The sudden passing of a dear friend Mohammed Mayet, has been met with sadness and immense grief we share with his beloved wife Hawa, son Zaakir Ahmed, and rest of his family and circle of friends, associates and colleagues.
Widely acknowledged in the legal fraternity as an acclaimed labour lawyer, Mayet’s career over many decades bore hallmarks of fairness and justice. Above all his commitment to truth defined his empathy for oppressed victims of unfair labour practices.
I’ve known Marhoom Mohammed since the early days of the Muslim Youth Movement (MYM) during the 1970s. His keen interest in the plight of the Muslim Ummah and all Mustad’efeen (oppressed) didn’t allow him to stand aside.
And equally his enthusiasm at the launch of Media Review Network (MRN), was matched by his engaging encouragement and sage advices. We recall with fondness the many meetings and discussions he hosted at his residence to advance MRN’s cause.
Like many of us who were extremely excited to see the overthrow of America and Israel’s most faithful ally the Shah of Iran and his “Peacock Throne”, Mayet joined us in celebrating the successful Islamic Revolution led by Imam Khomeini (RA) during 1979.
This defining moment of the 20th century in the history of the Islamic Movement, was a constant theme of many discussions we held. Mayet’s special ability to analyse and skillfully articulate the portends of a new chapter, held us all in awe of his depth of understanding.
His optimism that the Islamic Revolution was a momentous event that will challenge the status of an unjust Islamophobic West who had thrown in their lot in support of Zionist Israel’s Occupation and oppression of Palestine, was certainly not misplaced.
Events today with Iran at the helm of the Axis of Resistance bear testimony to his wisdom and foresight.
Mayet threw himself into South Africa’s freedom struggle during his student life and remained committed to the cause of justice until his last breath.
It was less than a few weeks ago, that despite his ill health, he was part of the recent mass protest rally outside the US embassy in Johannesburg, in solidarity with Palestine’s freedom struggle and in opposition to the gruesome horror of Netanyahu’s Genocide in Gaza.
Mayet’s advocacy in defence of human rights will be sorely missed. So too will his insight, analysis and profound wisdom.
We are comforted though that his legacy, both in the domain of labour law and activism will be continued by Zaakir Ahmed.
“O you, soul at peace, Return to your Lord well pleased and well pleasing; Go in among My servants, and into My garden” (Quran – Surah Al Fajr V27-V30)
Iqbal Jassat
Executive Member
Media Review Network
Johannesburg
South Africa
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