The United Ulema Council of South Africa (UUCSA) has launched a national research initiative aimed at gaining a deeper understanding of the lived experiences, challenges, and aspirations of Muslims across the country.
The survey, open to participants nationwide, will collect both demographic information and personal insights to build a comprehensive picture of the South African Muslim community.
The findings are expected to highlight key issues at local, provincial, and national levels, helping identify where stronger representation and collective engagement are most urgently needed.
Deputy Secretary General of UUCSA, Moulana Sulaiman Ravat, explained that the initiative is rooted in discussions held shortly after last year’s national elections.
“At a UUCSA meeting in Durban, just a couple of weeks after the elections, a number of community leaders, business people, professionals, and activists were invited for an informal discussion around how the elections went and what the perceptions were,” he said.
“There was a consensus in the room that the Muslim vote was disjointed and fragmented, and that political parties – particularly the major ones – were not really seeking the Muslim vote. There wasn’t a coordinated effort to strategically position the Muslim community within the political landscape of South Africa.”
Ravat noted that while there were attempts to mobilise before the elections, they were largely regional. It became clear, he said, that a national body with broad reach was needed to coordinate long-term political engagement and community positioning.
He added that the Muslim community has historically relied on its strong relationship with the ruling party due to its contributions to the liberation struggle, but the political landscape has shifted.
UUCSA hopes the nationwide survey will equip the community with reliable data and insight to engage more meaningfully in public discourse, policy development, and democratic participation going forward.
Community members are encouraged to participate by completing the survey online at: www.uucsa.co.za/communitysurvey
Listen to the full interview below:
VOC News
Photo: Supplied
