As Salaamu Alaikum Wa Rahmatullahi Wa Barakatuh

Respected Members Of The Respective Masjid Committees,

The Port Elizabeth Masjid Forum was set up in 2015 to serve as common platform for all Masjids in Port Elizabeth. Its primary aim was to provide a unified forum in seeking to gain common and mutual benefits.

Masjids who volunteered to come on board provided input over the years and that has now resulted in the Port Elizabeth Masjid Forum expanding to the Eastern Cape Masjid Forum. This allows greater impact with a broader Masjid base throughout the Province and also allows for interaction not only with local councils but with Provincial government.

To this end, the Eastern Cape Masjid Forum has opened membership to all Masjids and, provided the requirements are met, Musallas in the Eastern Cape. The instrument of membership to the Eastern Cape Masjid Forum is the attached Memorandum of Understanding. This MOU has been drawn up after input from the legal fraternity and Masjid committees.

We invite you to join the Eastern Cape Masjid Forum by signing this MOU for some of the following reasons:

1. It will provide a unified voice when dealing with official departments;
2. It will allow greater sharing of ideas;
3. It will provide for networking between Masjids and as a result, between the different communities in the Eastern Cape;
4. It will make it easier to be part of broader activities involving key role players in different sectors;
5. It will streamline attainment of mutual benefits.

Some examples of how the Eastern Cape Masjid Forum can benefit your Masjid:

1. Formulating legal clauses for Masjid constitutions that will prevent take over by sects inimical to the Ahlus Sunnah wal Jamaah;
2. Facilitating the process of applying for religious land from Council;
3. Drawing up documentation on matters of mutual concern such as letters of condolence or congratulations in relation to people or government;
4. Facilitating meetings with relevant role players in Council for matters such as Muslim burials.

These are just some examples. The potential is obviously greater than these few that have been cited. More than ever, the Muslim community needs to work together to realize our latent potential, to increase our influence and to counter any common threat. Can we afford to leave a fragmented community for our future generations?

Read through the MOU, get your committee to pass it, have it signed and delivered to the Coordinator, Nazir Munshie (he can be contacted on 082 786 3432).

Please also ensure that the Registration Form is filled in to allow your Masjid details to be uploaded to the ECMF website.

Thanking you, Shukran, Wa Alaikumu Salaam Wa Rahmatullahi Wa Barakatuh