Al Jama-ah salutes freedom fighter, Imam Achmad Cassiem

AL JAMA-AH salutes a gallant freedom fighter, Imam Achmad Cassiem

Al Jama-ah Party is deeply saddened by the death of Imam Achmad Cassiem
who died in the early hours of this morning Friday 14 July 2023 at his Lansdowne home, Cape T own.

He joined the armed struggle against apartheid and subjugation at the young age of 15; he then continued to be a founding member of the Resistance Movement Qibla. He spent his whole life fighting against oppression and injustice. He stood firm on Islamic principles for true democracy and justice despite facing harsh action from the apartheid government; he was banned from working as a teacher; banned from meeting with a group of people other than his immediate family and banned from public gatherings.

But these banning orders instilled no fear in Imam Cassiem, he dared to continue to take on the oppressive government. In 1981 he was again arrested along with fellow Qibla and PAC members. They were charged under the Terrorism Act and Imam Cassiem was sentenced to six years imprisonment on Robben Island – his second time that he served a prison sentence on Robben Island. In 1964 as a high school learner at Trafalgar High, he was sentenced to five years under the Sabotage Act.

Al Jama-ah’s leader Hon Hendricks had a close association with Imam Cassiem and worked closely together on the Islamic Unity Convention and in establishing Radio 786.

“Imam left behind a proud legacy of resistance, and we trust that his legacy will be followed by today’s youth and future generations,” says Hendricks.

Al Jama-ah sends its prayers and condolences to the Cassiem family, the Qibla Movement, and the oppressed communities the Imam fought for.