Don't give up hope!

Hope can be described as having courage that something positive will surface from a hopeless situation. Mr. Stanley Saley, in his interview, clearly indicates that there was and still is tremendous hope for South Africa particularly the Muslim youth. He says that, "the Muslim youth can bring about a very big change in this country." If hope had not been an aspect of the lives of those who fought and struggled against apartheid then we may have not been enjoying the democracy that we live with today. Hope also gives rise to encouragement which motivates us to progress and move ahead. This interview with Mr. Saley has strongly highlighted those to bold characteristics.

During the 1950's and 1960's when apartheid was very strong, it was the hope of the oppressed people that kept the struggle continuing. Together with hope, encouragement kept the ideals of the struggle alive. When some lost hope there was always others who provided encouragement and thereby kept the fight for freedom alive. If we look at our former president Nelson Mandela, we see a shinning example of hope and encouragement. The commencement of his imprisonment in 1964 could have contributed to his disappearance from the struggle for the fight for freedom. His hope for a free South Africa helped him through those very difficult and dark days on Robben Island. He never lost hope himself and always served to encourage his fellow commerades to remain steadfast in the struggle for freedom.

Muslim youth such as Ahmed Timol and Ahmed Kathrada served as beacon of light for other Muslim youth opposed to oppression and to fight for justice. The Muslim youth should also take a lesson from our Prophet Muhammed (S.A.W.) Prophet Muhammed (S.A.W) trip to Ta'if was not a very pleasant experience. However, had he lost hope and not have the courage to continue we may not have had the successful religion of Islam today.

The Muslim Ummah of today are experiencing great deal of hardship and difficulties at the hands of the West and the Jews. It is perhaps a time in our history where we have to suffer. We should have hope that because we are fighting for the truth and justice we will eventually be victorious. Many of our brothers and sister's will loose their lives for the benefit of Islam, but we should have firm hope that because we are on the path of truth and justice we will eventually conquer falsehood. Allah mentions that the truth will eventually overcome falsehood. We should therefore take encouragement because these words of hope come from the Creator of the entire universe.

The apartheid government tried to oppress the truth through many ways but eventually, after many years of struggle and hardship the truth of democracy eventually won.

Our hope for the future is that the Muslim youth should play a leading role not only in the social, political and economic situations in our country but more importantly for the moral and spiritual upliftment for all the people of this country!