Gapena and the Cape Malays: Initiating connections, constructing images

• Main Author: Muhammed Haron,
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia 2005
• Online Access: http://journalarticle.ukm.my/1054/1/Gapena_and_the_Cape_Malays.pdf; http://journalarticle.ukm.my/1054/; http://www.sarionline.ukm.my/index.html

This article intends to demonstrate how cultural organizations, such as Gapena under the leadership of Ismail Hussein, have been among non-state actors that have been active in international relations. It also highlights the three variables, namely identity, culture and religion, which inform the activities of these non-state actors. In addition, it wants to reflect upon the religio-cultural relationship cemented and strengthened between Gapena and South Africa’s Cape Malays and it also shares thoughts on how Ismail Hussein played a pivotal role in this. Prior to this, the paper takes into account the debates surrounding the notion of ‘Malayness’ within the respective communities and offers a comparative view. Finally, it shows how their identities have been framed and how images were constructed within the respective communities