Keeping you in contact with your community
18TH EDITION October 2007 ­- Ramadaan 1428
Inside this issue
Message from the Premier
PAGE 2
The Scarf of Contention
PAGE 3
Cancer Can Be Beaten
PAGE 4
A Cross-Eyed Democracy
PAGE 8
ISLAMIC MEDIA AGENCY CC
ck 2002/001313/23
Editor: Sanaa Petersen
Religious Contributors: Dr Abdul Malik
Printers: Independent Newspapers
Lifestyle Editor: Tasneem Ameer
Travel Writer: Fairuz Holliday
466 Lansdowne Road,
Lansdowne, 7780
Tel: 021 697 2294 •Fax: 021 697 2304
Email:info@islamicmedia.co.za
Website: www.islamicmedia.co.za
QUDS DAY – INTERNATIONAL DAY OF
SOLIDARITY OF THE OPPRESSED
Hundreds of protesters marched from District Six to Parliament on the 5 October 2007, to commemorate Quds Day. An international day of solidarity to
remind the world of the cruelty, injustice, massacres, genocide, assassinations, torture and brutality that Zionist Israel inflicts daily on the Palestinians.
In the words of Golda Meir on the 15th June 1969: “There was no such THING as Palestinians. It was not as though there was a Palestinian people in
Palestine, considering itself a Palestinian people … They did not exist.” [Sunday Times 15/6/1969] Pic by Sanaa Petersen
TAKE ME BACK TO BOYCOTT EDGARS
OLD CAPE TOWN STORE IN KC By Yumna Dalwai-Jacobs
Calls to boycott the Edgars store in Kenilworth centre by
concerned Muslims have been brought to a halt following
swift action by the Edcon group. This follows a prelimanary
investigation into complaints of religious discrimination from
Muslim staff of the Edgars store. The staff allege that the
store maanager had not given adequate time to allow them to
break their fast in. The allegations caused a stir amongst the
Musilm Community who in turn called for a boycott of all
stores until the matter was resolved.
A sales consultant at the store, Sieraaj Benjamin, reportedly
told the Media that he was not allowed to leave the floor
at iftar to break his fast. Benjamin said that there were 10
permanent Muslim staff at the Kenilworth branch and those
working on the late shift during iftar were only allowed to
break fast with dates and water.
The Director of the Human Resources Department, Dr Urin
Ferndale says that the matter had been dealt with immedi-
ately after the complaint was issued. According to the official
statement by the Edcon group the issue arose from misunder-
The Kinders van die Ses performed at the Cultural Extravaganza held standing and miscommunication between staff and manage-
at the Good Hope center during September. The Cultural Extravaganza ment at the store. The statement further says all reasonable
showcased a plethora of local resident cultures such as the SA Youth Choir, attempts have been made to accomodate Muslim Staff during
Khoi dances, Boere orkes, Kwezi marimba dances, Indian melodies, belly
the month of Ramadhan. A list of guidelines and have also
dancing, Portuguese, Spanish and Greek folk dancing. The Extravangaza
been established by the department.
was hosted by the Three Cord Family Development Services and the City
of Cape Town.
Pic by M. Yusuf Karriem
 2 October 2007 ­- Ramadaan 1428

NEWS BITES
Compiled by Sanaa Petersen

RESPITE FOR BAD
CREDIT RECORDS
The Credit Amnesty is a window
of opportunity for you to restore
your financial reputation. A judg-
ment against your name means you
cannot get a home loan, a car loan,
or any other form of credit. It also
means that your creditor can send the
Sheriff of the Court to attach your
possessions – and this could hap-
pen at any time in the next 30 years.
Sheriffs typically attach belongings
worth 10 times the debt because most
things are sold for next to nothing on
public auction. If you have a judg-
ment under R50 000 against your
name that has been there since before
1 September 2006, and if you settle
the debt before 1 September 2007
then, in terms of the Credit Amnesty,
the judgment will be removed. Call
the major credit bureaus to check if
you have a judgment against your
name. TransUnion can be contact-
ed on 0861 482 482 and Experian
on 0861 105 665.
TSA Changes Rules for
Headdress Searches
at U.S. Airports
Millions of Sikh, Muslim, South Asian,
and Jewish passengers worldwide will
be affected by the new airport screening
procedures as of August 4, 2007. The
Transportation Security Administration
(TSA) sudden change in policy includes
mandatory secondary screening for all
travelers wearing any form of headgear
- including religious headdress. In addi-
tion, secondary screenings of religious
headdress are now permitted even if a
passenger has already been cleared by
a metal detector.
The TSA refuses to inform the public
of what the new policy entails, on
the grounds of security concerns. It
took the Sikh Coalition staff members
almost 36 hours simply to get a con-
firmation that the policy had indeed
been changed, let alone details of the
new procedure.
tion sends a powerful message about
the way we evaluate history and the
need to embrace multi-cultural knowl-
edge,” said Verheyen.
MEDIA24 MAGAZINES
MISREPRESENTS
CIRCULATION
Nine Media24 magazines division
employees are facing disciplinary
action and potential criminal charges
over the “deliberate manipulation” of
circulation figures at five Touchline
Media titles and seven Women's
Magazine Division titles. It has been
confirmed that Touchline Media
founder and MD, Marc Blachowitz,
who suddenly resigned last week in the
midst of the scandal, is one of the nine
being investigated. Media agencies are
now also taking legal advice.
The ABC announced early October
that audit circulation certificates for
the five Touchline titles had also
been withdrawn and their member-
ship of the ABC suspended. The
Media24 magazines affected from
both divisions are: Men's Health,
Sports Illustrated, Shape, Wisden
Cricketer, Kick Off, FairLady, Sarie,
True Love, Leef, InStyle SA, True
Love Babe and True Love Bride.
US Muslim Magazines
Improve Image
CAIRO — With glossy covers,
modern layouts and polished writ-
ing, Muslim magazines are fanning
out across the shelves of American
newsstands to address the imperfect
representation of Muslims in the US
media, reported the Chicago Tribune
on Saturday, October 6.
"I think there is a whole wave of new
publications that are arriving from the
second generation with a ! great urge
to express themselves," said Ihsan
Bagby, professor of Islamic studies at
the University of Kentucky. "They're
trying to lay out a viewpoint that
corresponds to that second-genera-
tion mentality: more moderate, more
engaged in society."
With eye-catching design and high-
quality photographs, the magazines
are discussing Muslim culture in
the intellectual and social contexts
of the West. They discuss different
issues ranging from foreign poli-
cy, women's empowerment to teen
fashion. "There is a tendency on
the part of non-Muslims to view
Muslims as a monolithic 'other,' and
the need to exhibit the many dimen-
sions of Muslims was very important
to me," said M. Salahuddin Khan,
the Chicago area-based publisher of
Islamica magazine. "In so doing,
we are communicating the essential
humanity of Muslims."
YOUNG MUSLIMS
HOST INTERFAITH
BOEKA
By Mariam Salie
The Muslim Judicial Council – Youth
Desk (MJC) and Muslim Students
Association of the Cape (MSA),
hosted a Mass Intercultural Iftaar at
the Sea Point promenade on the 28
September 2007.
The MJC and the MSA of the Cape
partnership aimed to stimulate
‘Nationhood’ amongst the different
faiths and actively work on com-
mon challenges. In light of this the
programme was titled “Building a
moral nation”.
“The Iftaar programme was open
to all faiths because we wanted to
encourage and motivate our youth
to focus on been part of developing
our beautiful country,” said Moulana
Abdul Khaliq Allie, secretary-gener-
al of the MJC.
The young partnership recognised
the key role religion plays in the
moral reformation of youth. “We also
hope to promote religious tolerance
amongst the different (faith) groups
and show that it is possible to live
together in harmony and learn from
each other,” said Ashiq Allie, presi-
dent of the MSA.
Premier Ebrahim Rasool breaking his fast
at the MJC-MSA interfaith boeka held at the
Sea Point Promenade on the 28 September
2007, marking the 15th of Ramadaan
pic by M. Yusuf Karriem

Message from the Premier of the

Western Cape Ebrahim Rasool on the
Holy Day of Eid-Ul-Fitr
Muslims throughout the Western Cape will join their brothers and sisters worldwide to celebrate Eid-Ul-Fitr at the end
of Ramadan.

As we know, Eid-Ul Fitr, which takes place on the first day of Shawaal, is one of two celebrations on the Islamic
calendar, the second being Eid-Ul-Adha which falls on the 10th day of Dhul Hajj during the 12th month.

The day commences with the sighting of the new moon the night before and marks the end of the immensely
spiritual month of Ramadan during which Muslims strive for higher levels of self-discipline, introspection and
solidarity with the poor. This is achieved through fasting, regular prayer and charity.

Eid-Ul-Fitr provides an opportunity for the Muslim community to strengthen kinship, to honour the elderly, to
remember those who have passed on and to make peace with those we have hurt or who have caused us hurt.

It also allows us to focus on how to maintain and strengthen the positive lessons that Ramadan has taught us.
In this respect, we are presented with an opportunity to commit to ongoing social solidarity, empathy with those
less fortunate than ourselves and tolerance of those who appear different to us.

These are also the qualities that we need to achieve our Home for All: a wisdom and understanding of the
needs and difficulties of others, and reconciliation that brings us closer to all our brothers and sisters in
the Western Cape.

I wish all who celebrate this holy day.

Eid Mubarak! (A blessed Eid)
Or, as we say in Cape Town: Slamat vir Labarang!
Ebrahim Rasool
Premier of the Western Cape
 October 2007 ­- Ramadaan 1428
3
THE SCARF OF CONTENTION
O
by Mymoena arnold

ne of the many contemporary
challenges facing Muslim
societies today is the matter
of Hijaab. Constantly under the spot-
light, consistently debated, enjoying
diverse commentary and strong, dif-
fering opinions within Muslim and
non-Muslim quarters. It is an issue
that has incurred the verbal tirade of
many a traditionalist and raised the
intellectual ire of many a modernist.
Recently an email circulated entitled
“The Scarf” landed in my Inbox.
Curious to see how other muslimah
would respond to this poem, I sent it
out with this very request. The opinions
I received, needless to say were varied.
This article shares some of the response
with you, and follows with some of my
humble thoughts on the issue.
Respondents:
(Our sisters wanted to remain anony-
mous, we respect their decision and
appreciate their expressions)
All I have to say is a woman must
cover her ourah which is from her
head to her toes. Why do we
cover ourselves when we make salaah
and who are we fooling. Sister 1
I will bat for the author of the poem If
Nura Alia Hossainzadeh is referring to
Muslim women then what she says is
true. We don't have to look far either.
Yes, I can poke holes in her poem as
well like the first thing is what is 786
- where does this come from , where
does it say that means Assalaamu
Alaikum. But what she says it is the
truth- and it speaks to all of us. Sure
I can relate/understand your thoughts/
position, however, the bottom line is
to cover our ourah is a command from
Allah (swt) not a decision I can make
some time in my life or whenever I
feel that I have reached a spiritual level
and then decide to cover my ourah .
Allah (swt) does not even prescribe
that we must wear top and scarf - we
say we must wear a top with a scarf.
Allah (swt) says -basically to a womens
"dress code" 1) as long as it protects
you from the elements (weather) 2) the
clothe should not show her shape/form
3) and she is dressed so that another
man looks at her with desire period.
Sister 2 Good points. But is her
approach in the poem constructive,
ie, are we likely to attract 'bees' with
honey or lemon? "And argue with
them in ways that are gracious"-H.Q
"I so rightfully thrust away all the
things that the devil brought about"
-1) ALL the things? 2) Does she mean
Shaitaan, or the 'devil' within our very
own souls?
Michelle Serroukh a recent revert to Islam
enjoying the boeka at the masajid in Tafelsig.
Pix by – Sanaa Petersen
sion. Also hijab does not necessarily
determines the character of ones who
adorn it. Hijab is more than material, its
character and behaviour as muslims.
I do feel the poet's pride (in an honor-
able way) in wearing her scarf and I
admire her for it.
I understand for a muslimah her hijab is
her protection and beauty from immo-
rality and a symbol of respect. Although
many sisters wearing hijab are not treat-
ed as such, this should not deter us from
continuing to adorn our beautiful garb
that Allah SWT guides us to wear.
I would like to highlight Hijab is not
just a scarf, its our whole being. I see
many sisters wearing a scarf yet the rest
of their awrah is visible, for example
they wear figure revealing jeans with
short t-shirts with a scarf ..hmm this is
a tad offensive as it seems a mockery
because I understand hijab should be
covering the awrah as a whole.
May we all continue on the right path
and carry out our duties as muslims.
May Allah make it easy for us..
ameen! Sister 4
It is more than clear that varied inter-
pretations exist to this issue.
But of course, Divine instruction does
clearly outline how we as Muslims
(both male and female), should garb
ourselves. Thus human interpretation
at any level is not really a neces-
sary consideration to that which is
deemed acceptable and that which
is not acceptable, as laid out in the
Divine Law of Allah (swt). However,
this does not only apply to dress, but
every other aspect of our personal
lives, and the relations we share and
enjoy with near and dear ones, within
our marriages, the workplace etc. Each
facet is interdependent and interlinked
with the other. Thus in short, the one
facet of life is incomplete and inef-
fective without the other. Judgement
itself rests with Allah (swt) alone.
The point this debate highlighted was
how easily we fall victim to our own
internalised biases and prejudices, that
we have allowed to be fed and nur-
tured from various sources for varied
reasons, with little compunction and
protest. We happily welcome these
divisive forces to rule and dominate

The Scarf devoted to them, the

devotion
es
Sister 3 True, although I do believe
that even though guidance comes from The perception is also created that
our objectivity, our sense of com-
passion, understanding and empathy.
that so mercilessly captur Allah, sometimes that exact guidance 'good muslim sister' = scarf and my We succumb to responses filled with
of indi-
from them all they know
ade h
By: Nura Alia Hossainz comes in very different ways, which understanding is that Islam is a lot judgement and condemnation, and we
...
rts, so viduality is why I decided to send it onto more than outward appearances, but make ourselves believe it is okay to
They stand there with sho ...a nd I proudly pull my scarf my friends (most of whom do not about developing yourself as a human approach debates and issues among
short, excessively short, hair
capture over my wear scarf) and who knows perhaps being and about making a positive and ourselves in this manner, because the
shorts that so deceptively And the stand there, tal
y king of it makes an impact. All too often we meaningful difference in society, even instruction is as clear as day in our
from the m all the y kn ow gels
getting new shorts, new forget that Allah knows best and there- when others might not agree with your Holy Quran. We forget so quickly, that
of modesty... s, new boyfriends, struggle against injustice. Sister 5 good conduct, humbleness and humil-
scarf and color
fore we need to encourage our sisters
I pro ud ly pu ll my
...a nd materialistic things to remember that and why we are ity, goes hand in hand with a modest
ov er my hai r gfully capture from required to wear our scarf. Sometimes Very true, I hadn't thought of it as u say, outward appearance.
nd the re, fac e los t in a that so wron
They sta them all they know we even lack in offering support to but it is indeed very true! subhanAl-
sea of make-up, and love... those who in fact might just need/want lah. There was a lecture I was listening Thus in conclusion, it is important to
y cap- of God
make-up that so ruthlessl ...and I proudly pull my
scarf it…….True what you say. I've never to the other day about hijaab and the approach contentious issues among
know
tures from them all they over my hair
really seen it in that way. imaam was saying that if a woman ourselves in a manner that would
starts wearing hijaab after years of not encourage honest, constructive dia-
of freedom... is my protector, my
pro ud ly pu ll my sca rf For my scarf And it brings to mind a piece of advice wearing it, Allah will turn those days logue, ensure harmonious relations and
...and I lover, my devotion, I like to give : "Never compare your- of not wearing into days of wearing leave just enough room for enlighten-
over my hair my pureness, my beau
ty, my
re, hai r rai nin g self to the worst of people. It is then hijaab. How great and Merciful is our ment to steal its way in without protest
They stand the rememberance of God, that you unknowingly place yourself Lord? "and which of the favours of and reservation.
with gels, colors - I proudly pull it over
my
em ica ls tha t so me nacingly And t wh en I we ar in a category among them". your Lord can you deny?" Hijaab is a
ch owing tha
tur e fro m the m all the y know hair kn form of ibaada' So my sisters by just What are your thoughts? We would
cap it, And yes.. Allah does know best. Hijab wearing your scarf in the presence of like to hear from our sisters and
all the
of purity...
sca rf I so rightfully thrust away is part of our faith as it's a fard in quran. non-mahram men, we are in constant brothers. Please email us on info@
...and I proudly pu ll my
things that the devil However I feel hijab may not always worship of our Lord. islamicmedia.co.za – fax 021 697
over my hair ught about, be a choice for sisters to wear and 2304 – sms 074 227 4345
nd the re, so clo se, so bro am
Th ey sta
ver ", And when I put it on, I depending on circumstances, many are This woman/poet understands her
ver y clo se to the ir "lo compelled to refrain from wearing as deen Alhamdulilah Sister 6
Free...
their livelihood depends on this deci-

Superior Insurance
Brokers cc
FSP 1228 – Members of Insurance
Brokers Council of S.A. Lentegeur, Mitchells Plain
Specialists in Motor Insurance, Domestic, Commercial
and all other classes of Insurance, Life Assurance
Tel: 021 372 1106

Fax: 021 372 1110

Wishes all Muslims a Do not do wrong,

joyous Eid ul-Fitr cruelty & injustice;
wrong, cruelty & injus-
tice will not be done to
105 Repulse Road, Rylands Estate 7764 you! AL-QURAN 2:79
Tel: (021) 691-3900 • Fax: (021) 691-4767
Cell: 082 491-0720 • Email: sib.igsaan@telkomsa.net
 4 October 2007 ­- Ramadaan 1428

COMPETITION TO DISPEL THE FEAR OF

NUMBERS HOSTED IN JOZI
T
he Ucmas development
programme was pio-
neered in Malaysia in
1993 and is currently offered
in 32 countries worldwide.
The success of the pro-
gramme is based on a unique
approach that relies on devel-
oping right brain activity.
The programmes have been
described as ‘math lego’ and
‘mental aerobics’ as it stimu-
lates young minds using the
abacus in a way that is fun
and engaging. It dispels the
fear for numbers and builds
a competitive foundation in
maths and science.

For more information

contact: 011-447 6714
www.ucmassa.co.za
Ucmas a mental development programme hosted their National Annual Competition on the 2nd of September 2007 at the Great Hall at Wits University,
Johannesburg. Photo supplied.

You invited to the 2nd International

Oriental Dance Festival
M
arina Rehbein (Ajsa
Samia) and “Palace of
the Winds” will host the
2nd International Oriental Dance
Festival at the City Hall, Cape
Town from the 03 - 04 November
2007. Two days filled with intense
fun and workshop with an interna-
tional Oriental Gala evening on the 3
November at 8pm. Their star guests
are world re-known belly dancer
Leyla Nahrawes from Germany and
International belly dancer Artemisia
from Belgium, as well as a Greek
folk dance group, Gypsy dancers
and top belly dancers from Durban,
Johannesburg and Cape Town.
The organisers have pledged to
donate the proceeds of this festival
to the Saartjie Baartman Centre
situated in Athlone. The Saartjie
Baartman Centre is a safe place for
women who suffered abuse.
“Women who have been sexually
abused automatically lock their
hips as a way of dealing with
the shock of what has happened
and this prevents them from fully
relaxing. In the long term this
can create a number of physical
problems. The belly dancing is an
excellent way of loosening up that
whole area,” said Marina Rehbein,
executive director of “Palace of
the Winds.” Given her background
of being a medical nurse, Marina
uses belly dancing in a therapeutic
manner, helping people to regain
balance, litheness and movement
after illness, injury or surgery as
well to help abused women deal
with the physical trauma of their Soothing belly dance movements the feeling of relaxation allevi- tion. For more information contact
abuse. “Belly dancing help women such as rolling the hips, figure of ates stress. Weight-bearing exer- Marina Rehbein on 021 701 2993
through the physical trauma of the eights and undulations can help to cise can prevent osteoporosis and or 073 810 9208 – log onto www.
abuse, by aiding them in claiming alleviate congestion in the pelvic strengthen bones. There are also ajsasamia.com
back their bodies as their own,” area. Circulation to the pelvic area social and emotional benefits of
said Rehbein improves and at the same time, belly dancing such as stress reduc-
She offers free weekly lessons
to the women of the Saartjie
Baartman Centre and encourag-
es other women to join in. “It is
important that the abused women
are not taught in isolation, they get
a feeling that they are part of the
community again,” she said.
Oriental or belly dancing is a fas-
cinating combination of body con-
trol and dance in which swaying
hips, undulating torso and articu-
lated isolations are employed in
a range of emotional expressions
accompanied by fiery, passionate
music. Learning to belly dance
involves using muscles in your
body that you have probably never
used before and may feel awkward
at first. When movements are done
properly, the pelvis is tipped for-
ward, or tucked somewhat; neu-
tral positions that can help prevent
lower back problems.
The movements of oriental dance
make an excellent prenatal exer-
cise regimen that strengthens the
muscles used during the childbirth
process. During those first weeks
after giving birth, when caution is
needed while healing from the birth
process, these movements work the
muscles gently and effectively, if
done very gradually.
Photo supplied.
 October 2007 ­- Ramadaan 1428
YOUR ATTITUDES DETERMINE YOUR ALTITUDE - UUCSA
T
O ALL OUR BUDDING
MATRICULANTS FROM
THE UNITED ULAMA
COUNCIL OF SOUTH AFRICA
(UUCSA)
All praise is due to Allah who
has blessed man with the infi-
nite capacity to learn and may
His choicest salutations con-
tinue to descend upon our
Master whose life personified
true commitment and dedica-
tion.
We are fast approaching the
days when our Matric learn-
ers sit for their final examina-
tions. Matric is undoubtedly
and important milestone in
their lives which serves as
the harbinger of all their future
educational pursuits. The
days leading up to the exams
are often fraught with extreme
levels of stress and anxiety.
Matric exams are probably the
most crucial and vital exami-
nations that you will ever write
sine they eventually determine
your lifelong career options.
It is therefore vital to manage
this stress by turning to Allah
and beffing for His mercy and
guidance. The Quraan exhorts
us to “seek help through per-
severance and salaah” Your
challenge at this important
juncture is to diligently per-
severe in your studies and to
resort to salaah so that you
may attract the help of Allah.
Whenever Nabi (saw) faced
a problem he immediately
turned to salaah and dua.
Remember: “Desire is the key
to motivation, but its deter-
Free software innovators pioneer Zakáh calculations
A leading South African Muslim NPO
has pioneered the first free interac-
tive computer-based Zakáh calculation
software in South Africa. The Zakáh
Calculator is based in the Microsoft
Excel spreadsheet, but is a cust-
omised adaptation of the spreadsheet
functions for the purpose of calculating
Zakáh.
mination and commitment to
an unrelenting pursuit of your
goal – a commitment to excel-
lence – that will enable you to
attain the success you seek.”
Therefore regard the coming
examinations as an opportu-
nity to test your commitment
and drive. “An ounce of per-
formance is worth pounds of
promises.” It is now time for
action, determination and exe-
cution. No problem in life can
withstand the assault of con-
tinued learning and sustained
prayer.
The role of the Masajid and the
broader community is to pro-
vide all the assistance, guid-
ance and Duas. The Masajid
could be used by the students
to prepare for their exami-
nation. Whilst the community
could be supportive in many
ways.
Parents and siblings also need
to play their role by ensuring
that the home environment is
condusive to study. The suc-
cess of your examinations is
dependent on effective time
management, smart studying
techniques, a balanced diet
and regular exercise.
As you approach the examina-
tion phase, it is worth reflect-
ing on the nature of life itself.
Life is but a voyage of test and
tribulations which we need to
face with courage and deter-
mination. We are continu-
ally faced with making tough
decisions and choices. It is
not difficult to make the right
choice if you know what your
values are! Stay committed to
your values but remain flexible
in your approach. “There is
no end to education. It is not
that you read a book, pass an
examination, and finish with
examination. The whole of life,
from the moment you are born
to the moment you die is a
process of learning.”
UUCSA takes this opportu-
nity to convey its sincerest
wishes to all matriculants. We
pray that Allah crowns your
efforts with success and may
He remain on your side as
The software is a product of the South
African National Zakáh Fund and is an
interactive tool designed to expedite
and simplify what can be a tedious
process for the sincere Muslim who
wants to fulfill his or her obligation
towards the third pillar of Islam. The
Zakáh Calculator is only 100 kilobytes
in size and is distributed free of charge
by email to anyone who supplies an
email address.
you take every step into the
future.
Matriculants views
This year brought its own
share of problems. The worst
of it been the September
Preparatory Examination. For
me it has not been one of my
best exams and I pray that
my results will be satisfactory.
The holy month of Ramadaan
has also approached us. It has
been part of our mock exams
and will be part of our Finals.
For many it has been hard at
the beginning as one goes to
sleep late at night after study-
ing, then getting up early the
next morning in order to start
fasting and later at night to
mosque for Taraweeh salaah.
Even though it was hard at
the onset, I got used to the
pace. It also afforded me with
extra time to study after Fajr.
Sameegah Manuel
The Septemer exam was
definitely different to any
other exam, not because of
its importance but because I
knew I never gave it my best.
Personal issues are part rea-
son for this. When the time
came to study, I couldn’t sit
long with my books. I felt
as if I gave up and asked
myself, “Why should I stress
myself like this? What is the
point?” When I knew it was
way too late to start study-
ing. Now that the month of
Ramadaan fell in the middle of
the September exam, it made
it difficult for me to study. As,
well as not having a mother,
it became my responsibility
to make sure food was ready
for boeka time. I constantly
thought, “What can I make for
tonight,” and after everything
was made I found myself too
tired to do anything, let alone
study. However, after Fajr wa
the best time to study, which
helped a lot. Gadija Slamang
I made up my mind to work
extra hard before the finals. My
mock exam was easier than
the June exams. We started
the mock during Ramadaan,
it was a bit difficult to concen-
trate on an empty stomach.
This vision, says Amien Jacobs,
Western Cape administrator of
SANZAF, includes people who do not
have access to computer facilities.
“They may be able to use the software
on a computer at a SANZAF office
in the Western Cape,” says Jacobs.
Anyone who wishes to make use of
this opportunity to use the free Zakáh
Calculator at a SANZAF office should
call 0861 726923 for an appointment.
5
The most challenging subjects
were English and Afrikaans.
Anyway, the saying goes “You
get out what you put in.” My
mother says that fear is the
fundamental reason for most
failures, if your fears get the
better of you, you just cannot
succeed. Aneesah Tofa
For me the Matric Mock exam-
ination was a very challenging
experience. I realize that this
is the beginning of a new era
in my life. The holy month Zakareeyah Panday
of Ramadaan did not affect
me that much as I wrote a
few papers during this month
before. As for the papers that
I wrote I felt very relaxed and
calm. Roeshnie Pillay
The mock matric exam was
a real eye opener. I didnt
expect it to be that challeng-
ing. It showed me that I have
to be better prepared come
october the 10th. The fast is
here to teach one disciplie. It
increases ones state of spiri-
tuality. Preparing for the finals Sameega Manuel
is tough, but you have to be
focussd on the task at hand. I
prepare by going through past
matric exam papers,reading
over my work on a daily
basis,getting enough rest. To
assist me in my preparation i
eat a balanced and nutritionl
diet ane get sufficiant exer-
cise. Remember.... A healthy
body leads to a healthy mind!
Zakareeya Pandey
Roeshni Pillay
Aneesa Tofa Gadija Slamang
Although it is write-protected, there is
no copyright on the software. SANZAF
encourages all users to distribute the
software freely in return for construc-
tive feedback which would be used to
further enhance the product.
Requests for the free Zakáh Calculator
may be sent to info@sanzaf.org.za or
by calling 0861 726923.
 6 October 2007 ­- Ramadaan 1428
Youth revives the spirit of Islam
T
Sanaa Petersen
he Muslim Students Association
of the Cape, which comprise
of the Muslim students from
the University of Cape Town (UCT),
University of Western Cape (UWC),
University of Stellenbosch (USB), the
International Peace University of SA
(IPSA), Cape Peninsula University of
Technology (CPUT) and selected high
schools, pooled their resources to host
its second annual conference titled
“Reviving the Islamic Spirit”. The
conference was held during August at
UCT, with the theme “Living Islam,
Inside Out.”
The conference attracted International
scholars, namely Dr Mahmoud Rashdan,
Dr Ma’moun Al-Mobayed and Dr
Kamel El-Helbawy. Sh Wagdi Ghoniem,
Hafidha Rayhaanah Omar Mohammed
and Anas Al-Tikriti. The over two
hundred Muslim delegates enthusiasti-
cally crammed the lecture hall to learn
and engage with the renown scholars.
The first session of the conference elu-
cidated the interpretation of the hadith,
“Have Taqwa (fear) of Allah wherever
you may be, follow up a bad deed with
a good deed which will erase it, and
behave well towards the people.” Child
psychiatrist Dr Ma’moun Al-Mobayed
interpreted the verse in today’s context
as ‘children brought to the clinic are the
symptoms of their parents’ problems
(behavior).’ Sh Ghoniem advice was
not to ‘separate fardh acts from adhaab’
He further explained that some people
are steadfast with their fardhs but are
bad in character. Anas Altikriti’s inter-
pretation is ‘to make life better is to
develop for all mankind.’
The second day’s programmed focused
on Muslim minorities living in Western
or secular societies. Anas Altikriti’s
topic “finding common ground from
within’, brought a new dimension
to da’wah. He emphasized that for
each trial there are opportunities and
Muslims, whether living in Muslim or
non-Muslim countries should try and
find the common ground that joins
us all. He highlighted that not many
Muslims have studied the Bible or
Taurah, and are grappling with their
“Islamic identity’. He observed that
there were no non-Muslim delegates
and very few white and black del-
egates at the conference. In this con-
text, he interpreted the term daw’ah
as, “ Da’wah means to inform and
invite. Allah guides and converts. We
do not give Daw’ah to Muslims, but
to non-Muslims. We give Naseeqah
to Muslims.”
Dr Al-Mobayed and Dr El-Helbawy
echoed the lesson of ‘finding the bal-
ance’. Dr El-Helbawy said, “No- one
will make your dream a reality except
yourself. Learn to find the balance
between yourself and the external fac-
tors, like your parents, friends and the
environment.” Dr Rashdan questioned
the relevance the past has on the future.
“I interpret the past, present and future
as hindsight, insight and foresight – not
as distinctive eras but it overlaps each
other.” He encouraged the delegates
to build relationships and institutions
that are beneficial and not reactive to
their insecurities, “We build Muslim
institutions to insulate us, but we must
build institutions that can attract non-
Muslims and build our character.”
The only female speaker, Hafidha
Rayhaanah inspired and motivated the
audience to constantly be reflective,
“Our lives need to be permanently in a
legacy of reflection.” She emphasized
that once we understand the importance
of attaining and disseminating knowl-
edge and the legacy and the roles of
women as a collective and individual,
we would not grapple with our identity.
“Allah has chosen rights for us (women)
not lesser roles, but complimentary
roles,” said Hafidha Rayhaanah.
During the workshop session, Dr
Rashdan unpacked the terms modern-
ization of Islam and modernity. “With
respect to globalisation, its communica-
tion that allows us closer (to each other),
not socially. Globalisation means (only)
globalizing of wealth,” said Dr Rashdan
. He questioned if modern day Muslims
created new technology or thoughts.
And, argued that Muslims cannot take
ownership and modernize (progress) on
others innovation, “Don’t fool yourself
as an Ummah that you will Islamize an
innovation or idea.” Altikriti elaborated
that integration does not imply that you
compromise or undermine your values,
“the Muslim community has a 300 year
history of Islam in South Africa – where
are you on the timeline of citizenship?”
The common message from each
speaker was, as Muslims living in a
Western or secular society, they should
question their individual and collective
contribution to the South African land-
scape. “How many non-Muslims are
registered as students in our educational
institutions,” asked Dr Rashdan.
Hafidha Rayhaanah Omar Mohammed,
the only female speaker and facilitator
captivated the female audience by her
presentation of Islam, below are some
reviews from the females that attended
her workshop. The female respondents
were a little shy in their expressions
and wished to remain anonymous. We
respect our sisters feelings and sincerely
thank them for their contribution.
Peer Reviews
Where to start…..at nearly midnight
on the first evening of the conference,
Haafitha Rayhaana was asked to run an
unplanned workshop the following eve-
ning and without hesitation she agreed.
Little did we realize what inspirational
sessions lay ahead……
The topic which she called her gift to
us was Thikr, a way of planting for
ourselves a seed in Jannah. During
this workshop she literally had each
and everyone in the room connect with
Allah in a 60sec exercise that left most
of the women if not all in tears.
She gave us some practical tips on how
to sustain ones remembrance of Allah
by means of implementing the 4 states
of consciousness in our daily lives.
1. I am in Allah’s presence and He is
watching me
2. Everything I have has been given to
me by Allah
3. Nothing in the world happens with-
out Allah’s permission
4. I am going to return to Allah and that
day could be today
She reminded us of 2 things the Prophet
(S.A.W) said people will hanker after
1. Wealth
2. Knowledge
Which one will you choose?
She recommended a cure for depres-
sion, stressing the importance reliance
in Allah, for if one is completely reliant
on Allah then surely you will never be
sad or depressed.
1. Recite Laa goula wala koowata
2. Look at people less fortunate
materially
3. Look at those more fortunate
spiritually
4. Read surah Nuh with it’s meaning
She beautifully reminded us that for
each 72 beats per minute that our hearts
beats it is purely by the permission
of Allah. Create your own spiritually
awaking Quran
We were fortunate enough to attend
a second workshop called Wonder
woman : Serving Faith, Family, Career
and Community. She explained that
women are by nature nurturers. Her
introduction was titled – ‘The initial
stage of positive development’
It started off with a question: WHAT
ROLE DOES ALLAH HAVE IN MY
LIFE (think of this all the time) Ones
relationship with Allah governs all other
relationships. Do we know the 99 names
of Allah with meaning? One can never
love Allah enough. Have you ever won-
dered how love between human beings
exists? She explains, Allah’s love for
mankind is proclaimed in the heavens to
angel Jibreel, then angel Jibreel passes
this message onto to the other angels
and this love finally filters down via the
Almighty to mankind, hence the love we
have for one another is as a result of our
optional deeds that we do.
2. Tazkiyyah:
Take your wholesome qualities and
enhance it. Focus on your positive
qualities instead of the negative quali-
ties. Confidence is knowing that Allah
is always there and to never forget the
essence of motherhood , YOU have
been chosen to nourish another soul.
Ask yourself the question, if the great
Sahaabi e.g. Khadija (R.A) or Aasiya
(R.A) were to see us today, would they
be proud of us? She advised us to place
more emphasis on learning Islam and
to keep a spiritual diary. Look into the
wisdom in making wudu (go back to
basics if need be). Make wudu from the
inside out. Find things to refresh our
Islam, our lives. Learn the commands
and basics of Islam.
Select on Sahaabi and learn everything
about her in order to emulate her life,
adopt something from her character.
She reminded us that time is an amaa-
nah from Allah so use it well.
On a daily basis create a table of needs
vs. wants.
1. Write down all the wants and needs
2. Sort them out
3. Prioritize them
4. Remember Al-Asr (WE don’t own
time, Allah does)
5. Be in a sustained state of Allah con-
sciousness
She suggested some reading materi-
al – Great Women in Islam & Ideal
Muslimah
In conclusion, Haafitha Rayhaana is
an exceptionally inspirational woman.
Her workshops heightened my aware-
ness of Allah and left me feeling more
connected with Allah to a degree which
I did not know was possible, subhanal-
lah. It allowed me reflect on my role,
not just as a Muslim female but as a
mother too. It created the space for me
to identify with my spirituality in an
awesome way. On a whole the entire
experience was phenomenal and as she
so aptly quotes from Iman Al Shafi’ee.
“This life if but a moment, make it a
moment of obedience to Allah”
May Allah reward her abundantly for
her amazing ability to spread the word
of Allah with such ease, sincerity and
piety. May Allah also grant her the
means to reach many more of our sisters
insha-Allah so that we may constantly
revive our Islamic spirit. May our chil-
dren turn to women like her as their
role models.
May we always be steadfast in our jour-
ney towards Allah so that we too may
become true ambassadors of Islam insha-
Allah Ameen. Anonymous
“Sister Rayhaana’s workshop was not
like any I’ve been to before. Her words
were concise yet her message was so
effective. She left everyone present in
the room feeling spiritually revived and
going home with a stronger and more
meaningful connection to Allah and
this beautiful Deen of Islam. Not only
was she able to win over the hearts of
ladies of various age groups who were
present but also she assisted us with
the tools to identify ourselves and our
blessings in being women – especially
Muslim, believing women. May Allah
reward her well for her great efforts in
His Path and may He bless our Ummah
with many more inspiring personalities
as Sister Rayhaana.” Anonymous
“Alhamdulillah, definitely a mem-
orable experience and an inspiring
woman who caught the hearts of every
woman present, young and old…..
May Allah guide us to implement the
beautiful life lessons learnt and keep
us firm on His path Insha-Allah ,
Ameen.” Anonymous.
 October 2007 ­- Ramadaan 1428
7
Reflections of the blessed month of Ramadaan
A
stronomically it has been
calculated that Muslims
will be bidding farewell
to the holy month of Ramadaan.
Celebrating Eidul-Fitr on 13 October
2007. The Astronomical New Moon
is on Thursday, October 11, 2007 at
5:00 GMT (i.e., 1:00 am EDT, or
October 10, 10:00 pm PDT). It will
not be visible on October 11 any-
where in the world, except Southern
tip of South America and Polynesian
Islands in the South Pacific. On
October 12, it will be visible in New
Zealand Australia, Indonesia, South
Asia, Africa and Africas. In North
America on October 12, it can be
seen with some difficulty Look at
the visibilty curve below.

What Ramadaan
means to me ……
By Grade 7 learners of Muhammadiya
Primary School

Fasting for me is the time I train

myself for the other months so that
I can be spiritually uplifted, obedient
and appreciative of my blessings. In
the fasting time, I feel the hunger
of the poor and needy. This teaches
me not to waste food but rather dish
or make donate food those in need.
Sakeenah Kerbelker

The first week of fast is always diffi-

cult. I battle to get up, and once I’ve
eaten I can’t fall asleep again. It is
exciting but also tiring. Everything
becomes easier as the month pro-
gresses. Fasting makes me think
twice about wasting food. After fast-
ing a month I can relate to the poor
people, their hunger pains and how
they are suffering. Haanim Isaacs

Ramadaan makes me feel spiritu-

ally uplifted because it is the month
that our holy book, the Quraan, was
revealed to our beloved Prophet
Muhammad (saw). The feeling of
sharing cake with my neighbours
makes me feel good. I consider this
month a blessing and opportunity
to invest on building on my good
deeds. Malika Jacobs
I think it is amazing how millions of
Believers rich and poor, eastern and
western change the course of their
lives for a whole month. When the
moon is sighted the whole Muslim
world is moved by a single current
from one end to the other. It’s won-
derful how the month of Ramadaan
is welcomed into all Muslim homes.
Raadhiyah Mathee
Ramadaan means sharing, abstain-
ing from the bad and changing to
become better Muslims. This month
is very sacred to me, because the
Holy Quran was send down to us.
And as the Nabi Muhammad (saw)
said, “He who fasts but abstain from
their salaah is a cruel and wicked
Muslim.” Meaning, if you fast and
do not make salaah, then your fast is
meaningless. Marweeyah Wyngaard
During this month I feel pure and
clean. It feels as if I’m closer to
Allah and that the whole world is
in peace and harmony. I know, now
how the poor and needy feels, when
they haven’t eaten for days. For
me this is the most beautiful month
because it teaches one to be tolerant
to one another. Everything seems so
much easier. Kashiefa Behardien
I feel spiritually uplifted and clean
because Allah (swt) forgives all our
sins if we ask Allah (swt) sincerely.
The taraweeg is almost like an exer-
cise because it’s a relief to your food
that you have eaten. Wasfie Price
Ramadaan is a chance to show Allah
how loyal and obedient I am to him.
It is also a chance to be closer to my
Creator. I have to wake up early in
the morning but I am not a morning
person but for Allah I will accept this
prescribed order (rule). I have the
opportunity to get reward for every
good deed. Hani Ahmed Hussein
The excitement is here again with
waking up at four o’clock in the
morning. Waking up that time isn’t
the best that there is because you
can’t go back to sleep once you’ve
eaten. Fasting for 14 hours gives
you a headache and your stomach is
sore after a few hours. At the end of
the day, Taraweeh is performed and
this takes an hour because it is 20
rakaats. Although it’s a rough time,
at the end of the day, it’s you who
will get rewarded. Samir Daniels
In the beginning it is a bit diffi-
cult getting up earlier than normal
Fajr time during Ramadaan to have
something to eat, but I soon get use
to it. During the day I feel hungry
and then I just think of the poor and
needy who do not even have any
food and the hunger pains disappear.
My father and I go to Taraweeg
every night at Darul Na’im Mosque
in Wynberg. M. Ameen Kamalie

119 Ottery Road Wynberg

Tel: 021 797 2498
We wish all Muslims a Joyous and Blessed Eid ul Fitr and
thank our customers for their valued support
 8 October 2007 ­- Ramadaan 1428
Medical aid schemes, private hospitals
under scrutiny
M
edical aid schemes and
private hospitals have
come under fire from
the Health Minister for charging
high fees.
Compared to the public health
sector, private hospitals are high-
ly-resourced and cater for high-
income earners who happen to be
members of medical aid schemes.
The exorbitant fees charged by
the schemes make it difficult for
low-income earners to afford
them and thus, can’t access pri-
vate health care. This has forced
the Minister of Health, Dr Manto
Tshabalala-Msimang, to want to
CANCER CAN BE BEATEN
Wilma Van Der Bijl, former Miss South Africa (1987)
We wish all Muslims a Joyous and Blessed Eid ul Fitr and thank our customers for their valued support
Branches:
Klipfontein Road, Gatesville
021 637 4947
Wesfleur, Atlantis
021 572 6618
intervene.
“Private healthcare sector needs a
coherent regulatory framework to
ensure that it operates in the best
interests of all the citizens of the
country, not just its shareholders.
We cannot afford to allow this
industry to continue to be nega-
tively affected by the cost spiral
that we are currently witnessing,”
said Tshabalala-Msimang.
The Minister also raised concerns
about the high fees charged by
some medical aid schemes. ”
Over the past five years, mem-
bership of medical schemes has
Nu Fabians SHOE STORE WHERE QUALITY SHOES
Shoprite Centre, Paarl
021 872 8496
Kruskal Ave, Bellville
021948 8214
become both static and increas-
ingly unaffordable, thus widening
the gap between the high-income
and the middle-income groups in
terms of access to private health
care,” Tshabalala-Msimang said.
“Medical schemes are registered
as not-for-profit. We need to
ensure that this legal requirement
is met by all schemes to ensure
their viability”, she added.
Representing the medical aid
schemes industry, Dr Humphrey
Zokufa, the Managing Director of
the Board of Healthcare Funders,
acknowledged the problem and
said the current health care sys-
H
ealthy lifestyle, screen-
ing and testing can help
prevent cancer.
According to a report by the
Cancer Association of South
Africa (CANSA), a non-govern-
mental organization working in
the response against cancer, one
in four adults is diagnosed with
cancer during his or her lifetime.
Furthermore, more than 80 000
South Africans die from the dis-
ease every year.
However, Martha Molete, co-
coordinator of CANSA, says up
to 40% of cancers can be pre-
vented by simply adapting a
healthy lifestyle, and frequent
testing and screening. She says
if detected early, one has a better
chance of recovery.
"If you look at cervical cancer,
it's the number one cause of
death among the women in South
Africa. Over 3 500 women die
each year from cervical cancer.
And the tragedy is that those
deaths could have been prevent-
ed had those women gone for
pap smear tests to pick up the
abnormal cells in the opening of
the womb. Sadly, less than 20%
of South African women have
ever gone for pap smears test. So,
ALWAYS COST YOU LESS
Golden Acre, Cape Town
021 421 9669
Plein Str, Cape Town
021 465 9989
tem is imperfect and allows some Kurt Worral-Clare, the Chief
members of the private health Executive Officer of the Hospitals’
care industry to conduct unethical Association of SA, which repre-
business practices to “increase sents private hospitals, agrees that
their remuneratations". there is need for change, but says
there is lot more that needs to be
“The system right now in the done to bring down costs.
health care sector is designed in
such a way that those who par- “There are many cost components
ticipate in it are incentivised to do to private hospitals, some of which
things that have led (to) where we are in our control, while others are
are now. It is not that the people not. Unfortunately, when private
themselves are bad. The people hospitals are asked to consider
are just utilizing the system to do prices, little, if any, consideration
what they can do to increase their is given to the cost of delivering
remunerations. And I am saying health-care services,” said Worral-
we need to then change the sys- Clare. Health-E
tem. ” said Dr Zokufa.
we are encouraging all women
over the age of 30 to go for a pap
smear test", said Molete.
Wilma van der Bijl, former Miss
South Africa (1987), was diag-
nosed with breast cancer two
years ago. Van der Bijl was
going for regular check-ups but
it never cross her mind that a
healthy individual like her could
be diagnosed.
ISLAMIC
"I was utterly shocked. I could
not believe that I was diagnosed,
because I did not fall into the
MEDIA
category of risk factors, which
risk factors will be overweight,
AGENCY CC
over the age of 40, not to have
breast fed your children, smok-
ing, taking oral contraceptives.
& Community
I wasn't into any of the risk fac-
tors, except that I was a little bit
over the 40s", said van der Bijl.
News Team
She says it is important for every-
body to go for regular screening
wishes all
and testing, as there is no one
who is immune to cancer. Muslim s a
"I had been very healthy and
quite young. And if I could get
it, anybody can get it. It is so
joyous Eid-ul
important that we take our own
health into our own hands and
not wait for other people to look
Fitr
after us", she said.
Vangate Mall Retreat Rd, Retreat
021 633 4912 021 715 4985
Stadium on Main, Claremont Gatesville Centre
021 683 5946 021 633 6050
 October 2007 ­- Ramadaan 1428
SHAIKHS EXOTICS SAVOURY RICE
Ingredients
2 cups Basmati rice
1 onion sliced finely
2tblsp butter or oil
1 ripe tomato chopped
1 red pepper cut in cubes
1 yellow pepper cut in cubes
½ punnet of mushrooms, washed
and sliced
½ cup peas
1tsp salt
1 tsp crushed garlic or paste
few strands of Shaikhs Exotics
Saffron ( pour boiling water over
saffron and allow to steep till need-
ed )
10ml Shaikhs Exotics Malay/ Thai
spice
2.5ml Shaikhs Exotics mixed herbs
¼ bunch of fresh coriander / dhanya
(washed and chopped)
SHAIKHS EXOTICS FALOODA DELIGHT
Very easy to prepare and excellent for celebrations
Ingredients
Milk
Ice cream
Flaked almonds and
Raw pistachio nuts chopped
Shaikhs Exotics Elaichi powder
(ground cardamom)
Shaikhs Exotics Superior Rose
Syrup
Vermicelli
Shaikhs Exotics China Grass pow-
der
Shaikhs Exotics Sabja seeds
9
PERI - PERI PRAWNS
Method
1. Boil rice in 6 cups of water and 1tsp of salt. Drain and set aside.
2. Heat butter and add onions. Braise until golden brown.
3. Add tomatoes, garlic salt, saffron, Malay/ Thai spice and herbs and cook
for 5 minutes
4. Add peppers, mushrooms and peas. Cook for few minutes.
5. Add cooked rice and chopped coriander / dhanya. Ingredients Method
Mix well and steam for a few minutes until all flavours have blended 1kg deveined large prawns 1. Marinate prawns in above
into rice. 125ml butter spices and lemon juice for ½
2tsp garlic crushed or paste hour.
2tsp Shaikhs Exotics Seafood 2. Place in a baking tray and
Masala grill for 10 minutes.
1tsp Shaikhs Exotics Paprika 3. Turn a few times during
Juice of 1 lemon grilling until prawns are
1tsp salt pink and juicy.
Baste with leftover mari-
nade when turning prawns.
4. Serve hot with Aziza’s peri
Vermicelli mix Method peri sauce.
1. Boil 1tsp china grass in 1 cup 1. In a tall glass put 2 full scoops of
of water. Allow to set. Grate when vanilla ice cream.
firm. 2. Add 2tblsp of vermicelli mix.
2. Boil 1 cup of vermicelli and
drain.
3. Pour enough milk to top the
glass.
AZIZA’S PERI PERI
3. Soak 2 tsp sabja seeds in 1 cup of
water till it swells out. Drain excess
4. Pour rose syrup over so that it
trickles down the sides SAUCE FOR PRAWNS
water. 5. Add almonds and chopped nuts
4. Mix above ingredients together and a pinch of elachi powder. Ingredients Method
and keep aside till needed 6. Top with sugared rose petals 250ml (1 cup) lemon juice Place all ingredients in a saucepan
(optional) 125ml (1/2 cup) butter and cook until thick and creamy.
5ml (1tsp) Shaikhs Exotics Paprika Pour over prawns just before serv-
Sugared rose petals 5ml (1tsp) Shaikhs Exotics Chilli ing.
(Dip rose petals in egg white, roll in Powder This sauce is best served hot.
caster sugar. Allow to dry.) 5ml crushed garlic or paste
Enjoy! ½ tsp salt or to taste
 10
MAIL BAG – Letters, email and sms
info@islamicmedia.co.za • fax 021 697 2304
sms 074 227 4345
Wishing all Muslims well over
the month of Ramadaan & an Eid
Mubarak…
We trust that the month of Ramadaan
will bring to you contentment and
spiritual upliftment that we all so
richly deserve.
Eid Day: PAGAD Mass Eid Salaah
- Noll Avenue Sportsfield, Athlone
Industria – “Unity is Strength…”
As part of the Ramadaan Programme,
PAGAD will also be collecting & dis-
tributing your Fitrah & Zakaah.
Contributions are payable @ the
PAGAD Office: 68B Camberwell
Road, Crawford
People Against Gangsterism &
Drugs
Assalaam mu alaykum wa rahmatul-
lahi wa barakatu
I would like the Sheikhs to to address the
following issues this year.
A. PLACE SHOES AND SANDALS
IN THE SHOE RACKS.
How often do we have to climb over a
mound of shoes and bring the najis from
other shoes into the masjid.
B. LEAVE OFF THE JEANS AND
PANTS FASHIONS:
Young men , and I dont know about
the ladies, wearing extra long pants,
dragging and cleaning-up the sidewalk
Quran Word for Word in Arabic and English for
Mobiles! - The First Such Software in the World!
Whether on a train, bus or simply got
a minute - take out your mobiles and
start reading and reciting the Beautiful
Quran whilst memorizing and under-
standing the meaning of individual
words in the Holy Quran. Study and
feedback has shown that over 40% of
people who had never read the Quran
started reading it because it was on
their mobiles. How wonderful is that?
It may be emphasized here that
there are around 80,000 words in the
in Haldon Street and dragging this
najis into the Masjid.
C. DRESS APPROPRIATELY.
Young men wearing jeans and pants
hanging off their bottoms and when
they ruku and sujud the sun shines.
Some wearing sleeveless vests show-
ing bushes of hairy armpits.
D. DRESS APPROPRIATELY-
PICTURES OF DOGS AND
ANIMALS IN THE MASJID.
T-shirts with advertisements, rugby
league emblems and pictures of dogs,
barnyard animals and other animals in
the House of Allah., i.e. "bulldogs"
and "roosters" etc.
E. BASE BALL CAPS
Advertising of all brands NIKE etc
F. SMOKING ON THE MASJID
PRECINTS.
G. CONGREGATING OUTSIDE
THE MASJID AND BLOCKING
EXITS
and lastly.,
H. PLEASE DO NOT BE THE ONE
TO BRING MUSIC INTO THE
HOUSE OF ALLAH SWT!
This year let us stop the distractions
to the Honourable Quaris, Sheikhs
and Musallees in Masjids in Lakemba
and elsewhere.
Last Ramadaan the Quari in Lakemba
Masjid was visibly distracted by the
ringtone music of the Rocky movies
from an elderly brother!
We have seen brothers, and I dont know
about the sisters, answering the phones
to have long conversations (even very
quietly this is a disturbance), messag-
ing , comparing the latest Nokia and
Ericcson features, and we have to listen
to a varied range of music tones, music
from the Rocky and James Bond mov-
ies, mobile phone cameras clicking off
, and I don’t know what else next this
Ramadaan.
Maybe this year some bright inno-
vative young man will design the
mobile-phone depository., somewhat
Quran but the actual distinct words
are only around 2000! Meaning, that
if we were to memorize only 5 words
a day, in just over a year we would be
able to understand the whole of the
Quran inshAllah! And for those of
you who speak Urdu, you will find
around 500 common words between
Urdu and Arabic, bringing the num-
ber down to around 1,500!
This software requires NO PLUGINS
for Arabic and works on almost all
similar to the shoe depository.
Salaam Ebrahim
Dear Mr President
We are concerned citizens who fear
that there is a cartel controlling and
monopolising the Muslim pilgrimage
travel industry.
South Africa is one of the most expen-
sive countries in the world, when it
comes to our South African Muslims
wishing to perform the Pilgramage as
we are obligated to by the Religion
Of Islam.
We know this when we meet with our
brothers and sisters from the various
other countries. We discuss our travel
packages and we get very surprised
and Shocked to learn that our pack-
ages are exorbitantly expensive.
HAJJ is the FIFTH pillar of Islam and
only becomes obligatory once an adult
has sufficient funds to undertake the
journey which is once in a lifetime for
many of us.
Many of our people yearn to undertake
this pilgrimage because of it being the
last obligation to complete our faith,
as well as to go and visit the two most
holiest cities of Islam, i.e. Makka and
Medina. Hence our travel agents have
no mercy and charge exorbitant fares
because they know that,out of our love
for our faith , we would pay any price
for this once in a life time opportunity.
All we are asking you MR. PRESIDENT
is to look into this monopoly and bring
the "oppressors" to book. Regulate
pilgrimage prices for the benefit of our
people (like you have done with the
pharmacy industry ).
Have your team investigate this and
also do comparative country pricings
and expose these exploiters, because if
anything , we know and as citizens our
country( from our history) , we would
not tolerate oppression and exploita-
tion from anyone - anytime!!
mobiles there are out there in the
world (Nokias, Motorolas, Symbian,
Palm, Blackberry, Pocket PCs etc).
Log onto - Home Page http://
w w w. g u i d e d w a y s . c o m / i n d e x .
php?ref=w4w>
• Quran Word for Word for http://
www.guidedways.com/mobile/quran-
wordforword/download_quranw4w.
php?ref=w4w>mobile
Thanking You Kindly.
Ed response: We have requested a
response from SAHUC, unfortunately
at the time of publication no response
was received.
Asalaamu Alaikum Brothers and
Sisters
Some of you may have noticed that
many of our Masajid (mosques) have
become beautiful and opulent struc-
tures, (which is perhaps a sign of rising
wealth in the community). While there
is nothing wrong in looking after our
masajid, the consequences of building
palatial structures are worrisome.
For example you will find that most
masajid are locked outside prayer
times, which we are told is a result of
the current crime situation and is to
safeguard the valuables in the masjid.
Had we left the masjid as a basic struc-
ture, with no expensive enhancements,
the facility would have been available
at all hours, which would be especially
welcoming for travelers.
At this time, we should perhaps be
reminded of some hadith relating to
masajid:
* Anas (ra) said: "A time will come
when the people will vie with each
other in (building) the mosques but
very few will attend (the mosques)."
(Ahmad, Abu Daud, an-Nasa'i, Ibn
Majah)
* It is certain that a time will come
when nothing will remain of Islam
except the name, and nothing will
remain of the Qur'an except its trac-
es, and their masajid will be (grand)
structures but will be devoid of (true)
guidance, and their 'ulama (religious
scholars) will be the worst of those
beneath the sky. (Baihaqi)
* Ibn Abbas reports that the Prophet
(s) said: "Whoever builds for Allah
a mosque, even if it be tiny, like
a bird's nest, Allah will build for
him a house in paradise." (This is
related by Ahmad, Ibn Hibban and
al-bazzar with a sahih chain)
* Ibn Abbas reports that the Messenger
SATURDAY AFTERNOON FEEDING 500 MEN, WOMEN AND CHILDREN
in LAVENDER HILL sponsored by Muslim Aid – Australia. For more
information contact Ebrahim Rahman on +27 787 178 517
October 2007 ­- Ramadaan 1428
of Allah said: "I have not been
ordered to build high and lofty
mosques." (Abu Daud, ibn Hibban
calls it sahih)
* Ibn Abbas said: ".You will certainly
embellish them (the mosques) as the
Jews and Christians [embellished
their places of worship]." (Abu
Daud, Ibn Hibban calls it sahih)
Now ponder on the following:
* Instead of extending and beautify-
ing existing structures, should we
not spend money on building basic
masajid in townships?
* If we do choose to spend lavishly on
a masjid, is it then not our respon-
sibility to provide security for the
valuables, to ensure that the masjid
is not locked and is available at
all times - because by locking the
masjid, we will be preventing some-
one from completing their obliga-
tions in the house of Allah?
* By spending excessively on a
masjid, the benefactors sometimes
develop a sense of ownership of
what should be Waqaf property.
The "mosque committee control"
results in a few people deciding
what can and cant happen in what is
meant to be a Muslim public space.
* While masajid are increasingly
extravagant, we skimp on madras-
sah funding and under-paying the
teachers of the Deen.
* We spend exorbitant amounts on the
masajid, yet we provide no facilities
for Muslim youth, allowing them to
fall prey to drugs, sex and gangster-
ism at non-Muslim venues.
* And most importantly - how can we
truly focus on our prayers when we
have the distractions of these expen-
sive adornments.
Save our masajid today by:
(1) Speaking up against committees
who continuously raise funds for
unnecessary beautification, and
(2) Insisting that all masajid are acces-
sible at all times.
May Allah guide us on the straight
path.
Riaad Akhalwaya
 October 2007 ­- Ramadaan 1428
A cross-eyed democracy:
Floor-crossings' bitter pill leads to skewed vision for Democracy in SA.
by Shafinaaz Hassim
T
he current spate of floor-
crossings, earlier last month
can be reduced to noth-
ing more than a game of 'musical
chairs', leaving our not-so-fledgling
democracy in a marshy shambles.
The irrational fluidity with which the
process is undertaken has reduced
participants to amoebic proportions,
what with some councilors resorting
to both bribery and/or physically
beating each other up, as was the
case between members of the DA
and NPP at the midnight deadline
at IEC offices in Pretoria.
Lets be frank, despite the inten-
tions to shroud it in affirming rheto-
ric, the floor-crossing shenanigans
of September raise far too many
questions about our democracy.
Floor-crossing at best, serves only
to legitimate a kind of organiza-
tional head-hunting (or poaching,
if u like) in order to pool and
concentrate top political resource.
The shortsightedness in employing
Table Mountain Declaration Thousands March in D.C. War Protest
By Matthew Barakat
now on the web
T
he World Association of
Newspapers has launched
a new web site to sup-
port the Declaration of Table
Mountain, which calls on African
nations to abolish all laws that
restrict freedom of expression.
The web site, at http://www.
declarationoftablemountain.org,
was launched to coincide with
a call to 192 member states of
the United Nations Educational,
Scientific and Cultural
Organisation (UNESCO) to sup-
port the Declaration at the organ-
isation's General Conference in
Paris later this month.
UNEMPLOYMENT AND
DESPERATION SPIRALS IN GAZA
T
he World Bank warned in
July that unemployment
rates in the Gaza Strip
could reach an unprecedented
44 percent due to the US-led
international boycott of the
Strip after Hamas was voted
to power in January of last
year. The international lending
agency said Gaza's economic
such a devious yet simplistic game
is alarming when one contemplates
the current arrogance prevailing in
the National Assembly.
One might ask what right do our
elected representatives of the
assembly assume in these wanton
and random defections that effec-
tively defy the will of the electorate.
Floor-crossing allows representa-
tives of the polity, elected for the
people, by the people, to defect
with impunity to another party. By
extension, this has been taken to
mean potential defection to either
existing or new parties, reducing
the political trend to a ritualistic
mating ceremony, complete with
garlanding regalia and the works,
and giving birth to some rather
horrendous (and often short-lived)
mutations.
To illustrate the resultant fragmen-
tation, the Government Gazette
informs that twelve new political
parties were registered since June
this year: Christian Democratic
Alliance, Federal Congress,
National Alliance, Social Democratic
Party, National People's Party,
People's Democratic Movement,
African People's Convention, New
Vision Party, Civic Alliance of South
Africa, South African Political Party,
Federal African Convention and the
Eden Forum. All the parties are
registered nationally, except for the
The Declaration of Table
Mountain, issued at the World
Newspaper Congress and World
Editors Forum in Cape Town,
South Africa, in June, calls on
African governments "as a mat-
ter of urgency" to abolish all
laws that restrict press freedom,
to release jailed journalists,
abolish draconian press laws
and recognise the importance
of press freedom for economic,
political and social develop-
ment.
conditions are far acute than
the West Bank, which is ruled
by the Salam Fayyad govern-
ment appointed by President
Mahmoud Abbas in June follow-
ing Hamas's take-over of Gaza.
Up to 50,000 Palestinian work-
ers were laid off due to the con-
tinuous closure by Israel of the
main crossings.
Eden Forum which is registered
municipally. In this way, the flail-
ing opposition is further shredded
to virtual nothingness. As if the
challenges posed by the actual
floor-crossing debacle are not proof
enough, this resultant chaos makes
for debilitating consequences for
democracy in South Africa.
Floor-crossing effectively robs vot-
ers of the mandate given to their
political party of choice. According
to the Government Gazette
released soon after the closing
of the latest floor-crossing period
which ended at midnight on 15
September, some 250 municipal
councilors crossed the floor suc-
cessfully. During this period, the
politico-organisational composition
of 128 municipalities were tam-
pered with.
Since every seat in the National
Assembly represents a significant
proportion of the electorate, the
structural result of every floor-cross-
ing effectively topples the intention
of the voting public. Uncertainty
becomes rampant, both within the
Assembly, and within the sphere
of the political arena. In addition, a
fragmented and weaker opposition
means that the balance of power
is further skewed, and the ruling
party left with a rather unhealthy
apathy regards responsibility to
service delivery and accountability
Several thousand anti-war dem-
onstrators marched through
downtown Washington earlier
this month, clashing with police
at the foot of the Capitol steps
where at least 160 protesters
were arrested.
The group marched from the
White House to the Capitol
to demand an end to the Iraq
war. Their numbers stretched
for blocks along Pennsylvania
to the electorate.
In an interview with the SABC ear-
lier this month, UDM leader Bantu
Holomisa highlighted significant
challenges in the floor-crossing
debacle, that further point to the
shortsighted approach with which
they are undertaken. Holomisa has
pointed out the twin irresponsibil-
ity's of party members who fail to
hand over signing powers (for party
funding) upon defecting, and on
local and provincial councilors who
fail to ensure that this is carried out
effectively.
In numerous ways, floor-crossing
opens the locus of politics to unnec-
essary weaknesses that subvert
the democratic intent. In an effort
to maintain the democratic repre-
sentative balance, defectors must
rather be seen as their label sug-
gests: unhappy to continue in their
representative post as elected and
awarded to them by the will of the
people, and subsequently relieved
of their assumed burden.
The choice to defection, then, is
the choice to be removed from the
sphere of the National Assembly
and/or political sphere. In this way,
the intentions of democracy-affirm-
ing manifestos are upheld. The slo-
gan ''for the people, by the people''
presupposes that the people shall
govern and that the representative
Avenue, and they held banners
and signs and chanted, "What
do we want? Troops out. When
do we want it? Now."
Army veteran Justin Cliburn, 25,
of Lawton, Okla., was among a
contingent of Iraq veterans in
attendance.
"We're occupying a people who
do not want us there," Cliburn
said of Iraq. "We're here to show
11
core shall undertake a balanced
political dynamic in order to ensure
that the needs of the electorate and
the viability of the nation and the
state are sustained. Floor-crossing
has effectively bull-dozed this the-
sis in simplistic arrogance, leav-
ing academics, politicians and the
public baffled at the shortsighted
approaches to representative gov-
ernance and accountability. By
implication, the National Assembly
is reduced to nothing more than a
circus act of wobbly trapeze artists
opting for greener grass job options
above their responsibility to the
electorate. The result: a battering of
devastating proportions to the will
of the people, and gross commodi-
fication of the National Assembly,
and governance in particular. The
challenge is for the representative
balance to be maintained.
For now, the ANC continues once
again, to take an ''eat your veg-
gies'' approach to the floor-crossing
debacle. Come December, when
the ruling party congregates in the
Limpopo Province, one can only
hope that the seriousness of the
situation is given the attention it
deserves and these instruments of
chaos weeded out once and for all.
Shafinaaz Hassim is the author
of Daughters are Diamonds:
Honour, Shame & Seclusion - A
South African perspective.
that it isn't just a bunch of old
hippies from the 60s who are
against this war."
Counterprotesters lined the
sidewalks behind metal barri-
cades. There were some heated
shouting matches between the
two sides.
The arrests came after protest-
ers lay down on the Capitol lawn
in what they called a "die in" —
with signs on top of their bodies
to represent soldiers killed in
Iraq. When police took no action,
some of the protesters started
climbing over a barricade at the
foot of the Capitol steps.
Many were arrested without a
struggle after they jumped over
the waist-high barrier. But some
grew angry as police with shields
and riot gear attempted to push
them back. At least two people
were showered with chemical
spray. Protesters responded by
throwing signs and chanting:
"Shame on you."
The rally was organized by the
ANSWER Coalition and other
groups.
 12
SLAMAT VIR LABARANG!
The month of Ramadaan is a fes-
tive one with Muslims openly shar-
ing and caring for their brethren.
The masajids a hype of activities,
with bumper packed programmes.
Sadly, all these festivities abrupt-
ly come to an end for our ‘new’
Muslims. Their ‘Ramadaan’ family
all gone home to celebrate Eid ul-
Fitr, leaving them all alone in the
masajids.
“After the Eid salaah, Muslims
go and greet their families, leav-
ing reverts alone at the masa-
jids,” said Dr Quick, the director
of the Discover Islam Centre in
Lansdowne. The Centre supports
new Muslims through education-
al, youth and social programmes.
Each new Muslim receives a sup-
port pack containing literature, a
salaah mat and a copy of the
Quran. On Eid day, after Thur
salaah, Dr Quick and the Discover
Islam Centre will be hosting a fes-
tive programme at the Taronga
Road masajid. Inbetween your
family festivities, please give
salaam to our new Muslims and
support them on the road to Allah.
For more information contact the
Discover Islam Centre on 021 696
8375/6 or 385 Lansdowne Road,
Lansdowne, 7780.
NOTABLE NEW MUSLIMS
• Éric Abidal (changed his name
to Bilal) - French soccer player
, converted to Islam after mar-
riage.
• Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (Lew
Alcindor) - retired basketball
player & the NBA's all-time lead-
ing scorer
• Abdullah Ibrahim - South African
Jazz musician
• Mike Tyson (Malik Abdul Aziz)
- former heavyweight boxing
champion of the world. Converted
while in prison after being con-
victed of rape
• Tariq Abdul-Wahad (Olivier Saint-
Jean) - originally from France,
former basketball player for the
Mavericks and Kings
• Ivan Aguéli (Johan Agelii) -
famous Swedish painter
• Muhammad Ali (Cassius Clay),
famous boxer
The Muslim Judicial Council extends its outreach programme to Tafelsig, Mitchell’s Plain.
PIC – M. Yusuf Karriem
• Rowland Allanson-Winn, 5th
Baron Headley - British soldier
• Muhammad Abd-al-Rahman
Barker (Philip Barker) - pro-
fessor of Urdu, former chair of
the University of Minnesota's
Department of South Asian stud-
ies and creator of the Tékumel
fantasy world.
• Józef Bem - Polish-Hungarian
general, considered a national
hero of Poland.
• Mohammed Knut Bernström
- Swedish ambassador to
Venezuela (1963-1969), Spain
(1973-1976) and Morocco (1976-
1983)
• Yahya Birt - journalist and son
of former BBC Director General
John Birt, also director of The
City Circle.
• Torquato Cardilli - Italian
ambassador; converted from
Catholicism.
• Ian Dallas - Shaykh Dr. Abdalqadir
as-Sufi - sufi shaykh of scotish
orgins.
• Isabelle Eberhardt - from
Lutheran Christianity, 19th cen-
tury explorer & writer
• Yahiya Emerick - American
Muslim scholar, president of
the Islamic Foundation of North
America, born into a Protestant
family.
• Keith Ellison - American, raised
Catholic, Representative from
Minnesota's 5th congressional
district, first Muslim to be elected
to the United States Congress[
• Sultaana Freeman - sued the
state of Florida for niqab restric-
tions.
• Roger Garaudy - French phi-
losopher, before converting to
Islam Marxist and member of the
French Communist Party
• René Guénon - French Author in
the field of metaphysics
• Knud Holmboe - Danish journal-
ist and explorer; converted from
Catholicism.
• Bernard Hopkins - American
boxer
• Jermaine Jackson (Muhammad
Abdul Aziz) - former member
of The Jackson 5 and brother
of popstars Michael and Janet
Jackson
• Nuh Ha Mim Keller - from
Catholicism to agnosticism to
Sufism, Islamic scholar.
• Michael Muhammad Knight -
American novelist, writer, and
journalist.
• John Walker Lindh - the American
Taliban
Raised Roman Catholic, John
Walker Lindh AKA "Jihad Johnny"
later converted to Islam, joined
the Taliban and was captured
in Afghanistan fighting against
Americans.
• Alexander Litvinenko - former
Russian spy converted to Islam
on his deathbed.
• Vincenzo Luvineri - American
rapper and the lyricist behind the
Philadelphia underground hip-
hop group Jedi Mind Tricks; con-
verted from Roman Catholicism.
• Ruqaiyyah Waris Maqsood -
British author.
• Iyasu V - Ethiopian emperor.
• Bruno Metsu - French coach of
the Senegal team at the 2002
FIFA World Cup
• Peter Murphy - vocalist of the
rock group Bauhaus. Converted
from Catholicism.
• John Nelson - first record-
ed Englishman to become a
Muslim.
• Queen Noor of Jordan (formerly
Lisa Najeeb Halaby)
• Omar Pasha - Ottoman gen-
eral. Converted from Serbian
Orthodoxy.
• Pernilla Ouis - Swedish human
ecologist, lecturer at Lund
University.
• Emin Pasha - physician, natural-
ist, and Egyptian governor.
• Poncke Princen - Dutch soldier,
later human rights activist.
• St. John Philby - Arabist, explor-
er, writer, and British colonial
office intelligence operative; con-
verted from Anglicanism.
• Marmaduke Pickthall - famous
translator of the Quran.
• Radu cel Frumos - was the
younger brother of Vlad Ţepeş
(Dracula) and prince of the prin-
cipality of Wallachia. Converted
from Catholicism.
• Ilie II Rareş - prince of Moldavia.
• Ahmad Rashād - Emmy award-
winning sportscaster (mostly
with NBC Sports) and former
American football wide receiver.
Masjidul- Quds, Gatesvilles hosted its 16th Annual International Qira’ah Programme on 7
October, 2007. (l-r) Qari Abdul Aziz Brown and Qari M Zain Alexander with Qari Hafiz Jafar
Fardiaghchay and Qari Mohammad Poor Niaragh from Iran. PIC – M. Yusuf Karriem
• Franck Ribéry- a French soccer
player. His name after he con-
verted to Islam is Bilal.
• Yvonne Ridley - British journal-
ist, from Anglicanism. She con-
verted after being kidnapped and
released by the Taliban.
• Sana al-Sayegh, dean of the
Science and Technology Faculty
at Palestine International
University, converted to Islam in
August 2007.
• Scarface - American rapper
• Mario Scialoja - Italian ambas-
sador and President of the World
Muslim League.
• Betty Shabazz - wife of Malcolm
X; former Methodist.
• Rudolf Carl von Slatin - Anglo-
Austrian soldier and administra-
tor in the Sudan.
• Joe Tex - soul singer and record-
ing artist.
• Zhang Chengzhi - contemporary
Hui Chinese author; raised as an
atheist.
• Charles le Gai Eaton - British
diplomat and writer.
• Yusuf Islam (Cat Stevens) -
British musician and singer
• Jeffrey Lang - American,
Professor in the Department of
Mathematics at the University
of Kansas. (Raised Catholic, but
atheist from age 18 to conver-
sion)
• Martin Lings - a widely acclaimed
British scholar. He was raised as
a Protestant, became an atheist,
and later converted to Islam.
• Mos Def - American rapper and
actor.
• Ahmad Thomson - British bar-
rister and writer and a member
of the Murabitun movement.
• Top Topham - rock guitarist from
England.
• Gabriele Torsello - Italian free-
lance photojournalist based in
London who was abducted in
Helmand Province, Afghanistan.
• Philippe Troussier - French, for-
mer football player & trainer of a
Japanese football team[
• Mihnea Turcitul - was a Prince
(Voivode) of Walachia. Converted
from Eastern Orthodox
Chrisitianity.
• Malcolm X - American, from
Christianity to Nation of Islam
to mainstream Islam, African-
American civil rights leader.
October 2007 ­- Ramadaan 1428
• Keith Ellison American, raised
Catholic, Representative from
Minnesota's 5th congressional
district, first Muslim to be elected
to the United States Congress
• Mohammad Yousuf - from
Catholicism, Pakistani cricketer.
Known for holding the world
record for the most Test runs in
a single calendar year.
• Hamza Yusuf - American convert
from Greek Orthodox; head of
the Zaytuna Institute.
• Alexander Russell Webb -
American journalist, newspa-
per owner, and former Consul-
General of the U.S.A. in the
Philippines.
• Abdulla Webster - former
Sergeant First Class in the
United States Army who refused
to deploy to Iraq.
• John Whitehead - an American
singer, songwriter, and record
producer.
• Mohammed Zakariya - an
American master of Arabic cal-
ligraphy, best known for his work
on the popular Eid U.S. postage
stamp.
• Omar Sharif - Academy Award-
nominated Egyptian actor
who has starred in many
Hollywood films; converted from
Catholicism
• Abdullah ibn Salam - 7th century
sahabi said to have been a rabbi
of aristocratic stock.
• Leila Mourad - Egyptian singer
and actress who rose to fame in
the 1940s and 1950s.
• Lev Nussimbaum - prolific author
on the topics of Middle East and
Russian history; the Nazi pro-
paganda ministry included his
works on their list of "excellent
books for German minds" before
discovering he was an ethnic
Jew.
• Jacob Querido - 17th century
successor of the self-proclaimed
Jewish Messiah Sabbatai Zevi.
• Ali ibn Sahl Rabban al-Tabari
- 9th century Persian scholar
physician (a hakim), who pro-
duced the first encyclopedia of
medicine.