‘It is important for South Africans, especially the youth, to be reminded that they need to embrace and benefit from each other’s cultures, fostering unity rather than division.’
By NONTOBEKO AISHA MKHWANAZI
‘O mankind, indeed, We have created you from male and female and made you into different nations and tribes that you may know one another,’ [Surah Al-Hujurat, 49:13].
As we celebrate Heritage Month, let us take a moment to reflect and ask ourselves how much effort do we make to learn from one another as a beautiful diverse nation. If we find ourselves falling short, what is stopping us from heeding this Quranic imperative?
These questions which evoke introspection were at the heart of the webinar titled ‘Islam and Culture’ hosted by Auwal Socio-Economic Research Institute (Asri) on July 15 but have particular relevance now as we mark Heritage Month.
Asri is think tank focusing on public policy and advocates for laws that promote a South Africa that is fair. At the core of this organisation is equipping the youth with critical skills to become better future leaders.
Their work includes political analysis and policy studies, with a strong emphasis on leadership training, especially through their flagship initiative the Asri Future Leaders Programme, which was initiated in 2016.
In an interview Anwar Jhetam, Asri’s Civic Leadership Programme Coordinator, highlighted that the webinar was an important part of the Asri Civic Leadership Level One series for 2024, aimed at helping students understand South Africa’s diverse cultures through the lens of Islamic values.
He described Islam as ‘clear flowing water’ that reflects the vibrant colours of the diverse cultures it encounters, much like the ‘bedrock of a river’.
He noted that South Africa’s cultural diversity is not just a backdrop but a vital part of the nation’s identity.
‘Hence, it is important for South Africans, especially the youth, to be reminded that they need to embrace and benefit from each other’s cultures, fostering unity rather than division,’ said Jhetam.
This sentiment was echoed by Shaikh Thulani Zaid Langa, a lecturer at the University of South Africa and President of the Soweto Muslim Shura Council, who was also among the guest speakers of the webinar. Shaikh Langa cited Dr Umar Faruq Abd-Allah who pointed out that many contemporary Islamic scholars often neglect the rich cultural wisdom inherent in Islam, adopting an overly rigid stance that ignores the role of culture in Islamic discourse.
Shaikh Langa affirmed that Islam not only accommodates cultural practices but enriches them, as long as they align with Islamic principles.
Abdud-Daiayan Petersen, an archival researcher of Malay, slave and Muslim history at the Cape of Good Hope who was recently featured in Al Jazeera’s ‘Africa Direct’ mini-documentary series, shared insights into Cape Muslim culture, which emerged from a blend of diverse influences, including those of political exiles and Islamic scholars from Southeast Asia, Indonesia and beyond. He noted the importance of culture citing how the early Cape Muslim community used Islam as a liberation ideology, bringing together enslaved and oppressed people from different backgrounds to form a cohesive, culturally rich community.
Petersen also discussed how Cape Muslim culture evolved in response to historical challenges.
‘During the early days of Islam in the Cape, observing Islamic practices was difficult due to the scattered nature of the community and harsh restrictions,’ he noted.
He cited that practices like wearing the hijab and performing Hajj were not possible for Cape Muslims due to these constraints.
‘Muslims faced difficulties such as limited access to traditional Islamic practices and even being paid in alcohol rather than money – the infamous dop system,’ said Petersen.
It wasn’t until the 1870s, with the arrival of Turkish scholar Abu Bakr Effendi, that practices such as wearing the hijab were reintroduced.
‘Effendi’s arrival marked a significant shift; he reintroduced Islamic practices, including the hijab, which was quickly adopted by the majority of the community. This period shows how culture can be modified and enriched when Muslims are able to practice their faith fully.’
The guest speaker, Shaikh Zakariyya Du Preez, Imam at Masjid Al Aashiqeen in Johannesburg, highlighted the struggle of reverts.
He shared his personal journey of how, as a white revert to Islam, he experienced hardship regarding adjusting to cultural expectations within the Muslim community.
‘Unlike African Muslims, Indian Muslims or the Cape Muslim community, as white people we don’t have a strong cultural background, and this is something I struggled with as a revert,’ he explained.
He recounted the challenges of adapting to unfamiliar practices, such as the expectation to enjoy dishes like samoosas or biryani – foods he was not used to eating at home.
Shaikh Du Preez’s story highlighted the sometimes-overwhelming cultural expectations placed on new reverts.
‘You come into Islam and suddenly, you’re expected to say jee instead of yes,’ he said. His experiences underscored the need for sensitivity and understanding within the diverse Muslim community.
The webinar concluded with a strong reminder of the Quranic call to ‘know one another’ [Surah Al-Hujurat, 49:13].
‘This mutual recognition and understanding is vital, especially in a diverse society like ours, where different cultures come together within the fold of Islam,’ said Shaikh Du Preez.
- ASRI calls on final year student, university graduates or current postgraduate students with an interest in politics, governance, activism and are keen on a career in the public or civil society sector, to consider applying for the ASRI Future Leaders Programme. To register or for more information visit https://asri.org.za/flp-2025-applications/ or contact Anwar Jhetam on 063 697 9665.
