Following the conclusion of the Muslim Judicial Council’s (MJC) 2016 Annual General Meeting, which took place on 23 April 2016, the MJC elections saw the inauguration of a new president, Shaykh Irfaan Abrahams. The elections also witnessed the change of the executive and the five senior positions within the MJC.

The position of 1st, 2nd Deputy President, Secretary General, Treasurer and 5 Executive Committee members are as follows; Maulana Abdul Khaliq Allie – 1st Deputy President, Shaykh Riad, Fataar – 2nd Deputy President, Shaykh Isgak Taliep – Secretary General, and Shaykh Fadiel Emandien – Treasurer.

Exco Members; Shaykh Ismail Ngonyana, Shaykh Muneer Abderouf, Maulana Yusuf Arieff, Shaykh Dawood Terblanche, and Maulana Abdul Fataah Carr.

The process of nomination took place from 1-7 April 2016 and was subsequently concluded by the official Electoral Committee of the MJC.

The electoral process was conducted by the Electoral Commission represented by Maulana Taha Karaan, Maulana Ihsaan Hendricks, Shaykh Shaheed Esau, Dr Yusry Toefy and Shaykh Fadil Abdul Latief.

The two candidates standing for president was Shaykh Riad Fataar and Shaykh Irfaan Abrahams. Both candidates were requested to provide the electoral panel with a five minute presentation outlining their vision for the future of the MJC.

Shaykh Abrahams succeeds Maulana Ihsaan Hendricks, who served as the president of the MJC for two terms after being re-elected as the head of the ulama body in 2011.

Shaykh Abrahams, in an interview with VOC, explained that his new role comes with great responsibility.

“We have the responsibility towards our community, responsibility towards our ummah and the responsibility that we have undertaken to guide this ummah, through the deen of Islam. We must, therefore, be mindful that the Almighty will ask us about this huge responsibility that we undertook as leaders of our community.”

The Shaykh further noted that since he has been a part of the MJC for the past 29 years and served under three presidents, he will draw on their experiences to assist him in fulfilling the position of president.

Shaykh Abrahams affirmed his gratitude for the support of the both the VOC and the listeners for their respect and support of the ulama body.

“I would also like to thank the Voice of the Cape and all the listeners for their support to the MJC and for the respect that they have shown the MJC since its inception,” Shaykh Abrahams asserted.

“My phone keeps on ringing and messages pouring in and I want to say to the people that God-willing I will not disappoint them. I will try my best to be a good leader and serve this community for the sake of the Almighty.”

Shaykh Abrahams explained that since the ulama body has been in existence for more than 70 years, before we can look toward the future of the MJC, we must first pay our respects to the MJC’s predecessors and pay homage to what they have done for the MJC and for the community.

The Shaykh concluded by confirming that the MJC continues to seek improved methods and means of serving the community at large, whilst cementing the bonds of support between the community and the MJC.

“The vision we need to look at is how we are going to serve the ummah of Islam and how we can improve the relationship between the MJC and the community; locally, nationally and internationally,” Shaykh Abrahams stated.

VOC (Umarah Hartley)