THERE were scenes of joy at Mvezo, the mountainous birthplace of Nelson Mandela and the court of the area’s chiefs Wednesday 14 August 2019, when 10 cows were slaughtered as part of the Islamic Eid ul-Adha festival. The festival remembers Abraham’s sacrifice when his son was replaced by a ram. Called Qurbani, the meat is distributed to poor. Hundreds from the Mvezo community queued up to be given the sacrificial meat under the watchful eye of Inkosi (Chief) Zwelivelile Mandla Mandela.  Content hosted by iono.fm Tasneem Adams filed this report on the Chief Mandla Mandela tour of Mvezo Royal House of Mandela. The cows were donated to the local community of Mvezo, a rural district 40 kms south of Mthatha, by the NGO Awqaf South Africa and the Turkish Diyanet Vakfi as part of their # SharetheCare Qurbani programme.  Speaking to tribal elders, guests and community members, Mandela said that the Transkei had a precious resource – its land – and massive potential. There were 3.2 million cows, 6 million sheep and 7 million goats in the region, and local farmers needed to be empowered in animal husbandry. “An ox, for example, is bought for R2, 000 by a white farmer, fattened for 60 days and then resold for R17, 000. We need to break this cycle. We need to educate our farmers to benefit directly from their own resources,” he said. Mandela also said that aloes, which grew on the hillsides, were an untapped natural resource. Environmentally sustainable methods ...

Celebrate Women’s Day by honouring Islam’s greatest women Fatima al-Fihri founded the first known university more than 1000 years ago, the University of al-Qarawiyyin in Fez, MoroccoPrincess Zubaida ordered and sponsored a series of wells, reservoirs, and artificial pools to provide water for Muslim pilgrimsSaartjie van de Kaap, the daughter of a freed slave, became the first women to make a waqf for the first masjid in Cape TownThe women of Damascus have been crucial in supporting waqfs as teachers, leaders, and contributors. The University of Al Quaraouiyine Now it’s your turn to honour these women and follow in their footsteps by supporting our network of local waqfs. Pledge your support today. Donate Now! FNB Account Name: AWQAF SA Account Number: 62052040145 Branch code: 254005 Ref: Cell number/Waqf

Awqaf SA joined the 67 minutes for Peace Initiative by the Cape Argus. Young people from accross Cape Town gathered at San Souci Girls High School to share messages of how they can bring about peace in their communities. These inspirational young people have been supported by the groundbreaking work undertaken by community peace builder and academic Professor Brian Williams. The leaners will form part of the Peace Ambassadors programme and have produced 67 essays on how they view their communities and how to bring about peace within them. Awqaf SA deputy CEO, Mickaeel Collier addressed the gathering and shared some personal experiences of visiting war torn countries and the destructive effect violence has on communities. He further encouraged the young learners to become active participants in the process of social change and encouraged the gathering to #SharetheCare. #MandelaDay #Madiba #youthdevelopment #peace Media Press Clippings Cape Argus Front page article Radio Radio Islam presenter: Annisa Essack conducted a post-event interview about the Mandela Day program and she focussed on the Peace Ambassador Program during her interview. Here is the podcast of the interview: click here Radio Islam interview: Peace Ambassador Program Photo highlights High School learner presenting her Peace essayHigh School learner presenting her Peace essay Cape Argus Editor: Aziz HartleyAwqaf SA Deputy CEO: Mickaeel CollierFaseegah Rossie presenting her Peace essayHigh School learner presenting his Peace essay

The Winterveldt Muslim community has worked diligently to establish a working model to eradicate poverty through sustainability, education, economic activity, and unity. Under the guidance of the Winterveldt Madressah and  Winterveldt Shura Council, the community has formed a network in the community which has established the following: The Winterveldt Madressah was established in 1983 and currently has 215 students and 19 in private Muslim schools under the their bursary program. The  Umveliqangi Winterveldt Jum’a Masjid has a Waqf (endowment) borehole that provides the community with free water. Their  Burial Scheme offers facilities for burial ablutions and insurance cover for the community. They have formed the Phakamani Business Association which boasts a membership of 58 Muslim businesses. Under their Waqf property portfolio, they have managed to build a retail centre comprising of four shops. Chairs and tables that were donated by Awqaf SA The rental received continues to support and maintain their community institutions and it’s activities through empowerment and financial aid. Abdul Rahim Nkumane, who is the chairman of the Winterveldt Jama’a mentioned that: “These projects collectively serve as a prototype and model for sustainable community development. “ To compliment the valiant efforts of the Winterveldt communitiy, Awqaf SA has sponsored desks and chairs on behalf of their generous donors. Awqaf SA takes this opportunity to express its sincere gratitude to the donors/ waqifoon who have contributed generously towards the upliftment and support of the communities efforts to achieve growth and sustainability. May Allah reward them all abundantly for their ...

The South African Muslim community is mourning the loss of Dr Shawkat Ali Thokan, a man considered the pioneer of the Islamic movement in South Africa. His death follows a period of illness. Dr Thokan was the driving force behind many of the national organizations in South Africa including Muslim youth movement, SANZAF, Islamic Medical Association and Awqaf SA. Dr Thokan played a pivotal role in the religious, educational and socio-economic progress of the Muslim community and society as a whole.  His contribution to Islamic organisations has transformed the Muslims community and has left a remarkable legacy. “Shawkat, as we fondly called him, was not only co-founder of Awqaf SA but father, mentor, guide, over seer, always positively encouraging and motivating the establishment of institutions within the Muslim community. He stood firmly behind the establishment of Awqaf SA together with a team of dedicated and passionate professionals, businessmen, brothers and sisters,” says Awqaf CEO Zeinoul Abedien Cajee. “At the outset, he provided the patronage and the platform through his Islamic Research Centre for the presentation of the blueprint for the most innovative and visionary institution that would impact not only on the lives of Muslims but also the broader community. And then also going beyond the borders of South Africa to many other countries. The seeds of waqf proliferation were planted deep…the trees never to be uprooted, still standing firm since 2000, still providing fruits, Alhamdulillah.” Combining his medical practice with the demanding challenges of shaping the destiny of young ...