Invitation to the 6th World Islamic Economic Forum

The World Islamic Economic Forum has emerged as the foremost economics and business forum in the Muslim world. The Forum is a platform where world leaders, thought shapers and business converge to discuss trade and economic issues affecting the globe and not just the Muslim community.

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

JHB/PRE: Habib Umar bin Hafiz Tour – World Renowned Yemeni Scholar

21 and 22 February, 2010

MPN NPC Nominations

“ Let there arise out of you a band of people inviting to all that is good, enjoining what is right, and forbidding what is wrong: They are the ones to attain to success “  Surah 3 vs 104

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.

Feedback on WIEF Information Evening

On the 28^th January the MPN hosted an information evening on the World Islamic Economic Forum (WIEF), sponsored by ABSA Islamic Banking.  - Zubair Habib

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.

National: Ramzy Baroud Author Tour 2010

South African Muslim Network (SAMNET) cordially invites you to hear RAMZY BAROUD speak about his new book entitled “My Father Was a Freedom Fighter”: Gaza’s Untold Story. Insha Allah, Launch events, talks and discussions are being held across South Africa and we look forward to seeing you there. Topics will include Gaza the Untold Story; Islam and Global Geopolitics and Related Issues. 

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.

ITINERARY
DAY	Province	Activity	Place	Time
Wed 10th	JHB	Cii Interview	Telephonic	3h00pm
	JHB	Public Lecture	Halima Hall PTA	7h45pm
Thrs 11th	JHB	Radio Islam Interview	Telephonic	8am
	JHB	Jamiat Office	Jamiat JHB	10-11am
	JHB	Public Talk	Suliman Nana Memorial Cntre Crosby	After Magrib 7.30pm
Friday 12th	JHB	Jumuah Lecture	Brixton Masajid	12h00pm
	JHB	Departure to Cape Town	JHB Airport	15h05
Friday 12th	C/Town	Arrival		5h20pm
Saturday 13	C/Town	Media Seminar	IPSA University,Rylands	9am-2pm
	C/Town	Public Book Launch	Centre for the Book,CT	5pm-7pm
Sunday 14	C/Town	Sightseeing	Hout Bay	9am-5pm
	C/Town	Community Lecture	Masjid ar Rawbie,Mitchells Plain	After Maghrib (8.30pm)
Monday 15	C/Town	Interview with Al Quds Media Desk	Al Quds Foundation Offices	9.30am-11am
	C/Town	Talk & lunch	MJC Athlone	12pm-2pm
	C/Town	Radio Panel Discussion	Voice of the Cape Studios	5pm-6pm
Tues 16th	C/Town	Departure to Durban		9.15am
Tues 16th	DBN	Arrival at Durban Airport		11h10am
	DBN	Media Seminar	Mama Mia Cosmetics,Office	2pm-4pm
	Stanger	Public Lecture	Zakariya Islamic School	after magrib
Wed 17	PMB	Various Schools/University visits
	PMB	Public Lecture	DSLT Hall Main Campus UKZN PMB	after magrib
Thurs 18th	DBN	Forum for Islamic Organisations & Muslim Ulemmah	Islamic Guidance Centre	8.30am-10am
	DBN	SAFM Book Review with Karabo Kgoleng	Telephonic	10.30am-11am
	DBN	Lecture to Students	DUT	12pm-1pm
	DBN	Womens Only Forum “The Mothers of Gaza”	Al Ansaar Hall	3-4.30pm
	DBN	Lecture/Book Launch	UKZN Howard College Theatre	5.30pm-7pm
Friday 19th	DBN	SAFM Interview Morning Talk with  Siki Mgabadeli	Telephonic	9am-10am
	DBN	Gagasi FM Interview	Telephonic	10.30am-10.35am
	DBN	Jumuah Lecture	Grey Street Jumuah Masajid	12h00pm
	DBN	Book Launch	Exclusive Books Westwood	2.30pm-4pm-To be confirmed
	DBN	Public Lecture	Orient School Hall	after maghrib
Sat 20th	DBN	Departs DBN	DBN to JHB	8h45am