Make a waqf for your everlasting reward.    Waqf…(pl: awqaf)  or Sadaqah  Jariyyah (continuous or recurring charity)  is a means for thawaab al Jariyyah (continuous or recurring benefit).  A Waqf is an Islamic charity with a difference. It is a capital gift to Allah. In other words, the donation that you make, no matter how small or big,  always remains in the form of a capital asset eg investments, properties.  The waqf donation is made by benefactors or donors from all backgrounds – male or female, rich or poor, young or old, professional or lay person - for the love of Allah.  Unlike Zakaat. which is compulsory, has a fixed rate and usage is limited to certain categories,  a waqf is 100% voluntary (a mustahab or recommended good deed), can be any amount purely left to the generosity and discretion of the giver, and may be used for any Shariah approved purpose. We call  on you the reader and the community to donate generously towards any of our projects and programmes, firstly as waqf then as any other sadaqah or charity.  

Awqaf SA - 8yrs and growing…   Awqaf SA was established to promote the concept of  waqf and to encourage Muslims to make waqfs for social responsibility and other humanitarian projects and programmes including the empowerment of communities. Indeed we have several challenges ahead, now in its 8^th year, we thank the community for their support and pray that this institution grows from strength to strength for the benefit of the Ummah and the broader community. Most of all …benefit to the donor… because a waqf is ongoing or everlasting charity. 

2007 Audited AFS presented at  Jhb & Cape AGM.    Two separate AGM’s and report back sessions were held in Johannesburg and Cape Town where the CEO / management reports, Board of Mutawallee Chairpersons Report,  together  with the Audited Annual Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2007 were presented and discussed. This newsletter highlights many of the item reported.  

Giving Vision to the Poor through Cataract Camps.   Awqaf SA donors, the Pakistan Community of SA, and the Islamic Medical Association of SA have joined hands in  co-sponsoring cataract  operations among the poor and indigent in Sebokeng, Gauteng.  Since its launch by the IMA in 2005,   403  cataract operations were done giving back their vision at no cost to the patient. Dr Shabbir Hussain,  senior ophthalmologist of the project said “It costs between R7000-R14000 for a single eye operation. These are done free of charge in our Camps. There is a backlog of 300 patients at Sebokeng  and thousands more at the country’s largest eye hospital St Johns. Patients are on a waiting list until 2010. We would like to thank Awqaf SA donors, the IMA and the PC for their support”.  Patient Thandiwe who just had her operation done said: “May God bless all. I can see now and I am so very happy”. Donors may make contribute any amount as  Waqf/Sadaqah Jariyah  or alternatively contribute towards a  cataract operation.

IIIT Cape Town Meeting.  Awqaf SA, the Office of Br Ebrahim Jadwat, and the Muslim Students Association of the Cape facilitated the Annual Meeting of  scholars and researchers of the US based International Institute for Islamic Thought (IIIT)   in Cape Town earlier this year. More than 40 scholars deliberated on various academic issues. IIIT has produced several publications in English including the famed “Maqasid al Shariah” (objectives of the Shari’ah) by Ibn Ashur, the 19^th century scholar from Morocco. Awqaf SA also signed an MOU of cooperation and friendship with IIIT.

Researching Awqaf SA.  Interest in Waqf,  sustainable charitable giving and community development is receiving much attention these days from all quarters. Madeline Eckerode, a second year  Humanities  student from Philadelphia, USA recently spent 6 weeks with Cairo based  Waqf organisation and 2 weeks with Awqaf SA doing a comparative study between the two countries and two organisations. Madeline was sponsored by a Foundation with a travel study grant.  Wouldn’t it be nice if we too could provide study travel grants to our students and revive our spirit of  travel-learning?    

Maths & Literacy Upgrade Project.  Now in its second year, the Maths and Literacy  Upgrade project for disadvantaged kids  has kicked off in Pimville, Soweto with Sr Ghadija Willams and the Kip McGrath franchise in newly formatted model. We hope to grow this project inshallah with your support!  Learners come from extremely poor backgrounds and their mathematics marks are a around 20% when they enter the programme. In some cases, as with Sibongile, marks shot up to 80%. This is really amazing. The school Principal is very cooperative and enthusiastic. “The kids confidence has been boosted since they started attending these special classes. We are very happy and we hope to empower our children together with Awqaf and Kip Mc Grath” . It costs R250 per child per month. Or you can contribute to a Waqf fund for sustainable funding of the project. We envisage growing this project to around 10 tuition centres in the short to medium term. The project has been given a thumbs up by the Hon Deputy Minister of Education, Enver Surty.  

Dr RAM Salojee Biography Project.  Awqaf SA signed an agreement with author-biographer Br Haroon Aziz to sketch the Life and struggles of Dr Rashid Ahmed Mahmood Salojee (popularly known as Dr RAM Salojee). The project is part of  the “Leaders and Legacies” project of Awqaf SA whereby over time, leaders who have made their mark in contributing to the wellbeing of the Ummah and the broader community will be honoured. The biography project is sponsored by  designated donors.  

Community Leaders Waqf  Fund. Awqaf SA together with the business and donor community are launching a Community Leaders  Waqf Fund. This Fund will support downstream empowerment and poverty alleviation projects and programmes. The funds will be named after specific leaders who have made contributions not only to the Muslim Ummah but also to the broader community in South Africa. The first of these will be the “Rashid Ahmed Mahmood & Sarah Salojee Waqf”. 

Dubai Waqf Conference.  A group of 5 delegates attended the Dubai International Waqf Conference during February 2008. A presentation was made about  Muslims in South Africa and Awqaf SA by  Br Zeinoul Abedien Cajee. Several other speakers including Dr Tariq  Abdullah who emphasized the civic nature of  the waqf institution and asked governments to back off. The conference focused on investment of Waqf funds and its challenges. Several side meetings were also held between Awqaf SA delegates and other organisations including the Dubai Awqaf and Minors Foundation.     

Scholarships to LMS Learners. 3 learners from previously disadavantaged backgrounds attending the Lenasia Muslim School (LMS)  are bring co sponsored  by the school and  a  special waqf established by a donor through Awqaf SA. We encourage this kind of sponsorship as it empowers the broader Muslim community from all racial and cultural backgrounds and helps breakdown racial and other barriers between established and emerging communities.

Singapore Waqf Training.  A direct outcome of the MOU between Awqaf SA and the Muslim Religious Council of Singapore (MUIS),  Brs Raaghieb Najjaar(deputy CEO) , Br Yusuf Jassiem, and Sr Asma Hassen attended a  gruelling two day  Waqf Training Seminar in Singapore.  The seminar focused on minorities in South East Asia and some European countries including Spain. The foreign delegates commented that they have a great deal to learn from their South African brothers and sisters in so far as the development of Awqaf goes.  Thanks to the South African Muslims for their support and duas for the development of Awqaf SA. While we have a long way to go, we also have a lot to give! Inshallah.  

School Greening – Nizamia Islamic School.  The School Greening project initiated by Awqaf SA in partnership with the Association of Muslim Schools is now in its 4^th year. Thus far Tshwane Muslim School &  Al Ghazali College (Pretoria/Tshwane),   the Orient Islamic School (Durban), and Nizamia Islamic School were awarded cash prizes from Awqaf SA for the magnificent outreach projects their schools initiated through this project. The projects are carried out in nearby poor and impoverished schools and communities.   

Muslim Charter.  Awqaf SA is facilitating with the support of the United Ulama Council of South Africa the development of a Muslim Charter. The Muslim Charter aims to provide a common understanding for the Ummah about our vision, mission, relationships, and challenges facing us today. The Muslim Charter will also serve as a reference and directional tool for the Ummah.  The Noble Prophet (saw) established the Medina Charter. Why can’t we do one that works for us? It is envisaged that a wide range of consultations will be held with various stakeholders and that an expert drafting team comprising of lawyers, ulama, and others will be engaged to start drafting a document as a proposal before it has wider acceptance. This project will inshallah be a major milestone for the Muslim community of South Africa.   

Symposium on Islamic Civilisation in Southern Africa 2009 for Cape Town.  Cape Town is to get the next International Symposium  in 2009. That’s official. An MOU has been signed by the two major partners (Awqaf SA and the OIC Research Centre for Islamic History, Art & Culture  (IRCICA)). According to Dr Halit Eren, Director General of IRCICA, research and documentation about Muslims in this region is of paramount importance and we will endeavour over time to develop literature on heritage, contributions, struggles,  and achievements in this region. More information will be made available through press releases in due course.   The 2006 Conference proceedings are currently under publication review.   

Oriental Plaza Heritage Project.  Several heritage sites are located in and around the Fordsburg, Vrededorp, and Newtown precincts. Awqaf SA has initiated discussions with the Oriental Plaza Body Corporate  to earmark the Red Square that is located within the Oriental Plaza area together with a Museum. Another heritage site close to the Oriental Plaza is the Hamidia Musjid. These sites should attract tourists to the area and will also be a very informative and educational experience.  

UKZN – Waqf Studies Module.  The University of KwaZulu Natal (UKZN) and Awqaf SA entered into a MOU whereby UKZN will introduce a Waqf Studies Module as part of their Islamic Law Certificate Programme. This came as a direct result of the International Waqf Conference held in 2007 in Cape Town. Awqaf SA views the study of Waqf or Islamic Endowments as paramount in spreading the awareness and expertise around the topic of Waqf. Several other Universities, colleges, and darul ulooms will hopefully, inshallah, also introduce the programme in due course.

Dialysis Clinic.  The SA Dialysis Foundation sadly lost its founder and patron Br Mohamed Hanif Dinath. (May Allah be pleased with him).  The project is now being reconfigured with the help of a team of doctors and the Dinath family. The cost per treatment in a private medical  facility are astronomical and public facilities are sometimes not accessible.  Currently the project manager,  Br Yusuf Dinath  is negotiating with various parties, including some of the major private clinics in an effort to continue the service at a reduced/subsidized cost.    

Waqf is Amazing – 2500 Fruit Trees for the Poor.

Awqaf SA together with its partner SA National Zakah Fund (SANZAF) have launched a  Fruit Tree Sadaqah Jariyah - Waqf project as part of its food security and empowerment programme. Initially 2500 trees will be planted on householder plots in poor and disadvantaged communities. The public are asked to contribute R50 towards a tree. These trees will be cared for by the plot owner, and in time the beneficiaries may create a market to sell their fruit to earn and to enjoy. The trees planted  will also be counted towards the UN Millennium Goals.

Building bridges and working relationships forged.  Awqaf SA operates with a policy of cooperation, working unity, and partnerships. In so doing, various organisations and institutions are engaged from time to time. On an ongoing basis, Awqaf SA encourages the signing of MOU’s between itself and other organisations, both locally and abroad.. During the current year MOU’s of friendship and cooperation were signed with Nurush Shabaab,  the Islamic Medical Association of SA,  and the International Institute of Islamic Thought (USA) (IIIT).  Awqaf SA was also invited and attended separate meetings  with the Organisation of Islamic Conference (OIC), IQRAA TRUST, the United Ulama Council of South Africa (UUCSA), and the Muslim Students Association of the Cape  for talks on mutual cooperation, building relationships, and charting our future.

Kuwait Waqf Forum focuses on Youth.  Awqaf SA officials attended the annual Waqf Forum on the invitation of the Kuwait Awqaf Public Foundation (KAPF)  during December 2007 in Kuwait City.  Several international and local speakers presented issues facing youth and the various youth activities sponsored by the youth waqf. Should’nt we be paying more attention to our youth?  

At the same time, meetings were also held with various departments of the KAPF to learn about their operations and to forge a closer relationship. Awqaf SA also to the opportunity in meeting with other Kuwait based organisations such as the Africa Muslim Agency headquarters, Kuwait Finance House, and the International Islamic Charitable Organisation.

3^rd issue of the awqafINSIGHTS Journal Magazine.  2008 will soon see the publication of yet another issue of the awqafINSIGHTS  Journal Magazine inshallah. The magazine has become an annual publication with articles about  Islamic Civilisation in South and Southern Africa. The magazine portrays our history, heritage, challenges, and also features our contributions, aspirations, and achievements. This year ‘s theme is “Leaders and Legacies” . If you want to obtain a copy  kindly send an amount R50 (incl p&p) together with your mailing address. 

Help to Xenophobia victims.  Islam is totally opposed to any form of xenophobia, racism, and arrogance. We regret that xenophobic violence erupted in SA. Muslim organisations and the community at large across the country rallied to support victims  of Xenophobia. Awqaf SA joined SANZAF in supporting especially mothers and babies with daily meals and other requirements. According to Amien Jacobs, Sanzaf Director (Western Cape),  over 400 Xenophobic victims are being cared for at the shelter based at the Youngsfield Military Camp.

The Masjid Waqf.  Awqaf SA is proposing that Muslim Jamaa(t)’s  establish a Masjid Waqf Fund in their own communities for their benefit as well as for poor, refugee, and emerging communities. More info on this initiative is available from Awqaf SA. Should any Masjid committee or Jamaa be interested in this project, you may contact Awqaf SA.

Awqaf SA receives Finalist Award.  Awqaf SA was one of five finalists in the Corporate Social Responsibility section of the Islamic Finance Business Awards for 2007 for "Excellence and Outstanding Achievement."

1% Per Month Waqf Campaign.  In South Africa, trade union members contribute 1% of their salaries to their respective trade unions. In Singapore, every working Muslim contributes a regular amount of upwards of R20 per month into a single Mosque Development Fund.  Members of the Aga Khan community in India and East Africa contribute 20% of their salaries into their central community Fund.  If you are a monthly earner or we call on you to make a regular monthly donation as waqf. Please sign up for the 1% per month campaign. This an ongoing campaign to make waqf accessible to all. Your waqf is protected by Mutawallees. 100% of your  waqf  donation is invested. Only income derived from waqf investments is used for downstream projects by Awqaf SA. Click here for 1% per month debit order form.

Free Islamic Inheritance Calculation Service.  Awqaf SA provides a free Islamic Inheritance calculation service. The calculation is computer based and is calculated according to Shariah principles. The software was developed in India. If you are keen to know what proportions your heirs will inherit, send an email to Awqaf SA together with details of possible survivors. NB the enquiry must be sent by email…and it is free.

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 INTERNATIONAL MUSLIM THINK TANK MEETS IN CAPE TOWN.

 

In what will be a first for Cape Town and South Africa, the annual conference of the Islamic think tank, The International Institute of Islamic Thought (IIIT), will convene for its annual conference in the Mother City. The conference will take place between 20 – 26 January 2008.

 

The International Institute of Islamic Thought (IIIT) was established in 1981 in Pennsylvania as a private, non-profit, academic and cultural institution dedicated to promoting research, publications and conferences related to Islamic thought and contemporary social sciences.

 

The delegation will be hosted in South Africa by the Office of Ebrahim Jadwat (a long standing associate of the IIIT), Awqaf South Africa and the Muslim Students’ Association of the Cape.

 

As a platform for the Islamization of Knowledge paradigm, the Institute has become a forum through which Muslim scholars have rekindled an ongoing debate on Islamic intellectual endeavour and thought.

 

The Institute is committed to the development of Islamic scholarship in contemporary social sciences and humanities and is dedicated to the revival and reform of Islamic thought. Its methodology is to help Muslims deal effectively with modern social challenges and ultimately contribute to the progress of civilization, by giving it a specific meaning and direction derived from Divine guidance.

 

As part of its strategic objective the IIIT serves as the foremost think tank in the field of Islamic education, culture and knowledge. It is a vehicle through which a comprehensive Islamic vision and methodology, that will help Muslim scholars in their critical analysis of contemporary knowledge, is formulated.

 

The IIIT board and executive members comprises of the foremost scholars, academics and intellectuals in the Muslim World, including the Leading Islamic Theologian Dr. Yusuf Al-Qardawi, the former Finance Minister of Malaysia, Dr. Anwar Ebrahim, the exiled Iraqi leader Dr. Ahmad Totonjie and the Founder and Rector of the International Islamic University (IIU) in Kuala Lumpur, Professor Dr. Abdul Hamid Ahmad Abu Sulayman, to name a few.

 

Whilst in South Africa the IIIT members will also be holding meetings with key Muslim Organisations, Academics and Government Officials.

 

For more information contact:

 

Mickaeel Collier [Awqaf South Africa]

082 2164269                                                                        

Mickaeel@kingsley.co.za                                                  

 

Ebrahim Jadwat

083 2707180

zohrar@ideals.co.za

 

Yusuf Mohamed [MSA of the Cape]

082 5566044

ymohamed@rosmead.co.za