CLAREMONT MAIN ROAD MOSQUE
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CMRM Vision The Claremont Main Road Mosque (CMRM) espouses a comprehensive vision of Islam (shumuliyyat al-Islam) that embraces the intellectualism of the theologians (mutakallimun), the juristic pragmatism of the jurists (fuqaha and usuliyyun) as well as spiritual inspiration of the mystics (ahlal-tassuwwuf). It is a dynamic and socially responsive vision of Islam that was forged in the crucible of the struggle for creating a more humane and caring South African society. It is a vision of Islam that was first formulated by Imam `Abdullah Haron in collaboration with the Claremont Muslim Youth Association and articulated in their newsletter “The Islamic Mirror� in the late fifties and throughout the sixties. We at the Claremont Main Road Mosque have sought to nurture and expand this vision of Islam.
CLAREMONT MAIN ROAD MOSQUE
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Contents About us
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Chairperson’s Report
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Imam’s report 6-7 Jihad Against Poverty
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Interfaith Solidarity 11-13 Gender Justice 14-15 Youth Empowerment 16-17 Environmental Justice
18-20
Media and Education
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Madrasa Report
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23-24
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Masjid Publications
Statement of Financial Position 31 December 2015
Annual Jumu’ah Collections 25 Detailed Statement of Comprehensive Income
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Annual Membership Contributions 26 Detailed Statement of Comprehensive Expenses
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Cover pic: Painting by Farah Jawitz (2014)
About Us History The Claremont Main Road Mosque was established in 1854 and is the sixth oldest mosque in South Africa. It was the second mosque to be built outside the Bo-Kaap. It was administered for over 100 years by the Abderoef family, descendants of Tuan Guru. The first mosque Board in 1978 adopted the mosque constitution and established a system of democratic governance. Under the leadership of Imam Gassan Solomon the mosque played a prominent role in the anti-Apartheid struggle during the 1980s. This legacy continues to define the role of CMRM as socially responsive in the postApartheid period.
Critical Traditionalists The practices at CMRM best define us as critical traditionalists. This means that we embrace sound customary practices, in line with our vision and mission, but we do not follow these practices rigidly or dogmatically. We embrace all the traditional Muslim schools of law (madhahib), but do not adhere strictly to any one madhab. We aspire to follow the prophetic traditions (sunnah and hadith), but also embrace what we consider to be ‘good innovations’ (bid’a hasana). In this regard we support the view of the noted jurist and legal theorist, Abu Ishaq al-Shatibi (d.1388), who argued that Islam does not a priori condemn innovation in and of itself. An innovation should always be appraised in terms of whether it complements the teachings of Islam, classified as a good innovation (bid`a hasana) or whether it violates the teachings of Islam, classified as a misguided innovation (bid`a sayyi`a).
Imam Rashied Omar has been the co-ordinating Imam of CMRM since 1986, and is assisted by Imam Shaheed Gamieldien.
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Chairperson’s Report It is once again an honour for me to submit my report to the Annual General Meeting. It is with deep gratitude that we reflect in this 2015 Annual Report on the many successful masjid programmes and activities. The following five dimensions of CMRM’s Mission still remain key thrusts of all our activities: Jihad Against Poverty; Gender Justice; Interfaith Solidarity; Youth Empowerment and Environmental Justice. The numerous activities undertaken within each dimension of our mission are in line with the dynamic and socially responsive vision of Islam that we espouse at CMRM. The hard work and commitment of our Board members continues to set very high standards in our administration and governance. Below is a brief overview of some of the key administrative highlights and challenges of 2015: At the 2015 AGM, Yusuf Abrahams (Chairperson), Achmat Peters (Vice-Chair) and Additional Board members, M. Baderoon and K. Bassier were all re-elected to serve second terms. W. Sookool was elected as a new additional Board member, while Y. Richards was co-opted onto the Board. W. Agherdien (Treasurer) and J. Galant (Secretary) are in their second year of their second term. M. Osman, S. Noor served a second year as co-opted members.
responsibility for co-ordinating the distribution of all goods and food parcels throughout the year. Following the approval of our NPO status in 2014, we are now pursuing an application for full PBO status. The establishment of a new masjid trust and exploring options for expanding masjid space is still ongoing. The madrasa management committee continues to take full responsibility and management of madrasa affairs and finances and provide overview reports at our General Meetings. We are proud to have a very efficient communications system with information to all on a regular basis. We convey our sincere gratitude to Jaamia Galant, our Secretary for her excellent work in this regard. We are sincerely grateful to pledges from members and generous donors whose contributions allow us to efficiently administer the many masjid projects and programmes. Growing our membership and launching fundraising campaigns remain key challenges. Our gratitude to Wasiela Agherdien, Basier Dramat and our auditor Abubaker Jakoet, for ensuring transparency in all our financial reporting. Finally, I also wish to express my sincerest gratitude to Imam Rashied, Imam Shaheed and all Board members for their excellent work and dedication. For the future we need to consider succession plans for all our portfolios and projects. We are greatly encouraged by the support and contributions of many ordinary members of the Congregation who continue to play a very positive role in all aspects of the masjid activities. It is an honour and privilege to serve the Claremont Main Road Masjid Congregation. Sincerely
Yumnah Richards
Waheed Sookool
In 2015 we held two General meetings; six Board meetings and five Executive meetings. As part of our striving for excellence and good governance, there is regular consultation in respect of finances, staffing issues and all other administrative issues. Shariefa Wydeman, the Administrative Assistant continues to bring new dynamism to the administration at the mosque. However, the management of the caretakers continues to be a challenge and their work has to be monitored regularly. Yusuf Too is on a final warning after several disciplinary hearings. Our Vice-Chairperson, Achmat Peters, continues to play an important role in the maintenance of the masjid and attends to all the ‘minor’ maintenance work. He also takes
Yusuf (Jowa) Abrahams
In 2015, many CMRM congregants lost close family members and friends. On behalf of the CMRM Board we wish to express our sincerest condolences to all of you, and pray that the Almighty grant all of our deceased family and friends a high place in jannah, Insha-Allah.
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Imam’s Report During the past year 2015 we continued to build on the strong foundations we have established over the past five years for rejuvenating the role of the Claremont Main Road Masjid. It might be useful to remind ourselves that while CMRM has made huge inroads as a critical voice within civil society as well as the broader Muslim community we continue to enjoy a “controversial” image in some influential parts of the Muslim community. This became particularly clear during the so-called “Open Mosque” controversy in 2014.
the two 2015 Mawlud al-Nabi celebrations such a big success. We have received excellent feedback and the CMRM Mawlud al-Nabi celebrations have now become a special feature of CMRM’s annual programmes.
Mawlud al-Nabi Celebrated Twice in 2015
Imamat Pastoral Role
In 2015 we were blessed to celebrate Mawlud al-Nabi twice in one year - on Saturday evening 3 January 2015, and on Wednesday 23 December 2015. On both occasions the masjid was beautifully decorated with flowers and lights, which created a spiritual ambience. Once again the AlAhly aka Ottomans Dhikr Jamat was on tune with their harmonious rendition of the adhkar. In January three CMRM members, Khadeeja Bassier, Nazeem Manual and Mariam Baderoon, beautifully recited the traditional Barzanji Mawlid poetry. In December we trained two of our young mu’adh-dhins, Imran Adams (13yrs) and Muhammad Nur Baderoon (11yrs) to recite the Barzanji Riwayats for the very first time. A special feature of the January Mawlud al-Nabi celebrations was the unveiling of a portrait of the masjid that was beautifully painted by Farah Jawitz, a member of the CMRM youth group. All guests received a post-card copy of the painting. In December, Shaykh Sa’dullah Khan was our guest speaker. Both events were well attended, including many visitors from other parts of the country. We would like to once again thank our generous donors and the Mawlud committee members for their contributions in making
During 2015 we saw a significant increase in our ongoing Imamat pastoral responsibilities. In addition to performing regular nikahs, name-giving ceremonies, dhikrs, visiting sick and elderly members of the jamat, and attending janazahs, Imam Shaheed and I are increasingly also called upon to do marriage counseling, divorce procedures and interfaith marriages. The latter three are very time-consuming and we do not have a masjid policy in place with respect to payment for these services. We recommend that this should be a free service for registered masjid members but it should not be part of our Imamat responsibility for non-registered members. During the past year we have also had several requests from members and their families for written testimonials. We are happy to be of service to our registered congregants.
Ramadan 2015
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The 2015 Ramadan programme was once again a huge success. For the fourth year in succession Tanzanian Shaykh Omar Masoud inspired the congregation with his excellent recitations of the Qur’an during the tarawih prayers. Our posttarawih speaker programme was also well received and our young mu`adhdhins led the post-tarawih dhikrs beautifully. We hope to continue building this programme and hope to enroll a few new boys as well as girls in this training programme.
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Khutbahs 2015 I am delighted to report that the standard of the 2015 weekly CMRM jumu`ah khutbah programme has once again been excellent. The summary table below of the 2015 jumu`ah speakers and topics, reflects both the depth of leadership and the germane topics that we addressed. During 2015 we saw a greater focus on themes such as environmental justice and spiritual development and a slight increase in the number of women speakers. One of the challenges we confronted in 2015 was a request for Julius Malema to deliver a pre-khutbah talk. In responding to this request it became clear that we do not have a masjid policy on guest jumu’ah speakers, especially with respect to politicians. To correct this on Sunday 10 May 2016 we constituted a small khutbah support group to help in preparing a masjid policy. The draft policy was subsequently adopted by the CMRM Board and will serve as a guide to advise the Imam and the CMRM Board with regard to invited jumu’ah speakers and relevant topics. Once again I would like to sincerely thank our guest khatibs, who continue to enrich the CMRM jumu’ah khutbah platform.
Conclusion Unfortunately, in 2015 we dropped the ball on the masjid dhikr programmes and despite the lackluster attendance from our own jama`ah this programme attracted a broader audience and added value to the diversity of the masjid programmes. I once again wish to sincerely thank my colleague Imam Shaheed Gamieldien for ably taking on the full responsibility of Imamat duties during my leave of absence in the US. I also would like to once again sincerely thank the CMRM Board for their ongoing support and patience. As always we welcome any constructive feedback on how we could improve our Imamat responsibilities.
Imam Rashied and wife Leila with Fatima Mehdi
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Imam Rashied with Barbara Hogan 2015 Jumu’ah Themes & Topics
Speaker
New Year
R. Omar
Interfaith Harmony
E. Rasool
Gender Based Violence
B. Sacrani & N. Abrahams
Human Rights Day
Sh. Ihgsaan Taliep
Good Friday
Sh. S. Khan
Freedom Day
S. Manjra
Worker’s Day
R. Omar
Youth Day
M. Jeenah
Women’s Day
Sh. S. Khan
Environmental Justice
R. Omar; A. Fataar; P.J Pearson & I. Ozdemir
Heritage Day
R. Omar
Legacy of Imam Haron
K. Shamis
Older Person’s Day
R. Khan
Children’s Day
R. Khan
Anti-Corruption Campaign
T.C Browne & B. Hogan
Christmas
A. Storey
Mawlud
A. Brigaglia & R. Omar
Yawm al-Ashura
Maulana M. A. Haider
Palestinian Struggle
A.A Fatah & A. Hass
Marginalised Muslims (Rohingya & Sawahari)
R. Omar & F. Mehdi
Healthy Living
S. Solomon
Lessons from the Sira
R. Khan; S. Manjra; R. Omar
Glorification and Closeness to God
J. Omar; S. Shaikh; S. Gamieldien; S. Banoobhai; N. Bassier & K. Bassier
JIHAD AGAINST POVERTY Beitul Aman Home for the Aged Mission Statement JIHAD AGAINST POVERTY
CMRM advocates the view that poverty alleviation is not
the sole responsibility of economists or public officials, but rather it is an integral part of what it means to be an engaged Muslim. From an Islamic perspective, we believe that poverty is not limited to a lack of food or drink. Poverty encompasses the lack of all basic human needs, such as clean water, nutrition, sanitation, health care, education, clothing and shelter. Our Jihad Against Poverty mission is to engage in and build sustainable social justice programmes through involvement in some of the following activities: • Literacy projects • Sanitation campaigns in informal settlements • Social justice campaigns for impoverished and Lmarginalised communities • Food and blanket distributions to needy communities • Twinning relationships with township mosque Lcommunities • Supporting NGOs who campaign for social justice causes
CMRM is immensely grateful for the many generous donations from our congregants that sustain our Jihad Against Poverty programmes. In 2015, we continued to provide solidarity and support to a range of communities as well as organisations that provide shelter and support to needy and destitute people. In total we spent over R400 000 on our JAP programmes in 2015. Our JAP programmes also receive ongoing support from the Saabri Ashrafi Relief Fund as well as the Solly & Zohra Noor Foundation, which regularly donate food parcels, blankets and fresh produce that CMRM distributes to various locations throughout the year.
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For the second successive year, CMRM has been supporting monthly Sunday lunches at Beitul Aman, co-ordinated by Shariefa and a team of cooks at her home. During Ramadan, we also provided a daily meal delivered to the Home. The feeding programmes for both Blikkiesdorp and Beitul Aman have provided much needed regular employment for the cooks and cleaners that assist Shariefa. The lunches at Beitul Aman have been occasions not only for sharing of meals, but also to provide some much needed company for the residents of Beitul Aman. In 2015, CMRM also supported weekly visits for some of the residents to a foot clinic at Daroel Ielm Institute in Salt River. Residents are indulged with foot treatments and provided with refreshments. Two nurses from the home accompany the residents as they wait their turn for treatment. In addition to the above activities, Beitul Aman was also a regular recipient of our distributions of food parcels, blankets and fresh produce throughout the year.
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Blikkiesdorp Since 2013, CMRM administrator, Shariefa Wydeman and her family have led our efforts to consolidate support to the Blikkiesdorp community. Working closely with Blikkiesdorp community members, Shariefa and her team have co-ordinated monthly meals that are shared with people in different ‘blocks’ of Blikkiesdorp every month. On average, 300 people are fed at a time. In December 2015, the Blikkiesdorp church graciously allowed CMRM to distribute the food from their premises, which made the long queues more bearable since it was very hot. In addition to the monthly meals, Shariefa also co-ordinated daily iftar meals in Blikkiesdorp, by providing weekly ingredients that were used by Blikkiesdorp cooks to make the daily meals. CMRM also sponsored a 100 litre pot of food for ‘Id lunches.
Dunoon
members to attend a two-hour Ubuntu workshop inside the Muhammadi Masjid, organised by CMRM and facilitated by the Institute for the Healing of Memories. After the workshop we distributed 500 food parcels and 300 blankets to community members, who had received vouchers through their street committees. In the final week of December 2015, CMRM again delivered 40 food parcels to the Muhammadi Masjid, which resident Imam Nurool Emaan distributed to needy families. CMRM also took some English translations of the Qur’an kindly donated by the Solly Noor Group of Companies. The visit was followed by a khutbah delivered by Imam Shaheed Gamieldien at the Dunoon masjid on Friday 8 January 2016. In addition to all of the above, CMRM also contributes annually to the Ramadan iftar programme at the Muhammadi Masjid, co-ordinated by Naqshbandi SA, as well as sponsoring a 100 litre pot of food for ‘Id lunches.
For the past five years CMRM has been working with the Naqshbandi Muhammadi Masjid in Dunoon to support poverty alleviation efforts in the Dunoon community. Since 2014 the advisor to the local councillor of Dunoon, Christopher Notombela, has also come on board to support our efforts. In January 2015, when a fire devastated 63 homes in Dunoon, Mr. Notombela identified all the families affected by the fire and arranged for them to gather at the masjid, where we distributed food parcels as well as blankets donated by Islamic Relief SA (IRSA), and also shared lunch with 250 people. In July 2015, Mr. Notombela also worked with 14 local street committees to mobilise more than 100 community
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JIHAD AGAINST POVERTY Leeuwenkuil
Other Communities and Organisations
Our solidarity and support to the farming communities of Leeuwenkuil, Karringmelkvlei and Knollefontein, in Agter Paarl, has been ongoing since 2012. On Sunday 9 August 2015, about 30 CMRM congregants and their families shared a day of fun and solidarity with the farming community. The children were occupied with different Arts and Crafts activities facilitated by CMRM members, while the teenagers played soccer and the adults competed in tug-of-war games. On Sunday 20 December 2015, CMRM ended the year with another solidarity visit to Leeuwenkuil farm. We hired a marquee for a day of entertainment. Gary Naidoo, Rafiek Mammon and their team from GANARAMA Productions entertained us with an interactive music show that included a magician and a few musical items performed by the Leeuwenkuil children. On all the occasions we have visited the farm, we have shared lunch with the community, distributed hygiene care packs, food parcels and party packs for the children. In December we also distributed personalized Christmas gifts for all the children. Members from the Trust for Community Outreach (TCOE) as well as members from the women’s solidarity group, the Rita Edwards Collective, joined us on our visits to Leeuwenkuil.
Other recipients of our distributions of food parcels, fresh produce, blankets and hygiene care packs at various times in the year have been Emasithandane Children’s Home, IHATA Shelter, Manenberg Soup Kitchen, The Claremont Haven Night Shelter, Saartjie Baartman Centre, Christine Revel Home for abused women and children and Red Cross Children’s Hospital. These distributions have been coordinated by CMRM Board members Mariam Baderoon and Boeta Achmat Peters. During Ramadan, we also sponsored and delivered daily iftar meals to IHATA. Food parcels and hygiene care packs that were kept in storage enabled us also to respond to emergency support for needy individuals identified by Board members.
During August and September, Reinette Heunis from Mawubuye also held organic gardening workshops with the community, and supplied them with new seeds for their community garden. The garden yielded three rich harvests in the year, which included spinach, potatoes, pumpkins and beetroot. The vegetables were distributed to families on Leeuwenkuil, Karringmelkvlei and Knollefontein farms.
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I N T E R FA I T H S O L I DA R I T Y
Mission Statement I N T E R FA I T H S O L I DA R I T Y
CMRM embraces the enduring values of pluralism and coexistence and regards human diversity not as incidental and negative but rather as representing a God-willed, basic factor of human existence. Through our commitment to interfaith solidarity, CMRM seeks to celebrate human diversity through recognition and affirmation of each other through intimate knowledge (ta’aruf), and not mere toleration. CMRM endeavours to forge interfaith solidarity by: • Inviting guest speakers from other faith communities • Welcoming visitors from other faith communities to the Lmosque • Supporting and participating in activities of the Cape NTown Interfaith Initiative (CTII) • Supporting and participating in activities of the Western LCape Religious Leader’s Forum (WCRLF)
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In 2015 CMRM continued to nurture strong interfaith solidarity relationships. We invited the following speakers to deliver talks at the masjid: Reverend Alan Storey of the Central Methodist Church in Greenmarket Square; Anglican priest, Father Michael Lapsley, director of the Institute for the Healing of Memories; Father Peter-John Pearson of the Catholic Church and Heidi Grunebaum who presented a Jewish perspective on interfaith solidarity. In addition to this CMRM also participated in the following interfaith events.
Maimouna Celebration at the End of Passover On Saturday 11th April 2015, CMRM accepted an invitation from Jewish Voices for a Just Peace to attend the first communal ‘bring and share’ Maimouna celebration to mark the end of Passover. Maimouna is traditionally a Judeo-Arab custom, where Passover, the Jewish festival of freedom, is ended with a broad societal celebration, symbolising re-entry and reintegration into society. The event was attended by people of all faiths and was marked with sharing of sweet refreshments as well as an introduction to some traditional Jewish music and dance rituals. CMRM secretary Jaamia Galant was accompanied by her mother, Aunty Mymona, as well as CMRM members Aunty Latiefa Omar, Lutfi Omar and Feroza Phillips.
I N T E R FA I T H S O L I DA R I T Y International Day in Support of Victims of Torture
Sixth Parliament of the World’s Religions
On Saturday 27 June 2015, CMRM, in partnership with The Institute for Healing of Memories and St. George’s Cathedral, commemorated International Day in Support of Victims of Torture at the District Six Homecoming Centre. Imam Rashied delivered a short prayer at the event. Father Michael Lapsley from the Institute for Healing of Memories delivered a post-tarawih talk on the topic at CMRM the following day.
On 16 October 2015, Imam Rashied participated in a panel discussion on the topic of Religion, Religious Freedom, and Development, at the Sixth Parliament of the World’s Religions that convened in Salt Lake City, UTAH, USA. The panel included Dr. Katherine Marshall of Georgetown University, Professor Rosalind Hackett, head of Religious Studies at the University of Tennessee and Dr. Nokuzola Mndende, director of Icamagu Institute, South Africa. In his paper, Imam Rashied argued that religious freedom and development could only be effective if it functions in consonance with and in support of a democratic and just social order.
East Carolina and Tennessee University Students For the past two years, East Carolina University students, who are enrolled in a class on ‘Africa and Islam’, taught by Professor Kenneth Wilburn, have engaged via Skype with Imam Rashied and CMRM secretary, Jaamia Galant, on the History of Islam in South Africa. On Monday 27 July 2015, CMRM welcomed Professor Kenneth Wilburn and 25 students from both East Carolina University and Tennessee University to the masjid. Imam Rashied and Jaamia introduced them to the history and ethos of CMRM and afterwards accompanied them on a visit to the Signal Hill Karamat.
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Workshop on Interreligious Action and Social Cohesion From 19-21 October 2015, Imam Rashied participated as an expert in a training workshop on Interreligious Action and Social Cohesion organized by Catholic Relief Services, outside Nairobi, Kenya. Participants came from many parts of Africa, the Philippines, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and the USA. Catholic Relief Services has responded positively to Imam Rashied’s proposal that they seek to establish closer working relationships in specific contexts with the Islamic Relief Agency.
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World Day of Prayer for Creation
Anniversary of President Nelson Mandela’s death
On Tuesday 1 September 2015, CMRM’s Environmental Justice programme, Muslims for Eco-Justice, participated in an interfaith service at St. Mary’s Catholic Cathedral. The Interfaith Service marked the first annual World Day of Prayer for Creation prompted by Pope Francis’s 2015 encyclical on the environment, Laudato Si (Care for our Common Home). As part of the interfaith service, Imam Rashied recited Surah al-Rahman, chapter 55, verses 5-9, and Muslims for Eco-Justice intern, Sabirah Guzana, formed part of a commitment prayer led by youth. SAFCEI’s Green Bishop, Geoff Davies, called on those gathered to intensify their efforts to conscientise people with regard to our responsibility to care and cherish for the earth as our common home.
On Sunday evening 6 December 2015, Jaamia Galant, CMRM secretary, accompanied by her mother Aunty Mymona, attended an interfaith prayer service at St. George’s Cathedral to mark the second anniversary of President Nelson Mandela’s death. In his address at the service, Archbishop Thabo Makgoba invited people of all faiths and of none to join in commemorating Madiba’s commitment to selfless public service and the values that underpinned his life. Dean Fr. Michael Weeder concluded the service by including a prayer for Muslims who are being demonised in the world today.
Micklefield Primary School On Monday 9 November 2015, for the third consecutive year, CMRM hosted a group of 25 Grade Three Learners from the Micklefield Primary School in Rondebosch. The school headmistress, Mrs Jeannette Welgemoed, the Grade 3 teacher, and a few parents accompanied the learners. The annual excursion to the mosque forms part of Micklefield’s religious awareness education. During the visit Imam Rashied introduced learners to the history and features of the masjid as well as the five pillars of Islam. He also showed them how to perform the ablution before they entered the masjid and gave them a practical demonstration of the various physical postures of the salah. The visit ended with a lively question and answer session and some refreshments.
2015 Christmas Message On 24 December 2015 CMRM released a joint Christmas Message signed by The Very Reverend Michael Weeder, Dean of St. George’s Cathedral, Imam Rashied Omar from CMRM and Reverend Michael Lapsley, Director of the Institute for Healing of Memories. The joint Christmas message was published in the Cape Argus on 24 December 2015. The message paid tribute to Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu, for his lifelong witness to peace and justice, and called on people of all faiths to use the highest aspirations of our spiritual traditions to attain social justice and dignity for all people in our country.
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GENDER JUSTICE
Campaigning Against Gender-Based Violence
Mission Statement GENDER JUSTICE
CMRM is committed to the struggle for the equivalence and full dignity of women within our comprehensive vision of Islam. With respect to this dimension of our mission we support the struggle of women for full dignity and honour in our country, our homes and most importantly our masajid. Accommodating women for prayers on the main floor of the mosque is but one small step in this endeavor. CMRM is committed to the struggle for gender justice by encouraging and supporting: • Women in leadership roles in the administration lof the mosque • Women delivering talks and pre-khutbah lectures • Campaigns to end gender-based violence • NGO’s working with abused and destitute women Land children
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In 2015 CMRM continued to raise awareness and support the campaign against the scourge of genderbased violence in our society. On 9 February our press statement on gender-based violence was published in the Cape Argus. On the 13 February, for the third successive year, we held a silent vigil after jumu’ah in Main Road Claremont, in support of all victims of gender-based violence. The jumu’ah lecture on that day was delivered by Bashir Sacranie, who shared his reflections on the scourge of gender-based violence. During the 16 Days of Activism Against GenderBased Violence, we invited Dr. Naeema Abrahams from the CSIR to deliver the pre-ttalk. She shared some sobering statistics on violence against women and children in SA and reflected on intervention programmes that could mitigate this epidemic of violence against women and children within our society.
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WOMEN’S VOICES In 2015 we continued our tradition of inviting women speakers to address our congregation for pre-khutbah and post-tarawih talks. The speakers focused on a range of topics. These included: • Sensitivity to People with Disabilities – Dr. Sa’diyya Shaikh • Doubt, Faith and Hope – Khadeeja Bassier • The Struggle for Freedom of Palestinians – Amira Hass • Gender Based Violence – Dr. Naeema Abrahams • The Struggle for Recognition of the Saharawi People – Fatima Mehdi • Anti-Corruption Campaign – Barbara Hogan • Jihad Against Poverty – Shariefa Wydeman • Environmental Justice – Sabira Guzana
CMRM Saturday Morning Madrasa. This was followed by a thoughtful and spiritually moving conversation between the author, Dr. Sa’diyya Shaikh, and well-known Cape Town author and poet, Shabbir Banoobhai. Moreover, to underscore CMRM’s commitment to encourage leadership roles for women in the administrative affairs of the masjid, CMRM Secretary, Jaamia Galant, chaired and introduced the speakers, Imam Rashied Omar and Shaykh Sa’dullah Khan, at the Ramadan Sunday Morning Hajj seminar at CMRM. The seminar was attended by more than 100 people from all over the City. There is no doubt that it was a first time experience for many participants to witness a woman doing the introductions to an event in a masjid where the speakers were pre-eminent ‘ulama’! It is also testimony to CMRM’s nurturing environment for women in leadership that CMRM Treasurer, Wasiela Agherdien, now in her second term of office, has also recently assumed a leadership role at St. Luke’s Hospice where she volunteers, as well as serving as Treasurer of the Wardha Gadhraa Ladies Jamat.
Solidarity Naeema Abrahams
Amira Hass
Fatima Mehdi
In addition to the above platforms for women’s voices, on Sunday 21 June 2015 in Ramadan, CMRM hosted a discussion on a review of Dr. Sa`diyya Shaikh’s book: Sufi Narratives of Intimacy: Ibn `Arabi, Gender, and Sexuality (UCT Press, 2013) which won the 2015 UCT Book Prize. The morning commenced with a beautiful Qur’anic recitation and English translation of the opening verses of Surah al-Rahman, by Shifaa’ Hendricks, a graduate of the
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In 2015 CMRM continued to support NGOs working with abused and destitute women and children. At various times we delivered food parcels, cash donations and blankets to the Saartjie Baartman Centre for Women and Children, IHATA Shelter for Abused Women and Children, and Christine Revel Home, a home that provides full time care to babies and children who have been neglected, abandoned, abused or orphaned. Moreover, in putting together toiletry care packs for different communities in 2015, we consciously included sanitary towels in the care packs for women, as we recognize this to be a scarce resource for many women in poor communities. In December, one of our congregants also graciously donated an additional box of sanitary towels for the Leeuwenkuil community.
YOUTH EMPOWERMENT
In 2015 we continued to make modest strides in revitalizing the participation of youth in masjid activities.
Mission Statement YOUTH EMPOWERMENT
Youth Speakers CMRM recognises the valuable role youth play in our society and the potential they have in shaping the future. Young people are uniquely placed to open up our eyes to the signs of the times, for they truly live at the cold face of the real and rapidly changing world. Youth also face many challenges on the road to adulthood, and it is our responsibility to provide them with the necessary empathy, support and guidance. To this end, CMRM commits to provide amongst others, the following enabling platforms for youth development and empowerment:
Youth speakers were invited
Minhaj Jeenah
• Leading prayers and dhikrs • Delivering talks and sermons (khutbahs) • Participating in youth camps and forums
to deliver khutbahs as well as pre-khutbah and posttarawih talks. The critical and insightful reflections by these youth speakers underscored our recognition of the valuable role youth play in our society and the potential they have in shaping the future.
Youth speakers included: Ebrahim Abrahams; Nassier Bassier; Rezaan Behardien; Sabirah Guzana; Minhaj Jeenah; Mazin Jeppie; Haytham Jeppie; Leila Khan; Layla Mahomed; Ra-eesah Manie; Jihad Omar; Maryam Omar; Mujahid Osman; Thafir Osman and Ramzi Solomon.
Mu’adhdhin Programme Our endeavor to empower youth through leadership roles enjoyed further success with the mu’adhdhin youth programme. The mu’adhdhins demonstrated their commitment by coming to training with Kassiem Adams, Imam Rashied and Imam Shaheed, for several Sunday mornings before Ramadan started. They were also joined on a few Sundays by famous Cape Town guitarist Yusuf Ali. They were also featured as guests on Voice of the Cape’s youth programme on Saturday 13 June. Throughout Ramadan, they took turns in leading us in the tarawih adhkar and some of them also led tarawih prayers on the last few nights of Ramadan. Mu’adhdhins included: Imran Adams; M. Nur Baderoon; Muzzammiel Davids; Muddathir Davids; Ridhaa Jawitz; Ra-is Mathews and Zubayr Wagiet.
Youth I’tikaf For the second year, CMRM Board member, Mujahid Osman convened a successful youth i’tikaf programme during Ramadan to co-incide with the June school holidays. This year the programme was extended over three days with about 25 youth participants. In
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addition to spiritual reflections led by Imam Rashied, the i’tikaf programme also included reading and discussions around Islam, Conflict and Peace-building, History of Islam, Youth and Extremism and Islam Beyond Tolerance. Guest speakers included Ass. Professor Shamil Jeppie from UCT and Professor Aslam Fataar from Stellenbosch University. Ass. Professor Sa’diyya Shaikh from UCT also led a dhikr session focusing on the Asma ul-Husna.
Youth Camp For the third year, the CMRM youth group, led by Mujahid, convened a successful youth empowerment camp, which took place from Friday 10-12 October 2015 at the Glencairn Rotary club. Twenty youth participants attended the camp. Participants performed ten congregational prayers (salah) over the weekend and every salah was followed by a short nasiha delivered by Imam Rashied Omar. Once again, the programme for the weekend was rich in its diversity of topics, discussions and guest speakers. Some of the highlights of the camp included: • A documentary film called ‘Afrikaaps’, which focused on the rich cultural history of the Afrikaans language. • A workshop that focused discussions around the themes of Racism, Dehumanisation and Restoring humanity facilitated by members from the Institute for Healing of Memories.
• A session reflecting on the diversity of cultural and religious practices of Muslims in various countries facilitated by CMRM youth group members, Yumnah Richards and Fatima Docrat. • A discussion on the aesthetic value of music and Western propaganda through music, led by Ass. Prof Adam Haupt from UCT. • A spiritually uplifting session on “Relating to the Creator” presented by Shaykh Sa’dullah Khan. • Fun and games like the ‘Amazing Race’, ‘Monkey Game’ and a self-defence class presented by Cathleen Dollar, a US student studying at UCT.
Youth Hifz graduation For the past two years, Imam Rashied has been invited to witness the Hifz graduation of former students of CMRM Saturday Morning Madrasa. In November 2014, 17 year old Mohammed Zuhair Khan, completed the memorization of the Glorious Qur’an at the Dar Ubaiy Centre in Gatesville under the tutelage of Shaykh Ism`ail Londt. Zuhair was a student of Jihad Omar at the Madrasa. In November 2015, Moegamat Aqeeb Kannemeyer completed his memorisation of Qur’an under the mentorship of Qari Shaykh Hoosain Dalvie, founder and principal of the Daarul Falaah Hifz School based at the Panorama Masjid. Both Zuhair and Aqeeb were given opportunities to lead tarawih prayers at CMRM when they were just starting to learn hifz at CMRM Madrasa.
Imam Rashied with Aqeeb Kannemeyer (2nd from right) and family 17
E N V I R O N M E N TA L J U S T I C E
This is the second year of CMRM’s Muslims for Eco-Justice project lead by Mariam Baderoon in partnership with SAFCEI and WWF. In 2015, Sabirah Guzana and Imraan Hendricks were appointed as new interns on the project. Between March and June, the interns completed an Environmental Training course with WESSA, a weekend workshop with Soil for Life, a volunteer orientation programme at the Oranjezicht City Farm (OCF) as well as accompanying SAFCEI on an energy audit of the Islamic Relief (IRSA) offices. All of this equipped them to independently run organic gardening workshops, conduct energy audits and develop environmental awareness materials for teachers and students for the rest of their term. Throughout the year the interns continued to volunteer at OCF once a week and also regularly joined SAFCEI’s ‘No to Nukes’ Vigil outside Parliament on Wednesday mornings. Muslims for Eco-Justice also attended WWF’s 25th Anniversary at the Two Oceans Aquarium, and joined an ‘Animals Matter’ march from Keizersgracht to Parliament to build political support and awareness for animal welfare across Africa.
Mission Statement E N V I R O N M E N TA L J U S T I C E
CMRM is a registered eco-congregation i.e. a faith community committed to working towards a more sustainable world. CMRM advocates the view that environmental justice is intrinsic to being a conscientious Muslim. From an Islamic perspective, the current environmental crisis can be viewed as a symptom of a deeper spiritual malaise. The latter has come about through consumerist lifestyles which has disturbed the balance between humans and nature. To this end, CMRM commits to: • Taking responsibility for preserving the natural Lenvironment • Implementing measures which will reduce the mosque’s Lcarbon footprint • Encouraging congregants to embrace ecologically Lethical lifestyles • Supporting NGOs that raise awareness campaigns Laround environmental justice
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Below are some of the project’s major achievements in 2015:
Organic Gardening Workshops Two Organic Gardening workshops were hosted in June and August for more than 150 participants, in partnership with Soil for Life. Participants included community leaders from Manenberg and Delft, Madrasa teachers from Kensington, District Six and Bo-Kaap, members of the Al-Azhar Mosque, and 50 children aged 7 – 12 years who attend the Islamic Life Madrasa.
Teacher training and Madrasa Support
2015 Annual Environmental Justice Seminar In partnership with the International Peace College South Africa (IPSA) and Islamic Relief Worldwide (IRW), Muslims for Eco-Justice hosted another successful Environmental Justice in Islam Seminar on 5 December 2015. This year the seminar had three main foci:
A good relationship has developed with the Imam of the Aspeling Street Mosque (District Six), who is also a teacher and a madrasa principal. Regular meetings were convened to discuss action plans for: i) encouraging the congregation to embrace eco-ethical lifestyles and registering the mosque as an eco-congregation, and ii) developing a madrasa curriculum by including environmental teaching in their madrasa syllabus. During March, two feedback sessions were hosted with 20 madrasa teachers from different schools. In September, a teacher-training workshop was facilitated for 10 teachers from the Aspeling Street Mosque. During November and December, a number of meetings and teacher training workshops were hosted with teachers from both the Ibn al Jazary Institute and the Darul Ilm Qur’an Academy. Teachers were introduced to the ‘mosques caring for creation’ poster and activity book, as well as the teacher’s manual for 7-12 year olds. Interns facilitated the sessions.
•The Islamic Declaration on Global Climate Change; • The Pope’s Encyclical Laudato Si’ on the Environment; • Practical ideas on how to decrease one’s impact on climate change. The keynote speaker was a world-renowned Muslim ethicist and climatologist, Professor Ibrahim Özdemir. Father Peter John-Pearson, Director of the Parliamentary Liaison Office of the Southern African Catholic Bishops’ Conference, was invited to speak about the Pope’s Encyclical Laudato Si’: on care for our common home. Imam Rashied Omar was a respondent and his response was published in the Cape Argus on 8 December 2015. Islamic Relief South Africa launched their Climate Change Declaration Toolkit, aimed at helping individuals and groups with ideas on how to use the declaration to mobilise for climate justice in their local communities. At the end of the Seminar, attendees signed the ‘Tree of Commitment’.
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E N V I R O N M E N TA L J U S T I C E Resources A 12-page resource booklet was designed and published for a 3-day Eco-Camp. The booklet consists of the rationale for an eco-camp, the camp structure, daily activities, and an explanation of each camp activity. All the necessary worksheets accompany the booklet. In Ramadan we produced a calendar with ‘Tips for a Greener Ramadan’, which was jointly sponsored with Islamic Relief South Africa. 2000 calendars were distributed in the Western Cape and it was also published in the Cape Argus. An Eco-Wudu tutorial was filmed in August. The purpose of the tutorial is to demonstrate how little water one needs to perform ablution. The eco-Wudu tutorial shows how one can use as little as 300ml of water to perform wudu by using either a spray bottle or a jug of water. The video will be available on YouTube and it is hoped that Imams will share it with their congregations. A ‘Collection of Khutbahs on the Environment’ resource was published. The book aims to provide a resource for Muslim leaders, youth groups, student associations, madāris, masājid and other Islamic institutions, to be used practically as a teaching and learning tool. It also aims to provide inspiration and motivation for Muslims to use their available platforms as dynamic spaces for meaningful environmental action.
Project Co-ordinator Mariam Baderoon delivered a lecture at the Aspeling Street Mosque in July, during Ramadan. About 35 teachers, the Imam and a few mosque members attended the talk, which focused on developing young children’s God concept by using the environment as a tool. During Ramadan, intern Sabirah Guzana delivered a post-tarawih talk at CMRM. Her talk focused on South Africa’s water crisis. On Tuesday 1 September, Muslims for Eco-Justice participated in an interfaith service at St. Mary’s Catholic Cathedral. The Interfaith Service marked the first Annual World Day of Prayer for Creation. Intern Sabirah participated in a commitment prayer led by youth. Social media, including Cape Town Muslim Events (CTME) and The Voice of The Cape Radio Station (VOCfm), were instrumental in advertising all of our events and regularly featured interviews with the interns. A DVD of the 2015 Annual Environmental Justice Seminar at IPSA was produced and is available for purchase on request. Islamic Relief will produce a 2-minute edit of the seminar that will be featured on ITV. Both the Annual Seminar and the broader project continue to receive good media coverage, especially in the form of radio interviews on VOCfm, Radio 786 and Radio Islam.
Khutbahs/Lectures In June, August and September 2015, three jumu’ah lectures were delivered at CMRM on the following topics: i) World Environment Day – An Islamic Perspective on Nuclear Energy and South Africa’s Energy Crisis, by Imam Dr. Rashied Omar (This was published in the Weekend Argus); ii) Cultivating Recognition in the Quest for Environmental Justice – Environmental Justice and Sustainability in Light of the Threat of Climate Change, by Professor Aslam Fataar; iii) Reflecting on the Pope’s Encyclical Letter on the Environment, by Father Peter-John Pearson (SACBC – CPLO)
Public Talks and Media
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CMRM in the Media
Adult Education Programme
During the past few years CMRM has been able to fill a huge leadership vacuum within the Muslim community and the broader South African society. We have from time to time provided a Muslim perspective on global and national issues through regular press statements. During 2015 CMRM’s role in the media became particularly prominent.
Imam Shaheed Gamieldien continued to convene his weekly Adult Qur’an reading classes on Wednesday evenings. From 4 May to 15 June Imam Rashied taught a wellattended seven-week course titled “Islam Beyond Violent Extremism” at the Daroel Ielm Madrasa in Salt River. The course examined the root causes of Muslim extremism, and provided an Islamic ethico-legal perspective on how to mitigate against extremism. From 7 September – 8 December Imam Rashied also ran an adult education course on Al-Salaf al-Salih at the Daroel Ielm Madrasa. As in the past CMRM used the Salt River community venue for these Adult Islamic Educational Programmes because it is more accessible and attracts a larger attendance. The highlight of the adult educational programme of 2015 was the well-attended Ramadan hajj seminar which was jointly facilitated by Imam Rashied and Shaykh Sa`dullah Khan on Sunday 5 July. On this occasion we also launched a booklet featuring a number of `Id al-Adha khutbahs by Imam Rashied focusing on the socio-spiritual dimensions of the hajj.
Imam Rashied wrote The Cape Argus editorial on the occasion of `Id al-Fitr 2015 (17 July) and in October the Muslim Views ran his article on the deaths of pilgrims during the 2015 annual hajj on their frontpage. For the fifth successive year Al-Qalam featured a monthly focus on khutbahs delivered at CMRM. Imam Rashied’s Op-ed pieces on Gender Based Violence (8 Feb), the Release of Eugene De Kock (3 Feb), Nuclear Safety (6 June) and the Legacy of Imam Haron (25 Sept) were published in The Cape Argus. We also issued a number of press statements in 2015. On 8, 9 and 17 January 2015, we commented on the Charlie Hebdo killings. We also condemned the killing of three Muslim students in North Carolina on 12 February and Israeli attacks on a Palestinian family on 31 July. For the second year in succession we issued a statement marking International Day of Solidarity with Palestine (29 November). In response to the European refugee crisis we issued a statement on 6 September. We also responded to the mass student #FeesMustFall protests with a statement issued on 23 October. With these and other press statements the CMRM Board has received support especially from Jaamia Galant, Dr. Shuaib Manjra and a few other members of the jamat.
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CMRM also convened a 2015 Lunar Calendar workshop on 7 June at the South African Astronomical Observatory. We hope to convene such lunar workshops every two years as our goal is to continue educating new generations of the CMRM congregation as well as the wider community on the adoption of astronomical calculations as a valid and more accurate shari`i method for starting and ending our Ramadan fasts.
Qur’an Reading Class 2015
MADRASAH REPORT
The CMRM Saturday Morning Madrasah continues to operate in a challenging environment, competing with school sport, dealing with a schooling and education system under stress, and the implementation of the school Curriculum and Assessment Policy Statement (CAPS) Programme. In addition, the tough economic situation in our country continues to affect our parents and their financial obligations to the Madrasah. However, we started 2015 with an enrolment of 350 learners. The Grade R class which was introduced last year, started this year with 10 learners. The Qur’an Reading for Adults started with 25 adults. We decided to extend the period of the adult class by an hour which resulted in the adults successfully completing the first 5 modules and starting the 6th module by the end of the first term instead of the usual completion of the first 3 modules only. The interest in this class is increasing but we limited the size to 20 – 25 adults.
qualified huffaza who have been teaching Madrasah for the past 2 – 3 years. Three of our learners, Zubayr Wagiet and Muddathir & Muzzamiel Davids formed part of the mu’adhdhin team during the month of Ramadan at CMRM, led and trained by Kassiem Adams. There were 8 learners in the Matric Arabic class. We also have two learners from the Independent Oracle High School who asked to join our Grade 10 & 11 classes for Arabic in preparation for their Final 2016/17 matric exam. The Grade 8 – 10 learners’ interest in Arabic has been rekindled thanks to the efforts of the Arabic teachers who also attended an IEB seminar/workshop at Islamia HS. The aim of this seminar was to discuss the Grade 12 Arabic curriculum.
Woman’s Day Breakfast
We also started an Arabic Class for Adults with 8 adults who finished the Qur’an Reading course in 2014. The aim of this course is to empower the parents with the Arabic content of Grade R – 8. This class runs for the whole year. The 2015 students in the Qur’an Reading class have already indicated their interest for the Arabic Class for Adults in 2016.
The Madrasah organised its third fundraising event on Woman’s Day. This was a breakfast that catered for about 200 guests. This event now also serves as our annual presentation ceremony for the adults who graduated into the Qur’an. The guest speaker was Fatima Chohan (Deputy Minister of Home Affairs). ITV was also in attendance and broadcasted our event a few weeks later. The event was very well received and well attended. We aim to make this an annual fundraising event.
The hifz class had 26 learners who attended the external hifz examination. We are planning to restructure this class under the guidance of the hifz teacher by using two recently
In conclusion, the Madrasah management and teaching staff remains committed to providing a good quality Madrasah education to our learners and their parents.
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P U B L I C AT I O N S
Al-Mizan Mawlud
Al-Mizan ‘Id al-Adha
January 2015
September 2015
Features tribute to Mymona Galant (75yrs). Articles relate to environmental justice reflecting on the sirah through a ‘green lens’; celebrating the Xhosa translation of the Qur’an; and the social and political economy of Ebola. Activities highlighted include CMRM’s 160th year celebrations; CMRM 2014 youth camp; and graduation of madrasa students.
Features tribute to Zainoenessa Patelia (nee Sadan) (d 2015). Articles relate to environmental justice; a Jewish perspective on ta’aruf and ta’ayush; youth and activism; and a book review of Sufi Narratives of Intimacy – Ibn ‘Arabi, Gender and Sexuality (Sa’diyya Shaikh, 2012). Activities highlighted include Ramadan Hajj seminar; organic gardening workshop; youth I’tikaf; and Ramadan Jihad Against Poverty distributions of food parcels and hygiene packs.
CMRM 2014 Annual Report June 2015 The CMRM 2014 Annual Report was submitted to the AGM on 28 June 2015. It features reports of 2014 masjid activities related to Jihad Against Poverty; Youth Empowerment; Gender Justice; Environmental Justice, Interfaith Solidarity and Global Justice Campaigns. In addition it reports on activities for CMRM’s 160th year celebrations, which were held in 2014.
Al-Mizan Ramadan
Al-Mizan Mawlud
June 2015 Features tributes to mu’adh-dhins Imran Adams (13yrs) and M. Nur Baderoon (11yrs). Articles relate to inspiring and honouring our youth on June 16; a youth response to ISIS; and a book review of What is a Madrasa? (Ebrahim Moosa, 2015). Activities highlighted include Ramadan 2015 programmes; lunar calendar workshop; course on Islam Beyond Violent Extremism; and vigil against gender-based violence.
December 2015
This page is dedicated to the memory of Faiez Martin (d May 2016) who did the layout of most of the above publications. May Allah grant him a high place in Jannah, Insha-Allah.
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Features tribute to Shaykh AbdurRasheed Brown (d 2015). Articles relate to embracing our neighbours at Christmas; elderly care; a new thinking for economic emancipation; double standards in reporting terror attacks; and faith as disruption. Activities highlighted include the annual environmental justice seminar; CMRM 2015 youth camp; collaboration with East Carolina University and visit to the masjid by Micklefield Grade 3 learners.
P U B L I C AT I O N S
‘Id al-Fitr 2015 – Celebrating the Social Justice Legacy of Mandela
Id al-Adha 2015 - Fostering Inclusive Muslim Cultural Traditions & Practices
In this ‘Id al-Fitr khutbah Imam Rashied Omar urges us to honour the legacy of the pre-1964 Mandela. He urges us to take forward the struggle for social justice and to challenge the systemic and structural inequalities that are at the root of the current malaise of economic deprivation that a vast majority of our population still find themselves in. He suggests that the struggle for social justice today encompasses a struggle for systematic transformation and moral regeneration.
Islam and Extremism Course Reader
In this `Id al-Adha khutbah Imam Rashied Omar reflects on the Islamic imperative that celebrates human diversity and beneficial customary practices. He argues that culture is constantly evolving, and that the current scale of migration of people will continue to have a huge impact on local cultures and identities. He proposes that South African Muslims need to foster inclusive cultural traditions and practices by embracing local African cultures as well as the cultures of refugees and migrants from other parts of the African continent.
This collection of papers provides the reader with a deeper understanding of the Islamic ethics of violence and peace and situates extremist acts within concrete sociohistorical and political contexts. The papers examine the major ethico-legal principles on Peace and War in Islam and apply these to analyze the theological justifications and political motivations of contemporary Muslim extremist movements. The papers also suggest possible ways in which we can mitigate the spread of Muslim extremism by identifying Islamic resources for peacebuilding and effective strategies for social justice.
The Socio-Spiritual Dimensions of Hajj
Collection of Khutbahs on the Environment
In this collection of khutbahs, Imam Rashied Omar elaborates on the various sociospiritual dimensions of hajj. In particular, he draws attention to the symbolic significance of some of the rites (manasik) of the hajj, rather than treating these rites as ends in themselves. The collection of khutbahs draws together symbolic themes related to hajj, like compassionate love, alleviating hardship, parent-child relationships, perseverence and sacrifice.
This publication contributes to the growing body of Islamic literature on and about the environment. The book aims to provide a much-needed teaching and learning resource for Muslim leaders and teachers as well as youth groups. Significantly, this book aims to provide inspiration and motivation for Muslims to use their available platforms as dynamic spaces for meaningful environmental action.
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Contact details: 40-42 Main Road, Claremont, 7708 0216838384 www.cmrm.co.za www.facebook.com/ClaremontMainRoadMosque