Global scholars converge on Cape Town for key retreat

The core aims of the GISC retreat centre on finding unified solutions to the challenges faced by Muslim communities abroad.

By SAYED RIDHWAAN

Cape Town, South Africa is set to host a significant international gathering as the Global Imams and Scholars Council (GISC) prepares for its Third Annual Retreat from October 28 to 29.

The event, hosted by the United Ulama Council of South Africa (UUCSA), will bring together leading imams and Islamic scholars’ councils from the English-speaking world to discuss critical issues facing Muslim minority communities globally.

The GISC members are representative of Ahlu-Sunnah Wal-Jama’a imams and scholars, advocating for the preservation of mainstream Islamic identity and principles in non-Muslim contexts.

Member bodies include the Australian National Imams Council (ANIC), The British Board of Scholars and Imams (BBSI), North American Imams Fellow (NAIF), the Canadian Council of Imams (CCI), Ulama Council of New Zealand (UCNZ), the Council of Imams in Japan (CIJ), and South Africa’s UUCSA.

Fostering unity and strategic solutions

The core aims of the GISC retreat centre on finding unified solutions to the challenges faced by Muslim communities abroad. The council seeks to be an inspirational and empowering voice for these communities, raising awareness, providing religious guidance, and coordinating collaborative efforts across member countries.

Discussions may also cover pressing matters like maintaining Islamic identity amidst cultural integration pressures, countering extremism, addressing issues of Islamophobia, and providing contemporary guidance on spiritual and social matters.

Moulana Yusuf Patel, Secretary General of UUCSA, expressed his honour at hosting the prestigious event.

‘The GISC brings together leading scholars from English-speaking countries — including South Africa, Australia, Britain, Canada, the USA, New Zealand, and Japan — to engage on issues of shared concern facing Muslim minority communities,’ Moulana Patel stated. ‘As a young but promising forum, the GISC seeks to foster collaboration, strengthen scholarly unity, and develop strategic responses to the common challenges confronting Muslims across the globe.’

The retreat highlights South Africa’s prominent role within this international scholarly network.

Adding a local dimension to the welcome, the Cape Town Ulama Board (CTUB) added a warm welcome to the GISC delegates arriving in the Mother City this weekend.

Mufti Sayed Haroon Al Azhari, President of the Cape Town Ulama Board, emphasised the importance of the GISC’s mandate.

‘The Cape Town Ulama Board is profoundly honoured to extend a warm and heartfelt welcome to the distinguished scholars and leadership of the Global Imams and Scholars Council (GISC) for their esteemed retreat in our Mother City,’ Mufti Al Azhari said. ‘We recognise the crucial importance of GISC’s mission to foster unity among global English-speaking Imams and scholars, and to preserve the traditional and mainstream understanding of Islam.’

Mufti Al Azhari added a dua for the success of the deliberations.

‘We pray that this vital gathering provides a platform for productive deliberations, strengthens transnational collaboration, and produces immense spiritual and social benefit for the Ummah worldwide.’

Beyond the two-day retreat, the visiting imams, muftis, and moulanas will be hosted by various Masaajid and organisations throughout the Western Cape over the subsequent week. This extended engagement is being facilitated with the collective support of UUCSA, the Muslim Judicial Council (MJC), and the Cape Town Ulama Board (CTUB), ensuring the international guests have an opportunity to engage directly with the vibrant local Muslim community.

This broader programme is intended to share experiences and knowledge between the global scholars and the grassroots institutions in the region.