The Muslim Youth Movement (MYM) will be having their annual youth camp where a variety of approximately 60 – 70 high school and tertiary students come together. The camp will be from 5 – 8 January 2015 at Rotary Camps in Glencairn. The theme for this camp is “Islamic Identity in a Modern Society: Confronting Challenges” These camps focus on key issues in social awareness, lectures, workshops, cultural evening, sports, skills development and training. A variety of well-trained speakers will address youth on the topics that affects them. It is aimed at ideological development and spiritual uplifment, promoting critical thinking and open debate and developing a spirit of fellowship. Despite being a minority religion, Islam is the fastest growing religion in the world and with this rapid increase; identity becomes a matter of importance. For many people, questioning their identity is irrelevant as they fit into the values and structures of their communities. Yet, worldwide, Muslims have established their own common community because of their affiliation with Islam. Essentially, a Muslim’s identity is his religion. For many young Muslims living in the 21st century brings many challenges that previous generations have not encountered. The pressure of giving into the “norm” of western society is immense and often we do not know how to confront and deal with these pressures. We find it difficult to fit into a world that is so different to the way we were raised and the values that our Quran set out for us. We struggle ...

A delegation of  10 young leaders from South Africa departed on Thursday 11 December for a two week International Youth Leadership Programme under the auspices of the Al Azhar Youth Leadership Institute in Jakarta, Indonesia. The SA Group is accompaned by Sr Mariam Gillan (extreme left). Naeema Hussein Alkout and Nazneen Vilbro are Awqaf SA Youth Ambassadors. In the meanwhile, The Muslim Students Association is holding their Summer Camp in Cape Town. Awqaf SA, as a supporter of both wishes them all the best.    

RECORD NUMBER CONTESTANTS FOR 1st National Qira’a Competition in Gauteng A record number of over 60 competitors, ranging from 9 to 42 years old, gathered at the magnificent Nazimiye Masjid (aka Turkish Mosque) in Midrand on 7th June for the first ever Qur’aan recital competition to be held in Gauteng. The South African Qur’aan Union (SAQU) and Awqaf South Africa teamed up to host the event that turned out to be a huge success. Reciters from as far as Northern Natal, North West and Mpumalanga took part in the competition that produced some of the highest quality of Qur’aan recitations rendered by young South Africans. Foreigners from some 10 countries including Egypt, Turkey, Tanzania, Malaysia, Comores and Palestine who are attending local Madaaris (schools) also competed and gave the competition a distinctly international flavour. The event was broken into four categories , viz; Junior (under16), Intermediate (under19), Senior (under 23) and Open (24 and over). The courage and quality of the young reciters in the under 16 age group impressed the eminent panel of judges. The long programme was crowned by a superb recital by Ali Sulaiman from Tanzania (who is the Imaam at the Masjidul Islam Mosque in Brixton, Johannesburg) in the Open category and he ran out the clear winner as he impressed the judges in all the required aspects of reciting the Holy Qur’aan. Sulaiman has been a student at the Darul Uloom in Newcastle and his versatility and impressive voice will stand him in good stead ...

The KZN edition will take place on Fri 30 May at Al Ansaar Hall, Durban, whilst the Gauteng chapter is scheduled for 7 June 2014 at the Nizamiye Complex (Turkish Mosque) in Midrand. The competition is open to male participants of any nationality. Contestants will be evaluated on their ability to present and recite the Qur’aan beautifully, and not on their memorization skills,  hence participants need not have memorised the Qur’aan in order to compete. There is no entrance fee and all are welcome to attend and participate. Participant registration and further info: Applicants for the KZN event should contact Madrasah Tarteelul Qur’aan on 0832682801 or ismailmtq@gmail.com whilst Gauteng applicants may register online at https://awqafsa.org.za/application-2014-qiraaah-competition-gauteng/ All general Information, rules, and guidelines are available at: https://awqafsa.org.za/general-information-and-guidelines-2014-qiraaah-competition/ These events will also culminate in a national tour by an amazing international Qur’aan reciter. For any further info, contact 083 277 3216 or chairman@quranunion.co.za Kindly bc to interested parties

Dear friends and comrades, The Muslim Youth Movement, in its commitment to development of grass roots activism, community political participation and challenging the power structures of society, will be hosting an Election Debate on 28 April in Crosby, Johannesburg. The Election Debate forms part of the build up to the Elections in our 20th year of Democracy, and on the backdrop of massive inequality, the platinum sector strike, the rise of NUMSA’s United Front, Nkandla scandal, the government’s unwillingness to pass the Muslim Personal Law, the progress of the international Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions Movement against Israel, and other social contributors. The Election Debate is titled: Unresolved Issues Concerning the Muslim Community: Venue: Nana Memorial Hall, 65 Foyle Avenue, Crosby, Johannesburg Date: Monday, 28 April (Public holiday) Time: 14h00 – 15h30 Event page: https://www.facebook.com/events/619775398106809/ The Debate will interrogate party manifestos on issues of Land Redistribution, Palestine & BDS, Economic Transformation & BBEE, Service Delivery, Religious Freedom & Muslim Personal Law, and will allow for the public to have their voices heard through a Questions and Answers session. National Executive members from the following parties will be present: ANC, EFF, DA, Agang, and Al-Jama-ah. Also, part of the panel will be a representative of the recent No Vote! campaign. For more information, email gauteng@mym.za.org or call 0763042376. Please see attached poster. Wa’salaam.