In Honour Of A Revolutionary

This week we honour the memory of Imam Achmad Cassiem, the South African anti-apartheid revolutionary, who passed away on friday 14th July 2023 aged 78.

Imam Achmad Cassiem joined the armed struggle against apartheid in South Africa when he was just 15 years old. Two years later he was arrested with his teacher for resistance activities, becoming the youngest prisoner on Robben Island. In total he spent 11 years imprisoned on Robben Island, and another 11 years under banning orders.

The President of South Africa, Cyril Ramaphosa expressed his sadness at the passing of Imam Achmad Cassiem saying:

“Imam Cassiem lived a life of courage, principle and faith in mobilising communities on the Cape Flats and around the country against apartheid. Imprisonment, confinement to his home in Hanover Park and repeated harassment and detention by the apartheid security machine failed to extinguish the flame of resistance and revolution that burned in his being and which he ignited in everyone he inspired as an activist. We are joined by supporters of our Struggle in Libya, Iran and other nations who had an impact on Imam Cassiem who in turn, had an impact on them. We are grateful for his life and wish him eternal, peaceful rest.”
~ President of South Africa, Cyril Ramaphosa

Imam Achmad Cassiem inspired many organisations across the globe with his clear understanding of what justice looks like and more crucially, how the struggle to achieve it must be waged. He showed us the way, not just by words, but courageously by action.

One of the organisations that his vision provides its ideological foundation is the Mustadafin Foundation in South Africa of which he, until his death, was assistant-chairperson, and his wife a founder and director.

It is renowned as a humanitarian organisation that feeds nearly 30,000 hungry people every day. Yet when you look at its aims outlined on its website, the focus is on educating the oppressed:

• The promotion of cultural and educational advancement of oppressed, destitute and deprived people in South Africa.
• To raise the consciousness of the oppressed, destitute and deprived by providing a forum for discussion on alternatives which encourage critical analysis of society.
• To empower the needy, the destitute and the deprived so that they may participate in running their affairs.
• To facilitate, support and network with other organisations in developing communities to fulfill their needs.

It exemplifies how an Islamic humanitarian organisation must be modelled – yes feed the hungry, but understand that your responsibility to the oppressed (and yes hunger is a form of oppression) does not end with feeding them, as food is not the solution to systemic poverty and injustice.

Social justice starts with education, to raise the consciousness of the oppressed, that they can critically analyse society to understand why they are suffering; and who is responsible; and what needs to change in order to achieve social justice.

A teacher by profession, Iman Achmad Cassiem placed education at the centre of everything. He emphasised that “Every revolution begins with education” and his famous saying “everyday is a good day to learn, and everyday is a good day to die”.

His wisdom – his clear insight into the heart of the problem, its proper framing and solution; and especially his courageous uncompromising stand for justice, deeply inspires us.

In our humble community kitchen, we have set up a Reflection Table with morsels of information painted on pebbles and other creative means to impart knowledge for people to reflect upon, to stimulate critical thinking on the issues of poverty and injustice in our community. Our humble way of educating our community. It is with great pride that we salute Imam Achmad Cassiem by dedicating a frame to his memory on our Reflection Table.

The Resistance Kitchen