IMAAM OF PROPHET MUHAMMAD (PBUH) MOSQUE VISITS IPCI & THE PEOPLE OF DURBAN

His Eminence Sheikh Salah Bin Muhammad Al-Budair Imaam and Khatib of the Prophet’s Mosque in Medina blessed the IPCI headquarters when he visited the Centre founded by the Late Sheikh Ahmed Deedat, he is the Imaam of Prophet's Mosque in Madinah). Sheikh Salaah Al-Budair is rated as one of the best Quranic reciters in the world.

The IPCI was a buzz with excitement as approximately 200 people awaited his arrival. Learners from the Jumma Masjid School formed a guard of honour and welcomed the Imaam. He visited the Offices of Sheikh Ahmed Deedat and perused through the archival material which is kept intact from the day Sheikh Deedat (RA) passed on in 2005. Thereafter the Sheikh addressed an audience made up of leading organizations in South Africa. He emphasised on the importance of propagating Islam and advised the people to take examples from the Sahabas whose character was impeccable through their character alone thousands of people accepted Islam.  He said the following about the Late Sheikh Ahmed Deedat “This is a person who fought for Islam, a person who discharged his duties, a person who wrote books, a person who debated, a person who lectured, all these things he gave for the sacrifice and spread of Islam and from amongst the signs that this person was a Mukhlis and that he was sincere in his actions is the Quobool that Allah (SWT) has put in our hearts for him. The acceptance that the people have for him is a sign of his sincerity, Insh Allah! this is a Daleel for his Ikhlas”

The programme concluded with gifts presented to the guests by the Amir of the IPCI Dr. Mahomed Khan and a vote of thanks from the Ambassador to the United Arab Emirates Brother Ashraf Suliman who thanked the guest for visiting Durban and for inspiring the people of South Africa…

A dvd of his visit can be obtained from the IPCI – email us on ipcisa@yebo.co.za.

4 DAY DAWAH TRAINING CONFERENCE AT HARLTY ROAOD SCHOOL

On the 10th-13th of July 2008, the IPCI convened a comprehensive and clinical Dawah Training Programme, which included a range of diverse speakers encapsulating a wide series of hard-hitting topics dealing with the contentious conflict between shariah and human rights, dynamics of Islamic Law, the role of Uthman Dan Fodio in East Africa, globalization and its impact in the 21st century, the New Age movement, the “matrix ideologies”, the nature of Reality, understanding the Quran and the Bible in history and other related topics.

Over 80 students attended and the speakers included Dr. Abdullah Hakim Quick, Professor Suleman Dangor, Yusuf Ismail, Areeb Islam, Mossaid Dawood, Professor Salman Nadvi and academic Tahir Sitoto. Whilst the discussions were controversial, the students were constantly stimulated by the open debate that the discourses generated.

Modern phenomenons such as the New age religion were placed on the altar of the deconstruction and their failures were clinically exposed by Areeb. The role of Uthman Dano Fodio in East Africa and its implications for modern Muslims were discussed by Dr. Quick, of particular note and what was viewed by many students as the highlight of the programme was the discussion by Tahir Sitoto entitled “What’s the big deal about being a Muslim”, which is soon to be released on DVD, and which dealt with the reductionism in contemporary Muslim society today as opposed to synthesis. Tahir focused on the notion of sloganeering where the word “Muslim” was reduced to being no more than a label, and further talked about the conventional limitations within Islamic discourse and paradigms in the world today from the failures of Islamic Banking to the flawed idea of the creation of an “Islamic State”, so beloved by all ideologues. The programme ended with Yusuf stating that Muslims and Da’ees in particular need to confront the ‘metaphysical catastrophes’ in the Muslim world and reclaim agency in becoming active participants in re-shaping society as opposed to remaining as passive recepients.

NATIONAL OUTREACH - PRETORIA 28TH JUNE 2008

On a cold Winter’s evening on Saturday, being the 28th June, the Islamic Propagation Centre International convened a controversial and hard-hitting public lecture entitled “Scientific and Historical Analysis of the Qur’an and the Bible and its impact in the 21st century”

Using the classic Maurice Bucaille thesis, combined with the latest research in modern Biblical scholarship, practicing attorney and researcher on comparative religion, Yusuf Ismail provided an awe-struck partisan audience of Muslims and a smattering of fundamentalist Christians, the ultimate in deconstructive higher criticism as he amplified the irrefutable arguments in respect of scriptural variances with science in respect of the Bible in contrast to the Qur’an’s conciliation with the latest discoveries of scientific knowledge in a span of two hours followed by a clinical and belligerent question and answers session. At times during the densely illustrated power-point presentation, disruptions were forthcoming from certain members of the audience who nevertheless were kept at the edge of their seat.

Many were shocked to discover, when Ismail described that the various modern-day Greek New Testaments were nothing more than “working editions”, giving a practical example of how the Nestle-Aland Greek New Testament had just undergone its 27th updated editing!

Whilst the subject material was controversial, at no stage was the speaker divisive as he called for Muslims and mainstream Christians to harness the common ethical paradigm existent in both faiths, in jointly re-shaping a contemporary South African society which he described as having been proverbially laid to waste by the ANC government.

During the question and answers session where emotions flayed and had to be ‘tampered down’, one Brian Marrion requested the need for a “fundamentalist Christian” perspective to be presented on the topic, to which Ismail suggested that the IPCI would be more than willing in convening a similar such event with representatives from different faiths. At the termination of the event, an arrangement was tentatively convened for a “sequel” to the lecture involving the IPCI, to be held in Lenasia in the form of a public debate in October.

Mosque Tours / Group Tours / School Tours

250  people were taken on a free guided tour to the Grey Street Masjd. These included people from different countries from around the world like, USA, United Kingdom, Germany, Austria, Italy, France, Botswana.

Reversions

25 people embraced Islam at the Centre during this period. Once they embrace Islam at the Centre, they join the Introduction to Islam classes.

3rd Term Comparative Religion Course

Currently there are 13 learners who are enrolled for the Comparative Religion course, they are from , Botswana, Congo, Namibia, Malawi, and local learners.

For more information on Comparative and other courses offered by the IPCI, visit our website www.ahmed-deedat.co.za and download the Prospectus.

Introduction to Islam Courses

18 New Muslims are currently enrolled, and we also have 25 new Muslims enrolled for the Saturday Classes.

IPCI's Pathfinders Forum

On Sunday the 22nd of June 2008.a get-together of New Muslims who embraced Islam at the IPCI was held. Alhamdullilah 60 New Muslims attended and shared their current experiences. Brother Areeb Islam addressed them and spoke on his reversion to Islam …A dvd of the event can be obtained from the IPCI. The IPCI intends broadening this forum to invite more people and make it an annual event and also get our born Muslims to interact with them. Insha allah!

SOON TO BE LAUNCHED THE MUCH AWAITED BOOK
BASIC TEACHINGS OF ISLAM “ CORRESPONDENCE COURSE FOR NEW MUSLIMS"