Qibla (Arabic: قبلة) is a militant Shi'a and Sunni Islamist political organization and paramilitary group based in South Africa.
The group was also founded in order to advance Islam in South Africa,[4] and according to Joshua Lefkowitz has been "labeled a terrorist organization" by the U.S. State Department.
[6] The government in South Africa, which associated itself with Iran, disregarded the growth of Islamicist groups in the country.
They believed that Qibla was formed in an effort to create an Islamic state based on the Iranian revolution.
Many felt a connection with the analysis of the Qur’an that Cassiem and Khan provided and inspired individuals to want to be directly involved politically and socially.
The classes allowed Qibla to establish a significant space that became a ritualistic practice utilized by the group to create unity.
Mustadhafin Foundation is reported to be the first relief agency to respond in areas affected by a 1990s typhoon in Cape Town.
This Qibla-affiliated organisation is currently still offering support and relief services to various disenfranchised communities in South Africa.
The other affiliated organisation known as Iqraa Foundation, is an education based agency also working among disenfranchised communities.
[11] Cassiem is also the national Secretary General of the Pan Africanist Congress in the Western Cape Province in 2005, and he is an advisor on the Islamic Human Rights Commission.
In 1993, Cassiem and the IUC sent a letter to President Clinton which wrote to ask for Shaikh Omar Abdel-Rahman to be let out of prison.
"[14] Leadership is very important to the organization and Cassiem provided individuals that motivation to act on their urge to be a part of something and to empower them.