The Celebrate Mercy Webcast is a historic event and the first of its kind. Renowned speakers, scholars and artists from around the world will inspire and awe a worldwide audience. Speaker List: Shaykh Hamzah Yusuf Dr Yusuf Islam Imam Zaid Shakir Habib Ali Jifri Sami Yusuf Maher Zain Dr Ingrid Mattison Dalia Mogahed Shaykh Nuh Keller Shaykh Yahya Rhodus Imam Sayed Hassan Qazwini Shaykh Abdullah Adhami ….and many many more, see www.celebratemercy.com

Don’t miss this opportunity to harness power of technology coupled with love for Prophet (PBUH) as a unifying force. Please forward to all your friends and family. Muslims in Johannesburg who wish to commemorate and celebrate the Prophet’s (PBUH) life and message will gather to watch this historic event, followed by discussion and snacks

Date: 28 February 2010 Time: 12 noon Venue: Afro-Middle East Centre, 28 Louw Geldenhuys Drive, Emmarentia, Johannesburg. Entrance Fee: R50/per person (all proceeds after expenses will go to Islamic Relief’s Orphan Fund, in honor of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) who was an orphan)

Please email your confirmation of attendance to reserve your spot at this historic event to safiyyah.s@gmail.com facebook event: http://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fevent.php%3Feid%3D320686479449%26ref%3Dmf&h=b49cbfd46282cde92380c186340b4d0deid=320686479449&ref=mf

The 6^th WIEF, to be held at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre on 18-20 May 2010, is expected to attract an estimated 2000 participants from the global business community. It is poised to be the ultimate business meeting place for investors, fund managers, entrepreneurs, bankers and other business stakeholders. The pre-forum Women in Business Network and the Young Leaders Network will be addressed by some of the world’s most influential persons.

You are invited to join the South African delegation to the 6^th WIEF. The delegation will be led by a senior government representative and will be accorded preferential status. Arrangements will be made for the delegation to meet business counterparts in Malaysia and to visit places of interest.

 A 5 night package has been put together which includes flights, accommodation, airport transfers, delegates pack, a profile in the delegation brochure and assistance with individual meetings.

This could also be an opportunity to take in the sights of Malaysia by extending your stay and visiting some of the beautiful places in Malaysia. This would be a separate arrangement and an individual responsibility.

If you would like to join the South African delegation, kindly confirm with Zaid Mahomedy (contact details below) before 24 February 2010 as seats are limited to only 30 persons. A brochure containing the profiles of all delegates will be circulated at the WIEF. On confirmation of your joining the delegation, we will require your profile to insert in the brochure.

Link to the 6th WIEF Programme: http://www.wief.org.my/6th-wief-2010-kuala-lumpur/wief-2010-programme.html

The Muslim Professionals Network (MPN) recently nominated candidates to the National Planning Commission (NPC) which was recently established by the Presidency.

The well-established  Muslim community in South Africa  will mark a 340 year ( http://tiny.cc/8RV33 ) presence in the country this year. While the Muslim community is well integrated into South African society the need to engage with and contribute to the broader community remains paramount.

Further, by the Grace of Allah, we have among us many individuals whose God- given talents hold great potential for fruitful contribution towards the continued success of the country.

We hope that the National Planning Commission, regardless of its make-up will ultimately improve the lives of all South Africans, and all those living here.

We pray too that the number of individuals, who are willing and able to fulfil our collective obligation to this world, will increase in number and strength. This principle is one of the cornerstones of the MPN and its activities.

The MPN congratulates The Presidency on the establishment of this institution and salutes those who will comprise its members.

About the NPC, taken from: http://www.thepresidency.gov.za/nationalplanningcommission.asp

Background to the National Planning Commission

The National Planning Commission is a new initiative of government. Chaired by the Minister in The Presidency for National Planning, the NPC will be responsible for developing a draft long term vision and strategic plan for South Africa. The process of developing this draft plan will include discussion and engagement across our country and will also provide opportunities for people to come forward with ideas and suggestions. This draft will be considered by Cabinet and accepted, amended or rejected. The Commission will also advise on cross-cutting issues that impact on South Africa’s long term development.

Functions of the NPC

What will the role of National Planning Commission be?

• Lead the development (and periodic review) of a draft Vision 2025 (“South Africa Vision 2025”) and long –term national strategic plan for approval by Cabinet (first plan 2010)
• Lead investigations into critical long term trends under the supervision of the Minister in the Presidency for the National Planning Commission, with technical support from a Secretariat and in partnership with relevant other parties
• Advise on key issues such as food security, water security, energy choices, economic development, poverty and inequality, structure of the economy, human resource development, social cohesion, health, defense capabilities and scientific progress
• Assist with mobilizing society around a national vision and other tasks related to strategic planning
• Contribute to reviews of implementation or progress in achieving the objectives of the National Plan
• Contribute to the development of international partnerships and networks of expertise on planning

How will the commission be appointed and for how long will they serve?

Given that an expert commission is broadly the preferred approach and the need for the speedy formation of the Commission, it is proposed that the Presidency call for public nominations to the Commission and that the President appoints 20 Commissioners on the basis of their experience , knowledge and expertise in various fields. The aim is to appoint the commission by the end of March 2010 with an inaugural meeting planned for April.

The Panel of commissioners will broadly be an expert panel, which is also representative of the major social forces in our society. The commissioners sitting on the NPC should be knowledgeable and representative of the diverse views in the country, and also willing and able to work collaboratively to develop a coherent and consistent national plan.

The NPC will be a permanent institution with part-time commissioners. The mandate of the NPC will be updated and renewed periodically by the President. The Minister in the Presidency responsible for National Planning will chair the commission. The commissioners will be appointed for a period of 5 years.

Tan Sri Ahmad Fuzi Bin Haji Abdul Razak, Secretary General of the WIEF Foundation; Mr Kennedy Jawan, Malaysian High Commisioner to South Africa; as well as South African representatives Ebrahim Patel, from the Minara Chamber of Commerce and the MPN’s own Zaid Mahomedy, presented an overview of the forum, its history and its aspirations.

South Africa has always been well represented at the forum since its inception, thanks to the efforts of Br Ebrahim Patel.  Further, a South African was also the first recipient of a scholarship established through the WIEF Young Leaders Network by CIMB Bank, having his MBA at Cambridge fully funded, followed by a placement at their offices in Malaysia.

Any South Africans interested in attending the 6th WIEF which takes place from 18 – 20 May in Kuala Lumpur can contact:

Zaid Mahomedy

ZaidMahomedy@gmail.com

Further information on the Forum is available on www.wief.org.my

The World Islamic Economic Forum is a global conference that acts as an international business platform where the business sectors of the Muslim world meet for business opportunities and together with the government leaders, act as a hub where policy proposals on economic development can be formulated.

The 6^th WIEF, purportedly one of the most important business forums in 2010, is expected to bring together around 2000 participants comprising world leaders, investors, fund managers, entrepreneurs, bankers and other stakeholders of the business community in a single meeting place. With the theme ‘Gearing for Economic Resurgence’, the 6^th WIEF seeks to capture the world’s post crisis mode for change and economic revival.

With a modest beginning as the OIC Business Forum on the side of the 10^th OIC Summit in 2003, the World Islamic Economic Forum has grown into a world class business forum, attracting a huge number of participants from the government and business communities worldwide. The change also brought about its complete independence from the OIC, answerable only to the WIEF Foundation, with an International Advisory Panel consisting of international personalities from the business sector and international organisations.

The WIEF Foundation, a not-for-profit organisation based in Kuala Lumpur, organises the annual World Islamic Economic Forum, a world-class business platform showcasing business opportunities in the Muslim world, and to run programmes of the various initiatives of the Foundation that strengthens people partnership and knowledge exchange between Muslim and non-Muslim communities across the globe. The Foundation aims to tackle problems in the Muslim world strictly from a business perspective, and to build bridges through business between the West and the Muslim world.

About the Book: Gaza’s untold story, is told from the perspective of the refugees and has been endorsed by John Pilger, Noam Chomsky, Richard Falk and Albert G. Milbank Professor of International Law Emeritus, Princeton University and Special Rapporteur for Occupied Palestinian Territories, UN Human Right Council.

About the Author: Ramzy Baroud is a veteran Palestinian-American journalist and former Al-Jazeera producer. He also taught Mass Communication at Australia’s Curtin University of Technology, is a frequent speaker, a regular media guest, and is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of the Palestine Chronicle, a leading resource for information on Israel/Palestine and much more. He’s also written many articles, commentaries, short stories, and authored several books, including “The Second Intifada: A Chronicle of a People’s Struggle.

The evening is sponsored by ABSA Islamic Banking.

Date: Thursday, 28 January 2010.

Time: 17h00 for 17h30

Venue: Suliman Nana Centre

Address: 65 Foyle Avenue, Crosby, Johannesburg

Light snacks will be provided.

As seats are limited, please R.S.V.P. by sending an email to mpn.email@gmail.com in advance.

For further information on the Forum, visit www.wief.org.my

Awqaf-South Africa, the Islamic Development Bank of Jeddah and the Kuwait Awqaf Public Foundation hosted a Waqf training course for Southern Africa during 4-6 December 2009. The course theme ‘Developing Managerial Skills of Waqf Professional Cadres’ was aimed at sharing expertise and experience with those in Southern Africa that want to develop Waqf institutions. Delegates were from academic, government, private and NGO backgrounds and represented Malawi, Zambia, Uganda, Kenya, Zimbabwe, Mauritius, Zanzibar, Tanzania and South Africa.

“There was not one companion (Sahaba) who possessed any substantial property and did not make a Waqf’’ (Ibn Qudama).

There is a rich legacy of Waqf in Islamic history and the workshop emphasized the need to revive this. With this philanthropic model the capital base remains for perpetuity as a loan to Allah (SWT) while the returns from the capital are used for religious, charitable and humanitarian purposes.

The training was conducted around the themes of Shariah, social and economic aspects, country report backs, investment strategies, legal and regulatory frameworks and practical strategies for setting up a waqf institution.
The workshop sessions were conducted by international academics of high repute in the fields of Islamic Economics, Finance and Jurisprudence including:

Mufti Mohammed Najeeb Khan from Pakistan, Professor Syed Khalid Rashid from India, Dr Mustafa Edwin Nasution of Indonesia, Moulana Yusuf Patel – the Secretary General of the United Ulama Council of South Africa, Dr Adi Setia – a professor at the Islamic University of Malaysia and Professor Tarek Abdullah who has obtained PhD degrees in Economics and Sociology and is currently based in the UAE.

The speakers concurred that though there are many immediate needs that need to be met in the Southern African context a longer term view of charity will ensure sustainable development for future generations. There must be the foresight to move beyond only reactionary ‘band aid’ charity.

Muguluma Hamed, Director of Humanitarian Efforts And Relief in Uganda left the workshop with a positive vision for implementing the waqf model in his country,
“Uganda has had its fare share of ups and downs in relation to waqf operations and dispossessions. But with support from both individuals and organisations of good will, we are already on top of the situation moving in a positive direction once again.”

Several recommendations were made by the participants including special waqf training for the Ulama, specialised training around corporate governance, accounting, and investments for waqf institutions, the development of waqf training modules for various levels of learning and teaching, and the declaration of Muharram and the second Friday of Ramadaan as Waqf awareness month and day respectively.

To find out more about this ‘gift that keeps on giving’ visit www.awqafsa.org.za

 Keynote speaker: Ashfaaq Carrim, Al Jazeera English deputy News Editor in news room and former freelance producer on the programme Inside Story, will regale dinner guests with an analysis of the goings on in the world during the past year and reflect on what may be in store next year.

The dinner is being held to enable young professionals to establish mutually beneficial relationships with other professionals in the region, so bring along your business cards.

Separate seating arrangements will be available for males and females.

Tickets are R100 per person before the event and R130 on the day (subject to availability).
To secure a ticket, please R.S.V.P. by sending a confirmation email with your name, occupation and company (if applicable) to mpn.email@gmail.com a.s.a.p.

There are only 50 seats available so R.S.V.P. in advance to avoid disappointment.

The 2nd December 2009 is officially International Day for the Abolition of Slavery, a day generally celebrated to commemorate the final demise of slavery.

The irony is that, although we celebrate the day, slavery is still writhe in the world, merely in a different guise. Of course, I am referring to human trafficking: the removal, transportation and enslavement of people that is currently the world’s 3rd most prolific crime!

The primary problem in South Africa is that we have no formal legislation controlling this crime, meaning it is impossible to charge its purpertrators.

Create awareness on Human Trafficking!

See attachment: Go Red Doc, or visit www.redlight.co.cc for more info