Cape Town – Moosa Vallie Ismail, the author of a new book, Understanding the beliefs and practice of Islam, insists his book is the work of a local community organisation he serves in.
Reading his father’s speech at the book’s launch at the Muslim Assembly’s (Cape) 51st annual meeting, Ismail’s son, Adam Ismail, 44, said: “The book is the magnum opus of the Muslim Assembly and not mine. All the objectives, ideals and dynamics of the Muslim Assembly is based on this book.”
He said the book had evolved out of the Muslim Assembly’s educational programme and the youth adult convert classes, spearheaded by the late Doctor Hoosain Moosa Kotwal.
“We met every Sunday for many years to discuss the syllabus, the presentation of concepts etc. Being an educator with a profound passion for learning true Islam, I was his right- hand man. The two of us ran these classes from the early 1970s,” said Ismail.
“And in the late 1980s, when I became the chairman of the Muslim Association, Doctor Kotwal instructed me to write a series of booklets on the inclusive Islamic programme to be used in the evening classes in the madrassa,” he added.
According to him, the book culminated from booklets and contributions made by individuals who had assisted with the Muslim Assembly programmes over the years.
Adam told the Cape Times at the event, held at the Habibia Primary School hall in Rylands yesterday, that his father was not well.
“What makes this book different is its simplicity. In its more than 400 pages, It deals with the entire belief system of Islam.” He said his father was born, raised, schooled and became a teacher in Beaufort West, before coming to Cape Town in 1966 to teach history, Afrikaans and maths for 35 years at Florida High in Ravensmead.
“My dad has been teaching skills’ empowerment for more than 40 years and this book is a culmination of what he has taught.”
Ismail’s book costs R300 a copy. About 300 copies have so far been sold.
Anyone interested in the book can call 021 692 1237 or email: [email protected]