Islam in Namibia…Making an Impact

[SOO MAAL]

Islam in Namibia…Making an Impact

 

By Rodrick Mukumbira, IOL Correspondent

 

There are now seven mosques in the country. The first one was built in Katutura, said imam Ali. (IOL picture)

 

 

 

 

There are now seven mosques in the country. The first one was built in Katutura, said imam Ali. (IOL picture)

 

WINDHOEK - It is a Friday afternoon at the Windhoek Islamic Center in Namibia’s capital. The center’s grounds are buzzing with activity. Over 50 men stand in front of the entrance, some normally dressed in pants and shirts, others more formal in the traditional Islamic wardrobe, the thowb; a white robe that almost reaches the ground.

 

What is interesting to note is that most of them are from the Nama tribe, one of Namibia 13 indigenous tribes, and they chat away in the language that is full of clicks and is difficult to comprehend for a foreigner.

 

This is no traditional mosque with its white bearded imam, but the other side of predominantly Christian Namibia.

 

The Adhan (call to prayer) is now the common call in most neighbors in this country of about 1.8 million people.

 

"We are like apples hanging in a tree crowded with pears," youthful Imam Ali tells IslamOnline.net.

 

"But Islam has made a major impact here and our numbers are growing."

 

Government statistics put the number of Muslims in the country at around 70,000, but Ali disagrees.

 

"Islam is quite new here, but the figure might be around 20,000."

 

Winning Hearts

 

On why the religion has such a major following from the Nama, a tribe considered a minority, Imam Ali tells the story of Jacobs Salmaan Dhameer, the country’s incumbent Electoral Commissioner.

 

"Jacobs attended an Islamic Conference in Maseru (Lesotho) in 1980 and converted to Islam. He is the country’s first black Muslim," he recalls.

 

"When he returned from the conference he spread the word to his own people, the Nama. That is why many of them are practicing Muslims."

 

Until the early 80s, Islam was not known to the majority of the people, despite the existence of small enclaves of Muslims from the country’s southern neighbor South Africa who had settled in such coastal towns as Walvis Bay, Lüderitz and Swakopmund.

 

To date a core group of indigenous Muslims has started to grow in the country and individual Muslims area scattered all over Namibia, says Imam Ali.

 

"There are now seven mosques in the country. The first one was built in Katutura," he said.

 

Katutura is Windhoek’s oldest black township, which was demarcated by South Africa, Namibia’s former colonial master, along the country’s 13 tribes.

 

A weekly session, which serves as a forum for development of attitudes and behavioral patterns and the ideological upward mobility of local Muslims, is one of the main activities held at the Windhoek Islamic Center.

 

Twenty-four Namibians are currently studying in Saudi Arabia. Others have been sent for long term Islamic training in institutions in South Africa.

 

Appealing

 

 

 

Imam Ali said the Muslim faith attracts followers from all walks of life.

 

"Islam is based on logic, mentality, mathematics. Two plus two gives the same answer: four. Everywhere in the world, and it does not matter if we are friends or fed up with each other. This religion is based on wisdom; it is very simple to accept."

 

Azi Kazombiaze, a 22-year-old practicing Muslim who reverted in 2000 after speaking to a friend who was already a Muslims, chips in.

 

"I asked him questions and read literature. At the time I was studying Christianity as well as Islam and it came to me to embrace Islam," he said.

 

Kazombiaze says it was the clarity of the texts that attracted him, the beauty of the content and the style of writing.

 

When asked why so many Namibians choose Islam, he cites the unity and brotherhood of Muslims all over the world.

 

Wherever, whenever, across the world the same holy book, the Noble Qur'an, is used and the same language spoken during prayer.

 

"It is a perfect way of life. Islam is Islam. Although my parents had to get used to it, they now respect my choice," said a happy Kazombiaze.

 

"But it came as a bit of a shock. Never did they imagine that Islam could change a person so much. Young Muslims are not like other teenagers that go out partying. We don't smoke, nor drink alcohol and don't get into trouble."

 

He said that even some people who embraced Islam in prison "are now on the good path."

 

Right Choice

 

Abdullah Aziz Sayman, a 24-year-old fellow Muslim, adds, "I wanted the right religion."

 

Sayman reverted after meeting a person from Cape Town, South Africa, who told him about Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) and Islam.

 

"At first I just listened while he told me that Muslims eat halal food. What he told me and what I saw made me happy in my heart. It was all so nice."

 

Muslims should only eat meat from livestock slaughtered by a sharp knife from their necks, and the name of Allah, the Arabic word for God, must be mentioned.

 

Now other goods and services can also be certified as halal, including cosmetics, clothing, pharmaceuticals and financial services.

 

Like Kazombiaze’s parents, Abdullah's stood in awe of their son's choice.

 

They had no knowledge at all about Islam. Their opinion has changed over the years as their son explained the religion to them.

 

"Islam has made an impact," says Abdullah.

 

But major challenges remain. Muslim voices are hardly heard while Christians have airtime on state radio, television and columns in newspapers.

 

While the religion calls for going out and spreading the word of God, in Namibia this only happens in the mosques.

 

Why then does not the Muslim community, if it wants to be heard, establish its own mouthpiece? "A good question," answers Imam Ali.

 

He said starting a magazine or a newspaper costs money and for that the help of Muslim businessmen is much needed.

 

"That will take a long time."

[Didi Kong]

Namibia is a rockin place! After all it is the country where my favorite hollywood couple Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie had their baby. I imagine she will turn out to be hot hot hot like me. Ohh Yeaaaaaaaaah! Oh And before I forget manshallah!

[Rahima]

^Don't kill the topic.

 

Mashallah, incredibly inspiring.

 

On why the religion has such a major following from the Nama, a tribe considered a minority, Imam Ali tells the story of Jacobs Salmaan Dhameer, the country’s incumbent Electoral Commissioner.

 

"Jacobs attended an Islamic Conference in Maseru (Lesotho) in 1980 and converted to Islam. He is the country’s first black Muslim," he recalls.

 

"When he returned from the conference he spread the word to his own people, the Nama. That is why many of them are practicing Muslims."

Imagine the ajar of this man. May Allah bless him and grant him jannatul firdows.

[-Lily-]

^^ Absolutely, we all forget the power of words sometimes or make asumptions before we have even given people a chance.

[Didi Kong]

Originally posted by Rahima:

^Don't kill the topic.

Naa soco waa edab darantahay. It is an open topic we can answer however we like. You are the one who is killing the topic by being harsh and to the wrong person on top of that. Don't you know this is about dawah? Go learn the proper ettiquetes of addressing people.

[N.O.R.F]

^^^

Don't you know this is about dawah?

So why bring Brad Pitt and spouse into the equation?

 

Very interesting.

 

But check out Islam in Brazil. Islam reached the shores of south America way before the so-called elite travellers of Europe.

 

 

Brazil is the largest country in Latin America. Although there are no official statistics, the Muslim population in Brazil is estimated to be approximately 1 million people, with a total population of more than 170 million. This number includes converts to Islam, Arab immigrants and their descendants. Brazilian converts make up for no more than 1% of this number, about 10,000 people. Therefore, within a population of over 170 million, the small number that make up Brazilian converts to Islam have very little power.

Islam is the fastest growing religion in the world. However, in Latin America, and specifically in Brazil, this is not the case. Why?

 

One could argue that this is due to the strong influence of the Catholic Church. Brazil is considered to be the largest Catholic country in the world. However, a closer look proves that this is not true. Despite its strong presence, Catholicism has been losing followers in Brazil to other religions.

 

The argument has also been made that it is due to the Latin culture, which encourages Brazilians to always be playing, dancing and engaging in activities that are not lawful in Islam. As such, it is assumed that Brazilians simply aren't fit to be Muslims. This is generally the excuse used by those responsible for Dawah work in Brazil for their failure. It is, of course, not true. Brazilians are, by nature, very religious and have in the past been an easy prey to all sorts of innovative religious movements. So, what is really happening?

 

Through the statement of sheikh Khalil Saifi, coordinator of the Center of Divulgation of Islam to Latin America, we can easily identify the real problem. The Center is located in Sao Bernardo do Campo, in the most important state of Brazil: Sao Paulo. Its president is Mr. Mohammed Saifi, a Lebanese immigrant who came to Brazil several years ago. Mainly his relatives and close friends compose the Center's staff. In an interview with "Istoé" magazine, one of the most important magazines in the country, sheikh Khalil Saifi said: "Our main concern is to attend to the Muslims who descended from Arabs to help them preserve their link to their language and culture." And, continuing in his statement: "The Brazilians who come to us come through the contact with Muslims out there." Based on such statements, we are lead to conclude that a group of persons, who are supposed to make "Dawah," have decided who has the right to be Muslim or not.

 

When a Brazilian decides to go against their "plans," he or she is treated as an intruder in the Arab-Muslim community. All his/her misbehaviors concerning religious teachings are highlighted and pointed out, even if the same mistake is occurring among the Arab-Muslims. Normal mistakes due to lack of experience in the religion are presented as "proof" of an "incapacity" to practice and understand the religion. Little attention is given to the fact that the right teachings are not easily available to converts.

 

The new converts then have to fight alone against the criticism of his/her family, friends, the Brazilian society and worst: fight against the criticism of their own fellow Muslim brothers and sisters. The feeling of isolation leads some to abandon Islam after a while. Others keep insisting and all these difficulties just increase their faith and search for knowledge.

 

For those who persevere, they face another problem - the lack of good books about Islam available in the Portuguese language. The other Latin people are Spanish speakers and can depend on good works translated to Spanish. However, Brazilians are the only Portuguese speakers among Latinos and this fact increases their difficulties. The Center of Divulgation of Islam to Latin America provides the few books available. The books that have been chosen for translation are often of poor content quality. When a good book choice is made, a bad translation often destroys the work of its author. And even these few and badly translated books are difficult to find.

 

The lack of interest in spreading Islam is quite clear when one observes that the institution which is responsible for "Dawah" not only in Brazil but in all Latin America, doesn't maintain a website about Islam. When such a resource is available nearly for free to everyone and day-by-day more and more Muslim individuals and institutions are using the Internet to inform about the Islamic teachings, this attitude is undoubtedly proof that the Center fails to fulfill its most vital function.

 

Brazil: A Muslim History?

Next April, Brazil will celebrate 500 years of its discovery, and a major controversy is surrounding the event. In traditional Brazilian history, the discovery of the country is attributed to a Portuguese navigator named Pedro Alvarez Cabral. New historical sources however, seem to offer another fact: that the discoverer might have been a Spanish navigator.

 

More and more historians, both Muslim and non-Muslim, are becoming aware of the strong Muslim presence in the early Americas. Many evidences of the Muslim presence in Brazil, including inscriptions with the name of Allah, have being found. In the language of the Native Americans, words of Arabic origin have been identified, and even the names of some Brazilian cities which were supposed to be related with the native American language, seems to have Arabic origins. If all this information is confirmed and introduced officially as part of Brazilian history, it means that faithful Muslims were the first ones to discover Brazil more than 500 years ago.

 

Also, through the Muslim slaves brought from Africa, we can easily identify the influence of the Islamic culture, although greatly distorted nowadays. This is especially evident in the northeast region of the country.

 

All of this proves that Islam is not an alien to the Brazilian culture. It's indeed an important part of it. Presenting Islam to the Brazilian people in a comprehensive manner is important not just to preach one religion; it is also to help them to restore their original culture, carefully erased due to political and religious interests in the past.

 

Unfortunately, political and personal interests in the present coming this time from Muslims themselves seem to be preventing or at least delaying such tasks. Let us hope and pray to Allah that faithful Muslims of the present could "rediscover" Brazil and give to its people the chance to know the beauty and wisdom of Islam

 

Maria Moreira is a Brazilian convert now living in Egypt. She has worked with the Muslim Beneficent Society of Rio de Janeiro, giving speeches about Islamic teachings, women and family. She also taught an extension course entitled "The Changing Situation of Women in Arabic Society Through the Quran," at the State University of Rio de Janeiro. You can visit her website at http://www.geocities.com/islamicchat.

 

Here

[N.O.R.F]

Islam in Latin America

[Rahima]

^Thanks for the link, interesting site.

 

Naa soco waa edab darantahay. It is an open topic we can answer however we like. You are the one who is killing the topic by being harsh and to the wrong person on top of that. Don't you know this is about dawah?

Harsh? People sure are sensitive these days.

 

No harshness intended and whilst you can answer how you so wish, others can likewise make suggestions. In this case, the mentioning of Pitt and Jolie is unnecessary.

 

That aside, you need to relax, you’re a tad too tense or just unstable.

 

Go learn the proper ettiquetes of addressing people.

Classic case of pot calling the kettle ...

[Didi Kong]

Listen Miss Kutub weyn, xijaab dheer I'm late for dugsi qur'aan because I have glad tidings for Jannah you are enjoying this back and forth a bit too much so I'll conclude this nac nacleyn for you we are donezo! nugu kalawat.

[-Lily-]

Listen Miss Kutub weyn, xijaab dheer I'm late for dugsi qur'aan because I have glad tidings for Jannah

Miaow

 

That's the funnies thing I heard today, although I'm not sure if it is an insult or a compliment, sorry Rahima, it's all in good fun .

[AYOUB]

Great stuff Mansha'Allah

[Maf Kees]

^ Yeah great chickfight soo ma ahan. Great stuff.

[AYOUB]

^ No comment.

[Didi Kong]

WaterLily don't apologize to her, rather praise her for her consistency that is what she wants. You are looking at a woman who has mastered the art of pleasing people in her five years of membership on these forums.

[ElPunto]

^Relax - take a breath. Isn't time for some harmony among Somalis?! :eek: