About Us
In constitutional democracies like South Africa, Muslim minorities often find themselves at the intersection of two legal systems: state law and Islamic law. This unique position presents distinct challenges, particularly in matters of family law. Muslims must navigate the complexities of adhering to their faith-based practices while also complying with the country’s state legal framework. Unfortunately, this leaves too many Muslims vulnerable and exposed.
At the Muslim Family Law Hub, we recognise the intricacies of this dual legal landscape. Our platform aims to address the need to educate and empower individuals with materials and ultimately, an understanding, that fosters better outcomes for all in our community.
Our platform includes the website as a digital medium to democratise access to information in one place. The website hopes to provide guidance on how to harmonise Islamic family law principles with South African state law. We have rigorously evaluated the key questions that individuals may encounter in marriage, divorce and inheritance and have provided answers on the basis of Islamic and South African Law. We have also created easy to use checklists (marriage, divorce and inheritance) to facilitate your journeys. Finally, we are in the process of collating service providers who we believe could be useful resources as you embark on these journeys.
In the future we intend conducting workshops and events to talk about the challenges experienced by our Muslim community when navigating Muslim family law within the South African law context. We hope to bridge the gap between these two systems of law, and to empower individuals and our community in the process.
Board of Directors of the Muslim Family Law Hub (NPC)
Fatima Essop
is a founding member of the Muslim Family Law Hub. She has practiced as both, an Attorney and Advocate of the High Court of South Africa, as well as a family law mediator. She has a degree in Islamic law from the International Peace College of South Africa (IPSA), a certification in Islamic Finance from the Ethica Institute of Islamic Finance, UAE, and a PhD in law from the University of Cape Town. She was a Fellow at Harvard Law School in the Program on Law and Society in the Muslim World in 2022-23. She researches and publishes in the area of Muslim family law and advocates for more just, and equitable readings of Islamic law texts pertaining to Muslim family laws. She firmly believes in using law as an instrument for social justice.
Hoodah Abrahams-Fayker
uses her legal background to make a meaningful contribution to the promotion and protection of human rights, advocating for justice, equality, and dignity for all individuals. She currently holds the position of National Advocacy Manager at Black Sash, the human rights organisation that advocates for social security rights. She previously worked at the Women’s Legal Centre advocating for the rights of women by doing strategic impact litigation to address gaps in the law that fail to consider the plight of women, after a short stint in the corporate sector and in private practice. Hoodah also developed her experience by gaining international exposure working as a legal consultant in the United Kingdom after completing her community service with the Legal Aid Board. She holds a BA degree from the University of Cape Town and a LLB degree from the University of the Western Cape.
Khadeeja Bassier
has been a member of the Muslim Family Law Hub since its inception. She is committed to a vision of Islam as practiced in the time of the Prophet (PBUH) – an inclusive and holistic vision of compassion, progressive outcomes and a deep pervasion of social justice for all. Khadeeja’s professional expertise is grounded in finance and she hopes to bring this perspective to the Muslim Family Law Hub. She completed a B.Bus Sci (Act Sci) at the University of Cape Town and is qualified as a Fellow of the Institute of Actuaries, United Kingdom. She also serves as a Trustee of the Claremont Main Road Mosque and is closely affiliated with Emasithandane Children’s Home in Nyanga.
Yasmina Francke
is a social activist by heart, seeking to make a difference in the lives of those in need. She is actively involved in community work through her role as the CEO of one of South Africa’s largest and longest standing Muslim NGO’s, the South African National Zakāh Fund (SANZAF). Yasmina has qualifications in Social Sciences, Psychology, Marketing, Social Entrepreneurship, Islamic Finance and Zakāh Management. She is passionate about Islamic Social Finance, which seeks to restore human dignity and bring about justice and equity. She brings her vast expertise of local community dynamics, women empowerment issues and the application of Islamic principles in our daily lives, to the Muslim Family Law Hub.