Eid Speech to South Africans in Britain

by Arshad Gamiet                    23rd December 2001

A-oothu billaahi minash shaytaanir rajeem Bismillahhir Rahmanir Raheem.

 Mr Deputy High-Commissioner, Ladies and Gentlemen, dear Brothers and Sisters in Islam,

As-salámu 'alaykum wa rahma tulláh! May the Peace and Mercy of Allah be with you.

It really is a privilege for me to welcome you here today, to celebrate ‘Eidul Fitr. This gathering of South Africans, ex-South Africans, and their families and friends, is something I’ve been looking forward to. It’s chance to renew old acquaintances, and also to make new friends. I’ve been asked to say a few words, and I’ll try to keep it short. Today is after all, a day of celebration, a day to enjoy congenial company and the goodies on the table. It’s not a day for listening to long boring speeches. Yet, this would be a wasted opportunity, if I did not share some thoughts with you, about matters that concern us all. 

You know, Muslim South Africans have some very special qualities and now more than ever, our talents are needed urgently. In the unfolding drama between Islám and the West, we can play an important role. If this sounds a little pretentious, I can assure you it’s not. There’s a desperate need for knowledge, understanding and wisdom to counteract the malicious negative propaganda, which is discrediting the good name of Islám, and which is demonising the Muslims as fanatics and terrorists. The most suitable people to effectively promote a better understanding of Islám, would be practising Muslims who also understand the ways of the West. And it’s here that our help is so valuable. 

Muslim South Africans are no strangers to Western society. Three centuries ago, our ancestors came as political exiles from Java and Sumatra, and later as traders and plantation workers from British India. As a small minority, we not only survived, but we thrived and prospered during 300 years of isolation, exploitation and oppression. We are now highly regarded around the world. Although we number less than 5% of the population, our presence in business, in professional life, in politics and in the government of South Africa, appears to be much higher. We are punching well above our weight, and  by the Grace of Alláh, we’re doing a fine job.  This is because we are the inheritors of all that collective wisdom and experience of 10 generations of Islám in the West. Surely, for those of us who have now made Britain our home, we do have something of substance, something useful to contribute to the current debate about Islám and its role in the modern world.

We are indeed living in interesting times, according to the Chinese curse; very interesting times. Since 11th September, Islám is on everyone’s lips. For better or worse, whether we like it or not, we Muslims are under the world’s spotlight. What we do and what we say, indeed, how we do it and say it, will be scrutinised and analysed in detail.

But there’s no need for paranoia. We have nothing to hide, and we have no hidden agenda. In fact, we welcome any genuine interest in Islám. We Muslims only have to live Islam correctly, then we will have a lot to offer our host community, and to the wider Western world. Already, we hear that the rate of conversions to Islám in the USA has increased fourfold since 11th September. We also hear that many bookshops in Britain and USA have sold out copies of The Holy Qur'án. Even so, we must have no illusions that the road ahead is going to be a rough one. It will be some time before the latest tide of Islamophobia has receded. But it’s not all doom and gloom. These hardships and setbacks should come as no surprise to us. Alláh promised us in the Qur'án, that we will all be tested in our faith. No one, not even the beloved prophets and the Awliyaa, the Friends of Alláh, had an easy ride through life: Quite the opposite. The higher their spiritual status, the greater was the physical, emotional and psychological effort to get there.

Dear friends, brothers and sisters, much of our modern world is going through an identity crisis. In the post-Communist era, from Belgrade to Birmingham and from Sarajevo to San Francisco, there has been a desperate search for new identities at every level. From the individual to the community to the nation and to the international alliances, if you listen carefully and you read between the lines, you will find an unspoken but clearly evident question that’s being asked with growing anxiety: Who am I, where do I belong, and what is my destiny? Time does not allow me to elaborate on this subject. Suffice to say that the debates about who joins the European Union, and why Turkey should be excluded, the debate about proving our British-ness, our patriotism in a multicultural society, all of these are symptoms of an identity crisis at many levels.

 We Muslims should have no such crisis. We are living proof that a diversity of many nations and cultures can flourish within the unity of Islám. Our identity is not based on nation, language, tribe or colour. It is based very simply on an idea: the profound and irresistible idea that God is one, mankind is one, and that the destiny of all God’s creatures is to serve him and return to Him. It is an idea eloquently summed up in Súra Al Baqara, Inna lillaahi wa inna ilayhir raaji-oon. From Alláh have we come, and to Him is our return. It is this idea, that today stands up as the only viable alternative to the idea that might-is-right, and that greed-is-good.

Let’s not forget that, sadly, on the subject of identity, there are still Muslims who think that in order to fit in, and to feel a sense of belonging, they should simply dissolve into the cultural melting pot. They think they have to become little brown Englishmen or little brown Europeans, indistinguishable from the host community, joining the beer and football crowd, or enjoying champagne with their cucumber sandwiches at the golf club. This is a big mistake. There is no need to be ashamed of your Muslim identity, no need to hide your cultural roots. Indeed, the world respects a man who can be himself, and walk tall. Remember Muhammad Ali? Who can ever forget him! He knew how to walk tall, and Islám gave him a sense of dignity and honour that no one could destroy. And how the world loves him for his courage! No-one will respect you, if you have no self-respect. No-one will love you, if you hate yourself. You must first know who you are, and you must like who you are. This does not mean that you should indulge in the vanity and conceit that breeds arrogance. There is a fine line that separates righteousness from self-righteousness.

Muslim identity goes much deeper than headscarves and beards, or lack of them. Being a good Muslim is about exuding good character. It’s about being a good parent, a good neighbour, a good citizen. It’s about good business ethics, honesty, and trustworthiness; it’s about having a sense of integrity in our dealings with one another; paying our taxes and we’re driving a car, being considerate to other drivers. It’s about consistency in our public and private affairs. Being a good Muslim is about being a good human being. It’s about quietly going through your life in a way that people of other faiths can admire and want to emulate. The greatest compliment anyone can pay you is when they embrace Islám, because of the excellent personal example that you have set for them.

To illustrate this point, I must tell you a story. There is a Muslim family in Johannesburg, who own a block of flats near the University. The top floors provide rented accommodation, and the ground floor is used as a space for prayers and as a free soup kitchen on Fridays. One day, a black teenager approached the family, saying that he needed a place to stay, as he was going to study dentistry and he had no accommodation. He said, he was willing to wash dishes, clean rooms, do gardening, in fact, do anything, to pay his way. The lady of the house asked to see his academic record, and when she saw that it was littered with A’s and distinctions, she said,  “I’ll give you a room, free of charge, for as long as you continue this kind of performance. As soon as I see you slipping back, you’ll have to start paying for your rent”. The young man stayed for several years, until he finally graduated as a dentist. In all that time, he studied so hard that he didn’t have to pay a single penny for his rent. Then he thanked the family and went away. Years later, he returned for a visit, and the family were delighted to see him. “How are you, John?” they asked. His reply came as a complete surprise, “I’m very well, thank you. Now I have a big and busy dental practice. And, by the way, my name isn’t John any more. It’s Muhammad. I was so impressed by your kindness and generosity over the years, that I wanted to be like you. I wanted to know who you are and what you believe in, so Alhamdulillah, I was guided to become a Muslim, and now I also want to help others, like you helped me.”

My dear friends, brothers and sisters, I’m sure you all have heard similar truly inspiring stories. Setting a good personal example. The Holy Qur'án tells us that “Truly in the Messenger of Alláh, you have the finest of examples.” Also, his example was not intended for Muslims only. It was, and still is, a mission for all mankind. The Qur'án says:

Wa maa arsalnaaka illaa rahmatal lil aalameen”…. We have not sent you [O Muhammad] but as a mercy unto all the mankind.

…………

Three centuries ago, our noble ancestors were exiled from Java and Sumatra, banished to the lonely, windswept tip of Africa. They arrived in chains, but their faith and endurance made them Awliyaa, true Friends of Alláh. Their followers must have grieved when they left. But Alláh had other plans. Little did the Dutch know that, by banishing Sheikh Yusuf to the Cape, they were simply moving a potent seed of Islám, and planting it in fertile soil. Indonesia’s loss was Africa’s gain. That wonderful seed has flowered into the talented and vibrant community we know today.

None of us came to Britain in chains. Those who were not born here, chose to come here. Some came as political exiles, others came to further education or to advance professional careers. At least we could all make that choice freely, and by the Grace of Alláh, we’ve made progress in life. Now it’s payback time. The Muslim community in South Africa, needs us. British Muslims need us. The Ummah needs us. The whole of mankind needs us. How do we respond?

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Islam, let us take a sincere decision today, to respond to this call for help in the hour of need. By the grace of Alláh, we who live in Britain are among the most privileged Muslims anywhere on the planet. Apart from a very favourable exchange rate for the pound, we are relatively safe from the hardship and danger that fellow Muslims must accept as part of their daily life, elsewhere. We enjoy more religious, political and personal freedom here than in most Muslim countries. Surely all these blessings carry with them a big responsibility?

We can start right here, by getting to know each other, sharing ideas, improving our knowledge of Islám, committing our resources of time, money and expertise to the needs of others. Let’s network ourselves, send emails and develope a culture of teamwork. Let’s join weekly study groups to teach or be taught. Lets keep the spirit of Ramadhan alive throughout the year. Let’s enrich ourselves with togetherness, rather than impoverish ourselves with loneliness. The choice is ours. Most importantly, let’s do all this with just one clear purpose in mind; to seek the good pleasure of Alláh. And if we persevere patiently seeking His pleasure, with absolute sincerity and purity of heart, then surely, Alláh will respond to our call. O Alláh, help us constantly to strive to become better Muslims. Help us to become be worthy successors of those noble ancestors who brought the light of Islám to South Africa so many years ago. O Alláh, guide us all and protect us all,

Ameen.

I thank you for listening to me so patiently.

As salaamu 'alaykum

Your feedback will help us to improve our khutbahs. Please let us have your comments and suggestions., by writing to : magamiet@netcomuk.co.uk  Jazakallah Khairan!

Back to articles, lectures     All Khutbahs A to Z    Khutbahbank Homepage