Our History
The Council of Ulama Eastern Cape (CUEC) or Lajnatul Ulama was formed at the end of 1999 with the aim of co-ordinating the activities of the various Ulama in the Eastern Cape. The founding members included Moulana Junaid Adam, the current Ameer, and Moulana Is’haaq Ackerdien.
The need arose to form an organization as there was an increase in the number of graduating Ulama and there was an ever-increasing demand by the community for the services of the Ulama. Senior Ulama were doing a sterling job in the past but it was felt that the time had come to co-ordinate their current activities and operate from an independent, accessible office. Meetings were held with the Ulama and a formal structure was established.
Years Established
Uluma
Maktabs
Affiliations
CUEC is a member of SANHA and UUCSA. It has working relationships with many local and national organisations. Members are involved with the local radio station during Ramadhaan. They also assist in arranging youth programmes at the local universities.
The CUEC has Ulama representatives in the following areas of the Eastern Cape: Port Elizabeth, Uitenhage, Grahamstown, King Williamstown, Queenstown, etc.
Growth
Thus far we have more than 30 Ulama from various communities and they are involved in diverse fields. These include imaamat, teaching at Muslim schools, Darul Ulooms and Madrasahs. CUEC members provide the bulk of Jumuah khateebs in PE, Uitenhage and Grahamstown. Members have qualified as Ulama from the various Darul Ulooms across South Africa.
Members’ activities include the Eastern Cape Taalimi Board which oversees 15 maktabs in the Eastern Cape, Eastern Cape Muslim Prison Board which is overseeing the welfare of Muslim inmates in prisons, managing the Darul Uloom, dedicated girls’ Madrasahs and in printing Islamic newspapers and newsletters.
We Have 6 Core Focus Areas
Social Welfare Department
The Council of Ulama Social Department is headed by Moulana Is’haaq Ackerdien. Moulana graduated as an Aalim from Newcastle Darul Uloom. He is one of the founders and current deputy principal of the Arabic Girls College in Bell Road, Port Elizabeth. He has been teaching Maktab in Uitenhage for many years and is a founder member of the Council of Ulama Eastern Cape.
The Social Department oversees the distribution of Zakaat and Sadaqa to the poor. The Council has formulated a database of recipients and has stringent policies in place to ensure the correct discharge of funds.
Marital Department
The Marital Department is comprised of a committee who hear both sides of any marital dispute and initially try to bring about a reconciliation.
The Department is headed by Moulana Shaheen Ismail, a graduate of Madresa Taleemuddeen, Isipingo Beach. He served as Imam of Musjidul Mansoor in Port Elizabeth for seven years and is currently the editor of the newspaper, Islam the Way of Life.
He also lectures at the Girls Madressa in Bell Road.
Fatwa Department
The Council of Ulama Fatwa Department is headed by Mufti Aadil Moosagie. He graduated as an Aalim from Madresa Taleemuddeen, Isipingo Beach and as a Mufti from Madresa Arabiyah Islamiyah, Azaadville. He is currently a lecturer at Darul Uloom Abu Bakr, Port Elizabeth as well as the Girls’ Madresa in Bell Road. He assisted with the questions and answers program on Radio IFM.
Moulana Nazeem Moosagie is a senior researcher in the Fatwa Department. He was one of the early graduates of Madresa Taaleemudden, Isipingo Beach and is currently a lecturer at both Darul Uloom Abu Bakr and the Girls’ Madresa in Bell Road. He serves on the Fatwa Research Department of Darul Uloom Abu Bakr and previously answered Fatwas on the AskMufti website.
Dawah Department
The Dawah Department caters for new Muslims and propagation of Islam to non-Muslims. To achieve this, various programs are in place. These include:
- Classes for new Muslims
- Public debates and sympnosiums on Islam
- Publications covering the basics of Islam
- Responding to media coverage on Islam and Muslims
- Registering new Muslims
- Propagation of Islam in prisons
For your Dawah needs, contact the Islamic Awareness Centre (Port Elizabeth): www.islamawareness.co.za
Moon Sighting
The Moonsighting or Hilaal department sends a group to sight the new moon every Islamic month. This information is conveyed to the Hilaal department of the United Ulama Council of South Africa as well as within the Port Elizabeth/Uitenhage Muslim community.
Calendars are made and distributed free to Musjids in PE. Sightings are physical and in the event of no moon being sighted, the department consults with UUCSA and takes their official ruling.
Halaal
The Council of Ulama Eastern Cape is a fully-fledged member of SANHA. Members have inspected some Muslim-owned takeaways in Port Elizabeth as well as certain poultry abattoirs in the Eastern Cape.
Contact us to get your outlet approved and eligible for entry in our Port Elizabeth Halaal Guide.
We do not charge any fees for the inspection.