School History.

A Concise History of the Lenasia Muslim School

Living in a multi-cultural, multi-social and multi-religious society demands that as Muslims we need to create an integrated society.

In 1987 Moulana Yahya Bham and a few others decided to establish an institute which will provide an Islamically sound environment, as well as create an integrated MUSLIM who will be a professional in the multi-cultural, multi-religious society, but will always strive to adopt, and display the commandments of Allah and his Rasul S.A.W., as well as holding tight to the rope of Islam which unties the ummah under the banner of `Ahlus Sunnah wal Jama-ah`.
The first hurdle of making the project a success started with Moulana Yahya’s idea with him were other great Ulama who applauded this dream. Moulana Yahya conducted a few unofficial interviews, and was surprised to learn that the public wished for a similar institute which will cater for the boys.

Moulana Yahya and co. forged ahead with the idea not knowing the success of it and blind folded to the growth of such an institute. Moulana Yahya called for support from the local Ulama fraternity and leaped into the project with only blessings and hope.

He received a positive response and decided to host the school at the L.M.A. premises. The `institute` will run during the morning and the afternoon will be left for the `Maktab` madressah. Moulana Yahya was aware of the fact that to run the institute he needed a governing body. Moulana formed a Shurah (mutual consultation). The institute needed a name, considering the fact that the institute was based on an Islamic fundamental and catered for secular education, it was regarded as a school, and having Islam as the wall paper to this institute it was decided that the word Muslim, (submissive to Allah, the Lord of all creation), will be utilized. A `Muslim School` in Lenasia, It was decided that the name Lenasia, identifying the place, Muslim School, identifying the institute. `L. M. S. `

The school grew from a small institute to a school with 350 learners. Having difficulty housing the High school and Primary school on the same premises became a problem and it was decided to utilize the L.M.A.’s facility in extension 10. This was adjacent to the Masjid Siddique, a building for education.

The first staff to begin service with the L.M.S. included:

‘Prompted by some of the realities but not necessarily with a correct understanding of all the forces at play, the Lenasia Muslim School is in dire need for larger and more appropriate premises. It is presently housed in Madressah classrooms in Duck Avenue, and extension 10, Lenasia. It offers a combination of secular and Islamic subjects from Grade 1 to (Grade 8) Standard 10.

‘The buildings are hopelessly inadequate and even if it wanted to, it will never be able to provide Muslim Education to Muslims in general. Given these factors, the future of the school looks bleak. To those who fear Allah and wish to escape from political enslavement to Islamic freedom, it is cause for despair. It would seem, that confronted with such a daunting task the Muslims of Lenasia will either have to relocate or accept subservience.

On the other hand, if the parents can come to assistance of the Lenasia Muslim School, it can with visionary leadership create a Muslim School based on Islamic values and for the pleasure of Allah serve as a model for all Muslims in South Africa. Above all, it can by demonstrating that it can produce students of academic excellence, influence the body politic of a Christian country and thereby enrich them with the truth of Allah’s Deen and perchance change or modify the false values by which they live and die.

Survival of the Ummah has never ever been more vital than is the position now. Unless the attack against Islam and Muslims is stemmed with the weapons of Education through Deen the battle will be lost. It is clear that is impossible to undo the damage inflict upon generations of Muslims but it is possible to resist the attack by a process of Spiritual and Intellectual Jihaad.

It is only through Education that Muslim can ever hope to become a factor in the politics of South Africa. Otherwise, it must retain its present status as spectators with a Muslim heart and a western mind. Such a spectator is surely doomed both in this world and in the Hereafter.
(The above is an abstract article from the ‘Parents open day’ brochure, pg 4, 09 – 06 1996 / 22 Muharram 1417)