The 13th Annual Convention of the Islamic Circle of Southern Africa (ICSA) brought together Muslim leaders, scholars, community workers and international delegates in Johannesburg, South Africa, on 19–20 September 2026, highlighting the importance of faith, unity and cooperation in responding to contemporary challenges.
Held under the theme “Arise, Warn and Magnify Your Lord,” inspired by the opening verses of Surah Al-Muddaththir, the two-day gathering encouraged Muslims to strengthen their relationship with Allah while translating faith into service, outreach and positive engagement with society.
The convention had a strong international dimension, with delegates including representatives from the Islamic Forum for Australian Muslims (IFAM Australia), the UK Islamic Mission (UKIM) in Britain, the Islamic Circle of North America (ICNA) in the United States, as well as delegates from Pakistan and other countries.
Their participation provided opportunities to exchange experiences about Islamic education, community development, da’wah, youth engagement and the challenges faced by Muslim communities in different parts of the world.
One of the prominent international speakers was Sirajul Haq, former head of Jamaat-e-Islami Pakistan, who called on Muslims to respond to the challenges facing the Ummah through greater unity and brotherhood.
Addressing convention participants, Sirajul Haq emphasised solidarity, cooperation and adherence to the Qur’an and Sunnah. Reports from the convention said he stressed the need for collective effort based on shared Islamic values in addressing the challenges confronting Muslim communities.
The gathering also demonstrated the increasingly important links between Muslim community organisations operating across continents.
Usaid Khalil, Senior Vice President, IFAM.
For the Australian delegation represented by Usaid Khalil, Senior Vice President of IFAM, participation offered an opportunity to share experiences from Australia while learning from established community organisations in Southern Africa, Britain, North America and Pakistan.
IFAM is a national Australian Muslim organisation involved in Islamic education, community activities, volunteering, helping people in need and da’wah.
Its own programs emphasise bringing Muslims together as a community and encouraging members to make positive contributions through volunteering and service.
Host organisation ICSA is a Johannesburg-based, grassroots non-profit organisation focused on community service, outreach and humanitarian work guided by the Qur’an and Sunnah.
Its activities extend well beyond religious education and include food and clothing distribution, healthcare, youth and women’s empowerment, and other social-service initiatives.
Among its major humanitarian initiatives is a cataract surgery program undertaken in collaboration with Awqaf South Africa and the Islamic Medical Association of South Africa.
For delegates, the Johannesburg gathering was also an opportunity to renew friendships and build new relationships between organisations working in very different social environments but sharing many of the same priorities.
The presence of representatives from Australia, Britain, the United States, Pakistan and Southern Africa underlined the value of such international gatherings in allowing Muslim organisations to learn from one another rather than working in isolation.
Participants described the convention as a beneficial and inspiring gathering, bringing brothers and sisters from different countries together to exchange experiences, strengthen bonds of unity and explore ways of working collectively in the service of Islam and humanity.
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