Madressa Noor for the Blind was established in 1986 in Pietermaritzburg as a non-profit institute catering for the Islamic education of the visually impaired.
THE MADRESSA HAS a curriculum extending from pre-primary to matriculation level. Subjects offered include Qur’aan, Hadith, Aqaaid, Fiqh and Islamic History.
These are imparted via the medium of Braille. Low vision aids and large print are also used.
ISLAMIC LITERATURE is transcribed into Braille with the Braille Press and is available free on loan to members worldwide.
THERE IS ALSO A tape library service. Islamic books are recorded onto cassettes and members’ selections are mailed to them free of postage in special containers.
Membership is free to all visually handicapped persons.
THIS AND MUCH more is offered by this unique Madressa. It is an eye-opener and a lesson that every individual Muslim can serve Islam and the community in his special way with the skills he or she possesses.
To See or not to See: Madresa Noor for the Blind
Roots of Islam
The Eastern Cape Ta’leemi Board (Board of Islamic Education) was established in 2005 to oversee the setting up and functioning of Maktabs (Madresas) in Port Elizabeth and Eastern Cape. The Board functions under Darul Uloom Abu Bakr.
SOME ACTIVITIES
- Overseeing 13 Maktabs in the Eastern Cape and one each in Grahamstown, King Williams Town, Oudtshoorn and Humansdorp.
- Daily inspection of local Maktabs by an inspector and quarterly inspection of outlying areas.
- Provision of daily food for learners in impoverished areas.
- Free kitabs, stationary, kurtas, burqas, etc for needy students.
- Printing of text books.
- Regular tests at all Maktabs.
- Propagation of Islam to non-Muslim families in the areas.
- Running soup kitchens for Muslims and non-Muslims.
Maktabs in Port Elizabeth are located in areas like Malabar, Gelvandale Ext 12, West End, Salt Lake, Missionvale, Kwazakele, Motherwell, Humphries Street and Kwanobohle (Uitenhage).
CONTACT:
240 Haworthia Drive, Malabar, Port Elizabeth Tel: 041 457 1501
Cell: 084 574 9891
Email: darululoom@telkomsa.net
Web: www.pedarululoom.blogspot.com
RAUF
In 1998 Muslims involved in welfare work realized that a large percentage of family hardship was due to drugs.
THEY SET UP the Refocus And Upliftment Foundation (R.A.U.F) to counsel drug addicts and ended up having a treatment centre with 20 to 30 in-patients at a time.
R.A.U.F carries out numerous awareness campaigns to highlight the seriousness of the drug problem and maintains that every little step taken to help an addict is a major step in maintaining a sober society.
INITIALLY HOME visits are carried out. The addict is then motivated to attend a bi-weekly out-patients programme. If need be, they are admitted as in-patients.
The in-patient programme can take from six weeks to six months. An effort is made to unite the patient with his/her family. On release, they are fetched for the out-patients’ programme for two years.
THE PROGRAMMES have an Islamic ethos and group therapy sessions are conducted. Patients are empowered with skills development as well. A special women’s support group is held every week.
GROUPS SUCH as R.A.U.F serve to keep the otherwise rejected people like addicts within the support base of the Muslim community, praiseworthy indeed.
Africa Muslims Agency
This Relief agency has been serving the destitute of Africa for 25 years and at the same time spreading the word of Islam.
It has over three thousand full time staff across the continent of Africa. It provides: food to the starving and hungry, water to the thirsty, shelter to the destitute, medical care to the sick, education to the needy, thereby restoring the dignity, respect and honour of our fellow Muslims throughout Africa.
Some of its achievements (by 2004):Established 850 schools and 2 universities
CALLING TO ISLAM THROUGH WELFARE
Ask Imam
The askimam.org website is an internationally popular site offering rulings on a myriad of issues affecting Muslims.
The questions and answers featured in Islamic Focus come from this site as well as Al Mahmood, the printed Q & A newsletter (published since 1998).
The site is run by the Darul Ifta of Madressa In’aamiyyah in Camperdown. From 2001-2004 the Darul Ifta has answered 10 000 questions only from this site. 35 000 - 50 000 visitors are attracted daily to the site throughout the world. Thus far (Jan 2004) it has attracted two million visitors and got questions from 97 countries.
The Darul Ifta also services the Q & A sites of Albalagh.com and alinaam.org.za.
TO GET YOUR QUESTIONS ANSWERED:
Darul Ifta Camperdown, P.O. Box 39, Camperdown, 3720
Tel: +27 (0)31 785 1239, Fax: +27 (0)31 785 2786 [Mon-Thur 10am-1pm, Fri/Sat 9-11am]
e-mail: alinaam@alinaam.org.za
www.askimam.org
Al Mahmood: R20 for 10 issues
RAIN
No, not the wet kind. RAIN refers to the Research And Information Network. The director is Abie Dawjee.
The salient feature of RAIN is a daily e-mail newsletter with tons of thought-provoking, eye-opening articles and news concerning Muslims.
Abie Dawjee also conducts tours to the Middle East from South Africa. Among the countries visited are Jordan, Egypt, Palestine and Syria.
To subscribe and get RAIN free:
e-mail : abie@iafrica.com
Jamiatul Ulama KZN
Established in 1955, the Jamiatul Ulama (Council of Muslim Theologians) is involved in various activities in the service of Islam and the Muslims in SA, particularly in KwaZulu-Natal. About 300 Ulama are members.
ACTIVITIES:Issuance of Fatwa (Decrees on Religious matters);
Other spheres include self-help schemes, prison and burial services, bursary fund for Islamic and secular studies and an independent media monitoring service. A wealth of info can be obtained from their website as well: www.jamiat.org.za.
SERVICE TO HUMANITY IS AN ISLAMIC CODE
Muslim Mediation
The Muslim Mediation and Arbitration Council (MMAC) is now established for two years.
The MMAC provides an avenue for Muslims to have their disputes resolved without having to go to court. There are about 26 specially trained Ulama and lawyers as panellists. Settlements reached through the proper processes are also recognised by the court.
There are a number of advantages of referring your case to the MMAC:
- You can decide to resolve your disputes according to the Law of Allah Ta’ala rather than the court where you are bound by secular law.
- You can opt for a suitable time and place to have your dispute mediated and arbitrated.
- In many instances arbitration cost is cheaper and the process faster than lawsuits.
- You have a choice regarding your arbitrator/mediator. This allows for less tension in the process and makes it friendlier.
- You by-pass the frustration of having to go to court, which may have a long waiting list.
- There is more privacy for the parties.
- You still retain the right to have your matter heard by the High Court if you feel that the mater was procedurally wrong or there was bias.
For more info:
MMAC Desk Officer
+27 (0)11 373 8000
Al Imdaad Foundation
The Al-Imdaad Foundation is a non-profit relief organisation (NGO), providing humanitarian services in crisis and non-crisis situations to orphans, widows and destitute, irrespective of race, religion, culture and boundary within the limits of Shariah. Al-Imdaad provides these services under the supervision of Ulema from South Africa and abroad. All trustees and personnel serve on a voluntary basis.
Al Imdaad has assisted in:
- Dafur
- Iraq - Fallujah and Ramadi
- Algeria’s earthquake in 2003
- The Gujerat, India genocide
- Floods in Assam, India and Bangladesh
Al Imdaad took aid collected from Muslims in SA to these far-off places of the world. They run pledge lines on Muslim radio stations and co-ordinate with the SA government as well as overseas ones like Jordan. Patrons include Mufti Raza ul Haq and Moulana Shabier Saloojee (the Ameer) of Darul Uloom Zakariyya.
For further details:
Moulana Ahmed Chohan : 082 33 786 74
Qari Ziyaad Patel : 082 786 7755
E-mail: info@alimdaad.com
Web:http://www.alimdaad.com/HomePage1.aspx
SMS Updates: SMS cell no. to: 0836420547
Muslim Aids Program
The Muslim AIDS Programme (MAP) is a joint project of the Jamiatul Ulama, Islamic Careline and Islamic Medical Association. MAP runs workshops, trains AIDS educators and caregivers, holds seminars and uses the media to promote Aids Awareness.
AIDS is primarily a social and moral problem. Therefore the root cause, i.e. immoral sexual behaviour, needs to be treated. Islam condemns the primary factors for the spread of AIDS, i.e. Adultery, Homosexuality and Intoxicants (drugs).
The solution lies in: 1. Abstaining from sex out of marriage, 2. Being faithful during a marriage.
THE MUSLIM AIDS PROGRAMME
ISLAMIC CARELINE +27 (0)11 373 8080/1
JAMIATUL ULAMA (South Africa) +27 (0) 11 373 8000
ISLAMIC MEDICAL ASSOCIATION +27 (0) 11 837 6717
E-mail: map@islamsa.org.za
P.O. Box 42930, Fordsburg, 2033
Islamic Careline
Islamic Careline is a voluntary counselling service functioning under the auspices of the Jamiatiul Ulama Gauteng. It started in 1992. It’s run by trained female counsellors and women who have problems are encouraged to call.
Among services rendered are:Training Volunteers on Problem-solving Skills
It services 300 cases per month ranging from marital and family discord to abuse and family violence as well as trauma debriefing and HIV/AIDS counselling. The Islamic Careline also does poverty alleviation focusing on informal settlements.
The Islamic Careline now has an office shared with the MAP; as well as 3 counselling rooms, 3 telephonic counselling rooms and a play therapy room.
Contact the Islamic Careline
Tel: +27 (0) 11 838-6085/6
Refugee Aid
The Somali Association of South Africa plays a significant role in the integration of Muslim Somali refugees in SA. It is a national organization with a branch in the Eastern Cape. The number of Somali refugees in SA, who fled 16 years of civil war, is high with big concentrations in Port Elizabeth and Uitenhage. By and large, these refugees run businesses and are settling down, buying property and contributing to local projects like building of Musjids.
There have been several xenophobic attacks on Somalis, with many losing their lives. SASA plays a vital role in liaising with government and civil society in trying to smooth relations with locals. They played a role in mediating the Motherwell riots in 2007, when over 100 Somali shops were looted.
Some Aims:Making the Somali community self-reliant and integrating with the local community.
CONTACT:
97 7th Avenue, Mayfair, Johannesburg, 2092
Tel: 011 839 0939, 086 604 5814
Cell: 082 481 1440, 072 222 3400
Email: info@somaliassociation.org
Web: www.somaliassociation.org
Muslim Prison Board KZN
The Muslim Prison Board (KZN) was formed in 1983. The Board is recognized by the authorities and supported by the Ulema and many diverse Muslim organizations.
The Board works with the Department of Correctional Services to increase services to Muslim inmates. Some services provided:
- Appointing religious workers to teach Islam to Muslim prisoners
- Giving Sehri and Iftaar to prisoners in Ramadaan
- Distributing Islamic literature, Musallas, etc. free
- After-care services for inmates’ families
- Facilitation of Halaal meals in prison
- Islamic counseling of inmates and their families
- Arranging Salaah facilities in prisons
The MPB is affiliated to the National Muslim Prison Board under which operate the Boards of Gauteng, KZN, Western Cape and the Eastern Cape. The Finance and Welfare Dept is handled by SANZAF and Secretarial and Spiritual Affairs by the Jamiatul Ulama (KZN).
The Eastern Cape branch of the Muslim Prison Board was revived on 19 November 2005 and Mufti Siraj Desai was elected Chairman. This branch has the support of Muslim organizations like SANZAF, the Eastern Cape Islamic Congress, the Council of Ulama Eastern Cape and PE Darul-Uloom. It caters for Muslim inmates at St Albans Prison in PE as well as other prisons in the Eastern Cape. A spiritual care worker goes daily to the prison to hold Islamic classes. They also arrange special Ramadaan programs as well as the Halaal issue of the food in prison.
Allah helps a person so long as that person is in the service of his brother (Sahih Muslim)
Council of Ulama Eastern Cape
THE COUNCIL OF ULAMA EASTERN CAPE (CUEC) was set up some years ago to help Muslims of the Eastern Cape.
It comprises about 30 Ulama, involved in varied fields of Islamic service from Musjids to Muslim schools, prison work to social welfare.
The CUEC is affiliated to major national Islamic bodies like the United Ulama Council of SA, and SANHA, and has working relations with major Ulama bodies.
At present the CUEC assists with charity distribution as well as helping in marital disputes to reach amicable resolutions. Members deliver Juma Khutbas and played a significant role in the local Muslim radio.
Ulama of East London, King Williams Town and other areas have expressed a desire to come on board in the new year.
The CUEC vision is to work for all Muslims together with all Muslims, respecting the differences of Islamic opinion based on the Qur’aan and Sunnah, and avoiding controversy.
Radio Islam
Radio Islam was registered in Nov 1993, granted a license in 1997 and started broadcasting.
OBJECTIVES
Promotion of Islam via the airwaves
Alternative news & current events programs.
LISTENERSHIP
According to RAMS survey there are 43 000 listeners. Own research indicates over 100 000. Broadcasting languages: English (96%), Arabic/Urdu (2%) & Afrikaans/Zulu/Xhosa (2%).
Broadcasting is in Gauteng on MW 1548, and worldwide via the website: www.radioislam.co.za. Satellite receivers enable one to listen anywhere in SA.
PROJECTS
Radio Islam undertakes community outreach projects such as:
- Operation Brightsight – collection of spectacles for underprivileged
- Collection of books and clothes for needy school children
- Islamic Helpline – Radio Islam helped to establish this project
- Operation Winter Woollies - collection and distribution of clothing in winter.
PROGRAMS
There are hourly news bulletins. Programs are on a diverse range of topics. Radio Islam is a member of the:
National Association of Broadcasters
Broadcasting Complaints Commission of SA
South African Advertising Bureau
National Community Radio Forum
ANOTHER INNOVATIVE WAY OF SERVING ISLAM
Media Review Network
Demonisation of Islam has intensified in mass media, like cinema, broadcast, internet and literature.
Media Review Network grew to meet the challenges posed by a sophisticated mass communication system in South Africa. It started with an informal grouping of individuals and Islamic Research Centre.
MRN tries to dispel myths and stereotypes about Islam and Muslims. A Media Desk was set up to monitor reporting on Islam and Muslims, answer misconceptions and keep Muslims updated.
Aims and objectives
To monitor and analyse distortions, fabrications and double standards in media;
To arouse curiosity and interest in Islam;
To counter the onslaught on Islam;
To identify and nullify stereotypes e.g.: terrorists, fundamentalists, etc.
To express alternate perspectives on local and international issues;
To establish rapport with journalists, editors and key opinion formers;
To hold workshops on information usage;
To promote training of Muslims in communication/journalism;
To establish a network of co-operation with Muslims engaged in publication of Islamic newspapers and Muslim radio stations.
DEFENDING ISLAM IN APPROPRIATE WAYS
Serious Students
The Muslim Student Association (MSA) is a national organization. It aims to underline Islamic values, build a network between the Islamic societies of SA universities and help Muslim youth develop leadership skills and Islamic knowledge.
AIMS
To enable students in tertiary institutions to practice Islam as a complete way of life. With other Islamic Societies of SA universities, MSA:
Helps Muslim students conduct social, religious, and other activities;
Promotes unity among Muslims;
Promotes friendly relations between Muslims and non-Muslims;
Makes Islamic teachings known via publications, newsletters, e-mails and events.
ACTIVITIES
The national MSA prints Ar Risaalah (The Message), with articles on events from different campuses and other subjects. The local MSA:
- Publishes MSA Horizon magazine,
- Organizes Children’s Home Charity Events,
- Organizes Taraweeh, Juma and Iftaar on campus,
- Holds Old-Age Home Charity Drives, and
- Haaji Gift Pack Campaigns.
To learn more about MSA or participate or assist in any event, contact:
Mohamed Cassim Tel: 083 350 2316
Faaiq Andrews Tel: 076 564 7030
Saabireen Islamic Library
Saabireen Islamic Library was established in December 2004 at Saabireen Musjid, Port Elizabeth. They have the following:
Islamic books on a range of subjects
Non fiction books
A lending and reference facility
Children’s books
Magazines
Newspapers
Other services provided: Cultural awareness programs, community projects, charity events, Islamic enlightenment programs, book and poetry reading, and reading and writing competitions.
Minds Alive
Minds Alive is an International Drug Rehabilitation centre. It combines programs like the Hazeldene System along with Life Skills to help cope with everyday living.
Inpatient treatment takes place in a home-like setting at Renown Road in Durban. The building has living facilities for 15 patients.
PROGRAMS
- 21 Day Program Medical Aid approved
- Full Time 1 month ‘Step Off The Planet’ Program
- Family Interactive Program
- Intensive 6 week Program
- Intensive 3 month Program
- Back-up and anchoring after participation program
- Islamic Programs – daily 5 times salaah, zikr, taleem, tafsir, dua’s, lectures and Islamic counselling (for Muslims only).
- Daily programs include lectures, Journey Programs, Counselling, 5 times Salaah and Zikr (Muslims only), Group therapy, Family and Recreation therapy, and Leisure time.
- Medical intervention may be used for patients with symptoms of withdrawal. The detoxification process is done under supervision of a doctor. Clinical assessments and psychological testing are done and treatment plan designed for each person’s individual needs.
Contact:
Toll Free Number: 0800 786 911
counselling and advice on drug problems.
Website: http://www.mindsalive.co.za/
Durban Beach Shelter: Organisation
Started by Mohamedu Sahul, a former rice mill owner who escaped the war in Sri Lanka and came to South Africa in 1999, the Durban Beach Shelter provides a place to stay for 150 homeless people.
After many years of trying, the Durban municipality awarded him a premises to shelter these people. Mr Mohamedu gives each of the people at the shelter a warm bed, breakfast and supper daily. The rental, water and electricity for the premises is paid by Mr Mohamedu and his colleague from money donated to them.
The shelter does not allow alcohol or drugs on the premises. Some of the homeless have even converted to Islam after seeing the help a Muslim has given them. Mr Mohamedu tries to cook special meals on Eid and other special Islamic days.
This shelter is doing a little to keeping the homeless away from crime and prostitution. Any assistance in the form of money, bedding or groceries is most welcome.
CONTACT:
Mr Mohamedu Sahul
Tel: 031 337 0502
Cell: 083 527 3512
Information from Al Ummah
Volume 9 Issue 1
