Johannesburg – The world has lost a shining star. On Monday, the Muslim Judicial Council (MJC) announced the passing of Muslim cleric and anti-apartheid activist Sheikh Abdul Hamiet Gabier. Sheikh Gabier was eighty-six years old. The MJC’s honorary life president had been ill for quite some time before his passing.
Sheikh Gabier touched the lives of every person he met in a unique way. It was this special touch he had, and the way he cared for the community, which made people gravitate towards him. Trevor Manuel, Former Minister of Finance, shared with Salaamedia fond memories of the Sheikh.
“There was a knock at our door and there was Gabier. One of our neighbours, who happened to teach alongside his wife in the adjacent township of Salt River, had told him that the security police were harassing this couple and he didn’t know who the couple was, but he came to knock on the door to find out…”
His love for the community and protecting them came at a high cost but one that he was willing to pay. In 1985, during the intense battles between police and those fighting for freedom, a young man was fatally wounded. During his Janazah (funeral), which was attended by a large crowd, a man was accused of being a police informer and was killed.
“Sheikh Gabier was one of the people who were at the front of the Janazah. It was clear that the police wanted him to be a state witness, but he would not be a state witness,” said Manuel.
“That was a very difficult period in his life because he was then forced to go into hiding first. We maintained contact frequently. It was through other people. And then I was invited to the mosque. I saw him in the corner of the mosque, walked up to him and Sheikh Gabier looked petrified … He didn’t recognise me because I was wearing a kurta, a topee and he said, ‘No, you didn’t come in as Trevor Manuel, you came in as a member of the Tablighi Jamaat’. And after that he went into exile to Canada. It was one of those big prices that he paid. He paid the price for leaving the community, repeatedly, in the struggle but he also paid a price because he refused to testify against the young man at the Janazah.”
His personality was as unique as his life. Manuel described it as being, “stern and defensive of the community but humorous in his interactions with the community”. He exemplified what a true leader is.
“Leaders who are genuine leaders are of the people. Have the ability to laugh within the community and at themselves but always to lead by example and Sheikh Abdul Gamiet Gabier was one of those who were so strong in his belief system that it gave him the courage and the ability to have a wonderful sense of humour.”
He was extremely passionate about the history of Muslims in South Africa. Imam Moutie Saban, from the MJC, recalls how Sheikh Gabier would not leave the mimbar (pulpit) without educating the people about this subject.
“He would never ever leave the audience without speaking passionately about the history of the Muslim community of Cape Town, more so South Africa. He always begged the community to really look at the history and wanted to make sure that the children studied the history of the Muslim community of South Africa because he believed that that, will be the future.”
He valued education to a great extent and was responsible for creating ties with Al-Azhar University in Egypt. It was through this relationship that the Al-Azhar primary school and high school came to be in Cape Town.
Prof Farid Esack, a South African Muslim scholar and former political activist, spoke very highly of Gabier. He was taken under Sheikh’s wing and shown how to deal with the community and social issues.
Sheikh Gabier was also active in the work of freedom fighting. He and his brother returned to South Africa from Cairo after the Sharpeville Massacre and became an ally in the struggle for freedom. The United Democratic Front (UDF) was launched in 1983 and while the MJC was unsure if it should be affiliated with it, Sheikh Gabier stood with the UDF.
What stood out for Imam Saban was the qualities that Sheikh Gabier had within himself.
“He was a very straightforward man. He was a very lovable man, and he was a very truthful man. He was a man that always stood for justice. He wouldn’t think twice to turn the meeting upside down if it doesn’t go his way … We learned from the way that he was doing things. Sheikh was also a great Aalim but at the same time he was also a great sports lover. He would encourage the youth to engage in sports like soccer and cricket and he would know just about every player. He was a man that you can have a conversation with, be it young or old … He was a very considerate person. He stood out as a person that would never want to hurt the feelings of anybody.”
Before he decided on anything he would consider what his predecessors said about it. This, Imam Saban learnt from him and endeavours to practice.
Not only was he a freedom fighter and a teacher, but he also served as the South African ambassador to Saudi Arabia. His contribution as the ambassador was met with praise by the Department of International Research and Cooperation.
“He was the first Aalim in South Africa who received serious political recognition serving as the country’s representative to Saudi Arabia. He enjoyed the respect of the country and the confidence of the president of the country to be sent to be the front to represent our country in all its religious diversity. It’s a reflection of what a wonderful country we have, but it’s also a reflection of what this community produces. But above all it’s a reflection on the kind of person that he was.”
When it comes to being a leader, Imam Saban said Sheikh Gabier ticked all the boxes for him.
“My personal definition of leadership is to be able to make a difference in the lives of people and the late sheikh did just that. Whether it was at the masjid that he served, whether it was in the community, whether it was at the MJC or on different levels, he made that difference.”
Sheikh Gabier was an exceptional person who only sought to better the lives of all those around him. Imam Saban expressed his friendship with Sheikh Gabier and the gap his passing has left.
“I miss a brother, I miss a supporter, I miss somebody who knew me really well on the inside. And who, despite the warts that he saw, continued to love me and this was his relationship with the Muslim community. He was conscious of all the warts in the community and despite that, he loved this community and he lived for this community until his health completely gave in and he was no longer physically able to do so.”
Listen to Trevor Manuel here:
Inayet Wadee speaks with Imam Saban and Professor Farid Esack:
