Introducing The Humanitarian Project

The Union of Muslim Students' Association (MSA Union of South Africa) takes great pleasure in announcing the National Flagship Project for 2013 - The Humanitarian Project. This initiative follows the Ramadan Humanitarian project & Project IQra. MSA takes the view that we should make a sustainable contribution towards underprivileged communities in South Africa. We should strive as a society to empower people and overcome poverty. We also aim to create mass student involvement on our campuses. 

About The Humanitarian Project:

The Humanitarian Project is MSA’s flagship project. A flagship project aims to fulfil the following objectives:

- Student involvement on a mass scale

- To fulfil a social need

- To encourage social development and eradicate social apathy

- To be and replicable across campuses for years

- To be edgy and address current needs and hypes

The South African National ZAKAH Fund (SANZAF) is an affiliate of this project.

In this year’s flagship project MSAs will conduct a second hand clothing collection across South African campuses and communities which will be given to identified underprivileged people to enable and empower them to start their own businesses. Collection boxes will be placed strategically around the country so as many people as possible may contribute to the project. The recipients of the second hand clothing will be people identified by SANZAF, who will also liaise with the recognised recipients. The recipients will receive training and support by SANZAF, which will ensure continuity and success of the project.

Additionally, a second phase will be incorporated. The sustainability phase consists of a fruit tree planting in areas identified by SANZAF.

After the clothes are collected, it will be washed, sorted and packed by students on campus as part of the core idea of mass student involvement. This phase requires sponsorship in terms of washing materials and utensils that will need to be distributed to campuses countrywide.

This project is envisioned upon an eradication of social apathy, replacing it with social development. It goes far beyond the realms of charity work, in that we aim to empower underprivileged people with the opportunity to start businesses of their own. This project is centered by revolutionary ideals and social progression and is a step in the right direction. Your sponsorship and donations will be much appreciated.

The project will be rolled out by 13 MSA chapters across South Africa in campuses in Gauteng, KwaZulu Natal and the western cape by a team of dedicated individuals. MSA Union has appointed Nasira Bhamjee to head this groundbreaking initiative. 

For more information please visit www.humanitarianproject.msa.org.za , like our Facebook page 'The Humanitarian Project' or follow @MSA_Union on twitter.

Contact details : Nasira Bhamjee (Project Manager) on 0766861687 or email : humanitarianproject@msa.org.za. 

Statement issued by Yusuf Talia, President of the MSA Union of South Africa

Yusuf Talia: yusuf.talia@gmail.com / 071-677-2391

MSA UNION STATEMENT ON THE 1432ND ANNIVERSARY OF THE BATTLE of BADR

The Prophet S.A.W prayed: “O Allah! I invoke You for Your promise (of victory). O Allah! If You decide (that we be defeated), You will not be worshipped!” And His Lord answered:

 "…Indeed, I will reinforce you with a thousand from the angels, rank after rank.” Surah Anfal, Ayah 9

Today marks the one thousand four hundred and thirty second anniversary of the battle of Badr. This battle fought on the 17^th of Ramadhaan in the second year after the Hijrah to Medinah, being the first military engaged in Islam, is a testament to the superiority of Truth over falsehood. The superiority of the Light of Islam over all other systems.

The Union of Muslim student associations commemorates, in humble gratitude and deepest admiration, the spirit and actions of bravery, selflessness, great personal sacrifice displayed by the Holy Prophet S.A.W and his noble companions on this day and indeed many other such days.

This is a day of victory and is a source of great pride in our history as the Ummah of Muhammed S.A.W.  It is a day in whose memory we should draw strength from despite the great challenges that surround us.  It is a reminder that just as the help of Allah S.W.T descended on the Ummah in one of its most difficult moments, the help of Allah is always near for us too and we should not despair no matter how insurmountable the obstacles that we face may seem.

We commemorate the martyrs: Harithah ibn Suraqa,Dhu'sh-shimilayn ibn 'Abd 'Amr ,Rafi' ibn al-Mu'alli ,Sa'd ibn Khaythama ,Safwan ibn Wahb ,Aqil ibn al-Bukayr ,Ubaydah ibn al-Harith ,Umayr ibn al-Humam ,Umayr ibn Abi Waqqas, Awf ibn al-Harith ,Mubash-shir ibn 'Abdu'l Mundhir ,Mu'awwidh ibn al-Harith , Mihja' ibn Salih  and Yazid ibn al-Harith ibn Fushum Radiyallahu Anhum who made the ultimate sacrifice on this day in defence of Islam so that the Deen of Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta’alaah would reach us and the entire human family, Insha-Allah. Indeed, we have no doubt as to the position that they enjoy as promised by their Lord:

 “Think not of those who are slain in Allah's way as dead. Nay, they live finding their sustenance in the presence of their Lord.” Surah Al Imran, Ayah 169

We pray that Muslims the world over will remember this day as a day of great victory and bring forth their faith and trust in Allah just as the Sahabah did this day to work towards the higher goals of Islam for the benefit of humanity, Insha-Allah.

On behalf of a very grateful Ummah

The Muslim Students Association

Why Israel? – A combat kit to defeat Zionist propaganda on campus!

The impressive list of people praising this book at its beginning is most certainly not just a flattering array with no substance. It bears testament to the brilliance, as well as impeccable timing, of the publication of a book such as Why Israel? Reading through the comments made by the likes such as Archbishop Desmond Tutu and Ahmed Kathrada it feels as if anything I will have to say about Why Israel? will appear inadequate or redundant.

However, I can give a review of this book from a different perspective; from the view of not only a young adult but a student. Trying to balance your studies as well as staying informed about the various global conflicts is not an easy task. It is easy to fall into the abyss of ignorance and I have personally witnessed this with so many of my colleagues. And this is why this book is imperative for every single student interested in basic human rights and the Israeli-Palestinian issue at large to have.

The way Why Israel? has been set up and presented makes it the number one tool for all students in combating the myths regarding the Middle-Eastern conflict. We are victims of many misconceptions fed to us via the mainstream media and if one did not look for another source of information it would be convenient to accept these lies as truths. With Why Israel?, each of these misrepresentations are broken down in a comprehensive, yet user-friendly, manner. The index at the beginning makes it beyond easy for you to find out about any subject you are interested in, starting with the origins of the conflict and progressing through the intricate history until present day. It offers you a truthful, yet at the same time unbiased approach to flames fuelling the conflict as well as what has kept the racist ideology of Zionism alive until today, in the 21st century.

Having only had the book for a very short period of time, it has already served me tremendously in my quest of combating the age old foundations used to justify the implementation of Zionism in Israel today. It has also clarified details regarding the various resistance movements established by the Palestinians over the years, and offered a clear plan for the way forward to peace in a very troubled region.

Excellent content aside, it is the presentation of this book that most impressed me. When reading books regarding the conflict one usually has to wade through thousands of pages of information in the smallest of fonts. Undoubtedly the information in invaluable, however, Why Israel? has managed to accomplish the compilation of all the vital details in a font and presentation that would appeal to the masses, particularly the youth. Its full colour 16 page photo insert is also a striking feature, and together with the hard cover and glossy pages I felt as if I had hit the jackpot getting a book such as this one for such a ridiculously reasonable price.

Whether it be needing to brush up on my knowledge regarding the conflict for a debate or workshop, or using it as a resource to write my next piece exposing the lies of Zionism, I know that I have found my essential first aid kit in combating the Hasbara.

From the moment I had my copy of Why Israel?, it was clearly evident the amount of work and countless hours put into its production, for which I commend the authors Dr Firoz Osamn and Suraya Dadoo. Why Israel? is not only for the established political commentators amongst us but well suited for people of all ages, particularly the youth.

Aayesha Soni is a fifth year medical student with a keen interest in Islam, politics and the global perception of international conflicts.

Why Israel? The Anatomy of Zionist Apartheid – A South African Perspective (Porcupine Press, 2013) is available at all bookstores countrywide. E-book and Kindle versions are also available.