Initiating Transformation, Visualizing a Future: The Case for Constructing a Charter for Muslims in South Africa

Abstract

This essay explores the notion of establishing a Muslim Charter for the growing South African Muslim community—much in line with similar charters in history and in contemporary times. After analyzing the socio-political background of the South African Muslim community in the first part of the essay, it is proposed to develop a charter that can serve as a mechanism to govern or regulate Muslim interactions and relationships within a predominantly non-Muslim society. This is followed by the discussion of some basic concepts about the proposed Islamic charter which is supposed to have its foundations in the Qur'an and Islamic teachings. The essay then explores certain Qur'anic concepts such as mutual alliances, treaties, and covenants as components of the charter for Muslims in South Africa. In the concluding part in an attempt to derive insights for the proposed charter two important charters are examined, namely the early Medina Charter and the recently established Charter of the Muslims of Europe, as well as the Freedom Charter issued by the People's Congress in 1955 in South Africa. The analysis is concluded by a proposal for the establishment of a Charter for the Muslims of South Africa for further consideration by the community.