The Yusuf Talia Al-Ihsaan Award
The Al-Ihsaan award has been
presented by the MSA since 2012 to recognise the work done by Muslim youth in
South Africa. It aims to identify youth that inspire others to become active
members of society, while at the same time promoting the idea of change. The
award is judged at various levels, including spirituality, leadership,
academics, humanitarian involvement, as well as the inspiration of students to
others. Nominees must be under 30 years of age, and involved in making a
difference in their community or society at large.
The name of the award,
'Al-Ihsaan', shows what the award aims to identify, acknowledge and encourage
in Muslim youth: excellence and goodness, as emphasised in the Qur'an,
“Is the recompense of excellence
(in obedience to God) other than excellence?” (Surah Ar-Rahman, Verse 60)
In 2013, the Al-Ihsaan Award was
presented to Sizwe Mpofu Walsh, and in 2012, to Naeema Kharsany. The 2014
finalists are:
Imaad Isaacs
Naeema Hussein
Muhammed Sheik
Habib Noorbhai
Silomo Khumalo
This year, the award was renamed
after our late MSA President, Yusuf Talia, as he exemplified excellence and
embodied it in all aspects of his life. Brother Yusuf Talia played an integral
role in the development of the MSA, and the formation of the Union of Muslim Students'
Associations of South Africa. He inspired in others a passion towards doing
good and motivated those who worked with him to give their best.
Yusuf was a member of the
Disabled Students' Movement, where he showed a tireless dedication towards
advocating for equality and disability rights. He was also the head of
mentorship at Redineo, an organisation which mentors underprivileged children.
Yusuf also served as the deputy president of the Wits Student Representative
Council in 2010. He was named one of the top 200 South Africans by the Mail and
Guardian in 2013 for his contribution to the higher education system and his
work to improve conditions for disabled students. He is remembered as an
individual who always had time to help his fellow students, and who represented
the perfect example of service to humanity. Brother Yusuf had completed a BSc
and a degree in Accounting Science, and was completing an honours degree in
Physiology at the time of his passing.
Profiles of the 2014 Al-Ihsaan
Finalists
Winner of the Al Ihsaan Award 2014: Imaad Isaacs
Imaad Isaacs obtained his BA in
Mathematics, Arabic, Film and Media Studies in 2013 from the University of Cape
Town. In 2014, he completed a six-week internship in International Affairs at
the World Affairs Council, Washington D.C, as part of the professional exposure
component of the South Africa-Washington International Programme leadership
development curriculum.
Brother Imaad is the founder and
director of the Youth Academy for Leadership Excellence, an educational
start-up that focusses on youth, leadership and entrepreneurship development of
Grade 10-12 students.
Imaad is involved in a variety of
different activities. He is currently taking elective courses in Educational
Management and Leadership at the University of Cape Town. He also works as a
Mathematics teacher at The Leadership College in Manenburg, Cape Town and is a
lecturer at the Islamic Charitable Projects Programme (Southern African
Branch). He is an educator and director at the BTG Department of Educational
Research and Resources Development. He conducts various weekend and holiday
intensive courses and workshops as part of the Bridging the Gap Organization,
and also serves as a freelance tutor in mathematics, physical sciences and
accounting.
Brother Imaad has completed an
Islamic Obligatory Knowledge Course offered by the Arab Islamic Cultural Trust
in Amman, Jordan, as well as various Qur'an and Tajweed studies. He studied and
completed his memorisation of the Qur'an under the tutorship of Muhammad Fouad
Gabier. He has also received his license, with authoritative chain, to teach
the text and its interpretation from the Tayyibah An-Nashr Institute for the
Ten Qiraa'at and its Sciences.
Among the many leadership
positions brother Imaad has held are Chairperson of the MSA of the University
of Cape Town in 2011-2012, National Executive Committee Liaison member for MSA
Union in 2012, as well as Student Assessor for the UCT Student Disciplinary
Tribunal, which he currently still holds. Brother Imaad has spoken at the 11th
Doha International Conference for Interfaith Dialogue, at the International
Peace Youth Group, as well as at the Leadership academy on International
Affairs, World Affairs Council, Washington.
Runner-up of the Al-Ihsaan Award 2014: Naeema Hussein
Naeema Hussein El Kout has
excelled in many spheres, including public speaking, soccer, leadership and
academics. She is currently studying towards a BSc Physiotherapy Degree and
has, during the course of her studies, received the Golden Key International
Honour Society new member chapter award.
Sister Naeema is an AWQAF SA
youth representative and one of the founding members of Hayaatun-Nujoom, a
forum for the leadership development of young Muslim women. She is a member of
Gems of the Ummah, and a youth representative for GMWG. She has attended the
Al-Azhar Youth Leader in Jakarta, Indonesia for a two-week International
Leadership Camp. Sister Naeema also runs her own tuition service from home for
primary and high school learners.
Sister Naeema has been a
charismatic MC of many events and has participated in various Qiraat
competitions at both a national and International level. Sister Naeema is an
avid soccer player, serving as the Captain of the 1st Soccer team and receiving
full colours for soccer while in school. She participated in the Arsenal
International Soccer Festival, and was one of the Vice Captains of the Wits
Ladies Football Club in 2013.
Finalist: Muhammed Sheik
Muhammed Sheik obtained his
Bachelor of Social Sciences degree, majoring in Political Science and Economic
Development, from the University of Kwa-Zulu Natal. He completed his Honours
degree, and is currently pursuing a Master's Degree, in Political Science and
Public Policy.
Brother Muhammed is currently
employed by the SABC, where he works as a journalist for SABC Radio
Broadcasting. He also serves as a presenter/producer on Newsbreak on Lotus FM.
He is a freelance writer for a variety of print and online publications,
including the Daily Vox and the Daily Maverick.
Brother Muhammed is a volunteer
teacher for the New English Speaker's Programme, a non-profit organisation that
aims to promote English literacy in rural communities. He is also an active
member of VI+, a student-led organisation that focuses on the plight of those
that are visually impaired. Between 2010 and 2013, he formed part of the Action
Group for Palestine, focused on creating awareness of the oppressive living
conditions experienced by the Palestinian people. Brother Muhammed also works
with SANZAF and organisations such as the SPCA on a volunteer basis.
Finalist: Habib Noorbhai
Habib Noorbhai is a registered
Biokineticist, a researcher, humanitarian, lecturer and motivational speaker
who strives to create a positive change in the lives of others. Brother Habib
has held various leadership positions within the social, cultural, academic and
sports settings.
He is the founder and director of
the Biokinetic Humanitarian Project, a non-profit organisation that provides
complementary exercise prescription and health education. He is the CEO of the
Humanitarians, an umbrella non-profit organisation that aims to create
sustainable and innovative changes in society.
Brother Habib has worked for a number of national and international
sport teams, as well as at various cycling events. He is a volunteer fitness
expert on Health24.
He has published papers in
reputable journals and has presented at local and international conferences.
Among his presentations are a TEDx UCT talk (Examples of Leadership in
Academia) and a keynote presentation at the SA Sport and Recreational
Conference. In 2013, he was rated among South Africa's top 100 brightest minds.
He also served as chairperson of the UJ MSA in 2009-2010, and has been an
active MSA member since 2007.
Finalist: Silomo Khumalo
“I may not have sight, but I have
vision”
Silomo Muhammad Khumalo is blind,
but has not let his lack of sight prevent him from excelling in both the
academic, sporting and leadership spheres.
Brother Silomo completed a
Bachelor's degree in Legal Studies and Sociology at the University of Kwa-Zulu Natal
and has obtained his Honours in Public Policy.
He is involved in mentorship of
disabled and previously disadvantaged students, as well as with the
co-ordinating of disability campaigns at the university. He volunteers at
Section27, a legal NGO, where he assists with interviews, statement-taking,
drafting and translating for isi-Zulu-speaking parents of disabled children who
do not have access to schooling.
Brother Silomo has run for
election at the Student Representative Council of UKZN, and is Captain of the
KZN Blind Cricket team.
Al-Ihsaan Nominees 2014
Nominee: Aayesha J Soni
Aayesha Soni is a sixth year
Medical student at the University of the Witwatersrand, where received the
Vice-Chancellor's Scholarship in 2009. Sister Aayesha plays an important role
in the Media Review Network, where she is a passionate advocate of the
Palestinian struggle, through her publications and appearances in the media.
Sister Aayesha is also an active member of the MSA, where she has spearheaded
many events, including the establishment of a Da'wah table on campus.
Nominee: Mateenah Hunter
Mateenah Hunter completed her LLB
at the University of the Wiwatersrand, after which she obtained her Master's in
Public Interest Law and Policy at the University of California. She currently
works as a Policy Development and Advocacy Fellow at Sonke Gender Justice, and
NGO that is at the forefront of gender rights. Sister Mateenah is an attorney
at the High Court, and has held many other high-profile jobs. She has a keen
interest in social justice, and its role in Islam.
Nominee: Hasan Kaka
Hasan Kaka is a first year
student at the North-West University. He is an active member of the NWU MSA and
has been nominated on the basis of his exemplary adherence to the Sunnah, in
terms of both his outward acts, and his character. He is persistent in his
attempts to motivate others towards good.
Nominee: Safwaan Ahmed
Safwaan Ahmed has recently
completed his degree in Sports Science at the University of Kwa-Zulu Natal. He
has previously completed Islamic studies in Egypt and is a Haafiz-ul-Qur'an.
Brother Safwaan shows a rare commitment to the MSA and is always keen to assist
where needed. He is ethical, trustworthy, patient and lives a well-rounded life
according to Islamic principles.
Nominee: Dureyah Abrahams
Dureyah Abrahams is currently in
Grade 11 of Islamia College, after having returned to school following
completion of her hifdh. Sister Dureyah has spondylometaphyseal dysplasia,
which affects her mobility and growth, but has nevertheless has achieved
admirably. She is a youth radio presenter on the Voice of the Cape, a writer on
the online Islamic site Light After Night and has established her own personal
blog. She is a motivational speaker and provides online support to others.
Nominee: Fatima Mukaddam
Fatima Mukaddam is currently studying
towards her Master's in Political Studies and the University of the
Witwatersrand. She has served as the Secretary and Vice-Chairperson of the WITS
MSA, and the Fundraising, Entrepreneurship and Skills Development Officer of
the WITS SRC. She has played significant roles in major MSA projects, such as
the Ramadaan Humanitarian project and Project iQra. Fatima firmly advocates for
student leadership, and is dedicated towards motivating others to engage in
leadership roles.
Nominee: Yusuf Moolla
Yusuf Moolla is currently in his
final year of Medicine at the University of the Witwatersrand. He has been the
chair of the Wits Med MSA in 2010, and has since guided the MSA throughout his
time on campus. Brother Yusuf is involved in the JCE Jamaat Khana project, as well
as with organisations such as SANZAF, the IMA and the Jamiat.
Congratulations! We pray that the Almighty blesses them in all their endeavours and continues to grow them from strength to strength to enable them to make an even more significant difference in the community and world.
“We relate to you their story in truth: They were youths who believed in their Lord,
And We advanced them in guidance”
Al Qur’an: 18:13
