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recognition, was resumed in the Western Cape High Court. The at the time Malaysia formed part of the Indonesian Archipelago
case was yet again postponed to March 2017. Given this context, (before it was separated from it by Dutch and British occupation),
my paper provided a broad exposition of the position in South it is not surprising that local Muslims who originated from the
Africa in order to ascertain whether recognition is necessary to Eastern part of Malaysia are until today still referred to as “Cape
improve the current position of Muslim women. Malays”and over half are followers of the Shafi’i school of law.
The Malay language was, for example, also widely spoken at
5. Can you briefly expand on the historical link between the Cape prior to, and during, the 1800s. Of the convicts who
Muslims in South Africa and Malaysia that you refer to in completed serving their sentences, some chose to remain at the
question 3? Cape as “free blacks”. Today, most Muslims regard themselves
as forming part of the black (using the inclusive term) majority.
Dutch colonialism brought Muslims (and therefore Islam) to Muslims have since then played an active role in the struggle
what is today known as the Western Cape (one of nine provinces) for liberation and to end apartheid imposed by a minority white
in South Africa. Although the exact date of their first arrival is government. Given that they both experienced, and fought
disputed, several scholars have estimated the date to be 1654. against, colonialism and apartheid, it is not unusual that many
The Cape was first under Dutch rule from 1652 and Dutch Muslims consider themselves as ‘Black’ (using the inclusive term)
occupation lasted roughly for 150 years. This was followed by two South Africans. Given the indirect linked historical heritage
periods of British occupation in 1795 and again in 1806. While with South Africa, my proposed UIM publication referred to in
the Muslims who arrived here included free people who came as Question 3 above therefore hopes to compare a few provisions
labourers; influential political prisoners; convicts and slaves. It is of the different marriage laws pertaining to Muslims and non-
thanks to the latter two groups (rather than the former) brought Muslims in Malaysia, with a view to lessons to be learnt for South
by the Dutch from Indonesia and later (around 1701) from India Africa.
in, that Islam owes its establishment in South Africa. Given that

Sheikh Yusuf
On 2 April 1694, Sheikh Yusuf, together with 49 other Muslim exiles from the East Indies
arrived at the Cape aboard the ship “de Voetboeg.” Although his body was taken back - a tomb
constructed at Macassar in his memory (Mouloed). His is among the 25 Islamic shrines or
kramats that encircle Cape Town (protection beautiful slopes of mountain and sea views).

Source: ONLINE HISTORY HISTORY OF MUSLIMS IN SOUTH AFRICA http://www.sahistory.org.za/article/
cape-malay

Early Malay dress
toedang conical ‘kopdoek’ and the ‘kaparring’
wooden sandals originated in South-East Asia.