Sarah Oliver Announcements, Cape Town activities

July News

Dear friends and members of CTII, 

This is a reminder that the CTII AGM will take place on Wednesday 30th July at 6pm, at the Turquoise Harmony Institute, Rondebosch.

This will be an important moment of celebration and transition as we mark 25 years of CTIIs interfaith action in Cape Town, honour where we have come today, and share what is needed for the road ahead. We are looking forward to welcoming you there. 

Please RSVP here if you would like to attend the AGM. You can view the AGM Agenda here. 

Please note that in order to have voting rights at the AGM, you need to be a signed up member of CTII. Please complete the 2025 membership form here. 

Further details will be shared with those who RSVP to attend. 

In deep appreciation,
CTII Interim Board 

Recent Stories and Action

Mid-winter Interfaith Walk: Ubuntu and Compassion

Ubuntu and Compassion”, was the theme of the mid-winter Interfaith Walk, offering members an opportunity to connect in nature with moments of reflection, shared compassion, and community spirit. Interfaith dialogue in action – Read more here. 

3 Dialogues – Equality, Sustainability and Solidarity

Our 3 dialogue series – addressing themes of the G20 Interfaith Forum – have allowed for deepened connection, conversation and thoughtful recommendations to be shared. Read about the session on Equality and Sustainability and join us for our third one on Aug 6th – Solidarity (RSVP here).

Schools Programme: Indigeneity and Identity

Following an introduction from Bishop Augustine Joemath at the Moravian Church in District Six, the June session of the Grade 10 programme allowed learners the opportunity to explore the concepts of indigeneity and identity. This was graciously done through the stories of Zebada, Cecil and Pippa from the CTII community. Read each of their contributions here.

Upcoming Events

Join us in conversation with Horst Kleinschmidt and Cecil Plaatjies, for our third dialogue session on the theme of Solidarity. August 6th, at 6.30pm at the Turquoise Harmony Institute. RSVP to attend

Cecil Plaatjies is an educator, originally trained as a high school teacher. He is also a workplace coach and private tutor. He is a Nichiren Buddhist and a member of the Soka Gakkai International. He is also a member of The Theosophical Society. His focus is spiritual practice on the grassroots level and the application of spiritual practices as personal and collective transformation tools.

Horst Kleinschmidt has been an activist all his life. He fought against apartheid and for the rights and dignity of the oppressed people of his country. For this he went to jail and then into exile. In exile he represented Beyers Naudé and became the head of International Defence and Aid Fund for Southern Africa (IDAF). Post 1994 he worked in the service delivery and human rights sectors and for Government as head of the Fisheries Department.

Keep an eye on the CTII calendar on our website (click here) for all upcoming interfaith activities.

Nic Paton Announcements, News Article, Tribute

Queer Imam Muhsin Hendricks murdered.

Imam Muhsin Hendricks, the openly gay Islamic leader based in Cape Town, was assassinated on the 15th February 2025 by masked assailants in Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth), reportedly as he prepared to officiate at a gay wedding in an Islamic context. Details are still unclear, and no-one has at present or been identified or claimed responsibility.

Muhsin was a friend of the Cape Town Interfaith Initiative, and a brave and compassionate human being. He led the Al-Ghurbaah Foundation (denoting in Arabic the “strange or weird”), a shelter for LGBTQIA+ refugees from harsh orthodoxies.

Muhsin Hendricks (left in black cap) leads a meditation during a CTII interfaith hike.

While Muhsin’s murder is devastating, it is unsurprizing. This comes at a time when the worst of us is being emboldened by the new demagoguery, which does what it likes decisively and thinks itself righteous.

Mushin’s assassination raises difficult questions for Interfaith and its dialogue, around questions of inclusivity and the morality of so-called “outsiders” to faith orthodoxies.

His story is told in the 2022 documentary film, The Radical. As the subtitle suggests, he chose faith over fear:

Brother Muhsin, we salute your contribution to creating a more compassionate world.

May you rest in Peace. Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji’un.

Sarah Oliver Announcements, Peace

International Day of Prayer – 14 May

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CTII has responded to a call from The Higher Committee of Human Fraternity (HCHF), urging religious leaders and the faithful around the world to observe a day of fasting, prayers and supplications for the good of all humanity on Thursday, May 14 for an end to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

Endorsed by Pope Francis and Shaykh Ahmed el-Tayeb, the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, religious leaders and groups around the world will be honouring this day.

CTII, SAFCEI and Turquoise Harmony Institute invite you to join us as we heed the call via Zoom. Featuring Christian, Earth, Hindu, Jewish, Brahma Kumaris and other Sacred Expressions. We will be opening the mic for participation by all – prayers, poetry, healing thoughts are welcome.