On Friday evening, 15th February 2013 we visited Tanzilur-Ragmaan Jassiem at his home. His parents Aasieya & Kassiem Jassiem were present, and offered us fizzy drinks and some nice homemade cookies. Tanzilur-Ragmaan comes from a good family, being a 6th generation descendent of Imam Abdullah bin Qadhi Abdussalaam (Tuan Guru) from his maternal side. Our purpose was to draw up a report about his experience at the annual AYLI (Azhar Youth Leadership Institute) 40 day camp, which he attended in December 2012. 

Tanzeelur-Ragmaan also partiipated in Silat training arranged by Pukulan Melaka South Africa, and Azhar Seni Beladiri Silat schools. 

Parents' General Overview
Q) Do you feel Tanzeelur-Ragmaan has benefitted from this program, and have you seen a positive or negative change in him since his return from Jakarta? 


A) He is now more mature and organised, and seems to have a better insight into life. We noticed an improvement in his attitude and he seems to be more independent. We feel this program has done him much good, and we thank the organisers very much for this opportunity granted to our son, we are very grateful. 

Tanzeelur-Ragmaan's Overview
Q) How have you found the program, and what changes, if any, have you noticed within yourself? 

A) I found it to be very informative and enlightening in many ways, and the leadership course has made me a more responsible person. I felt that I previously lacked ambition, self confidence, and generally didn't push for excellence. It has been an eye-opener for me and I feel more prepared for lifes challenges. 

Q) Tell us more about your experience when you first arrived in Jakarta, seeing that it was your first time there. 
A) Some of the things I had to deal with was adapting to the time and climate etc, which I feel made me a stronger person.   

Q) Your best and worst experience?
A) My worst experience was getting sick with a stomach bug. 
Best experience was a race we had similar to the Amazing race. We were told to take a bus in various teams and finding clues along the way, not knowing our final destination. My team ended up taking 4 different vehicles to reach the end. Although we came last, it was fun. 

Q) Being a Cape Malay of Indonesian descent, was it a cultural shock for you or did you find much similarities in the Indonesian people compared to the Cape Malays? 
A) There were some similarities, as people are generally friendly and they shake hands to greet one another after solah. I was told they also have a legacy of dhikr gatherings and moulud, although I never attended any due to following the leadership camp. 

Q) How was the food? 
A) It was pallatable, though bland. My favourite dishes are Nasi goreng, Bubur ayam, and roti Keju. Milk was expensive so i avoided it, and I didn't find any koeksisters.

Q) How was the program structured? 
A) We would train Silat after fajr from about 5 or 6am until 8am. In this session we do physical training and exercises. We get an hour to rest and freshen up. In the evening we have another 2 hour silat session which is more focussed on techniques. Ka' Jojo was our coach, and he coached us on how to coach others and management principles in being a trainer. 
The youth Leadership course took place between 8-11am, and again between 3-4pm. 

Q) how many youth attended the youth camp? and were there females as well? 
A) Yes, more females than males, and we were a group of about 22. Some attendees from Johannesburg, Indonesia, malaysia, and Palestine. 

Q) On a mental and emotional level, did you find yourself wavering from your purpose there at times? 
A) I missed home at times, but never became homesick. The environment and being surrounded by good people all the time left no space for wavering. We encourage and inspire each other. I would say I was mentally and emotionally stable throughout my stay in Indonesia. One thing which was more challenging was sleeping in tents on an open field, sometimes accompanied by rats. But this made us stronger. 

Q) We heard that for the last few days of your stay, you were the last remaining participant at the camp. How did this affect you, and did you slow down or lack the drive needed to put your best forward? 
A) The last few days, I trained the Jurus tunggal (a series of 99 silat moves combined with empty hand, staff and sword techniques). It was challenging, but I never lost focus. I did however feel sad because leaving indonesia was soon approaching. 

Q) Staying at an Islamic institution, Al Azhar University, was there a spiritually focussed program as well? 
A) Pak Sariat was a father figure to us, and guiding us along the way in every aspect. I also maintained a close relationship with Qori Ustadh Mukhtar, the Imam of the Azhar Masjid, however we did have a little bit of a communication barrier. He made me lead the congregational prayers for Jumuah, which was a first for me in my life. I was also asked to give a nasihah (advice) to the local musallees after solah, where I spoke about the importance of the Quran in our lives. I spoke in english and I had an Indonesian translator. 

Q) Do you feel that this kind of program could be applicable in Cape Town? What would you add or change to a program like this designed for Capetonians or South Africans? 
A) The original 40 days leadership program which was initiated in 2011, was reduced to an intensive 2 week program. The organisers felt that the participants were fatigued after 40 days, and the same outcomes could be achieved within a shorter span. So this could work better for Cape Town. Some elements of that program would have to be replaced to reflect a Cape Town theme and capetonian needs. The AYLI program was designed to introduce the indonesian language and culture to its foreign participants. We could definitely use the AYLI program as a model. 

Q) In terms of your silat, how will you maintain what you have learnt in Indonesia?
A) Apart from attending regular silat training sessions in Goodwood, I also go over my jurus at home. School takes up most of my time now, but i do train where I find the time and space. 

Q) What are your concluding remarks?
A) The leadership camp was geared towards developing our leadership roles and skills, and trained us how to be more responsible role models for other youth. Of the valuable lessons : 

• We learnt how to benefit and help others by rectifying theirs and our actions and habits. 
• Making small changes could make big differences. 
• How to handle people when they attempt to correct you and how to accept their advice and constructive critisism. 
• Others might know you better than you know yourself. 

We thanked Tanzilur-Ragmaan and his parents for their time, and for participating in the program. We hope he will becoming a shining example for others to follow, and wish him the best for his future. 

With the spate of crime reaching an alarming level in the Western Cape, a mosque in Retreat has taken up the task of giving power to women in communities by introducing a self defence course. Al Munowar masjid based in Retreat, has created a Silat self defence course for women designed to teach them how to protect themselves.

“We feel like we need to empower women as they are not equipped to defend themselves in a dangerous situation. There are a lot of cases where women tend to conceal their abuse. We want to show them how to defend themselves by giving them the tools and showing them how easy it is if they know how,” explained Silat trainer Faheem Jackson.

Jackson believes women ought to be respected and if their rights are violated, they need to be able to stand up for themselves. The training will be guided by the imam of the masjid, Maulana Irshaad Sedick, who initiated the idea to conduct the course. Silat is the martial arts fighting style originating from Indonesia and Malaysia. Silat was apparently developed by a woman in Indonesia. The course intends to teach women how to deal with aggression, unleash their fighting spirit and also how to control it.

The course will be combining elements of different styles of Silat, showing people how to apply the basic techniques like using by body as a weapon. “We hope to expose the wisdom behind the martial art,” said Jackson. The lessons will be given inside the masjid and although the course is designed for women in mind, men are also invited.

“When we sent the request to the masjid, Maulana Irshaad said he felt like the course should be open to males and females because the males will feel left out. This is why it is open to all but it is going to be designed to show how easy it is for a weaker person to defend themselves against a stronger person,” said Jackson.

He stressed that self-defence has become a necessity and is not a sport anymore. The shocking rate of domestic abuse and rape against women in the Western Cape was clear evidence of this need. “Learning self defence is something communities should take note of as it is important for people to defend themselves against any form of aggression.”

The course will take place on the 29th June, 6th July and 13th July at Masjid Munowar from 19h30 until 22h00 and will cost R100 per person. For more information people call Faheem Jackson on 071 869 8240. VOC (Tashneem Abrahams)