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What is the MSA of the Cape?
 It is with pleasure and great excitement that we introduce to you the MSA of the Cape. This initiative was started in March 2002 when all the executive members from various tertiary academic institutions met to discuss challenges that all Islamic Societies were facing. This led to the formal formation of the umbrella body of the MSA of the Cape. MSA of the Cape presently has member societies including UCT Islamic Society, University of Stellenbosch (Tygerberg) Islamic Society, UWC Muslim Students Association and Cape Tech Islamic Society. In the very near future we will also be including other tertiary institutions.
We now also have the pleasure to introduce that we have now included Secondary institutions into the MSA of the Cape structure. We would also like to welcome all the high schools that will actively participate as members of the MSA of the Cape.
MSA of the Cape objectives:
The primary aim shall be to achieve the pleasure of ALLAH (SWT), this been done aspiring to the following objectives:
Develop and maintain a strong Islamic character of members of the Muslim community of member organizations. Develop and maintain a strong unified Muslim Students Association of the Cape. Assist member societies at our campuses to carry out our Islamic obligations in totality. Spreading the word of ALLAH (SWT) with wisdom and patience. Create awareness and assist with issues affecting students from an Islamic perspective. Thereby providing a support structure to all affiliated societies/ members. Active involvement in off campus issues and encouraging student participation and community development. To provide support structure to all affiliated societies/members. To create a forum for students to gain knowledge, in order to assist the implementation of the Qur’aan and Sunnah The MSA of the Cape should be used to simultaneously coordinate activities amongst the respective campuses. Thereby improving efficiency of the individual MSA’s. The MSA of the Cape should serve to increase the communication between affiliated educational institutions. To bridge the gap between Islamic perspective and secular education all educational institutions. To establish MSA’s at educational institutions where they are absent or dormant and incorporate them into the MSA of the Cape. To share the resources of the different campuses as the need arises. Establish and maintain contact with other MSA’s united on a national level. To monitor the progress, activities, continuity of member societies.
The MSA of the Cape is structured as follows:
The Board of Trustees consisting of the founding members of the MSA of the Cape as well as other notable people with various expertises. The representation includes persons with experience in finance, media, law, shariah, dawah and community members.
However the overall activities of the MSA of the Cape are co-ordinated by the executive body known as the Shurah Council. Two representatives from each tertiary institution serve on the Shurah Council as well as selected members of the Board of Trustees as well as founder members. The word “shurah” is an Arabic word and the closest English translation is “consultation”. The MSA prides itself on that concept of mutual consultation. These are the portfolios that make up the Shurah Council.
Executive/Shurah Council:
- Dawah and Education
- Finances and Fundraising
- Media, Marketing and Public Relations
- Community, Sports and Social
What do they do?
The MSA of the Cape conducts their various activities in a two-fold approach.
The first approach
Each Islamic Society or MSA at the various universities, technikons and high schools, with the acknowledgement of the MSA of the Cape, conducts their “business as usual”. We therefore promote all activities that these institutions initiate.
The second approach
The activities of the MSA of the Cape are coordinated through 2 of the working groups namely Dawah & Education and Community, Sports and Social.
Dawah & Education
This group provides various dawah projects with assistance. At present we are in the process of training students to do Dawah work. From an education point of view we do host various seminars and workshops. The Dawah executive as it is known now consists of tertiary and secondary institutions.
Community, Sports and Social (CSS)
The aim of this group is help those in need that is in terms of welfare projects but also the aim of this group is to unify the Ummah through social and sporting events. The ideal is to provide a platform whereby Muslim youth can interact in an Islamic atmosphere. The CSS executive as it is also known now consists of tertiary and secondary institutions.
Media, Marketing & Public Relations (MMPR)
The MMPR as it is called is responsible for the maintenance of the MSA of the Cape Website, the Newsletter and all media and marketing related activities. It is also known as the MMPR executive
Finance & Fundraising (F&F)
The name says it all. All financial matters are run through this group. They are also responsible for the creative ideas for which the MSA receives its funding. They are also responsible for allocating the budgets for the various working groups. It is also referred to as the Finance Executive.
The MSA of the Cape Bank account details are:
Al Baraka Bank (Athlone Branch)
Savings Investment account
Account Number: 04-030-03852
At present students from the various tertiary institutions conduct the activities of the MMPR and F&F working groups. These two groups are in the process of change as professionals in these fields will be conducting and overseeing these activities (will the help of some students of course).
Activities
The MSA has been active on all Campuses over the past 2 years. We successfully held a get together for students at the beginning of the year and were a great success. Recently the MSA had a stall at the “One-to”one” day at the Goodhope centre and it was very enjoyable. Many students participated in what can only be said as a very thought provoking and fun day.
There are many plans on the table such as Racism workshop, a movie screening, and many other seminars and of course, all the activities that your Islamic Society and MSA plan.
Mixed Gatherings
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Fatwa Question Details
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Name
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Muslim - Belgium
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Title
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Mixed Gatherings for Weddings
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Question
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Dear scholars, As-Salamu `alaykum. What is the ruling on men and women being together for weddings? Jazakum Allah khayran.
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Date
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2/Aug/2003
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Mufti
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European Council for Fatwa and Research
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Answer
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Wa `alaykum As-Salamu wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh.
In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.
All praise and thanks are due to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon His Messenger.
Dear questioner, we would like to thank you for the great confidence you place in us, and we implore Allah Almighty to help us serve His cause and render our work for His Sake.
Islam does not object to events or gatherings where members of the opposite sex are present in the same place as long as all abide by the Islamic teachings and manners. If such gatherings abide by the Shari`ah rulings, then there is nothing wrong with them. What is forbidden is khalwah (seclusion or between two members of the opposite sex); tabarruj (revealing women's attractions and `awrahs and all other forbidden acts such as seductive talk or walk); and physical contact between members of the opposite sex. Therefore, if the mixed wedding sticks to these instructions, it is allowed. But if people do not abide by these conditions—which is common nowadays—then the presence of men and women in the same place is unlawful.
Responding to the question you raised, the European Council for Fatwa and Research issued the following fatwa:
The term “mixed” is one which is not used by either the Qur’an or the Sunnah, while most people believe it to be an unquestionable matter in Islam, as though there were something in the Qur’an or in the Hadith of Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) that states clearly that mixed congregations are haram (forbidden). This is one of the grave mistakes which many Muslims commit today, unfortunately.
Our opinion in this matter is that Islamic Shari`ah did not object to men and women being present in one place on condition that three matters are avoided and refrained from:
First: Seclusion (khalwah), that is, that a man and woman meet in a place where no one else can see them.
Second: Adornment of women, that is, that a woman uncovers what Allah (Mighty and Exalted be He) decreed to be covered of her body, or she wears perfume or jewellery or walks or talks in such a way that draws attention and raises ill-thoughts and feelings.
Third: Physical contact.
If these three matters are avoided and refrained from, then there remains no legal objection to the congregation, whether it be a marriage ceremony or any other thing else. However, we see that people often do not abide by these conditions in weddings, and thus the presence of men and women in one place becomes unlawful.
Excerpted, with slight modifications, from: http://www.ecfr.org/
Allah Almighty knows best.
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Taken from http://www.islamonline.net
Vote of thanks
We would like to thank the Guest Speakers, all those who put in an enormous amount of effort for the launch and finally we would like to thank the Students.
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