South Africa – In a groundbreaking initiative, the South African Muslim Network (SAMNET) invites all Muslim graduates, professionals, and organisations to join a national network to promote growth and development within their communities.
This project aspires to emulate successful models worldwide, where faith-based and professional groups have created robust networking platforms to elevate their members to new heights in various aspects.
However, Dr. Faisal Suliman, the Chairperson of SAMNET, emphasised that networking will extend beyond traditionally recognised experts in specific fields. It will be open to individuals of all ages and expertise, including Islamic scholars who have dedicated years to their studies.
“Just to give an idea, the idea is a Muslim Professional Network. But at the moment, we’ve said professional; it doesn’t mean we can’t extend it to businesses or your Alima or your Hafiz.
“You may not have a formal certificate saying you qualified from this institution, but you’re a professional. You’re a professional person who has learned the entire Quran, and it’s no mean feat.”
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The Initiative Aims to Empower Communities and its People
According to Dr. Suliman, the success of this initiative ultimately depends on the collaboration of professionals, organisations, and the community. Although it is still in its early stages, the responses from interested parties have been positive.
In order to join, participants must fill out a form and answer questions to collect information on their educational backgrounds and careers, amongst others. This information will provide valuable insights into the community’s professional landscape, helping to identify potential areas of overrepresentation and shortages in specific fields.
“This is a not-for-profit initiative. It is not there to sell databases or anything like that, and we are acutely aware of the responsibility of having data and the discretion that’s needed, including compliance with the POPI Act. It helps us know where professionals are, where they’ve moved to, and whether there are too many certain professions.”
“This data helps us see where the community is, and with the help of IT specialists and analysts, we can look at future trends. They can provide insights to the community, indicating which careers are earning well and which careers, such as those requiring a four-year degree in BCom, may not lead to jobs.”
Moreover, it will also address young professionals’ mentorship and networking needs. The goal is to create a space where individuals can connect, seek guidance, and explore career opportunities. Therefore, Dr. Suliman urges people to complete the forms and participate actively.
“Ultimately, our aim is the preservation of our religion, our livelihoods, and to help not just Muslims. The idea here is not only to help Muslims but to empower Muslims to help our country and humanity.”
