Overview of 31st Annual General Meeting of United Ulama Council of South Africa (UUCSA)

The 31st Annual General meeting of the United Ulama Council of South Africa was held on 27 October 2025 at the MJC Chambers from 09:30 to14:30.

In his opening remarks, the President of UUCSA, Moulana Abdul Khaleck Allie, warmly welcomed all participants to the AGM, describing the gathering as historic. He noted that this year’s AGM coincides with two major milestones:

In his opening remarks, the President of UUCSA, Moulana Abdul Khaleck Allie, warmly welcomed all participants to the AGM, describing the gathering as historic. He noted that this year’s AGM coincides with two major milestones:

1. Hosting the Global Imams and Scholars Council (GISC) Annual Retreat

2. Signing a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the National House of Traditional and Khoisan Leaders (NHTKL), a structure representing between 25–30 million South Africans.

He described this partnership as a major step toward strengthening collaboration between faith-based and traditional leadership institutions.

UUCSA was making significant strides in key areas:

• Significant strategic growth

• Strengthened partnerships

• Increased advocacy and interfaith engagement

• Greater visibility of the Muslim voice in national and global platforms

Global Imams and Scholars Council (GISC) Retreat

The retreat will took place on 28–29 October at the Capetonian Hotel and included delegates from:

• Australia

• Canada

• United Kingdom

• United States

• South Africa

Delegates from Japan and New Zealand were unable to attend.

The retreat aimed to strengthen scholarly unity among Muslim minorities in English-speaking countries. UUCSA members participated in the retreat.

National Dialogue Initiative

The discussion outlined:

• Objectives of the National Dialogue

• Importance of faith-based input in shaping national policy

• Attendance by UUCSA representatives at the official launch

Presentation by Michael Swain (FORSA)

A detailed briefing was presented on the CRL Rights Commission’s renewed push for state regulation of religion. Concerns included:

• State licensing of religious practitioners

• Peer review committees with disciplinary powers

• Threats to religious freedom

• Comparisons with restrictive religious legislation in Rwanda and Angola

Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with NHTKL

Address by: Kgosi Thabo Milton, Chairperson of the NHTKLMr Milton emphasised the historic nature of this partnership and outlined five areas of collaboration:

1. Values-Based Society

2. Youth Development and Empowerment

3. Addressing Social Ills and Moral Regeneration

4. Rural Development and Welfare Outreach

5. Policy Engagement and Advocacy

Special Address by Ms. Francesca Albanese

UN Special Rapporteur on the Occupied Palestinian Territories

In her address she highlighted:

• The catastrophic humanitarian conditions in Gaza

• Complicity of states in enabling Israeli violations

• The duty of civil society and faith-based institutions to remain morally vocal and active in advocacy

Outreach Programmes

Three pre-AGM engagements were held:

1. UUCSA Political Strategy Committee

   • Historical overview (Ml S. Ravat)

   • Annual action plan (Br M. Cajee – ASRI)

2. Meeting with Muslim Parliamentarians
   Topics included:

   • ICJ case

   • National Dialogue

   • Gender Responsive Pedagogy Toolkit

   • Single Marriage Bill

   • Government of National Unity (GNU)

   Gaza Strategic Session

3. Focused on geopolitical scenarios and principled advocacy.