This thesis titled Islam and the Environment within the context of globalisation and South Africa asserts the integral role that religion and culture place on social transformation. It also dispels any myths about the unscientific nature of religion. Religion, in its very tenets, advocates the total respect of all living and non-living things. An analysis of the verses found within the divine book of Muslims, the Quran shows the role of humans in conserving, preserving and caring for the natural environment. The environment is given to humans as a gift. Humans are the custodians and the care-takers of the environment. Planet Earth is in grave danger. Globalisation has placed unreasonable demands on (unnatural resources. Overproduction, the result of mass consumption has led to large scale industrialisation. Pollution, depletion of the ozone layer, global warming, climatic changes are some of the concomitant results of globalisation. South Africa is no exception to the rule. The Muslims of South Africa, via a closer link with the environment can achieve social transformation through the process of Environmental Education and taking greater care of the environment. It is critical that Muslims in South Africa begin to define their relationship with the environment. Muslim schools and institutions formed part of this empirical investigation to ascertain what efforts are being made to develop a sustainable Muslim community in South Africa. The research is both qualitative and quantitative in nature with an exploratory modality. Proposals are made to implement environmentallyfriendly programmes with a view to build capacity amongst Muslims in South Africa through the two fundamentally important stakeholders in South African Muslim society: Islamic schools and the Body of Theologians. The "return to basics" call is further resonated within the context of a textual analysis of verses of the Quran, with a view to ascertain the ordained role of Muslims vis-a-vis their purpose on this earth with reference to the natural environment. This theoretical, conceptual framework provides the bedrock for assumptions that protecting the natural environment is incumbent upon all Muslims. There is an urgent need for South African Muslims to galvanise around environmental issues within the parameters of Islamic schools and Islamic institutions (the Jamiats). These milieus form the pivotal points in this praxiological approach. Programmes for communities and educational institutions are suggested for maximum optimisation in a systemic way of promoting and sustaining environmental education de Nuevo. Socially responsive models and other pragmatic proposals are suggested in a bid to conscientise and empower South African Muslims concerning ways and means of protecting the environment. This thesis highlights the unquestioned assumptions which underlie growing calls for social transformation and considers the significance of a socially critical orientation to environmental education in relation to divine doctrines. / Thesis (Ph.D)-University of Durban-Westville, 2004.

This study examines the unique pre-and post hajj traditions of the Cape Muslims in the 19th and 20th centuries. It explores the origin and historical development of these traditions and describes the changes in the mode of transport used to travel to Arabia for the performance of hajj and in the financial aspect of hajj since the 19th century. The study identifies the difficulties that hajjis experienced in the 19th and 20th centuries and explains the special status accorded to hajjis at the Cape, including its use as a status symbol. Much attention is given to the management of the hajj enterprise, including the role of hajj agents and operators. The study analyses the difference between the earlier and current system of managing the hajj, and provides an overview of the regulating body appointed by the South African government to oversee the hajj industry. Finally, it investigates the problems that the pilgrims have been experiencing over the many years. / Thesis (Ph.D.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2007.

No abstract available. / Thesis (Ph.D.)-University of Durban-Westville, 1988.

Abstract not available. / Thesis (Ph.D.)-University of Durban-Westville, 2000.

No abstract available. / Thesis (Ph.D.)-University of Durban-Westville, 1995.

No abstract available. / Thesis (Ph.D.)-University of Durban-Westville, 1984.

This study begins by highlighting the fact that after identifying the causes of defects in the socio-economic development of Africa and its populace African scholars argue for the re-centering of African cultural heritage as a strategy for (re)-construction and socioeconomic development. In fact, the alienation and marginalization of African cultural values and traditions by the designs of colonialism and apartheid have resulted in the distortion and disorientation of some of the most fundamental aspects of the culture of the colonized. Undeniably, this phenomenon contributed immensely to the situation of 'underdevelopment' in Africa Culturally, people were prevented from engaging the European culture(s) on their own terms. Economically - because the African cultural heritage was degraded to the level of the 'savage', the 'primitive', 'uncivilized' and even the level of the 'superstitious' or 'mystical' compared to the ' logical' found in the Western cultural thought and behaviour - African people(s) were mostly prevented from participating in the development of the continent. More importantly, given the present unfolding scenario of the African leaders' dream for an African century- manifested in the transformation of the Organization of African Union into the African Union (AU) (during the week of the 9 to 12 July 2001) and the vision and mission of New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD) - juxtaposing this ideal to the pressures globalisation process exerts on the African continent, this study III seeks to identify essential elements of African Cultural Heritage that (if reclaimed and redefined) can contribute towards the transformation and development of (South) Africa and its people. The two critical questions here are: (a) Against the backdrop of Africa's economic disposition, what is the way forward for the continent to extricate itself from the quagmire of poverty, disease and instability? (b) Is Pan-Africanism the solution to the African crisis in the 2IIt century and the globalizing world? The African Renaissance discourse (as a new Pan-Africanism vision in the 2IIt century and a philosophical framework for (re)-construction and development) is central to this study, precisely because no nation that was uprooted from its soul can be able to recover wholly and progress without basing its socio-economic development plans on its own cultural identity and self-knowledge. It is hoped that this study will form part of existing critical resource material concerning the legacy of underdevelopment, and the constructive proposals and strategies critical in the socio-economic (re)-construction and development of Africa in the context of g1obalisation and its marginalising tendencies and practices against the countries of the South. / Thesis (M.A.)-University of Durban-Westville, 2004.

Reaping the benefits of globalization without eroding the planet's capacity to sustain / Thesis (M.A)-University of Durban-Westville, 2004

This study entitled "Hinduism and Abortion: A Traditional View" outlines what the Hindu Smriti and Shruti texts have to contribute in the abortion debate. It is important to consider what an ancient tradition, Hinduism, has to contribute with regard to a modern controversy. The study undertakes a cursory look at bioethics and then proceeds to examine the Hindu world view and the Hindu view of the unborn. The important Hindu teachings with regard to dharma, kama, the ashrama dharma system, the samskaras and karma and reincarnation are considered in some detail. The unborn is considered not only in terms of its embryological development but also in terms of its social and spiritual significance. This study concludes that Hinduism is opposed to abortion except in certain very specific circumstances, for example, severe congenital abnormalities in the foetus, where the continued pregnancy is life-threatening for the mother, rape and incest. The traditional Hindu standpoint is pro-life and the Hindu scriptures provide a comprehensive and multi-faceted argument against abortion. The foetus is considered sacrosanct from the moment of conception. The view arrived at in this study is that the foetus is a person with rights, and abortion is a violation of those rights. Abortion is considered to be murder. An important and salient contribution from a Hindu perspective is the fact that the foetus is a bio-psycho-socio-cosmological and spiritual being and as such the abortion debate transcends individual ethics thus raising important social and cosmological concerns. Hinduism has much to contribute to the abortion debate and many of the Hindu teachings cited in the study are relevant for today. Celibacy, the Hindu view that the sexual act ought to be seen as a deeply spiritual act, the emphasis on the Ashrama Dharma system and ahimsa are important principles that need to be emphasized to face the challenges of the increasing demand for abortions. / Thesis (M.A.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2004.

This thesis primarily deals with the nature and ori gins of Cape Muslim identity. The purpose of this study is to (1) define the nature of Cape M uslim identity (2) explore the origins of Cape Muslim identity (3) identify the factors impacting on Cape Muslim identity (4) and assess the response of Cape Muslims to the challenges to their identity. The hypothesis underlying this study is that Cape M uslim identity is unique and distinguishes itself through adherence to certain r ites and ceremonies, primarily derived from a Malay/Indonesian type of Islam, as established by r eligious leaders who came from those regions. This study explores this assumption and at tempts to determine the extent of Malay/Indonesian Islam on Cape Muslim rites and cer emonies. The study also identifies the contemporary ideologi cal and theological formations that challenge Cape Muslim identity. / Theses (M.A.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2009.