“Islam has a very long history in Africa. In fact, it was introduced in the African continent even before it spread in Arabia, let alone the neighbouring countries of the Arabian Peninsula. The prophet Muhammad sent dozens of his companions to Ethiopia before the beginning of the Muslim calendar…”
By Abdul Hamid Lachporia
” It is possible for the righteous word to transform into a righteous social structure only when it springs from a heart regenerated by the values that it signifies. Otherwise, it remains a hollow utterance without meaning or content. Thus it is the ‘heart’ that gives meaning to words, content to ideals, and direction and goal to outward development. …”
By Arshad Gamiet
“We have a simple choice. We can either stay locked into our cultural ghettoes, choosing only to associate with like-minded people, while the suspicion and hatred of Muslims grows around us. Or, we can set a good example for our children and grandchildren. For their future, for their sake, we can and we must cultivate good neighbourly relations with the wider communities. We must build bridges of mutual understanding and trust..”
By Khalil Moya
“The Holy Quran will be a witness on the Day of Judgement. Do not let it be a witness against us…”
By Dr Husni Hammuda
“600 years ago, Ibn Khaldun’s Muqaddimah (Prolegomena, or Introduction to history) laid the foundations for modern Sociology and Demography. He saw history as a process of causes and effects, rather than just a list of dates and events. Where are our modern Muslim Ibn Khalduns? If we don’t write our own history, someone else will, using their own bias and prejudice. We will then only have ourselves to blame….”
By Sheikh Abdul Hamid Lachporia
“In order to avoid the least semblance of high-handedness, no Muslim was allowed to acquire the land owned by a Christian nor could they be disposed of their property. All were equal under the law. In their anxiety for the welfare of all non-Muslim subjects, the Khalifs’ of Baghdad, like their counterparts of Cordova, created a special governmental department charged with the protection of all non-Muslim citizens and the safeguarding of their interests. ..”
By Arshad Gamiet
“Our daughters have a right to education. They also have a right to work, to own businesses and to develop their God-given talents so that all humankind benefits. They have a right to be loved and respected no less than our sons. ..”
By Sheikh Abdul Hamid Lachporia
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I remember speaking to two young deaf brothers whom I met recently for Jummah Salaat. They told me how deaf Muslims praying in congregation end up just standing and following the motions, unable to hear any of the vocalized invocations and recitation of the Holy Qur’an that are meant to transform our hearts. They asked if it would be religiously permissible to use sign language when leading a prayer, so that those who could not hear would be able to be more actively present. It was honestly something I had never thought about, which was alarming to me. It opened my eyes to the many ways in which the leaders of Masaajid and Islamic Centres fail to be inclusive and accessible to our Muslim brothers and sisters living with hearing disabilities…”
