What is Early Childhood Development?

SANZAF’s ECD or Early Childhood Development tier of SEED refers to a comprehensive approach, with the active participation of their parents, educators and caregivers to fully realise a child’s rights to develop his or her full cognitive, emotional, social, educational and physical potential from a grassroots level.

South Africa still has a long way to go in improving the accessibility of education and pre-school facilities to young children. Key reasons for this are affordability, lack of proper child care schools and a shortage of resources at existing facilities. In light of this SANZAF’s ECD project serves children whose parents cannot send them to ECD centres and develops child-care facilities, educators and playschools in under resourced areas.

This year our goal is to open up an ECD centre in the community of Kwalanga in Gauteng. The area is one of the least serviced areas in the province which has led to SANZAF already developing and maintaining a development project for the children of the area.

The Kwalanga Early Childhood Development Centre project, which will be situated in Kwa Thema on the East Rand, was initiated to provide children with high-quality education and a place of safety. It is hoped that through the project, children from the area will go on to succeed in primary and high school. The ECD centre will play an important role in reducing the vicious cycle of poverty that plagues this community and will help to create prosperity for the community at large.

The Kwalanga ECD Centre forms part of a larger project, the Kwalanga Multi-purpose Community Centre that endeavours to provide educational, recreational, vocational and spiritual services to the community. The facility currently houses a recreational space for children and young adults, community hall and food garden.

Do your part by helping SANZAF #GiveHope to the children of Kwalanga.

Donate

Join the 94.7 Cycle Challenge for this cause

Our Vision

On 18 November 2018, cyclists will line up to ride the 22nd Telkom 94.7 Cycle Challenge. SANZAF invites you to cycle for a purpose by participating and raising funds to support Early Childhood Development in Kwa Langa, Gauteng.

Your assistance will help us fund an Early Childhood Development which will be an addition to our current development projects in Kwa Langa. The area itself is one of the most under serviced regions in Gauteng as we believe that transforming communities begins with transforming the lives of children.

The cause you will be riding for

How to Sign Up?

1.  Register on https://events.primedia.co.za/index.php/eventSite/2018-telkom-947-cycle-challenge-2018-2018-11-18 or click on the Sign Up button at the bottom of the page and secure your registration.
2.  On the “Join a Charity/Company Team” page, select “Join Team” then enter “SANZAF” in the “Group Name” field and click “Search”. Select SANZAF as your desired charity and continue for payment.
3. Start Fundraising and #GiveHope with SANZAF.

Enter as a TEAM!
The Company Teams category offers opportunities to use the Telkom 947 Cycle Challenge as a wellness day, a team building adventure, a powerful source of corporate exposure, and even a way to raise funds for a charity through the Ride for a Purpose platform.
Why not approach your HR department, your boss and your colleagues to experience a fun and fierce way to get more active in a team, and eventually enjoy a powerful sense of accomplishment on a bicycle?

What you need to know:

By donating/fundraising for this cause you will receive a cycling hamper from SANZAF which includes a custom cycling kit. The number one fundraiser from all the participants in the race will receive the prestigious cycling kit from the organiser as well as coverage in cycling publications and to help you get there, SANZAF will match our highest fundraisers donation rand for rand!

If you or your team want to join our crowdfunding platform click on the button below:

Sign Up here

National Arbor Week

The natural environment is faced by constant challenges which threaten its stability and sustainability. Such challenges include climate change, disruptions of ecological systems and increasing weather temperatures. These challenges are solely caused by the activities of human beings. It would therefore only be fair for us to charge ourselves with the responsibility of addressing the damage we have done to Mother Nature. On 9 September 2018 staff from the South African National Zakah Fund and the public hosted an Arbour Day event as part of national Arbor Week celebrations. This initiative took place at Schoenmakerskop, a campsite located along Marine Drive in Port Elizabeth where 12 indigenous trees were planted. The trees were planted on the local Campsite frequently used by the Muslim community at Schoenmakerskop. The trees that were planted were all suited to the coast and are all water-wise, they were the Coastal Coral Trees, Coastal Silver Oaks and Keurboom Trees.

The purpose of the initiative was to instil an appreciation for nature and to promote the planting of trees within our environment, especially where trees & shrubs were stripped for development. This will assist in improving the environment, contribute to the stopping of climate change by removing carbon dioxide from the air, storing carbon in trees and soil, and releasing oxygen into the atmosphere. The efforts made by SANZAF through this initiative will ensure that the mature trees provide shade which is sorely lacking ion the campsite, block some of the prevailing winds, attract and provides homes for birds, wildlife and purifying the air. In addition the effort was also to ensure we engage our local youth and increase public participation in the initiatives of SANZAF and the community. Donors were invited to support the project by donating or buying one of the trees listed or as a sadaqatul jaariyah. The SANZAF endeavours to make the Arbor Day project an annual initiative in order to ensure that the objectives of the project materialises and that some of the trees removed in the development of the campsite is restored.

MUHARRAM, one of the sacred months in which the Holy Qur’an forbade fighting, marks the beginning of the Islamic year, the Islamic calendar being determined by lunar – as opposed to solar – cycles. This means that the lunar year is 10-11 days shorter than the Gregorian one.

And whilst lunar dates rotate seasons in a 33 year cycle, the significance of the Islamic historical events do not recede. In other words, the original date is remembered symbolically. This expresses a historical vitality.

In Islam, Muharram is a special time – one of giving, personal sacrifice and historical sorrow, followed by joy and mercy. According to Prophetic Tradition, Muharram is one of the four sacred months preferred for fasting, especially the first ten days, which are resplendent with spiritual reward.

Anas ibn Malik reported that the blessed Prophet said that whoever fasted the first Friday of Muharram would have their previous sins forgiven, and whoever fasted three days of Muharram – the Thursday, the Friday, and the Saturday – Allah would inscribe for them worship and prayer for 900 years.

Sayyidah A’ishah related that whoever fasted the first ten days of Muharram would inherit Paradise. She said the reason for fasting in ‘Ashura was when the Prophet [SAW] had noticed the Jews of Madinah fasting on the tenth day. When he had asked them why, they had told him it was the day that Musa [as] had freed the Bani Isra’il from the clutches of the Pharaoh.

The Prophet had said in response, “I have more rights to Musa than you.” So he had fasted that day and had ordered for its observance on further days.
In another Hadith, the Prophet related that whoever recited Surat ul-Ikhlas 1,000 times on the day of ‘Ashura, Allah would look at that person with Mercy, and would place him amongst the Siddiqin (The Truthful).

The sadness of ‘Ashura is the martyrdom of the Prophet’s grandson, Sayyidina Husayn, at Karbala. It is a saga of selflessness and personal sacrifice. So much so, that when the Prophet [SAW] once held his grandson in his arms, he wept, as the Angel Jibril had informed him of Husayn’s eventual fate, bringing him a lump of Karbala clay.

But from all of this, comes liberation – liberation from trial and tribulation. It is the ultimate Mercy of a Merciful Creator. For on ‘Ashura, Husayn entered Paradise. ‘Ashura, is indeed, a day of great historical and spiritual significance. The Qisas al-Anbiya’ informs us that many beautiful things happened to our Prophets, may Allah Almighty bless them all, on ‘Ashura.

For instance, on this day, as the scholar Imam Rajab al-Hanbali points out in his writings: Allah accepted the repentance of Adam; saved Nuh and the Ark; extinguished the fire of Nimrod; spoke to Musa; restored Ayyub to health; reunited Yusuf with his father Jacob; took Yunus out of the whale; destroyed the Pharaoh’s army and raised Jesus to the Heavens.

The grace of Muharram, and ‘Ashura, is also expressed through charitable action. Says Shaykh Hisham Kabbani, quoting classical sources: “Whoever clothes a naked person Allah will release him from a painful punishment. He who visits a sick person, Allah will grant him a reward…whoever places his hand on an orphan’s head, or feeds a hungry person…Allah will feed him a feast from Paradise…and whoever makes ghusl (a ceremonial bath) on this day will enjoy excellent health and freedom from sickness and laziness…whoever provides generously for his family on this day, Allah will be generous to him throughout this year…”

Without doubt, Muharram marks an auspicious time for all Muslims. Interestingly, Muharram was also the month in which the Prophet [SAW] used to collect Zakah, and distribute it to the poor and needy. Therein lays tremendous significance, as the Prophet [SAW], a wise man beyond our ken, knew the great importance of hope and renewal for us all at the beginning of a new year.

May Allah Almighty grant us all success in 1440 AH. Ameen.

The South African National Zakah Fund (SANZAF) is pleased to announce the financial results of its period ended 30 April 2018/14 Shabaan 1439.

“We are eternally grateful to our donors, whose support of our projects and programmes has resulted in SANZAF collecting a total of over R133 million during the reporting period, amid a challenging economic environment,” says SANZAF National Chairperson, Shauket Fakie.

Our Zakah income for this period amounted to R96 million, compared to R111 million in the previous year which, along with our Non Zakah income, enabled us to make a significant impact on the lives of the poor and needy.

The past year has indeed been one of renewed affirmation for SANZAF, as we continue to actively fulfil our mandate to effect meaningful and sustainable change through development and relief.

“We are pleased to report that the proportional distribution of total funds collected, has increased from 91.5%, in the previous year, to 98.2%. This increased distribution is reflected in our empowerment initiatives, which give credence to SANZAF’s new brand positioning of embodying hope in all we do,” added Fakie.

It is noteworthy to mention that our expenditure on the SANZAF Education, Empowerment and Development (SEED) Programme amounted to R27.7 million, which was invested in a number of initiatives ranging from bursaries for tertiary education to development projects that have enabled beneficiaries to become self-sufficient.

The Summarised Annual Review of Activities and Audited Financial Statements for 2017/2018 (1438/1439) can be viewed on www.sanzaf.org.za/about-us/audit-reports-downloads/54-summarised-annual-review-of-activities-and-annual-financial-statements-2018/file.html and the Audited Annual Financial Statements can be viewed on www.sanzaf.org.za/about-us/audit-reports-downloads/55-audited-annual-financial-statements-2018/file.html

For more information on SANZAF projects and programmes, follow us on Twitter @SANZAFSA and Instagram @sanzaf_official, like us on Facebook or visit our website at www.sanzaf.org.za

Media enquiries: Contact Sakeena Bock or Nurene Jassiem on 083 676 3979 / 021 447 0297 or email at: communications@sanzaf.org.za

Download Full Article here pdf SANZAF 2018 Audited Annual Financial Statements Release Announcement (275 KB)

IN South Africa, women’s month – celebrated in August – is a tribute to many things. It is remembered due to the famous march to the Union Buildings on 6 August 1956 by African women protesting the passbook, and, it is an acknowledgment of the challenges women still face today, such as discrimination.

Sadly, the Muslim community is not exempt from this inherent chauvinism, and nor is it exempt from the curse of domestic violence, something that SANZAF’s field workers regularly encounter in their counselling sessions.

If we resort to the Prophetic example, there is ample evidence that most of us have forgotten just how anti-racist, and just how anti-chauvinist, the blessed Prophet Muhammad was. Apart from abolishing the bizarre and cruel Arab practice of burying infant girls, he never – ever – denied women access to Din.

This is how, for example, Nusaybah bint Ka’b, who out of concern at the casualties at the Battle of Uhud, picked up a sword and went into combat to defend the Prophet. She would go on to fight at the battles of Hunayn and Yamamah.

Together with Umm Asma bint ‘Amr bin ‘Adi she had also requested to take the ba’yah, the oath of Islam at Aqabah, face-to-face with the Prophet. It is significant that the Prophet had agreed without objection.

This, then, is just one of many accounts about the dynamic role of women in Islam, so buried and so forgotten in our history. It is ironic today that whilst some obscurantists wish to confine women to the periphery, women are centre stage: running NGOs, teaching our children, running our households and sitting as judges in our courts.

So this August it is only appropriate that we remember one of Islam’s finest figures, Sayyidah Khadijah bint Khuwaylid.

Martin Lings in his classical Prophetic biography writes that “one of the richer merchants of Mecca was a woman – Khadijah bint Khuwaylid, of the clan of Asad. She was first cousin to Waraqah, the Christian, and his sister Qutaylah, and like them she was a distant cousin to the sons of Hashim”.

She had already been married twice, and since the death of her second husband it had been her practice to employ men to trade on her behalf. That was how she had hired Muhammad, known as ‘the trustworthy one’, a reticent young man renowned for his uprightness and honesty.

Khadijah had been hugely impressed by this young man, whose gentle ways had entered her heart, enlivened by the accounts of her slave, Maysarah, of their journey to Sham where Bahira the monk had recognised the Prophet, and two Angels had shaded him from the sun.

The Prophet, blessings upon him, was twenty-five years old. Khadijah saw a man of medium stature, inclined to slimness, with broad shoulders and a proportioned body. She saw that his hair and beard were thick and black, not altogether straight, slightly curled.

But, in addition to his physical beauty, she saw that there was radiance in his face – and this was particularly apparent on his forehead, and in his warm eyes. Khadijah knew that she herself was still beautiful, but she was fifteen years older. She was an independent woman, and the thought had struck her: would Muhammad be prepared to marry her?

One of the people she consulted was Waraqah, to whom she recounted the miraculous events of the Prophet’s journey to Sham. Waraqah had confirmed to her that Muhammad would be a prophet.

Given this, Khadija’s words of proposal are astounding. She expressed no wish for status, and never referred to his prophethood, which would occur 15 years later. Instead, she referred to his character:

“Son of mine uncle, I love thee for thy kinship with me, and for that thou art ever in the centre, not being a partisan amongst the people for this or for that; and I love thee for thy trustworthiness and for the beauty of thy character and the truth of thy speech.”

What is outstanding, even today, is that Sayyidah Khadijah was not only financially independent, and older than her husband, but that she proposed to him. Following this, Sayyidah Khadijah would be the Prophet’s faithful consort for 25 years, and give birth to his four famous daughters: Fatimah, Ruqayyah, Zainab and Umm Kulthum as well as his son, ‘Abdullah, who would pass on in his infancy.

Waraqah had warned his cousin of tests to come, but she had said nothing about this to her husband. And when he had run down from Jabl Nur after the frightening experience of the first Revelation, it was to her that he had sought consolation, saying: “Cover me! Cover me!”

And indeed, it was Sayyidah Khadijah who was the first to support him; it was Sayyidah Khadijah who became the first Muslim; and it was she, together with the Prophet, who would suffer the abuse of the Quraysh and the barbs of Abu Jahl. But more significantly, is that whilst she still had wealth – before the infamous and crippling boycott of the Bani Hashim – she would be the first Muslim to give charity.

This is something for which Sayyidah Khadijah is not always given her proper due, especially in a male dominated world.

Food security is one of the major concerns of SANZAF. Consequently, an economic survey was conducted with recipients and other relevant personnel in the region of Kwa-Zulu Natal. This survey revealed that the average income for the recipient families is between R 1500 to R 3500 and after payments of rental, electricity, water and transport, the amount available was minimal.

QURBANI, the ritual sacrifice of a permissible animal during the Eid ul-Adha period at the end of the Hajj, is regarded as the most preferred sadaqah (or charity). When asked to explain Qurbani, the blessed Prophet Muhammad had told the Companion, Zayd ibn Arqam, it was the custom of his father Ibrahim, who was given a ram instead of his own son, Isma’il.

When Zayd had asked what spiritual benefit there was, the Messenger of God had replied that there was a reward for every single hair of the sacrificed animal. The Prophet, peace be upon him, had explained that what made the Qurbani special was that it was performed purely for the sake of Allah, and Allah alone. The Udhiya, as it is sometimes called, was accepted even before the blood reached the ground.