Al Kauthar Institute - Is this Salafi?

[afriki_haqq]

Things are getting really interest and heated in the build up to Shaykh Mahir al-Muaqily's visit to South Africa.

Just going to post some comments from the Facebook profile of "Shaykh" Mohammed Wadee [religious attaché of the Saudi Embassy in South Africa]:

Mohammed Wadee
8 March at 18:38
One of the most important Hadith is a hadith called 'Hadith Jibreel.' It discusses the most important points of Islam and Imaan. Dont miss the chance to learn this hadith at the hands of 3 leading scholars: Sh.Maahir Al-Muaqili, Mufti Ismail Menk & Sh. Bilaal Jeebhai.

........

Fatima Asmal
Mufti Menk and Bilal Jeebhai? In one programme? Strange strange times we live in.
Today at 00:25 • Like
Imraan Mollagee
Sh bilal ismail right?
@Fatima, what's so strange? Its not the 1st time they together in 1 programme.. But wat makes u say its strange?
Today at 01:53 • Like
Fatima Asmal
@Imraan Mollagee Jazakumullahu khayran for the question. It's strange (to me) as an organisational representative who is aware of some of the behind-the-scenes dynamics. If appearances are to be believed then when Bilal is in the UK, he and Menk are on opposite ends of the ideological spectrum, as in a youtube video he (Bilal) addressing a crowd at the Salafi Green Lane Masjid speaks about how happy he is to be at a Salafi Masjid and laments the fact that there isn't a Salafi masjid in his home country. Menk on the other hand, on radio (Al-Ansaar) has criticised Salafism and advised parents not to send their children to study there (privately, I'm told his advice is different). However perhaps Bilal's attempts to convince South Africans that he's not a Salafi are working - he uses the words 'Deobandi Tableeghi background' in his AlKauthar profile, the last time I checked included a work by Maulana Ashraf Ali Thanwi on his website....and has included both Menk and Prof Dangor one of the least Salafi-inclined people I know in this upcoming programme. I would have taught he'd give the other Deenclass tutors a platform, viz Musaaid Dawood and Ismail Kamdar. In my opinion, it's about pulling a crowd. As for them being together in programmes before, in Cape Town yes, I'm aware of that. But in Durban no. I've been told by Menk and other South African ulama, when I've invited them to speak at ILM-SA conferences (and they declined) that Cape Town is a different matter entirely (it's more tolerant about these things). This post should come with a disclaimer...I have nothing against Salafis...in fact, on sunniforum it is said I'm a staunch Salafi (not true anymore - that would have applied in 2006)...I respect the moderate amongst them who are humble in their attitudes. My problem is with pretending to be someone you're not for the sake of winning numbers, and being inconsistent as a result thereof.
7 hours ago • Like • 2
Suzi Ismail
Strange, but a brilliant move non the less.the only question is"who benefits?"(default answer"the muslims of durban")
6 hours ago • Like • 1
Mohamed Fakier
GUYS, can't we drop labels for one day in our lives. life is simpler when you just say two aalims will be together at the same programme. And the Deen will benefit
4 hours ago • Like
Fatima Asmal
Mohamed; perhaps the aalims need to drop the labels themselves and be more consistent - whether the Imam of the haram is around or not.
4 hours ago • Like
Fatima Asmal
I just chatted to Prof Dangor - he informed me he withdrew from the programme.
54 minutes ago • Like

This part of the above is very interesting, Fatima Asmal-Motala writes:

If appearances are to be believed then when Bilal is in the UK, he and Menk are on opposite ends of the ideological spectrum, as in a youtube video he (Bilal) addressing a crowd at the Salafi Green Lane Masjid speaks about how happy he is to be at a Salafi Masjid and laments the fact that there isn't a Salafi masjid in his home country. Menk on the other hand, on radio (Al-Ansaar) has criticised Salafism and advised parents not to send their children to study there (privately, I'm told his advice is different). However perhaps Bilal's attempts to convince South Africans that he's not a Salafi are working - he uses the words 'Deobandi Tableeghi background' in his AlKauthar profile, the last time I checked included a work by Maulana Ashraf Ali Thanwi on his website....and has included both Menk and Prof Dangor one of the least Salafi-inclined people I know in this upcoming programme. I would have taught he'd give the other Deenclass tutors a platform, viz Musaaid Dawood and Ismail Kamdar. In my opinion, it's about pulling a crowd.

The above event in question with Mufti Menk and Shaykh Bilal is going to take place in Reservoir Hills, Durban.

[SASLAMS]

Is this the same Sh Bilal thats from KZN, that was beaten up last year or year before. I whent to a lecture once & they had sh Anwaar Al Awlaki on satelite phone. I rmember the mc introduced sh bilal as Mol Bilal, Sh Bilal quickly corrected him. but he is no doubt a salafi.

[afriki_haqq]

Is this the same Sh Bilal thats from KZN, that was beaten up last year or year before. I whent to a lecture once & they had sh Anwaar Al Awlaki on satelite phone. I rmember the mc introduced sh bilal as Mol Bilal, Sh Bilal quickly corrected him. but he is no doubt a salafi.

Yes, the same Shaykh Abu Yusuf Bilal Ismail Jeebhai. His incident is well known and the story he wrote is on the internet. I believe he was beaten up by Barelwis.

It does seem that there is alot of tensions between perhaps two leading Salafis of South Africa concerning Shaykh Bilal and his ill-fated term at Ilm-SA. Time that they clear up their own mess before propagating to the masses about the so-called corruption of our 'Ulama. [The above posts from facebook have conveniently been deleted, it is preserved here on SF]

(This thread is having its effects and I have seen and heard alot of mention about it elsewhere, I know urge the 'Ulama of South Africa in particular and elsewhere in general to take heed )

[At Tayyib]

Is this the same Sh Bilal thats from KZN, that was beaten up last year or year before.

Yes, the same Shaykh Abu Yusuf Bilal Ismail Jeebhai. His incident is well known and the story he wrote is on the internet. I believe he was beaten up by Barelwis.

Something to learn from the Barelwis. They really do know when to rumble. They are one notch ahead of us in this matter.

Kudos to the Barelwis

[mospike]

WE! the so called ‘tradionalists’ will always prevail. Because over and above the technicalities we have a strong link to sulook and purification of the heart. Ones heart cannot be purified when you constantly seeking to outdo and outshine your fellow brethren.

This goes for the modernist approach too! The like of which is being instigated and propagated by the ‘professors’ at UJ and UCT with their ‘department Religion Studies ‘

QaalaLLAHU ta’aala “Innal baatila kaana zahooqa”

[At Tayyib]

WE! the so called ‘tradionalists’ will always prevail. Because over and above the technicalities we have a strong link to sulook and purification of the heart. Ones heart cannot be purified when you constantly seeking to outdo and outshine your fellow brethren.

This goes for the modernist approach too! The like of which is being instigated and propagated by the ‘professors’ at UJ and UCT with their ‘department Religion Studies ‘

QaalaLLAHU ta’aala “Innal baatila kaana zahooqa”

You forgot the cause of Zahooqa.

Ja al Haq. Haq has to present itself and not hide in the masjid and Khanqahs. Where ever Batil is situated, Haq has to present itself there, then only will Batil will vanish.

Batil may be within Yourself

Batil may be in Your Home

Batil may be in Your Masjid

Batil may be in Your Khanqah

Batil may be in Your Madrasah

Batil may be in your Community

Batil may be in your Trade.

It is our task to present Haq in all such places. Then only Batil will vanish

[Shamli 1857]

Salam,

I'm wondering if anyone here attended this event: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ypr5UeBt0xs

I'm particularly interested in what Shaykh Imtiyaz Damiel, a tutor with Al Kauthar and founder of the Abu Hanifah Foundation in Blackburn, had to say.

[Shamli 1857]

Salam,

I'm wondering if anyone here attended this event: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ypr5UeBt0xs

I'm particularly interested in what Shaykh Imtiyaz Damiel, a tutor with Al Kauthar and founder of the Abu Hanifah Foundation in Blackburn, had to say.

Any thoughts on this?

[Shamli 1857]

Imtiyaz Damiel is a Salafi no doubt. Then why has he established an organisation after the Imam of the Hanafis? I think it's a marketing ploy.

[Rahmaniyyah]

Imtiyaz Damiel is a Salafi no doubt. Then why has he established an organisation after the Imam of the Hanafis? I think it's a marketing ploy.

Are you certain he is also the founder of the AHF? If so, it would be very sly, but also extremely well-done. The website quotes Imam Ghazali, and they twitter quotes from Mufti Taqi Usmani. Their website is simply brilliant and so professional. I had the opportunity to visit the school out-of-hours, and they are very professional and tidy. Lots of (maybe too much) technology in the school.