Keeping you in contact with your community

21ST EDITION MAY2008 - Rabi Al-Akhar 1429

Inside this issue Villain or Victim - Did She Kill Taliep?

By Sanaa Petersen

W aheed Hassen’s 15- page

handwritten confession
revealed that widow Najwa Pe-
what seemed strange to me
is that with all the drama that
unfolded he headbutted her
left arm and said in Afrikaans
you must shoot him you must
shoot him, hanging on me, I
wiped his face and the glove
was out of his mouth, All I could
hear from him was there is no
tersen pulled the trigger. ‘Taliep as if he did not want her close kept my focus on the robbery God but the one and only God,
was an innocent person. I could to him, at this point in time and walked with her to anoth- Mohammed is the final mes-
not pull the trigger. Taliep was Jeff gave him one very [hard] er room and looked for more senger from God. He said this
as meek as a lamb that would kick and he went to the tiled valuable items but could not repeatedly as I went back to
not harm anyone.” the room to fetch a pink col-
oured cushion.
Hassen is accused number 3
“It’s About Me” in the murder of Entertainer “I was afraid of him because
PAGE 3 Taliep Petersen’s execution- his faith so much stronger
style shooting on the night of than mine and he was not
December 16 2006. the man of that caliber that
Fahiem had made him out
These are extracts from to me and told Najwa do it
his confession admitted as yourself as I put the gun in
evidence in the Cape High the cushion, I actually folded
Court on 23 April 2008. They the cushion like you would
start at the point where he fold a news paper, but with
and his friend Jefferson the guns barrel in the scnter
Snyders have entered the of the cushion. I kept it with
Petersen family home and both my hands on the out-
bound Taliep’s hands behind side of the cushion, she was
his back. The spelling is as in standing on my left hand side
Youth Media Pilot the original. about two feet away from her
Project’ own husband.
PAGE 5 “Then I saw the woman [Na-
jwa Petersen] was peeking Protestors outside Cape Town High Court “At that time I was looking to
her room she then immedi- my right to see where Jeff is
ately came out, with me and floor the blood came out of his find anything because she was and in a split second I felt her
Jeff still holding him by his arms mouth and nose. leading me to Boeta Taliep, hand between mine, one sin-
because he would not submit May the Almighty Allah make gle shot rang thru my ears she
as we wanted to tie his feet, “But he would not give up mov- his grave wide and grant him screamed. I sanked so low it
she [came] to us as if she was ing so I sat with my knees on his Paradise she begged me in was like a scene from a movie,
willing to guide us through the back wile Jeff and the woman front of him to shoot him.... I knew I had to get away now.”
house and grabbed the man bind his feet with a kind of lace
hugging him as if it was the last table cloth that was on the ta- “At that point in time I saw the His confession was accept-
goodbye, tears flowed from his ble. After that she grabbed him Jeff was sitting on his knees ed into evidence by the High
eyes as he realized that she by the cheeks and she kissed before Boeta Taliep and Jeff Court, the case continues.
was in on the whole thing. But his face... Najwa hugged my stroked his hand over his head
Wat Sal Die Nabi

Petrol to Cross the

Gedoen?

PAGE 8
Government Gets R4bn
R9 a Litre Mark for Poor Planning
P etrol price will hike up a fur-
ther 55 cents a litre as of 7
is due to the average interna-
tional product prices of petrol,
T he huge increase in the elec-
tricity price was the result of
poor planning and management
newspaper quotes an unnamed
director of a listed company as
saying: “If the tariff increase is
May, according to the Minerals diesel and illuminating paraffin on the government’s part, so it granted it will constitute a steep
and Energy Department. This is increase. should not be allowed to get tax tax on consumers, due to a situ-
applicable for all grades of pet- income from that, the Business ation created by the bad plan-
rol while the wholesale price of Snapshot on the past 6 months: Day reported on Friday. The ning of the state. This is ridicu-
diesel with a sulphur content of December: government would get a R4bn lous. SARS should waive the
Mustafa Jonker 0.005 percent will increase by up by 43 cents a litre boost in taxes if Eskom was al- tax.”
Alleged Terrorist 72 cents a litre. The wholesale January: lowed to increase its prices by
price for illuminating paraffin unchanged at R7.47 inland and a nominal 60%, the newspaper
My Story also rises by 55 cents a litre, R7.33 at the coast said.
PAGE 9 single maximum national retail February:
price for illuminating paraffin up by 17 cents, the lowest in- If the National Energy Regu-
ISLAMIC MEDIA AGENCY CC by 74 cents a litre. According crease this year lator of SA (Nersa) grants the
CK 2002/001313/23 to the department, the increase March: hike, Eskom has projected that
Editor: Sanaa Petersen up by 61 cents a litre it would make a pretax profit of
Religious Contributors:
Dr Abdul Malik
April: R12.7bn.
Printers: Independent Group up by a record 68 cents a litre
Contributors: Mariam Salie, Roshaan May: At a tax rate of 28%, the extraor-
Misbach and Nabeweyah Malick Changed received from a purchase of
up by another 55c to cross the dinary tariff hike would generate lip balm at a chemist in Uganda during
466 Lansdowne Road,
Lansdowne 7780
R9 a litre mark almost R4bn in tax, which would March 2008. Currency converter. 1
Tel: 021 697 2294 • Fax: 021 697 2304 see the government profiting South African Rand = 224.244 Uganda
Email: [email protected] Shilling and 1 Uganda Shilling (UGX) =
Website: www.islamicmedia.co.za
from its own bad judgment. The 0.004459 South African Rand (ZAR)
 2 MAY 2008 - Rabi Al-Akhar 1429

NEWS BITES
COMPILED BY SANAA PETERSEN

Cosatu - Stayaway Protests on the Cards ing blackouts. Employers in the mining cated to the life and legacy of Proph- Professor Hussein Solomon Sued
industry estimate that we may lose up et Muhammad (saw). for Defamation
to 30 000 jobs if the rolling blackouts
continue. “In the history of Dubai, this museum The Association of Islamic Madaris
will stand as a shining milestone as (Lajnatul Madaarisil Islamiyyah) has
------------------------------------------- it will give the world an opportunity to lodged a defamation suit against Pro-
learn about the life and message of fessor Hussein Solomon for claim-
MJC Pep Wins Labour Job Creation Prophet Muhammad,” said Omer bin ing that madaris were being used for
Trust Best Project Award Suleiman, the managing director of military training and were a breeding
the Dubai Culture and Arts Authority. ground for terrorism.
Dubai ruler Sheikh Mohammad bin
Rashed al-Maktoum, also the prime Professor Hussein Solomon is the
minister of the United Arab Emirates, director of the Centre for Political
has asked the Authority, only formed Thought at the University of Preto-
in March, to immediately proceed with ria and delivered a speech in Israel
Workers protesting against the sharp price increase on food, electricity and petrol the museum plan. at an international anti-“terror” con-
outside the office of Local Government: Premier Ebrahim Rasool in Wale street, Cape ference claiming that Muslims were
Town on 24 April 2008.
The museum, believed to be the first of being prepared psychologically for
The Congress of SA Trade Unions (Co- ing”, which had already been proven in its kind in the world, will be dedicated terrorism and that the local Muslim
satu) has begun a campaign of mass the bread and dairy sectors. entirely to the life of prophet Muham- community was “volatile” and would
The project manager of the Agricultural
action against the soaring prices and Resource and Information Training mad. It will chronicle the life of the provide safe-houses and money to
the electricity crisis by submitting notic- “Greedy companies, under cover of the Centre (AgRIC), (r-l) Yasier Gabriels, prophet and introduce the visitors to potential terrorists. Solomon also
es to allow it to organise stayaway pro- global price rises, are getting together Ms Zanele Mbeki and Nomonde Nofuma, the main stops including his marriage, said that South Africa was supporting
tests, said Peter Craven spokesperson to put up their prices even higher, so an emerging farmer who is one of the beginning of God’s revelation, the global jihad networks by providing
the beneficiaries of the MJC Poverty
for Cosatu. they can make even bigger profits at Eradication Project demise of his wife Khadijah, the inci- safe houses, moving funds, providing
the expense of their consumers.” dent of Al Isra’a and Al Mi’raj, migration ID`s for terrorists, and allowing para-
“The increases that we negotiated last ------------------------------------ to Madinah, the conquest of Makkah military camps. He added that gov-
year may have seemed good enough Anticipating that the electricity short- and the prophet’s death. ernment maintained an “ideological
at the time, but they have been more age and oil supply crisis would put jobs Dubai to build museum of Prophet blindness” which equates the anti-
than cancelled out by rising inflation,” at risk, Cosatu said it would not allow Muhammad (SAW) “The project also clearly indicates that apartheid struggle with the global ji-
said Craven. workers to pay the price for something Dubai is keen on playing its role not hadist battle and as such was burying
not of their own making. The government of the booming only as a bridge between the East and its head in the sand on “terror”.
In South Africa, the position was even emirate of Dubai has decided to the West, but also between the Islamic
worse as a result of “criminal price-fix- “We are worried about the current roll- build the world’s first museum dedi- world and the rest of the world.

The Girl Child Workshop SA Welcomes Palestinian Parents Of Murdered Children

P EG launched its Girl Child

Workshop on Sunday 20th
• To make them aware of how the
physical changes in their bod-
T he Human Rights Foundation and Human Rights Ac-
tivists welcomed Adalah, an independent, non-govern-
mental and non-partisan legal center, registered in Israel
in the knee; Omar Mohammad A’kkaw, 42years – shot in
the chest; Wissam Yazbak,25years- shot execution style;
Mohammed Ahmed Jabreen, 23years- shot in the left eye;
April, at the Savoy Lodge in ies will affect them emotionally. to protect human rights and the rights of the Arab minority Ahmed Ibrahim Siyaam Jabreen, 18years – shot in the
Rondebosch East. in particular to Cape Town during April. Adalah (‘Justice’ buttocks; Rami Khatem Ghara, 21years – shot in the eye;
• To equip them to effectively in Arabic) visit is to appeal to international institutions and Eyad Sobhi Lawabny, 26years – shot in the chest; Ala
The workshop was attended by manage their emotions so that forums to pressurize Israel to protect the rights of its citi- Khaled Nassar, 18years – shot in the chest; Asel Hassan
a diverse group of young ladies, they may develop into women zens and Palestinians. In October 2000 thirteen Palestin- Asleh, 17years – shot in the neck from behind. Adalah
ranging in age from 13 to 19. One with a healthy sense of self- ian 1948 borders, were killed by Israeli Police Forces, the has earnestly tried to have the killers prosecuted and af-
of the exercises required a pairing worth. murdered victims are Emad Farraj Ghanaym, 25years – ter eight years the Israeli courts closed the cases, citing
of the girls, and it was great to see shot in the head; Walid Abdul-Menem Abu Saleh, 21years insufficient evidence. To assist Adalah and for more infor-
that they could not stop talking to • To recognize and understand –shot in the abdomen; Ramez Abbas Bushnaq, 24years – mation log onto – www.adalah.org
each other. their temperament, and how shot in the head; Mohammad Khamayseh, 19years – shot
this will impact on their lives.
PEG feels very strongly that be-
cause of the challenges facing • To provide them with the skills
young people, they should be nur- to make responsible choices in
tured and encouraged. The girl relationships, careers and ulti-
child will become the woman, and mately, a life partner.
the woman has been blessed with
the “Raheem”, the mercy of Allah. The programme concluded with
No creation of Allah enters the lunch during which the girls gave
world, except through the womb their evaluation of the programme.
of a woman. This is how special, The feedback was positive and it
how sacred, and how honoured a was agreed that they would all get
woman is. The workshop aims: back together during the June va-
cation. The workshop will be run
on a monthly basis

ADALAH lawyers and parents of murdered Palestinian children 1948 borders at a seminar hosted by PSG and District Six Museum
on 23 April 2008.

SAXONSEA HARDWARE & GIFTS

To speak a kind word and to forgive people’s
faults is better than charity followed by hurt.
Allah is All-Sufficient, All-Forbearing
Cnr Hermes Avenue & Grosvenor roads, Saxonsea, Atlantis, 7349
Clockwise from left: Zulfah Dolley, Maghmuda Abrahams, , Layla Solomon, Mariam
Abrahams, Taheera Rahman, Ayesha Bharoochi and Aneekah Mohamed Tel: 021 572 5466/4560 Fax: 021 572 7189
 MAY 2008 - Rabi Al-Akhar 1429
3
SA National Zakaah Fund
– Spreading Wings Of “It’s About Me” For Women
Compassion

O ver three decades of involvement

on a community level, SANZAF
T he Islamic Media Agency (IMA)
launched a creative writing club
titled “It’s About Me” for girls and
Guest speaker, Rayhaana Davis,
who has written her first book titled,
‘Doldrums that Cultivates’, shared
left many in tears. Caroline Davids, of
the Tibb Institute, implored the wom-
en to start caring for themselves, “We
acter sheets of individuals that influ-
ence/impacts on our development
and self.
was compelled to develop a blue print women on the 12 April at the Country with the participants her relationship are constantly looking after others,
to reach out and empower communities Manor, Schaapkraal. with writing. “As an adult, I discov- but when are we going to start caring July 2008 - start writing first draft
with the emphasis on children, the aged ered that whenever I was angry, I for the most important person in our from outline
and families in need of social reconstruc- The ‘It’s About Me” launch attracted was always frantically looking for a lives and that is us, women?”
tive services. Our outreach programmes over 80 women from diverse envi- pen and paper, from that realization, August 2008 - focus on usage of
strives for an infrastructure that would en- ronments with a common vision of I just started writing and writing, I am After all the inspirational speakers, words/ terminology to identify stere-
able SANZAF and other organisations to sharing and preserving home-grown busy writing my second book,” said Sanaa Petersen, facilitated the first otyping, prejudice, discrimination etc.
implement various sustainable projects in stories and real experiences. “The Rayhaana. But this was not always lesson on the topic, ‘It’s About Me”. within thinking patterns.
areas historically deprived and neglected club is about using the tool and skill the case, her past was very different, She dressed as an astronaut, to help
areas. of writing to develop and support the young Rayhaana, an under-achiev- the participants visualize the impact The duration of each workshop is 1
positive growth of girls and women,” ing student at school assumed by that negative thoughts has on their X 3hour workshop per month at the
Additionally, SANZAF responds to dis- said Sanaa Petersen, founder of the family and friends to be nothing more development and choices in life. Af- following venues, starts 14 May 2008
asters with the sole aim of providing hu- club and CEO of the IMA. than average, excelled through her ter the mental exercises, participants and ends 17 August 2008
manitarian aid to victims affected by fires writing. “When I was young I wrote revisited their first writing experience,
and floods. The combination of torrential In addition to promoting literacy and my first short story and showed it to drawing their story outline with cray- IRFSA – Welcome Estate/Heide-
rain and floods during the winter season encouraging writing, its core element my sister, she laughed and said no- ons. At the end of the ‘first lesson’ veld – Wednesday – 7 to 9pm (one
proves to be devastating, as many victims is to help women recognize the nega- one would read it, it was stupid. After each participant, received a creative Wednesday, per month)
experience huge losses when their dwell- tive elements including stereotypes, that traumatic experience I threw my writing toolkit, which consisted of an
ings and possessions are destroyed. prejudice, conditioning, expectations short story in the bin, thinking it was ideas box and creative writing journal MJC Boardroom – Athlone –
SANZAF responds by providing food, and fears (external and internal) that stupid,” said Rayhaana. But as grow- with ‘getting started writing tips’ and Saturday – 11 to 1pm (one Saturday,
clothing and blankets, and in some cases inhibit the individual’s true potential. ing up, been exposed to a different course outline. per month)
materials to rebuild the dwellings of the environment, sometimes challeng-
victims. SANZAF workers and volunteers Nabuweyah Malick, Public Relations ing, she realized that writing calmed The Course outline for the next Kalksteenfontein Masjid – Sunday
are always ready to morally support and of the Muslim Judicial Council (MJC) her. She then revitalized her love for three months: – 11am to 1pm (one Sunday, per
counsel the traumatized victims. – Media Desk and co-ordinator of the writing and has since published her May 2008 - Deconstructing the self month) – for more information con-
MJC-Women’s Forum expressed the short story in the You magazine and from the environment, using visuals tact Sanaa on 021 697 2294 or 074
Each year planning for operation Fitrah importance of reading varied publi- another in a health magazine, with an and art materials. 2274345 or sanaa@islamicmedia.
and Fidayh commences two months cations, “by being exposed to varied international publishing house print- co.za
prior to Ramadhan. During this period, situations and difference of opinions, ing her first book and soon a second June 2008 - developing an outline
full-time staff and volunteers attend to I’ve develop to be an individual think- book. (road map) which includes your vi- The course ends in a celebration of
referrals, interview applicants, conduct er, more tolerant, appreciative of ex- sion, outcomes and purpose of your stories on the 20 August supported
home visits, assess needs and update pression and much wiser and braver Lauren Bates, a young poet, shared role (s) - (Envisioning the self in the by the MJC – Women’s Forum
records of families in need. Additional in recognizing and countering propa- a different style of writing, her poem future, from the past and present),
part-time offices are organized for the ganda and untruths.” titled, Daddy Goodbye (see page 10), using character sheets - create char-
month of Ramadhan to cope with the
caseload of approximately 12,500 fami- Sincere gratitude to our visionary sponsors/partners of the “It’s About Me’ creative writing club launch - geared to develop girls and women through
lies. During the month of Ramadhan sharing and preserving of home-grown stories.
SANZAF (Western Cape) must raise at AdvocateMuhammad Abderouf cell 083 7319816 MRC Development Consultancy Mickaeel Collier-021 706 0048
least R1.5million to assist needy families Albaraka Bank 42 Corner Klipfontein and Belgravia Roads,Athlone Muslim Hands S & H Centre, No.1 Carnie Road, Rylands Estate,
in the Cape Peninsula, Boland, Garden Tel : (021) 637 8800 Tel: 021 633 6413
Route and Westcoast areas. The object Amiena Bhayat Muslim Judicial Council Women’s Forum 021 696 5150
of Fitrah is to ensure that every Muslim Anwa Shabodien 021 531 7037 SA National Zakaah Fund 1 Thornton Road, Athlone, 021 633 1555
man, woman and child, be free from want Cosy Corner Restaurant and Take-Aways 119 Ottery Road, Wynberg Tibb-Institute SA, Dr Rashid Bhika IRFSA, 5th Avenue, Heideveld
on the auspicious day of Id that marks the Karriem Adams Colorado Park Masjied 021 638 4487
successful completion of the sacred fast Kwantu Private Game Reserve 083 500 0344/www.kwantu.co.za Washiela Nagiah and Fuad Sonday Trust
of Ramadhan.

The well known Hadeeth ‘Poverty breeds

disbelief’ strongly motivates the need and
purpose of the SANZAF Da’wah and
Quran literary programmes to uplift the
poor and needy educationally and spiritu-
ally. Due to the socio-economic situation
and lack of employment opportunities the
decline in spirituality has reached critical
levels. Our Da’wah and Quran literary
programmes have proven that people
who are spiritually uplifted, cope better Sanaa Petersen, founder of ‘It’s About Me’ club, dress as an astro- Women at the ‘It’s About Me’ launch participating in the mental
with their problems and have confidence naut, to assist women with mental exercises in visualizing negative exercises
of a better future. thoughts that stifles growth and new experiences.

SANZAF Spreading Wings of

Compassion
Contact SANZAF at:
Operations:
22 The Masjid Cornflower Street
Bridgetown, 7764
Tel: 021 638 5108
Email: [email protected]

Special Projects
No 1 Thornton Road, Athlone, 7764
Tel: 021 638 0965
Email: [email protected]

Zakah… A Means
Going back to being a child: Women drawing with crayons, this The girls of the Kalksteenfontein area - Nabuweyah Thorn, Sharifa
for Poverty Allevia-
exercise helps in a fun way to identify individuals, events, factors that Donson (15), Galiemah Samsodien (14) Naiela Petersen (15) Sulayla
tion, Development impacts on a woman’s development. Adendorf (15) and Fadwa Thorn (18) with their “It’s About Me”
and Empowerment
creative writing toolkit.
 4 MAY 2008 - Rabi Al-Akhar 1429

2007 Matric Results Catastrophic for Learners of ‘Colour’

By James Myburgh
disadvantaged Black and Col- came to power. The pass rate for pupils has increased from 49,5% The effect of these measures, ever

W hat the 2007 matric results

say about the state of our
country.
oured South Africans.

Last year 277,941 (60,6%) of

these pupils has dropped from
82.8% in 1991 to 78% last year.
More worryingly, only 15,4%
in 1991 to 55.2% last year. For
white pupils it has increased from
41,5% to 52%. This increase is
more strictly applied, is to prevent
young Indian and particularly
white South Africans from pursu-
black pupils passed matric. This (5367) of the these pupils passed largely a reflection of the soften- ing their ambitions in the land of
The racial breakdown of the 2007 is a doubling of the number who with exemption. This represents ing of standards in the new matric their birth. What this means is
matriculation results, released passed in 1991 and it represents a decline of almost a third in the relative to the old one. that the country either loses these
by the Department of Education a fifty percent increase in the pass exemption rate from 1991 when it youth to other countries or refuses
last month, provide an important rate. However, when one looks at stood at 21,9%. While white and Indian pupils are to take full advantage of the abili-
insight into the cause and ex- the exemption still able to ac- ties of those that remain. South
tent of the crisis currently facing rate this bright cess reason- Africa thus deprives itself of many
South Africa. The Department picture dims con- ably good edu- of its best and brightest minds.
points out these statistics "cannot siderably. 49,950 cation through White and Indian pupils made up
be regarded as completely reli- black pupils the school sys- 9,5% of all those who wrote the
able" based as they are on self- passed the gov- tem, as soon government matric in 2007, 14,1%
reporting. There are pupils who ernment matric as they leave of those who passed it, 33,1% of
refuse to classify themselves by with exemption matric they are those who passed with exemp-
race and others who misclassify last year, up from faced with a tion, 42,2% of those who passed
themselves by mistake. Last year, 30,389 in 1991. wall of state- with merit, and 77,5% of those
apparently, numerous Indian and However, the sponsored who passed with distinction.
black pupils erroneously classi- exemption rate racial dis-
fied themselves as ‘Asian.' (10,9%) is no crimination. In In the early 1990s it was known
different now to 2001 the racial that there would be a shortage
Last year 591,251 pupils wrote what it was then. composition of of at least half a million skilled
the government matric, 386,051 See tables 1 & the population workers - ‘professional, techni-
(65,3%) passed, and 89,838 2. The Eastern was estimated cal, highly skilled, executive and
(15,1%) passed with exemption Cape had the at 79% black, managerial' - by the end of the
- the minimum grade needed to worst pass rate 8,9% Coloured, decade. The ANC responded to
progress on to university. In ab- for black pupils 9,6% white, and this challenge by creating a truly
solute terms more pupils passed, (54%) as well Theresa Jackson is 11years old and lives with her grandmother in Kalksteenfontein 2,5% Indian. perverse system. On the one
and attends Montana Primary School. pic Sanaa Petersen
including with exemption, than as the worst ex- The intention hand it has fostered a dysfunc-
ever before. However, there was emption rate (6,9%). This lack of These statistics suggest that, out- of the ANC is that every sphere tional school system which pre-
a small decline in both the pass improvement has been achieved side of Model C and independ- of human activity in South Africa, vents most pupils from realising
and exemption rates. See Table despite the equalisation of funding ent schools, black and Coloured at every level, should conform to their real potential through educa-
3. In assessing the overall state of for school children; the integration pupils are being deprived qual- these proportions. Racial discrimi- tion. On the other hand it refuses
education one also needs to factor of formerly white, Coloured, and ity education; without which they nation is regarded as necessary to utilise the skills and talents of
in the 7632 pupils at independent Indian schools; and, the end of cannot progress into the profes- and justified until demographic many of those that do manage to
schools who wrote the separate the politically inspired disruption sions or compete with the children representivity has been achieved gain a decent education because
IEB exams: 7283 passed (98,9%) of schooling by the ANC and its of the middle classes. everywhere. As the party's 2007 they are of the ‘wrong' colour. It
and 5780 (78,5%) passed with allies. Strategy & Tactics states, the need is a system to the benefit of no-
exemption. See Table 4. The pass rates for Indian and for such measures will only de- one but a hyper-privileged ruling
The statistics for the 34,741 white pupils are largely un- cline when "all centres of power elite; which has fixed the rules to
When one breaks these figures Coloured pupils who wrote the changed from 1991, although and influence and other critical ensure that they do not have to
down by race, they reveal how government matric suggest that the number of white pupils writ- spheres of social endeavour be- compete with individuals from ei-
little progress has actually been something catastrophic has hap- ing the government matric has come broadly representative of the ther the racial minorities or the still
made since the end of apartheid pened to education in the Col- now declined by over a third. The country's demographics." disadvantaged majority.
in extending quality education to oured community since the ANC matric exemption rate for Indian

Table 1: 1991 matriculation results by race

Race Candidates Passes Exemption

Number Proportion Number Proportion

Black 280918 114695 40.8% 30289 10.8%

Coloured 22405 18557 82.8% 4911 21.9%

Indian 14258 13558 95.1% 7062 49.5%

White 65933 63504 96.3% 27356 41.5%

Total 383514 210314 54.8% 69618 18.2%

Source: SAIRR, Race Relations Survey 1992/1993

Table 2: 2007 government matriculation results by race

Race Candidates Passes Exemption

Number Proportion Number Proportion

Black 458836 277941 60.6% 49950 10.9%

Coloured 34741 27101 78.0% 5367 15.4%

Indian 13534 12590 93.0% 7475 55.2%

White 42617 41921 98.4% 22145 52.0%

Other/unknown 41523 26498 63.8% 4441 10.7%

TOTAL 591251 386051 65.3% 89378 15.1%

continue on page 6
 MAY 2008 - Rabi Al-Akhar 1429
5

Youth Media Pilot Project

T he Islamic Media Agency (IMA)
has over the past two years,
through its publication, Community
the individual’s identity and thinking
processes, then slowly incorporate
the tools of the media,’ said Sanaa
News, developed a youth media Petersen, Project Developer of the
studies project to support young Youth Media Studies project. In-
persons understand the media stead of using the products of Me-
environment, its functionality and dia like newspapers in stage one,
the impacts that it has on their the reading of non-Islamic books,
development. Last year the IMA like fantasy, fiction and narratives
periodically tested the journalistic were incorporated. The class of
aspect of the project on the 2007 20 students were divided into two,
Matriculants of the Al-Azhar High the first half was instructed to read
school in Athlone. The result was a book and present their review,
a huge success culminating in a the other half was instructed to
one-page ‘school newsletter’ in the research organisations that has
Community News, sourced, written an impact on their development,
and photographed by the students. namely SA Government, MJC,
Two exceptional students were OIC, WICS, UN, G8 and present
Zachareeyah Panday, 17 years, their findings. The outcome of the
who submitted throughout the year reviews were to create an aware-
newsworthy photographs that was ness of the benefits of reading and
published and designed the logo researching (asking questions) and Learners of the Al Jazariy Hifz Academy and youth from Palestine 1948 borders at the Royal Yatch Club,
of the IMA. The other student was to visualize the link between their hosted by Jewish Maritime league
Wi-ahm Petersen, 16 years, who environment and the ‘external’ fac- living in Palestine 1948 borders.
compiled a matric finale article, in- tors that impacts on their develop- These Palestinians were guests of
terviewing and encouraging five of ment. From that understanding the the Foundation for Human Rights
her peers to submit their comments learners were introduced to the and the Palestinian Solidarity
within the deadline. factors that make the news and Group. The learners’ debate with
the presentation of the news in the respect to the two groups of Pales-
The second part of developing the media and the tools used. They tinians from the 1948 borders with
youth media studies was to intro- have previously only been exposed very different stories, opened the
duce the media including its tools to the Palestinian issue within the flood gates to 1001 questions. Next
and techniques, to young persons, frameworks of the Muslim commu- they met and interacted with author
ages 14-18years, that are not ac- nity and the IMA introduced them to Shaun Johnson and Ryland Fisher.
tive in mainstream schooling. The young persons, Muslims and Jews, They then ‘reported’ on a protest or-
Imaam adopted the Ibn Al-Jazariy from Palestine 1948 borders who ganized by COSATU in response to
Hifz Academy, Masjidus Sunni in were guests of the Jewish Maritime the increasing high prices of food-
Kromboom. The Academy’s prin- League. During their interaction stuffs, petrol and electricity and on
cipal is Sheikh Abd’al Rasheed they realized that irrespective of re- Wednesday, they participated in a
Brown, whom we are eternally ligion, class, race or circumstance, Mediawise radio programme aired
grateful to for providing us this they were all members of one com- on the Voice of the Cape. All these
platform. First the students were munity and that was the community experiences enabled the learners
quite apprehensive about the new of the Human race. “We all share to understand the techniques of
lessons and couldn’t link their im- the same responsibility towards the media and its impacts on their
mediate environment to external each other,” said Raees Ismail, development and their responsibil-
existing world which directed the learner of Ibn Al-Jazariy Academy. ity in consuming it. Next the learn-
Interaction with ex-Cape Times editor, Rylands Fisher, at the Centre of the Book in
project back to the drawing board. The same evening they welcomed ers will be exposed to the television April. (back) Muzaffar Mohamed, Raees Allie, Ryland Fisher and Yusuf Karriem
“We had to incorporate a life skills the parents of the youth that were and film industry (front) Sanaa Petersen, Zakkiyah Lalla and Miekaeel Adams
programme, with a strong focus on killed by the Israeli Military whilst

Lentegeur,
Mitchells Plain
Tel: 021 372 1106
Fax: 021 372 1110
‘Abu Hurairah reported that the Holy Prophet (SAW) said

“Religion is very easy and whoever overburdens himself in his religion will not be able to continue in that way. So you
should not be extremist, but to be near to perfection and receive the good tidings that you will be rewarded, and gain
strength by offering prayer (salah) in the mornings, afternoon and during the last hours of the nights
(reported by Bukhari)
 6 MAY 2008 - Rabi Al-Akhar 1429

continue from page 4

Government matric results 1980 - 2007

Year Candidates Pass % With Exemption % Table 4: IEB matric results 1994-2007
1980 109807 82597 75.2% 34011 31.0% Year Candidates Pass % With Exemption %
1981 125291 88639 70.7% 34742 27.7% 1994 1305 1225 93.9% 920 70.5%
1982 139488 95916 68.8% 35289 25.3% 1995 1371 1306 95.3% 956 69.7%
1983 154245 104183 67.5% 37666 24.4%
1996 2994 2913 97.3% 2158 72.1%
1984 167842 113852 67.8% 49787 29.7%
1985 164967 110810 67.2% 41164 25.0% 1997 4269 4137 96.9% 3052 71.5%
1986 245509 133373 54.3% 48025 19.6% 1998 4602 4542 98.7% 3479 75.6%
1987 291349 170856 58.6% 60195 20.7% 1999 5550 5478 98.7% 4124 74.3%
1988 316842 199742 63.0% 68700 21.7% 2000 5493 5423 98.7% 4157 75.7%
1989 360452 185092 51.3% 61223 17.0%
2001 5414 5360 99.0% 4222 78.0%
1990 408468 191249 46.8% 60281 14.8%
1991 448491 221407 49.4% 73054 16.3% 2002 6052 5961 98.5% 4599 76.0%
1992 472458 250527 53.0% 75601 16.0% 2003 6290 6189 98.4% 4906 78.0%
1993 472458 242310 51.3% 68820 14.6% 2004 6415 6357 99.1% 5099 79.5%
1994 495408 287343 58.0% 88497 17.9% 2005 6763 6635 98.1% 5295 78.3%
1995 531453 283742 53.4% 78821 14.8%
2006 7035 6915 98.3% 5544 78.8%
1996 518225 279487 53.9% 80015 15.4%
1997 559233 264705 47.3% 70127 12.5% 2007 7362 7283 98.9% 5780 78.5%
1998 561029 279356 49.8% 71773 12.8% Sources: SAIRR and IEB
1999 511159 249831 48.9% 63725 12.5%
2000 489941 283294 57.8% 67707 13.8% CRAVENBY
2001 449371 277206 61.7% 68626 15.3% CASH & CARRY
2002 443821 305774 68.9% 75048 16.9%
2003
2004
440821
467985
322492
330717
73.2%
70.7%
82010
85117
18.6%
18.2%
For the best Wholesale Prices
2005 508363 347184 68.3% 86531 17.0%
2006 528525 351503 66.5% 85830 16.2% PHONE: 931-9487/932-3717/42 142 BALVENIE ROAD
2007 591251 386051 65.3% 89378 15.1% FAX:932-3682 CRAVENBY ESTATE 7490
Sources: Department of Education and South African Institute of Race Relations

DNA Testing at Simon’s

Town Museum
West Java in
S
Cape Town
imon’s Town Museum, in conjunction as his mother’s line (X chromosome) can be
with the Simon’s Town Phoenix Commit- tested, but with the ladies, only their mother’s
tee, asked Professor Himla Soodyall, Director line (X chromosome) could be investigated.
of the Human Genomic Diversity & Disease
Research Unit to undertake DNA testing for The testing enabled the participants to find
members of the Simon’s Town community in out where their earliest ancestors originated
November 2007. The study concentrated on namely, whether that is in Africa, Asia, Eu-
persons forcibly removed from Simon’s Town rope, etc. Former South African president
under Apartheid. The study encouraged men Nelson Mandela participated in the study.
to volunteer for testing as DNA testing could
be done on the man’s X and Y chromosomes, Visit the Simon’s Town Museum for more in-
whereas with the ladies, there are only the X formation. The address of museum is ‘The
chromosomes to be tested. This means that Residency’ Court Road, Simon’s Town – Tel:
a man’s father’s line (Y chromosome) as well 021 786 3046

The Consulate General of the Republic of Indonesia in Cape Town and the Tourism and Culture Office of
West Java Province hosted ‘A Gala dinner and West Java Cultural Performance’ on the 26 April. Guests
were enthralled by the energetic and cultural performances of West Java and captivated by the ‘lesson’ in
Residents and displaced residents of Simon’s Town Displaced resident of Simon’s Town, Ebrahim
Angklung, a bamboo musical instrument. Pic Sanaa Petersen
participating in the Simon’s Town Museum DNA Manuel, displaying the results of the DNA study
study held on the 24 November 2007

MANUFACTURERS OF SUPER QUALITY COLD MEATS & MEAT PRODUCTS

Cnr. Silversands & Merrydale Rd. Portalnds Tel: 371 6882/Tel: 371 9600/Fax: 371 4315
Nnr. Kimberley Way & Montegue Dr/ Portlands TEL: 392 2565 TEL: 392 7920/FAX: 392 0581

To satisfy the various tastes of our customers we now boast an assortment of new
products which include:
★ BBQ CHICKEN ★ SMOKED CHICKEN ★ CHICKENBURGERS ★ CHICKENLOAF ★
★ CHEESE BURGERS ★ PASTRAMI ★ STEAK LOAVES ★ SMOKED ★ VIENNAS ★ SOSATIES
 MAY 2008 - Rabi Al-Akhar 1429
7

The Most Trendiest

Restaurant in Wynberg
C osy Corner Restaurant and Take-aways is one of the oldest, most vibrant and now
the most trendy Halaal restaurant in Wynberg. This family owned establishment
was first opened in 1973 by the late Ismail Hartley and his wife Zuleigha. Today, Cosy
most exciting dishes, with signature basting sauces to tantalize and satisfy any palate
(and pocket). The restaurant’s new look with Malaysian Teak furniture and gold and
red decor, has been designed by one of Cape Town’s top interior designers, Guy of In-
Corner Restaurant and Take-Aways is managed by their youngest son Yusri and his wife teriors at Dean. The restaurant seats 60 and caters for functions. The Take-Aways décor
Tasneem. This young management team has revitalized the décor and menu, serving the is trendy and has the feel of a traditional American diner style.

Yusri Hartley with his mother Zuleigha. in the newly decorated restaurant, with exotic fish backdrop

Cosy Corner Restaurant and Take-Aways,

119 Ottery Road, Wynberg. Tel: 021 797 2498.
 8 MAY 2008 - Rabi Al-Akhar 1429

Wat Sal Die Nabi Gedoen?

The Muslim Judicial Council (MJC) celebrated the birth of the Prophet Muhammad (saw) at the Desmond Tutu Hall, Khayalitsha in March, the Premier
of the Western Cape, Ebrahim Rasool gave the following very thought provoking and inspiring talk.
Transcribed and edited by Nabuweyah Malick

I t begins to say that we have a lead-

ership amongst the Ulema who
have understood that the Muslims
to deny the mercy that is Muham-
mad (saw) to all of creation because
we are only comfortable in our own
a day, where let alone a BEE deal,
they struggle to find a job, where let
alone the petty squabbles that we
we mean that we must embrace the
challenges that go with it.
Is it because we only give to those
we know, whose degree of poverty
may not match some of what we will
are at a cross roads. The cross roads comfort zones in the suburbs of the have, they struggle to be human”. And so, this Rabi Al Awwal, this see as we shift more and more into
is very simple, are we in the Cape, Western Cape. Mawludan Nabi celebra- Khayelitsha, Phillippi, Mfuleni and
forever going to be a Muslim com- tions are very special, Gugulethu. Those are the challeng-
munity defined by our Malayness, or And so when today and that is why I am hap- es that we now face. It is one thing
are we going to be a Muslim com- in this month of Rabi py that Minister Essop to shift into an area and it is another
munity that will indeed be a Ummah, Al Awwal, the month Pahad has flown down to do our duty to that area.
those who have been touched by the of the birth of the to join us from Pretoria
mercy of Prophet Muhammad (saw). Prophet (saw), we so that he can be a wit- We have so many teaches coming
This is not a light hearted decision, say we are a mercy ness to it. And hopefully out of the ranks of the Ummah. Doc-
because when the Muslim Judicial unto all humanity, we can all begin to see tors, scientists, engineers, nurses,
Council decides to spread the wings unto all of creation. that there is an Ummah etc. if only 10% of them contribute
of mercy to all who want to recite the I get the impres- that is willing not to wait their services on a Saturday, fol-
kalimah, La illaha illalla Muhammadu sion that we say so what government is go- lowed up on this Mawlud programme
Rasullulah, with it comes enormous with so much more ing to do about racism in a hall like this to teach maths, sci-
responsibilities because it takes the sincerity because and xenophobia and ence and history will we not create
The children of Mfuleni sharing in the MJC celebration of the birth of the
Ummah out of the comfort zones that we are reaching out Prophet Muhammad (saw) at the Desmond Tutu Hall, Khayelitsha in April poverty. But an Ummah the potential for a major upliftments
we have become used to. beyond our comfort that understands that out of poverty, illiteracy, ignorance.
zones. And the responsibility that And so, what it means is, is that with reaching out the rahmah that is Is that not the meaning of “rahmatulil
It is almost as if over 300 years we goes with it is that when we embrace this leadership that has brought the encapsulated in the life of Muham- alameen”a mercy unto all creation.
have become comfortable being the entire community we also em- Mawlud celebrations into Khayelit- mad (saw) comes the responsibility
Malays, comfortable in being Indi- brace the challenges that go with it. sha, is a leadership that will under- to be in the forefront even ahead of Maybe we are held back by our own
ans and we have become reluctant stand what the responsibilities are the government by giving food and issues, sometimes Malay issues,
at worst and sometimes patronizing It is no longer good enough to dis- now against the fight against poverty sustenance to people, removing rac- sometimes Indian issues, some-
at best in our relationship with Mus- cuss in the suburbs of the Ummah so that we unleash the potential of ism from communities and stopping times we are held back by our own
lims who are of a darker colour, who the construction industry, the BEE this Muslim community to be in the xenophobia in its tracks. entrapment in the world. Sometimes
speak the language of Xhosa and deals that we are busy with, what forefront of the struggle against pov- the wedding that is a month away
who live in the townships on the out- we ate last night, what happened erty, the struggle against unemploy- We have seen the statistics of grow- keeps us busy for an entire month.
skirts of the Western Cape. at that wedding, how nice the food ment, in the struggle against hunger ing Muslim wealth in the suburb sec- We have to do our duty to all of hu-
was, hoe lekker het die mense ge- and homelessness, the struggle tion of the community. People who manity. The biggest test that a Mus-
There has never been a more im- sajjie, the lovely barakat that we took against crime and drugs and all ten years ago were artisans, today lim can commit to, on the occasion
portant moment to remind us as the home. That has been the comfort those negative things. We will then are sub contractors, from contrac- of Mawludun Nabi, is always in every
Quran does, when Allah (swt): wa ma zone that we have been caught up in find that the problems are more than tors to shareholders of big compa- issue when confronted with a situa-
arsal naqa illah rahmata lill alameen, and when we make this change we the problems of Malays, the prob- ny’s, from shopkeepers today are tion is to always ask ourselves this
“I have not sent you Muhammad now have to say, “What is the condi- lems are more than the problems of industrialists. I wonder if we are question, “What would Rasulullah
except as a mercy to all creation”. tion of those amongst us who live in Indians, they are human problems. growing as we are, why is our zakah (saw) do in this situation at this time?
There is something derelict; there the townships when let alone a bar- When we say “rahmatulil allamin” - not making the impact that it should Wat sal die Nabi gedoen het?
is something wrong if we continue akat, they struggle to find one meal a mercy unto all of creation. Then be making to the poorest of the poor.

Mawlid in Uganda
T he World Islamic Call Society (WICS) with its leader
Muammar Ghaddafi invited Muslims from around the
world to commemorate the birth of the Prophet Muhammad
Over 30 000 Muslims attended the celebration – a plethora
of cultures and dialects captivated Uganda including rep-
resentatives from South Africa - from the Muslim Judicial
Petersen. Amidst, past corruption and conflict between
the Ugandans, Muammar Ghaddafi finally handed over
the three-storey masjid with a capacity to accommodate
(saw) and witness the opening of the Muammar Ghadafi Council (MJC) was Sheikh Achmat Sedick, Moulana Kha- 15000 musallees, a state of the art, fully equipped, con-
Masjid in Old Kampala, Uganda during March 2008. liq Allie and his wife Khadija, Mogammad Groenewald and ference centre, Renaissance Quranic Memorisation class
Asief Essop from the Muslim Youth Movement and Sanaa and an IT training centre.

On the 19 March 2008, over 30000 Muslims from around the world gathered in Old Kampala, Uganda to Libiyan leader, Muammar Gaddafi leads Thur solaah to the over 30 000 Muslims in Old Kampala, Uganda
celebrate the birth of Prophet Muhammad (saw) on 19 March 2008
 MAY 2008 - Rabi Al-Akhar 1429
9

Mustafa Jonker ‘Alleged Terrorist’- My Story

By Khadija Abdul Qahaar | Jihad Unspun (JUS)

O n January 25, sixteen police

officers, including bomb squad
members, some with firearms and
ANC has a history of concern for
only the middle and upper class
blacks. Today South Africa has the
them?
Mustafa: They were obviously dis-
tressed especially since most the
this is the nature of the suspicions
mentioned in the search warrant.
the concerns regarding the pass-
ing of the “anti-terrorism bill” that
a member of government said in
a man who appeared to be an Is- biggest gap between rich and poor houses raided had small children in JUS: Why do you think that you the meeting: “Nobody can oppose
raeli national, raided the outbuilding in the world; a direct result of the them. were singled out for this raid? America because America is not a
where Mustafa Jonker, an Arabic/ governments neo-liberal capitalist Mustafa: They say that I am lead- superpower it is a “hyper-power”
English translator and law student, policies. A wealthy elite own South JUS: The press is reporting that ing an organization planning to
lives with his parent’s in Muizen- Africa’s wealth while 30 million peo- authorities confiscated a bottle of overthrow the government. JUS: How you are coping with the
berg. The raid was conducted on ple suffer from poverty. Resulting liquid pool cleaner, a bottle of paint pressures of this struggle?
the suspicion that Mustafa and from this poverty is crime of which JUS: One of the startling aspects of Mustafa: Whilst matters like this do
three others were involved in “ter- South Africa has the highest statis- this story is the fact that it occurred cause us financial and social hard-
ror” activities. tics in the world as well. As far as in South Africa which is viewed as ship, we are comforted by the fact
this word ‘terrorist’ goes, it is a label a liberal democratic country and not that our fate has already been writ-
Mustafa, who studied Islamic Law in placed on anyone challenging the viewed as having “terrorism” prob- ten by Allah.
Saudi Arabia, awoke to a loud bang greedy bloodthirsty agenda of the lems. Is this an isolated incident
at about 5.30am and discovered West and I therefore take pride in or reflective of tightening laws de- JUS: Are you getting any support
some sixteen people in his house it. signed to conform Muslims to west- at all from the Muslim commu-
along with an explosives unit in his ern thinking? nity locally? What are your current
backyard. After a lengthy search, JUS: What were the immediate cir- Mustafa: This is not an isolated in- needs?
in the end the authorities seized a cumstances that lead up to raid? cident. South Africa has a history of Mustafa: Praise be unto Allah we
bottle of liquid pool cleaner, a bottle Mustafa: Positive steps have been compliance with America. In 1999 have received some good support
of paint remover and a bottle of hair taken over the last few years to alert South Africa co-operated with the especially from individuals and fami-
bleach, all items that could be found our Muslim brothers and sisters to FBI in arresting and extraditing our lies who have a history of bravery in
in any household. evils and dangers of this new Amer- brother Khalfan Khamis Muham- confronting oppression. As far as my
ican led imperialism. We reminded mad to America, even though South needs are concerned, Allah is suf-
Now, Mustafa and two of his rela- the youth of the Cape flats that the Africa’s law forbids it from extradit- ficient, but I say that South Africa’s
tives are fighting back. They have Qur’an is our constitution and that in Mustafa Jonker ing anyone to a country that practic- women and children need brave
issued an urgent application in the complete submission to Allah alone remover and a bottle of hair bleach es the death penalty. Just over two freemen to protect them and to ward
Cape Town High Court to set aside and rejection of everything besides from your home. Did they take any- years ago Sheikh Khalid Rashid, off the overcast of this dual religious/
the search and seizure warrant that Him can this nation face its ene- thing else? Is this what they are a respected Sheikh from Pakistan economic onslaught. The Muslims
facilitated the raid. mies. We gave advice to the Mus- considering as evidence? who was known to speak the truth need from their scholars in the MJC
lim Judicial Council through several Mustafa: They also took all my without fear, was kidnapped and to distance themselves from the in-
As his high profile court case is communiqués encouraging them to books, documents, computer hard- during a night raid in Durban by the justices of the system and its root
heard, JUS sat down with Brother distance themselves from the ANC drive, cell phone, I.D., passport and South African intelligence, taken to causes, and to remember that truth
Mustafa, to learn more about his and reminding them that democra- drivers license. a military base and put on a C.I.A does not lie in numbers but in princi-
personal struggle to fight the stere- cy is a religion other than Islam and plane out of the country. For months ples and to know that the families of
otype of a “terrorist” and violation of that it spoils faith like vinegar spoils JUS: There was an Israeli national nobody knew the location of this the victims of the crimes around the
civil liberties. Here is the interview. honey. We advised the students of in the raid. What was he doing there respected scholar. A pre-condition country and the millions of poor in
religion studying abroad that the and what do you think this signi- to South Africa hosting the 2010 the townships are waiting for you in
We remind our readers that the purpose of knowledge is not accu- fies? world cup was that it passes Ameri- earnest to raise the word of : “There
opinions and points of view ex- mulation but implementation and Mustafa: I say that whether there ca’s “anti-terrorism bill”. The reason is no god but Allah and Muhammad
pressed in this statement are those that the essence of knowledge is Al- was an Israeli in the raid makes no behind this subservience became is His messenger.”
of the author, Mustafa Jonker, and lah’s oneness and all that this testi- difference as it is a fact that the Jews clear when we were told by a re-
shall not be deemed to mean that mony holds of implications. We also around the world using the Crusad- spected scholar from Cape Town (Curtesy of Mustafa Jonker, full-ver-
they are necessarily those of JUS engaged South African socialists, in ers are the main benefactors of this who attended a meeting discussing sion on www.jihadunspun.com)
and the Islamic Media Agency, the particular the Anarchist movement global campaign

Palestinians turn to
publisher, editor, writers, contribu- in talks and debates in the hopes of against Islam.
tors or staff. reaching a common ground in our
mutual animosity towards the states JUS: You are
JUS: Can you please tell our read- unjust economic system. Our ac- challenging the

SA for help
ers a little bit about your background tions were due to the pain we felt warrant that lead
and how you came to be the target with the poor, downtrodden and op- to the search and
of authorities and suspected of so- pressed. This is a bit of the circum- seize to begin
called “terrorism”? stances leading to the raid. with. On what
Mustafa:. I was born Mustafa Ghalib grounds are you
Jonker in Bo-Kaap, Cape Town in JUS: I understand that authorities asking the courts
the year 1979 as a Muslim. After the raided your home in the early morn- to set the warrant
oppression of the unjust apartheid ing of January 25, 2008. Can you aside?
regime became unbearable, com- please tell us about the raid itself? Mustafa: The
bined with the oppression we faced Mustafa: My parent’s house, my police have of-
by the disbelieving Qadiani/Ahmadi sister’s house next door, and two fered no proof for
sect, my father immigrated with us other family homes along with a the charges upon
to the Arabian peninsula in 1986. I house related to two of the broth- which they found
grew up and finished my studies in ers mentioned in the search warrant a need to raid
Hijaz and spent 16 years of my life were all raided at the same time. Ex- my house nor did
living in the cities of Makkah, Jed- plosive unit members were present they find anything
dah and Madinah. I, like thousands as well as police officers armed with during the raids
of Muslims like me am concerned at semi-automatic pistols and Uzi sub- to arrest me.
the plight of the oppressed in gen- machine guns. I heard that a police
eral and of the Muslim Ummah in officer pointed a pistol in the face of JUS: If you are
particular which over the last centu- a young boy in the house related to unsuccessful in
ry has witnessed an unprecedented the two brothers. Some other details convincing the
onslaught from global disbelief. We of the raid were mentioned in the courts to set aside
returned to South Africa in 1999 media but what was not mentioned the warrant, are
and I soon realized that while the is that the South African police has you expecting to
racist apartheid regime had been committed an act of great stupidity be charged with
April 2008 - Human rights activist, Susan, sharing the experiences of the Trojan Horse Massacre in
removed, this new “democracy” by repeatedly targeting Muslims. some “terrorism- Athlone, SA – 15 October 1985 with Palestinian parents who’s children were targeted and murdered by the
had come about by the African Na- related” offense? Israeli Military. The Palestinian parents, living in Palestine 1948 borders, had through the Israeli Justice
tional Congress selling South Africa JUS: How did your family react Mustafa: This is System accused the soldiers of murder, after 8 years, the Israeli Courts closed the cases citing ‘lack of evi-
to multi-national corporations. The and how has this incident affected a possibility as dence’. The Palestinians are hoping to learn from SA past and support in asserting International pressure
on Israel to re-open their cases and act justly.
10 MAY 2008 - Rabi Al-Akhar 1429

MAIL BAG – LETTERS, EMAIL AND SMS

[email protected] • fax 021 697 2304
sms 074 227 4345
I miss you o much and Oh, here’s the bill. Wasn’t are not complete. QURAN my reference no.XXXXX.
I need you, otherwise that lovely my girl. is for Hidayat and not for but till this moment I haven’t
I might have to find I won’t always be your girl ring tones, receive my funds.last week
daddies else where, and daddy, one day I’ll be a Please inform others I phone them they say they
they might not be good woman and I’ll need you are offline and they don’t
to me. more than ever. Zivia Sallie know till when.honestly I
Mmmm, chicken nuggets, Ah ha! Her we are at your just feel like they are play-
good choice. I remember house. It was good to see ing games with me,could u
you used to like those you my darling. See you kindly help me kanalla on
poppet. next Saturday. Please help, they playing this as I have been to labour
I wish you remembered I love you Daddy, goodbye. games ,but they say they don’t deal
more about me daddy. as,aleykum?my name is with this matter.may allah[s.
Sometimes I feel like I’m By Lauren Bates mahmuod mohammed, I w]give you power to assist
slipping from your mind. shall be glad if u shall assist me on this shukran.
Oooh, here’s our food, me in this matter please.
Daddy Goodbye smells good my precious, I used to work for a secu- Dear Mahmuod,
enjoy. FATWA – Quranic ringtones rity company,westpoint for We tried contacting you
Daddy, why did you leave I enjoy being with you, haraam almost two years,actually I with respect to your query,
mommy? daddy, why can’t I see did resign on 30/06/2006,I but have not received a
Sweetie, here’s a menu. you everyday, why only on Saudi council of Muftis as usual I did compete response from you. One of
What would you like? You Saturday’s? have given an unanimous my termination forms and our labour brokers has vol-
can have anything Lovie, why are you eating Fatwa that ring tones on handed them at NBCI in unteered to assist you in
I know you used to fight a so slowly. Don’t you want QURAN AAYAT are hara- c/town branch.since that this matter. Please contact
lot, but there good days. I pudding? am because the AAYAT are time I have been waiting our offices 021 697 22494
don’t understand? I want more of your time not complete when we pick for them to pay my provi- or email: info@islamicme-
Have you decided what daddy, can’t you see I’m the phone and meanings of dent funds,last time I did dia.co.za
you’d like my angel? desperate. AAYAT changes when they phoned them they gave me

Book Reviews SAVOURY

Title: I Can Wear Hijab Anywhere
Author: Yasmin Ibrahim
Publication: Islamic Foundation
RICE
By: Layla Misbach The Shaikhs Exotics Way
Ingredients Method
• 2 cups Basmati rice 1. Boil rice in 6 cups of water
• 1 onion sliced finely and 1tsp of salt. Drain and set
• 2tblsp butter or oil aside.
• 1 ripe tomato chopped 2. Heat butter and add onions.
• 1 red pepper cut in cubes Braise until golden brown.
• 1 yellow pepper cut in cubes 3. Add tomatoes, garlic salt,
• ½ punnet of mushrooms, saffron, Malay/ Thai spice and
washed and sliced herbs and cook for 5 minutes
• ½ cup peas 4. Add peppers, mushrooms and
• 1tsp salt peas. Cook for few minutes.
• 1 tsp crushed garlic or paste 5. Add cooked rice and chopped
• few strands of Shaikhs Exotic coriander / dhanya.
Saffron ( pour boiling water Mix well and steam for a few minutes
over saffron and allow to steep untill all flavours have blended into
till needed ) rice.
My name is Layla Misbach and I am 10 years old and studying hifz • 10ml Shaikhs Exotic Malay/ Thai
full-time at the Imam Hafs Academy in Rondebosch. My mommy, Roshaan, spice
writes for the Community News and has many book parties. I love to read and I • 2.5ml Shaikhs Exotic mixed
especially enjoyed this book very much. The book tells me herbs
about Hijab and that I can wear it in lots of places. • ¼ bunch of fresh
The book is filled with such pretty pictures of beautiful girls in coriander / dhanya
hijab. When I saw these pictures I realized that I don’t have (washed and
to feel embarrassed to where my scarf at all. chopped)
It does not matter how old I am , how I wear it or even where
I am.
What is important is that it is beautiful and I choose to wear
my hijab because it pleases Allah.

email your review and photograph to info@islamicmedia.

co.za or fax 021 697 2304 – We would love to hear from
you. Shaikhs Exotics
Blomvlei Road
Lansdowne
 MAY 2008 - Rabi Al-Akhar 1429
11

My Father Died Alone in Gaza

By RAMZY BAROUD
I still vividly remember my father’s vide for his now tent- dwelling fam- My father’s reputation as an intel- good education, an arduous mis- I promised that I would find a way.
face - wrinkled, apprehensive, warm ily was a huge source of stress for lectual, his passion for Russian lit- sion in a place like Gaza. I failed.
- as he last wished me farewell four- him. In a strange, unfamiliar land, erature, and his endless support of
teen years ago. He stood outside his new role was going into neigh- fellow refugees brought him untold But when the Palestinian uprising Since the siege on Gaza, my fa-
the rusty door of my family’s home boring villages and refugee camps trouble with the Israeli authorities, of 1987 exploded, and our camp ther’s life became impossible. His
in a Gaza refugee camp wearing to sell gum, aspirin and other small who retaliated by denying him the became a battleground between ailments were not ‘serious’ enough
old yellow pyjamas and a seeming- items. His legs were a testament to right to leave Gaza. stone-throwers and the Israeli army, for hospitals crowded with limbless
ly ancient robe. As I hauled my one the many dog bites he btained dur- mere survival became Dad’s over- youth. During the most recent Israe-
small suitcase into a taxi that would ing these daily journeys. Later scars His severe asthma, which he devel- riding concern. Our house was the li onslaught, most hospital spaces
take me to an Israeli airport an hour were from the shrapnel he acquired oped as a teenager was compound- closest to the Red Square, arbi- were converted to surgery wards,
away, my father stood still. I wished through war. ed by lack of adequate medical fa- trarily named for the blood spilled and there was no place for an old
he would go back inside; it was cold cilities. Yet, despite daily coughing there, and also bordered the ‘Mar- man like my dad. All attempts to
and the soldiers could pop up at any As a young man and soldier in the streaks and constantly gasping for tyrs’ Graveyard’. How can a father transfer him to the better equipped
moment. As my car moved on, my Palestinian unit of the Egyptian breath, he relentlessly negotiated adequately protect his family in West Bank hospitals failed as Israeli
father eventually faded into the dis- army, he spent years of his life his way through life for the sake of such surroundings? Israeli soldiers authorities repeatedly denied him
tance, along with the graveyard, the marching through the Si- stormed our house the required permit.
water tower and the camp. It never nai desert. When the Is- hundreds of times; it
occurred to me that I would never raeli army took over Gaza was always him who “I am sick, son, I am sick,” my father
see him again. following the Arab defeat somehow held them cried when I spoke to him two days
in 1967, the Israeli com- back, begging for his before his death. He died alone on
I think of my father now as he was mander met with those children’s safety, as March 18, waiting to be reunited
that day. His tears and his frantic who served as police of- we huddled in a dark with my brothers in the West Bank.
last words: “Do you have your mon- ficers under Egyptian room awaiting our He died a refugee, but a proud man
ey? Your passport? A jacket? Call rule and offered them the fate. “You will under- nonetheless.
me the moment you get there. Are chance to continue their stand when you have
you sure you have your passport? services under Israeli rule. your own children,” he My father’s struggle began 60 years
Just check,one last time” Proudly and willingly, my told my older brothers ago, and it ended a few days ago.
young father chose ab- as they protested his
My father was a man who always ject poverty over working allowing the soldiers Thousands of people descended to
defied the notion that one can only under the occupier’s flag. to slap his face. Our his funeral from throughout Gaza,
be the outcome of his circumstance. And for that, predictably, ‘freedom-fighting’ dad oppressed people that shared his
Expelled from his village at the age he paid a heavy price. His two-year- his family. On one hand, he refused struggled to explain how love for plight, hopes and struggles, ac-
of 10, running barefoot behind his old son died soon after. to work as a cheap laborer in Israel. his children could surpass his own companying him to the graveyard
parents, he was instantly trans- “Life itself is not worth a shred of pride. He grew in my eyes that day. where he was laid to rest. Even a
ferred from the son of a landown- My oldest brother is buried in the one’s dignity,” he insisted. On the resilient fighter deserves a moment
ing farmer to a penniless refugee in same graveyard that bordered my other, with all borders sealed except It’s been fourteen years since I last of peace.
a blue tent provided by the United father’s house in the camp. My fa- that with Israel, he still needed a way saw my father. As none of his chil-
Nations in Gaza. Thus, his life of ther, who couldn’t cope with the to bring in an income. He would buy dren had access to isolated Gaza, Ramzy Baroud teaches mass com-
hunger, pain, homelessness, free- thought that his only son died be- cheap clothes, shoes, used TVs, he was left alone to fend for him- munication at Curtin University of
dom-fighting, love, marriage and cause he couldn’t afford to buy and other miscellaneous goods, self. We tried to help as much as Technology and is the author of
loss commenced. medicine or food,would be found and find a way to transport and sell we could, but what use is money The Second Palestinian Intifada: A
asleep near the tiny grave all night, them in the camp. He invested eve- without access to medicine? In our Chronicle of a People’s Struggle.He
The fact that he was the one chosen or placing coins and candy in and rything he made to ensure that his last talk he said he feared he would is also the editor-in-chief of Palesti-
to quit school to help his father pro- around it. sons and daughter could receive a die before seeing my children, but neChronicle.com.

Pressure Not Placation is Needed to

Finally Effect Change In Zimbabwe
The interesting thing about the chiefs on Sunday evening to dis- Mugabe had not won a majority As noted before, Aristotle ob- ing his loss in the elections - get
recent elections in Zimbabwe cuss their response to Tsvangi- of votes cast; and, secondly, that served in Politics, “it is not easy immunity from prosecution and
is not that Zanu-PF and Robert rai’s apparent victory in the pres- Zanu-PF had lost its majority in for a person to do any great the right to retain his ill-gotten
Mugabe lost the vote (which has idential poll. The article quoted a the lower house of parliament. harm when his tenure of office is property. Zanu-PF will mean-
happened before) but that they diplomatic source as saying that short, whereas long possession while continue in power through
seem to have lost the count as one option was for Mugabe to The Zuma factor begets tyranny in oligarchies a government of national unity.
well. In the March 2002 presiden- simply “declare victory. Cooler It is notable that Robert Mugabe and democracies.” By keeping The article quotes a Western
tial poll the Movement for Demo- heads prevailed. It was decided retained his grip on power for Mugabe in power, and allowing diplomat as explaining way the
cratic Change leader, Morgan to use the [election commission] longer than Thabo Mbeki did, but him to bring ruin to Zimbabwe, moral squalor of this proposal
Tsvangirai, won a substantial ma- process of drip, drip where you not much longer. It is only now Mbeki provided the ANC with an by describing it as “African solu-
jority of votes cast. However, the release results over a long peri- that Mbeki is finished politically object lesson in the danger of tion to an African problem.”
count was fixed to give Mugabe od, giving the opposition gains at that Mugabe’s hold on power has allowing a leader to extend his
victory. The International Herald first but as time wears on Zanu- begun to slip. In the last three term of office. The metaphor by The ANC, to its great credit, did
Tribune reported at the time that PF pulls ahead.” stolen elections Zanu-PF could which the delegates at Polok- not buy into this kind of Afro-
all results had been channelled always safely rely upon Mbeki to wane justified their rejection of nonsense when it came to jet-
through a Zanu-PF command This may have been a fatal mis- go to great lengths to legitimise “Thabo Mugabeki” was that they tisoning its own leader. It voted
centre in Harare headed by two take. Because the count was the results. Could it be that one didn’t want “another Zimbabwe” Mbeki and his cronies out of of-
Mugabe loyalists. posted at each polling station reason for Zanu-PF’s prevarica- in South Africa. fice and they just had to accept it.
- as well as sent through to the tion last Sunday was that they There was no “African solution”
Zanu-PF certainly had the power ZEC - the MDC and independ- were now suddenly unsure of Diplomatic Virodene there, just a perfectly normal
to something similar this time ent monitors were able to collect the ANC’s continued support? The West can always be relied democratic one to a problem of
around, as the Zimbabwean Elec- these results, publish them, and Whatever his earlier complicity in upon to do the wrong thing in a leader who had outstayed his
toral Commission is completely thereby pre-empt any Zanufi- keeping Zanu-PF in power, Jacob Africa. The Times reports that welcome. (Moneyweb-edited by
under its control. According to cation of the results. The re- Zuma certainly owes a moral and Western diplomats are involved Sanaa Petersen)
The Guardian (UK) Mugabe met gime was forced into conceding political debt to the anti-Mugabe in brokering a deal whereby Mu-
with his intelligence and military through The Herald, firstly, that forces Zimbabwe. gabe will - in return for accept-
 12 MAY 2008 - Rabi Al-Akhar 1429

When deciding on Divorce ish reasons such as greed, power or lust fer can dramatically affect later on in life. of the abuse. The applicant can go to the court in the area
but more so because it is in the interest of Children look up to their parents to be their which he/she, or the abusive partner lives
oneself, the children and the spouse col- mentors and their safety net. Protection orders offers various forms of or works or where the abuse took place.
lectively only because the relationship is relief. It could order the respondent (per- In addition if physical abuse took place, the
destructive. Islam does not reject Talaq For those who feel the need (for whatever son committing an act of domestic vio- complainant is then entitled to report a crim-
(divorce) but provides that it is the most reason) to remain in an abusive relation- lence) to pay emergency monetary relief, inal charge of assault regardless of whether
hated legal thing! ship, it is not the end of the world. There to be prohibited from verbally, emotionally there is an interdict in place or not.
is hope and they can continue to work on or physically abusing the applicant, from
A woman often fears that if she leaves her the marriage and hope but over and above threatening to prevent applicant and/or Interdicts should however not be taken
husband, she will not be able to exist inde- that they can make conscious decisions children from entering or remaining at the lightly nor should it be misused as it has
pendently from him and they tend to be of whether or not to approach help in order to common home (regardless if the home is serious consequences. For example a
the opinion that as a result the children will force the abusive partner to behave and to rented or owned by the respondent and person who commits perjury (tells lies) un-
suffer, when in fact at times, by staying on treat them with dignity. even paid by respondent). der oath in order to obtain an interdict can

I ndividuals should assess the degree

and effect of abuse they are subjected
to and the impact that it has on their re-
in the marriage, parent’s causes the chil-
dren more harm. One should first try approaching relatives
or religious figures in the community to
It could also order the respondent not to
slander, humiliate, stalk or harass the ap-
be fined up to R2, 000.00 or imprisoned for
up to 2 years.

spective children. If they are feel that they Women possess many untapped qualities address issues in the marriage and if all plicant, etc. Until next time
are not emotionally capable as well as in and once they are faced with challenges else fails then approach a court of law for Salaams Nurjahan Khan
a position to objectively assess their own or emergencies, they are amazed at their a protection order at the domestic violence The Domestic Violence Act provides that
situation, then it is advisable to seek as- skills, talent and strength and their ability to court. Such an interdict as it is commonly anyone who is in a domestic relationship If you would like to more information
sistance from professionals. cross any hurdle. called will order the abuser to refrain from with someone who or is subjected to abuse or to share your experiences or have a
committing any act of domestic violence. by his/her partner may approach the court general legal question please contact
If it turns out that there is no alternative Many parents tend to think that staying in for a protection order. The only cost to be us on [email protected] or fax
and all genuine attempts to save the mar- the marriage is better for the sake of their Should the abuser breach the interdict paid is the sheriff’s fee for service of ap- 021 697 2304
riage has failed then it is better to end children but this is not always the case he may be arrested or ordered to ap- proximately R70.00
such a marriage. Not for one’s own self- since the psychological harm they suf- pear in court depending on the severity

Defining Our Legacy part 2

Masjidul Ishraaq 5th Avenue, Lotus River
Brief History Activities
1980 - Land acquired 1. Educare classes, Mon-Thurs
1984 - Construction commenced from 7.00am-5.30pm
1989 - Construction completed 2. Madressa classes, Mon- Thurs
1986 - First jamaah salaah per- afternoons.
formed 3. Ladies classes : Monday evening
Major renovations undertaken in and Tues & Thurs mornings. The ladies committee of Masjidul Ishraaq in Lotus River commemorated the birth of the
holy Prophet Muhammad (saw) with their sisters of Saydina Bilal Masjid, Makazar, South
1999 4. Fiqh classes : Monday evenings.
Khayalitsha. The women shared their traditions and stories of the life of the Prophet.
5. Hajj class on Tuesday evenings.
Committee members their roles Previous Imaam 6. Arabic language on Wednesday Kindly sponsored by :
and contact numbers Sheikh Ahmed Ismaeel Samaai (1997) evenings.
• Sedick Gamiet (Chairperson) Current Imam 7. Tableegh programme on Tues-
Tel.797-1574, 072 6243517 Asst Imam Mogammad Allie Bassier day after Magrib.
• Thaabit Sambo (Vice Chair) (1986- present) 8. Raatibul Gaddaad on Thurs after
Tel.706-9303 Sheikh Shaheen Abrahams Magrib.
• Ismail Adams (Secretary) (1998-present) 9. Ladies Tableegh on first Tues 4 Avenue, Grassy Park Tel: 021-706 1974
• Achmat Adams (Treasurer) morning of every month.
• Ebrahim Sambo (Fundraising) 24hr Contact 10. Tahajjud salaah one Sunday a
• Mansoor Sasman Waseela month, an hour before Fajr.
(Building/Maintenance) Tel.705-5471, 082 2186704 11. Ghatamal Quran once a month
• Ridwaan Sambo (Social Welfare) on Sunday after Magrib. Buck Rd, Lotus River Tel: 021-703 0177
• Ebrahim Abrahams (Trustee) Bank Details
• Moosa Appels (Trustee) First National Bank
• Abdullah Slamang (Trustee) Grassy Park Branch
A/c No.54820736080

Saudi Teachers College Hands “Cape Town the City of Bondage”

Over Qurans to Hifz Academies
Dr Abdul Rahaman Madkhali,
Human Development Official
Trainer, for the Jazan
Teachers’ College in Saudi
Arabia handed over Qurans
to the Muslim Judicial Council
Quranic Affairs on the 15 April
2008 at their new offices in
Little street, Athlone. This
symbolic gesture will pave the
way in developing a uniform
methodology in memorizing
and teaching the Holy Quran
- internationally.
The official launch of book titled,”Cape Town the City of Bondage” by Mogamat Ganief Kamedien, a
(l) Dr Abdul Rahaman Madkhali handing over the Qurans to renowned South African Slave researcher at Wynberg High school on the 16th February 2008 under auspices
Hifz Academies with Moulana Ihsaan Hendricks observing the of Cape Family Historical Society. (L-R) Mahdie Mohamed, researcher Mogamat Ganief Kamedien and
hand-over. Mogamad Hartley