The Bicentennial Commemoration of the Unbanning of Islam & Religious Freedom in SA:  1804-2004

AWQAF SA initiated and facilitated a community wide programme to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the unbanning of Islam and religious freedom in South Africa (1804-2004). 

The commemoration was an important milestone in the history of South African Muslims and  belongs to the whole Ummah, especially in the present day local and global context. The commemoration  involved all Muslims to work together in a programme of activities and events that  sent a strong message to both Muslims and non-Muslims about the oppression suffered by Muslims as a religious minority in SA, as well as the positive contributions made, and, contributions to be made in all walks of life, including empowerment, nation building, and poverty alleviation. Muslims were called to reflect on the role that they played since 1994 and their future role as an Ummah.  The commemoration also coincided with the 10 years of Democracy.

Several activities took place in collaboration and cooperation with various institutions and organizations countrywide.

Bicentennial Commission:  Dr RAM Salojee; Dr A Razack Moti; Sr Soraya Hassim; Y Cajee; Dr AK Elgoni; Sh E Gabriels; Premier E Rasool; Sh A R Salie; Dr Salie Abrahams; Sh T Najjaar; E Jadwat;  Ml Yusuf Patel; Mohamed H Dockrat

“The action adopted by the trustees of the National Awqaf Foundation of South Africa in initiating this community programme to commemorate the second century of the unbanning of Islam; and religious freedom in South Africa is not only proper but also commendable. As citizens of this wonderful country, we celebrate not only our religious freedom but also a decade of political freedom.The mercy of the Almighty Allah, coupled with the magnanimous gesture of the present government, implore pertinent, constructive and proactive contributions from the Muslim community, a community which unreservedly shares and enjoys the rich and vast resources that we are blessed with. ”

Excerpt from Justice Mahomed Jajbhay’s speech delivered at the Awqaf SA 1st Bicentennial Commemoration Public Briefing Meeting, Nana Memorial Centre, Johannesburg. Read More

Further achievements:

Children of Islam Bicentennial Jalsah

  • Gathered over 7000 people
  • involved over 50 Madressahs, schools, and youth groups
  • mobilised over 150 volunteers
  • served 10000 pies and 20000 sachets of water
  • staged over 50 cultural items
  • involved around 300 children on stage
  • Messages of support from The Minister in the Presidency, Mayors, Ulama, organizations, and hundreds of people.  

Listen to the Bicentennial Theme Song. Click here

The BICENTENNIAL COMMEMORATION ACHIEVEMENTS:

Jalsahs in several schools: Jhb Muslim School, Orient Islamic School (Durban), Roshnee Muslim School (Vereeniging), Anjuman Islam (Durban), Ladysmith, AsSalaam (KZN), Al Huda (Klerksdorp) Nurul Islam (Lenasia)

Cape Town March

Radio Programmes: SABC, Channel Islam; Radio Islam, Al Ansaar, The Voice

TV: SABC Morning Live, ETV, ITV.

Print: The Star, Al Qalam; Muslim Views, Cape Argus; Sunday Tribune, Indicator, Lenasia Times, Southern Globe,

Public Briefings: Johannesburg, Cape Town; Durban

Bicentennial Commission formed with broad support from leading Ulema, business, academics, and professionals

See Message from the Presidency

Songs: Produced and broadcast a theme song and the national anthem in Arabic. Recorded on CD. 

For a detailed report on the Bicentennial achievements, Click here