A MESSAGE FROM CYF 7 – ISLAM MEANS PEACE

Peaceful Muslims throughout the world face a similar dilemma, that of stigmatisation. Although the majority of the followers of Islam adhere to its peaceful teachings, the label of terrorism is often attached, especially in countries where Muslims are in the minority.

This is a problem Commonwealth Youth Forum Delegate Shaft Nasser Mukwaya faces on a daily basis in his native Uganda and his mission is to do all in his power to change the misconception and he intends to continue his crusade at CYF 7.

Shaft Nasser says “twenty percent of Uganda is Muslim but it’s a day to day test of your faith, as we are always looked at as terrorist or uneducated but there is hope on the horizon with help coming from the Organisation of The Islamic Conference”.

The OIC is the second largest inter-governmental organisation after the United Nations which has a membership of 57 states spread over four continents. The Organisation is the collective voice of the Muslim world, ensuring to safeguard and protect the interests of the Muslim world in the spirit of promoting international peace and harmony among various people of the world.

The Commonwealth is well represented at the OIC, with countries such as Pakistan, Nigeria, Tanzania, Suriname, Maldives and Bangladesh among others, being full members. This makes Shaft Nasser’s mission much easier as he seeks to present the Muslim perspective during the Thematic sessions at CYF 7.

The Ugandan is already making progress as a “silent Muslim caucus” has emerged. He has found fellow crusaders in a group of young Trinbago believers who share his causes and more.


Issa Ali is from East Trinidad and represents the Bamboo Masjid Youth Group, he says “even in liberal Trinidad and Tobago there is a level of stigmatization but CYF 7 has given the opportunity to meet young Muslims from other countries and discuss these problems and put forward suggestions for positive solutions”.

Issa has also welcomed the chance to interact with youths from countries where Muslims are in the majority such as Malaysia and Pakistan. He describe it as “a once in a lifetime experience and immensely beneficial”.

“Islamic women face even more stigmatisation and discrimination” according to Farah Abdool. The young lawyer from San Fernando wants to “disprove the stereotyping of Muslim women as submissive and non-progressive.”

Her sister Hanna immediately pointed to Sharifa Ali-Abdullah, Senior Coordinator of CHOGM 2009 as the perfect example of the modern Muslim woman. “Although practicing her religion to the fullest and the wife of an Imam, she has managed to be successful in her academic and public life”.

Hanna also has Climate Change on her agenda for discussion at CYF 7 as she believes further education is needed in this area to bring the dangers to light. She concluded strongly by saying, “Initiatives must be put in place to prevent further loss to coral reefs and to preserve them in order to help save the eco-system”.

Law student Farzana Nazir-Mohammed of Chaguanas, plans to make a contribution to the sessions on Peace Building and in the same voice expound on the plight of young Muslims in the Commonwealth. If she and her counterparts are successful we could look forward to an interesting section in the Communiqué which will be presented to Commonwealth leaders when they meet from November 27-29, 2009.