all our
sponsors, volunteers and the gen-
eral public for lending us their
support in this trying time.
Translation in Somali
Qalalaasaha jinsi naleynka ah ayaa
galaaftay in ka badan 25000 oo
ka bara kacay waana walaalehen
African ah oo logeystay tacadiyo
fara badan oo isugu jiro dhac iyo
dil in taba. Balse waxa kali ah
ee aan awoodnaa in aan ilaah
ka barino xalinta qulqulatoyinkon
siyaaasaded iyo baniadanimo.
Ilaa ‘iyo xiligi u dhibkan bilowday
mustadafin foundation waxay rash-
in ubilawday in ka badon 10 000
oo ka mid ah dadkii soo barakacay
labo jeer malin kasto. Sidoo kale
hay.ado waxa ay uqeybisay dadka
dhibaateysnaa dhar. Musqulo ‘iyo
caruurta wixii lagama marmanka
u ahaaa. Sidokale haayado waxay
ay gacan ka heshay muslim hands
oo inta badan ay iska kaashadaan
qudinta dadka saboolka ah ee ku
nolool gobolka Western Cape.
Lakin howsha wali madhamaan
intiibo ay shaqaqada socoto. mus-
taafaadin waxa ay si diiran uga
codaneysaa in ay siiwadaan bul-
shado tagerada ay siiyaan. Sidii
ay qeybta lebaax uga qateen
tududaadyadi lasoon dhafay.
Hay ado waxa ay dalbaneysa
sadaqo dheerado ah lacag ama wax
kale sida dharka qaboobah celiyo
bustoyinka alaab caruureedyada
‘iyo kabaha raga si ay uga baxaan
xiligion so socda.
Waxaan in badan u mahad celin
ah u soo jeedineynaa inta deeq-
tooda naqu kaalmayey mutada-
wiciinta howsha ka qeyb qaatay
iyo dhamaan inta na amaahisay
kalmadooda xiligan adag
Jazakallah Khair
Alia Limbada
Pro
Mustadafin
Foundation
021 633 0010

Mustadafin Foundation
18 Belgravia Road, Athlone 7764
South Africa
Tel: +27 (0)21 633 0010/ 633 0060
Fax: +27 (0)21 633 0057
E-mail: info@mustadafin.com
Website: www.mustadafin.com

Bisha dambe iyo maxkamadeyn weeraradii jinsi naceybka

Migrant attacks: trials next month
Madaxa dabi baarayasha
ayaa shegay inla sii wadayo
maxkamadeynta dadkii ku
lugta lahaa weearadii jansi
naceybka ahaa bisha soo
socoto
madaxa dambibaarista
ee gobolka western cape
Rodney de kock ayaa wuxuu
yiri bishan bilowgeedii
dhamaan kiisaska laxiri-
iray weerarada ka dhacay
gobolkan in si xoowli
ah lagu wadayo lana soo
gabagabeynayo bidhamaad-
ka bisha august de kock
ayaa in ku daray in boli-
iska ay siiyeen balanqaad
in dhamaan baaritaanka ku
aadan weeraradaas lasoo
gabagabeeyo bisha june
13keeda
lakiin shalay ma uusan
sheegin in booliisku waqti-
gaas gaareen waxa uusa
sheegay in wali howsha
lagu guda jiro
dadka laga shikisanyahay
in aay ka dambeeyeen dhi-
baatooyinkas ayaa lagu
soo oogi doonaa dambi-
yo ay ka midyihiin dhac
shaqaaqooyin xuxun
iyo weeraro u geeystay
dhaawacyo dadka jirkooda
kiisaska indooda badan ee
gobolka western cape ayaa
lagu wadaa in lagu dhagey-
sto maxkamada khayelitsha
71 ruux ayaa la soo taa-
gayaa 25 kamid ahne waxaa
lagu helay dambiyo
maxkamada athlone 16kiis
ayaa lagu wadaa in lagu
dhageysto wynberg 9kiis
cape town 12kiis ayaa lagu
dhageysandoonaa
14 laga shikisanyahay ayaa
iyagune lasso tagayaa blue
down 6 bellville sidoo
kale 11kiis ayaa lagu
kala dhageysandoonaa
degmooyinka hemanus
grabouw bredasdrop george
iyo knysna

Continue from page 10

Kooxdan oo inta badan ku
xiran masjidka waterloo
road musque oo ku yaala
kenwyn waxaay deeq lagaa-
reen xiligii ugu
Waxaan aad ugu mahad
celineynaa doorka weyn o u
kaciyaaray maulana farouh
rylands iyo bulshada mus-
limiinta ah e ku nool ken-
wyn , jokobs ayaa intaas ku
daray
Xataa hadii tageeraha
gargaarku qeyb ka aheyn
ururku waxa u ka jawaabay
baahi taagneed xiligii loo
baahnaa . sanzaf dulucdedi-
so waa maamulka zaka aru-
urinta iyo u qeybinta dadka
masaakiintaa ee baahan oo
ku nool south Africa
lka western cape, qaasa-
tan masaajida waxaana loo
qeybiyay qaxootiga waxaa
intaas sii dheeri ah rashin
isku fulis ah o loo sameeyo
300 o qaxooti ah o o ku
jiro nyanga community hall
o ay gaarsisay 24may ilaa
2june
Waqtil xaadirkan sanzaf
waxay boos ku leedahay
youngfield taasoo ay u
sameyso halmar oo isku
fulis ah 800 ilaa 1000
qaxooti ah malin walibo

Intii barakaco lagu dhaxjiray

sanzaf waxa ay u qeybisay
dadka dadka ajaanibta ee
so barakacay 5335 bostoyin
ah 23bishii may waxaana
laga qeybiyay xaafada kala
duwan oo ku yaala gobo-
'This page is dedicated to the Survivors of the Xenophobia attacks and translated in Somali language by Muse Haggar, a 24-year old student from Somalia.