The South African Muslim Community has a long history of activism and has been held in high regard for its stand on social justice locally and internationally. There has however been a growing concern in our community that our leadership and influence is waning. Over the last few years there has been a growing call for a co-ordinated effort from the Ummah on issues of Politics, Development, Education, Gender, Leadership Business and Media amongst many others.

Recent global and local political events have amplified the urgency for a united and strategic effort to reposition the Ummah. The recent massacres in Gaza, the fluid geopolitical landscape, the Mumbai attacks, media misrepresentations, xenophobia, profiling and discrimination of Muslim individuals and organisations are more than adequate examples for us to see the writing on the wall. With the Grace of the Almighty SAMNET was conceived and piloted to address these very issues.

As a community, we have left a vacuum in various places and now is the time to reclaim these spaces. SAMNET will INSHALLAH articulate our concerns, agitate for and protect our principles and interests, and ensure that our presence and influence in the media and centres of power are felt.