Background - Muslim Assembly (Cape)

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Islam guides us to the worship of One ALLAH, The Right and Perfect IDEAL which our nature desires and to the acceptance of the Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H.) the Final Messenger of Allah, the Right Leader for all aspects of life for all humanity. Islam gives us our identity, religion, culture, moral and social codes, legal system, even guidance concerning our food and drink, and in our daily prayers, we face One Universal Qiblah. We are given our guidance from birth, all through life, in death, in burial, in the afterlife and in resurrection for the transformation of our personalities in Tawhid (The Oneness of Allah).
Those who believe, those who are truthful Muslims, accept this basis unconditionally (the acceptance of Islam is the total and unconditional surrender to the Will of Allah Alone.) Accepting the basis is not enough, for Islam is a dynamic, complete, universal and eternal guidance, and Muslims are exhorted to enliven and manifest their belief to free themselves and humanity from fear, oppression, slavery and ignorance.

At a representative meeting of Muslims held at the Green Point Track in Cape Town on Sunday 31st July, 1964, responsible members of the community were mandated to proceed with the formulation of a Muslim Assembly to cater for the spiritual, social, moral, educational and economic upliftment of the Muslims. The Steering Committee assumed this responsibility which they discharged to the best of their abilities and within the general framework of the Shari’ah (Islamic Law)

Men with vision and foresight, concerned and perturbed about the state of affairs of Muslims, answered this clarion call and constituted themselves into a Steering Committee with the set purpose of executing and implementing the resolution. They were aware of the highly disorganised and confused state of our people and of the many disrupting forces and alien influences militating against the Muslim body polity.They were aware of the social erosion, the disintegration and the needs of the community!

Dr. H M Kotwal, inspired by his belief in Islam through sheer conviction, supported by a committed band of people, taking into account the confused and disorganised state of affairs of our people, was the motivating force in the formation of the Muslim Assembly.
Dr. Kotwal armed with his understanding of Islam, his education and vision, realised the need to help uplift and consolidate the Muslims in the Western Cape by creating a platform and organised structures through which our people could be helped and given clear direction. He realised that factors like poverty, the apartheid policy, lack of education, organisation and ignorance exacerbated the disorganised and confused condition of our people.
Something had to be done to help remedy the situation to bring about educational, social, economic and spiritual upliftment and to create the awareness of being Muslim.
In spite of obstacles and opposition, Dr. Kotwal with his dynamic leadership and his team fearlessly carried on with the task of establishing the Muslim Assembly.
He was concerned about the:
1. The Status and rights of woman,
2. The lack of fundamental Islamic Education and proper structures,
3. The State of masãjid and madressas
4. The lack of clear understanding of basic concepts of Islam.

Through dedication, sincerity and sacrifice, the Steering Committee designed and set in motion the formation of the Muslim Assembly (Cape) which will serve to fulfil a long-felt need in the community to champion the cause of Muslims and to look after their interests. The launching of the Muslim Assembly (Cape) was hailed as a historic occasion and an important milestone in the reformation and reconstruction of Muslim society at the Cape.

On Friday, 7th July, 1967, in the City Hall, Cape Town, the Muslim Assembly (Cape) was inaugurated in the presence of a distinguished guest, Dr. Ishtiaq Hussain Qureshi, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Karachi (Pakistan). On this occasion members of the Muslim Assembly were inducted in a very solemn and moving ceremony, when Dr. I.H. Qureshi administered the Oath, which was affirmed in unison by the members of the Assembly.

The constitution was drafted which complied with the requirements of Islamic Law and conformed to rules and regulations of procedure and administration.

The preamble of the Muslim Assembly was taken from the Holy Qur’an, chapter 3 verse 104, and reads as follows:
“Let there arise out of you a band of people inviting to all that is good, enjoining what is right and forbidding what is wrong, they are the ones to attain felicity (success)”
The entire structure of the Muslim Assembly is built on this particular verse of the Holy Qur’an and the draftsmen of the constitution found guidance in this verse and drafted the constitution accordingly.

The Muslim Assembly dedicated itself:
1. To work for the spiritual, educational, social and economic upliftment of the Muslims by consolidating Muslim Society.
2. To foster and assert Islamic Values.
3. To establish and maintain Islamic institutions.
4. To assist and guide Muslims by propagating Islam.
5. To solve problems through mutual consultation and arbitration.

Controlling Bodies
1. General Assembly
2. Board of Trustees
3. Executive Council
4. Muslim Assembly Trust
5. Additional Trusts

Standing Committees
1. Planning Council
2. Board of Guardians
3. Finance Committee
4. Fundraising Committee
5. Education Committee
6. Women’s Council

The principal function of the Muslim Assembly is to organise and to centralise the activities and endeavours of the Muslims in accordance with the tenets of Islam. It will serve as the fountain head of formulation and planning through consultation on the highest level. The implementation and the execution of the plans will be done through the Offices of the Muslim Assembly, sub-stations established in various areas where Muslims predominate, associate bodies and supporting members.
The Assembly will arrange conferences and appoint fact-finding commissions to gather and correlate information on any matter affecting the Muslims for purpose of planning and formulation.

The Emblem of the Muslim Assembly (Cape) represents the Ka’bah surrounded by six bundles of five sticks each.
The Ka’bah is a symbol of Unity of Allah Almighty and a monument of the brotherhood of Muslims all over the globe. Referred to in the Holy Qur’an as “My House”, The Ka’bah is a source of inspiration not only to those who gather there annually, but also to each and every Muslim in his / her daily offering of the salah and because of his \ her personal relationship to The Creator.
The six bundles represent the six articles of Faith (Arkans of Iman) and the five sticks represent the five pillars of Islam (Arkans of Islam).
Each and every aspect of Islam is symbolised on the Emblem, the Ka’bah representing the unity and solidarity of the Muslim Nation, bound by its faith in One True Creator; the bundles of sticks are a reminder of the Basic Declarations of Belief in the Deen of Islam.

“Verily, in the Messenger of Allah you have an excellent exemplar”.
Holy Qur’an (chapter 33 verse 21).
Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) is the human practicality of Quranic guidance. His entire conduct is the translation of belief into action i.e. conduct in Tawhid.
In all of its endeavours, and steps taken, the Muslim Assembly (Cape) will be guided by this verse from the Holy Qur’an.

“SAY: Truly, my prayer and my service of sacrifice, my life and my death are all for Allah, the Cherisher of the Worlds”.
This pledge taken by every member of the Muslim Assembly (Cape) is a portion of the Holy Qur’an (Chapter 6 Verse 162)
The verse is abundantly clear in that it serves to remind us that our whole life must be dedicated to Allah Alone. The members of the Muslim Assembly (Cape) have therefore pledged themselves to an oath of the utmost responsibility, to serve Him and His Cause for the common good of all on earth and in the hereafter.