His Royal Highness The Regent of Perlis, Tuanku Syed Faizuddin Putra Jamalullail, along with a delegation from the Perlis Religious and Cultural Authority (MAIPS), embarked on a special visit to Cape Town, South Africa.
The visit aimed to foster closer ties between the two communities and explore opportunities in promoting Islamic education and spreading the message of Islam to a wider audience.
The highlight of this visit was the participation in the International Seminar on Tajdid (Islamic Renewal), which was facilitated and hosted by Awqaf SA in collaboration with IPSA, Medina Institute, Islamia College, and the Muslim Judicial Council. The seminar, chaired by Prof Muhamad Haron, provided a platform for scholars, preachers, and academics to engage in fruitful discussions on Islamic education and religious dialogue.
The event showcased the commitment of both countries to advancing knowledge and understanding of Islam.
During their stay in Cape Town, the delegation had the opportunity to meet with the United Ulama Council of South Africa (UUCSA). In the meeting, Mickaeel Collier, Deputy CEO of Awqaf SA, shared the historic development of the Muslim community in South Africa.
The discussion highlighted the deep-rooted relationship between Malaysia and South Africa, particularly concerning the establishment of the Muslim community in the Cape, by the Malay and Indonesian royalty (the Orang Kayu) and Sufi scholars that were banished to the Cape as political exiles from 1658-1795, marking the Dutch occupation (followed by the British after 1795).
Moulana Abdul Khaliq Allie, the President of UUCSA, warmly welcomed His Royal Highness Tuanku Syed Faizuddin Putra Jamalullail and expressed his appreciation for their visit to Cape Town.
The visit aimed to explore various avenues of collaboration between South Africa and Perlis. Discussions revolved around education, religious dialogue, and networking, with an emphasis on initiatives that can mutually benefit both regions.
The delegates engaged with Muslim institutions in South Africa, seeking ways to strengthen relationships and enhance cooperation.
The visit, titled “SPECIAL VISIT OF ‘SAFAR ILMI’ BY HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS THE REGENT OF PERLIS AND THE DELEGATION OF MAIPS TO CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA,” had several objectives.
These included enhancing the understanding of the Muslim community in South Africa, fostering collaboration with scholars, preachers, and personalities, engaging with South African institutions involved in Islamic activities, exploring opportunities for student and lecturer exchanges, and organizing joint seminars and conferences in Africa and Asia.
Meetings were facilitated with various Muslim institutions in South Africa to establish a stronger network and explore avenues for collaboration between Perlis and South Africa.
Amongst the organisations represented were SANZAF, The Imam Development Programme, Mustadafin Foundation, SAFIA, and political leaders like MP Faiz Jacobs, MPL for education in the Western Cape Khalid Sayed, and the PPF President Kashief Wicomb.
The visit aimed to pave the way for meaningful partnerships and mutual growth.
The visit concluded with the signing of a letter of intent between the delegation of MAIPS and Awqaf SA, represented by Deputy CEO Mickaeel Collier. The agreement solidified their commitment to collaborate on mutual projects and foster deeper relations between Perlis and South Africa.
The visit of His Royal Highness The Regent of Perlis and the delegation of MAIPS to Cape Town, South Africa, served as a significant milestone in strengthening the ties between the two communities. It emphasized the shared commitment to promoting Islamic education and fostering cooperation on various initiatives. The collaboration between Perlis and South Africa is poised to bring about positive change and greater understanding within the global Muslim community.




