The  students stayed over with Muslim families on Thursday Night, 19 1 2012, followed by a program at the IPCI on Friday which included a welcome address by IPCI Managing Trustee, Ahmed Shaikh, a Guided Mosque Tour, a Question and Answer session and general interaction with students. Sister Shehnaaz Muslim, Lecturer at UKZN presented some concluding thoughts on behalf of IPCI and Dr Holsinger was extremely gracious in her vote of thanks on behalf of Whitworth University.

This event takes place once a year and is the only one of its kind in South Africa. The aim is to build bridges between the two faiths as well as clear misconceptions that are held about Islam by Non-Muslims.

From the evaluation forms administered one item came out strongly:

‘ We wish we could stay one night more with our host families, the Muslim Home stays was the Highlight of our two week South African Tour”.

Families who would like to participate in this program next year can contact the IPCI on: info@ipcisa.com

“I know that there are peaceful Muslims, and there are extremists. I have nothing against peaceful Muslims. Nothing whatsoever,” Cain said in an interview with GQ.

“But I also know that we must be careful of extremists and we must be careful of the tendency by some groups in this country to infuse their beliefs into our laws and our culture.”

The Republican hopeful alleged that he was told by a “very well known Muslim voice” that most US Muslims hold extremist views.

When asked by his interviewer about his opinion, Cain said “Yes, because that’s his community. That’s his community. I can’t tell you his name, but he is a very prominent voice in the Muslim community, and he said that.”

Cain, whose campaign to win the Republican nomination for the US presidential elections has been stumbled by a series of sexual allegations, has sparked uproar by a series of offensive statements against US Muslims.

He said earlier this month that he would support efforts to block the building of mosques in the United States.

The Republican hopeful had earlier said in March that he would not appoint a Muslim in his administration.

He later modified his position by calling for an unconstitutional “loyalty” oath for Muslim appointees.

Anti-Muslim Hatred

Cain’s statement came as new statistics reveal that hate crimes against US Muslims almost doubled last year.

FBI statistics found that anti-Muslims hate crimes rose nearly 50 percent in 2010, reported Agence France-Presse (AFP).

The figures, part of a report on hate crimes, showed actions motivated by anti-Muslim prejudice rose to 160 in 2010 from 107 the prior year.

“After hate crime declined in 2009, it’s disturbing to see it rise again in 2010,” Paul Legendre, of the Human Rights First organization, said.

“The rise in anti-Muslim violence is particularly significant.”

The rights group called on the US government to act to prevent the growing anti-Muslim violence.

“Human Rights First has long maintained that anti-Muslim violence, as well as other forms of hate crime, must be viewed and responded to as a serious violation of human rights. The US government can and must do more to confront these abuses.”

US Muslims have been sensing a growing hostility following a hearing presented by Republican representative Peter King on what he described as “radicalization” of US Muslims.

Recently, a Republican Missouri lawmaker described Islam as a disease like polio while another Alaska Rep. branded Muslims as ‘occupiers’ of American neighborhoods.

Although there are no official figures, the United States is believed to be home to between 6-8 million Muslims.

A US survey has revealed that the majority of Americans know very little about Muslims and their faith.

courtesy: OnIslam & News Agencies – www.onislam.net

In a very exciting development, the 2011 Community Corporate Social Investment of the Year Award was won by the Islamic Propagation Centre International (IPCI). The award was presented at a glitzy event held on Friday night, 30 September, in Johannesburg. The event, now in its 6th year, attracted captains of industry and business from the Muslim community, religious leaders, foreign Diplomats and other stakeholders from across South Africa.

IPCI won the CSI award in recognition of their contribution in promoting Islam among other faith groups and building bridges between communities. IPCI was also lauded for harnessing technology, including Facebook and Twitter, to transform itself from a traditional organisation to a professional high-tech front-runner in reaching a diverse public of Muslims and non-Muslims through their unique Da’wah outreach through guided tours to the Mosque. IPCI’s modern and fully-equipped Islamic Exhibition and Multimedia Centre were also seen as an innovative project to enhance its outreach to various groups.

The chairman of the Judging Panel and Chairman of KPMG SA, Yunus Suleman, said the judging process scrutinised all aspects of the finalists’ organisations. “The winners satisfy and even surpass our criteria for good corporate governance, integrity and controlled and sustainable growth. Winning these awards confirms their standing in the community while the independent and unbiased endorsement enhances their existing credibility, positioning them ahead of competitors in their industry sector.”

Chief Executive of FNB Islamic Finance said that he was extremely proud to showcase these outstanding organisations, visionary entrepreneurs and inspirational leaders and to recognise the valuable contribution such leaders and organisations make to the development of the South African economy and the upliftment of diverse communities. (Courtesy VOCFM)

[L-R]Mr Ebi Patel (CEO Islamic Finance), Mr Yunus Suleman (Chairman KPMG), Mr Ahmed Shaikh (Managing Trustee: IPCI Board), Mr Ahmed Saeed Moola (Vice Chair: IPCI Board)

We are indeed honoured to have been granted this accolade. The IPCI would like to thank the community and all business entities, as this award would not have been possible without your mutual interest & generous support. We will continue our efforts to propagate the true message of Islam through inter-faith dialogue and we will increase our commitment to build bridges with other faith based communities.

Furthermore, we welcome the community to join our growing online social media platforms and to participate in our public programmes.

We thank you again and pray that the relationship between social & business entrepreneurs remains united and blessed.

Jazakum Allahu Khayran, Wasalaam

 

At a glamourous event held in Johannesburg on Friday evening, 30 September 2011, attended by the creme de la creme of the Muslim business world in South Africa, it was Cape Town businessman, Reaaz Ahmed of Good Hope Meats who walked off with the coveted Entrepreneur of the Year award in the 6th Annual FMB Islamic Finance Awards. The tough task of choosing the winners against a stringent scorecard fell to KPMG, Minara Chamber of Commerce, double checked by an independent auditor.

The 2011 award winners are:

• Entrepreneur of the Year: Reaaz Ahmed of Good Hope Meats in Cape Town
• Business Entity of Year “Small”: Spotline Auto of Johannesburg
• Business Entity of Year ” Medium/Large”: Classic Trading of Durban
• First Time- Lifetime Achievment Award: Abdul Razak Moosa of Willowton for his commitment to the community and business
• Corporate Social Responsibility Award: IPCI of Durban
• Special Recognition Award: Gift of the Givers – Dr Imtiaz Sooliman

In congratulating the winners, Minara Chamber of Commerce and Esquire Technologies said the winners in six categories had all been deserving and had met the highest standards. The awards were first launched in 2006 to showcase the best businesses from the SA Muslim community and has since then, grown in stature,s said Ebi Patel, CEO of FNB Islamic Finance. Patel said the event commemorates dynamic entrepreneurs, who are honored for their contribution to the South African economy by recognizing their achievements as Muslim business people. ( courtesy of voice of the cape fm )

The program will be facilitated by Advocate Yusuf Ismail, Moulana Ahmed Pandor &  Hafez Shabir Basha.

Topics:

• Common Questions asked by Non Muslims

• Misconceptions about Islam

• Comparative Study – Islam & Christianity

• Jihad in Islam

__________________________________________________

DATE: Saturday, 24 September 2011& Sunday, 25 September 2011

TIME: 10h00am – 15h00pm

VENUE: Masjid Darus Salaam, Corrundum Street, Laudium, Pretoria

__________________________________________________

To register or for more info call: Tel: 072 4060635 | 083 982 8828

On 22 September, at the University of Potchefstroom a debate took place between Mike Licona and South African apologist Yusuf Ismail. The theme was  on the 1^stcentury fate of Jesus

Recent visit by the Northwood School Boys from Durban North – Pictures can also be viewed on our Facebook Page

The summary of the Qur’an would be beneficial if:

• The relevant section is read at home before going to the Musjid for Taraweeh
• Read out by someone in the Musjid just before the Taraweeh (should not take more than 5 mins)
• Read all year round to get a ‘bird’s eye’ synopsis of the Qur’an
• As a Dawah tool to let the non-Muslims have a glimpse of the theme subject matter and style of the Qur’an.

The IPCI records its deep gratitude to Professor Yousuf Dadoo for the meticulous manner in which this task has been accomplished. The IPCI welcomes any suggestions in improving this publication. There is no copyright. If re-printed or translated kindly forward a copy to the IPCI for our records.

To download click here: Quran/Tarawih Summary

Dearest Respected Ulama, Brothers and Sisters

Assalamu Alaikum Warahmatullahi Wabarakatuh. May the Peace and Blessings of Allah (swt) be upon our beloved Nabie Muhammed (s).

It gives us great pleasure to share our thoughts with you on the occasion of Ramadaan. The IPCI has been a pioneer in it’s global approach to Dawah. The credit for this goes to the founding and visionary trustees, amongst them Sheikh Ahmed Deedat (1918-2005). His message was simple but powerful, that the message of Islam was as relevant today, as it was 1400 years ago . We have been fortunate to have inherited a rich legacy of 54 years of effort by Sheikh Ahmed Deedat and his colleagues (may Allah have mercy on them). You would be pleased to know that in the past year, IPCI has received a record number of requests for copies of the Holy Quran from people across Africa and other parts of the world. The IPCI had also successfully engaged in a number of large scale Da’wah outreach programmes in Eastern and Southern Africa.

The purpose of the IPCI is very clearly stated in the Quran:

“Invite all to the way of Thy Lord with Wisdom and Beautiful Preaching; and reason with them in ways that are Best and Most Gracious ” (Al Quran, 16: 125).

We at the IPCI continue to be guided by this Quranic injunction in our approach to Da’wah. The challenge for us is to redefine the narrative for Dawah that will resonate with the prevailing political ,social ,economic and spiritual order. The IPCI is happy to continue to network locally and internationally with all involved in the field of Da’wah. We are working on plans to have an international Sheikh Deedat Memorial Da’wah conference that will bring together all Duat and community members who have been inspired by Sheikh Ahmed Deedat. We are very keen to get feedback on this idea from leaders and activists in Da’wah and other interested persons.

We invite all sister organizations, members of the business community, supporters and others active in Da’wah to join us for coffee at the recently upgraded IPCI offices that now has a Memorabilia Centre of Sheikh Ahmed Deedat’s life’s work, a Discover Islam Exhibition as well as a display of multiple translations of the Holy Quran. We also invite you to join us in the electronic world of Da’wah by visiting our social networking initiatives on Facebook and Twitter.

Our deepest thanks and gratitude goes out to our benefactors for their generous contributions toward all our programs. May Allah reward you for your commitment and untiring efforts. We ask you to pray for Allah to guide us in this task and make our work a means for mankind to submit itself to the One and Only Creator of the Universe.

On behalf of my fellow Trustees and the team at IPCI, we wish you all a transformative Ramadaan and a blessed Eid.

Wasssalamu Alaikum

Haroon Kalla
Chairperson
IPCI Trust