As the first point of call to the senior ranks of the Muslim Judicial Council (MJC), Nabeweya Malick always has a warm, genuine smile and keeps a cool, calm head at the most tumultous of times. She has an immensely challenging job, but one which she does with pride and passion. It’s no mean feat being the public relations officer for the ulema body and having to deal with pushy, sensation-seeking journalists and churning out a plethora of press releases.

But that task will be a lot harder now that she’s been elected as an associate member of the MJC. With very few women currently serving on the MJC’s board, Malick says the time for women to be recognised for their silent contributions has dawned.

Ten years ago, as a new divorcee, Malick said her ambitions to see a positive change in the public’s perceptions of Islam sparked her efforts to join the judicial body. At the time, an American journalist had become the Washington correspondent for a local radio station and painted a radical view of Islam. Malick lodged a complaint with the Broadcasting Complaints Commission and successfully won the case.

This move, Malick said, opened a world of opportunity that allowed her to be at the forefront of community upliftment, education and media correspondence on behalf of the MJC.

“I feel that women are really marginalised. They do the work, they run the mile and yet there is no recognition for them. Often we hear in the media that in Islam women don’t hold status and are oppressed. That is not what Islam is about and I feel that the MJC is in a strong position to present what Islam is truly about,” she says.

In conversation with VOC at her quaint office on the top floor of the MJC headquarters, Malick donning her black and blue hijab and sipping warm tea, explains how she managed to overcome the challenges of working in a male- dominated environment.

“I think that one of the most important things is to believe in yourself. I know that there are many members who are unhappy about my election but that is their weakness.

“I specifically remember a talk by Ebrahim Rasool where he spoke about Surah Hujarat. He explained that after the establishment of the city of Madina, Surah Hujarat was revealed it deals with the inner compartments of a human being. The attention was drawn to the essence of our character, our ego, humility and our dealings with each other.

“I think that one of the big weaknesses within the Muslim ummah today is the exclusion of women who have always historically held a place and were given recognition for the unique qualities that they have that compliment and complete the responsibility of the men of Islam.

‘Unfortunately, culture has influenced many Muslim communities and women are marginalised when they could be playing a more productive role at the expense of the Ummah,” Malick continued.

Before the MJC, Malick immersed herself in community upliftment activities. When she became the face of the PRO team at the ulema body, she used the platform to carry out her passion for educating the public on Islam and further work towards contributing to the development of the Muslim community.

A fervent believer in peace, tolerance and interfaith understanding, Malick has been the front runner of the annual Mawlid SA initiative, which aims to bring masses of Muslims together to honour the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). She has spearheaded numerous fundraisers for the benefit of those in need and Malick has also now partnered with the City of Cape Town in an attempt to further renovate and develop local masajid situated in areas where the facilities are not able to accommodate the amount of visitors each day.

“The City of Cape Town has appointed a special team for the MJC in this project and has generously offered us the properties and space needed for better masajid facilities in and around the Mother City. We encourage the community to come forward with their proposals in order for us to have the City address these concerns. I have spoken to the Mayor of Cape Town, Patricia De Lille and she has informed me that the City is well aware of the needs of the Muslim people in Cape Town,” Malick explained.

In her role at the MJC’s media desk, Malick said she regards her male colleagues as “brothers”. She attributes her ability to handle the male-dominated environment to her upbringing as the only daughter with two brothers. Now, with having to raise three sons on her own, Malick is tough as nails.

Malick intends to further her career at the MJC and continue her endeavours to use that platform as a means to build the Muslim community, through collaborating with bright youth who are inspired to serve humanity. She says she will continue to provide non-Muslims who have been influenced by biased information and misconceptions of Islam in the mainstream media a more truthful and factual understanding of Islam.

But as any career-driven woman will say, success requires balance. ‘Switching off’ from the hum-drum of public relations is essential, she says.

“I spend my free time with my wonderful sons and family. I particularly enjoy long drives, relaxing at the beach, gardening, reading and enjoying our beautiful Cape Town with its blessed people,” she says, smiling broadly.

MJC president, Moulana Ihsaan Hendricks says Malick’s election as a member comes as the organisation renews their call to Muslim women in the community, encouraging them to become a member of the ulema body and offer their expertise.

“Women do hold voting rights. They can become heads of departments but not yet the president of the MJC. We are not there yet. However, we are the only ulema body to have the contributions of active female members.” VOC (Ra’eesah Isaacs)