The South African Muslim Development Forum (SAMDF) has reiterated calls for members of the Muslim community to honor the role of the African National Congress (ANC) in the struggle against Apartheid, by coming out to attend the party’s 103rd anniversary celebrations on Saturday. The SAMDF will be in attendance at the birthday bash and has urged the Muslim community to do likewise, in order to bring about better engagement with national government.

The SAMDF are a recently established faith-based organization formed with the intention of uplifting not only Muslims, but religious communities across the spectrum of South African society. The group seeks to promote the ideals of the Jazakallahu Khairan; the final sermon of the Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W). This includes equality amongst all sectors of society, as well as better conditions for religious minorities.

“We don’t want our communities to become a slave of the financial system. We would like our mosques to be free from electricity and water bills. We would like to build a future for our youth, so that we can focus on the important aspects of performing our duty as Muslims,” explained SAMDF representative, Abdul Aziz Pappas.

Amongst the organizations goals would be to improve the living conditions of Muslims, bring about better maintenance at mosques and churches, as well as get the respective communities to be proactive in finding solutions to the issues currently plaguing them. Hence they were hoping the Muslim community’s attendance at Saturday’s event could help bring about better dialogue with national government.

“We need to engage in social economic development for ourselves and for the country, so that we can provide the bounties of which Allah has given us. This means to spread our dean, and encourage a better life for all,” he explained.

The anniversary celebrations come at a difficult time for South Africa, amidst lingering racial tensions, deteriorating infrastructure, and continuous increases in the cost of living. Pappas said the best manner in which to address these issues would be to focus less on the problems themselves, and more on potential solutions.

But he also sought to mobilize the community into paying recognition to the ANC’s massive role in the struggle. Their attendance would also serve as a reminder and eye-opener as to the strength and size of the Muslim community in the Western Cape.

“We need to show that we have goodwill, that we are representing ourselves, that we as Muslims are here in the Western Cape, and that we need can be an example to the rest of the world,” he said.

Those seeking to attend the anniversary bash may register through the SAMDF website at www.samdf.org. Alternatively you may contact Pappas directly at 074 111 1113, or via email at director@samdf.org or innovations@samdf.org.

The SAMDF have been allocated 10 000 seats, so interested individuals are advised to register as soon as possible. VOC (Mubeen Banderker)