18 November 2025
Based on a Jummah talk delivered by Mufti Muhammad Haffejee at Northcliff Masjid.
The G20 Summit will reach its peak on 22 and 23 November, and most South Africans still have no idea why it matters. As Mufti Muhammad Haffejee put it, “the mainstream media has indeed fallen short in terms of connecting this particular event to the ordinary citizens of this country.”
This article breaks down his full message — clearly, simply and accurately.
Power vs. Influence: The First Big Difference
Mufti Haffejee stressed that we must understand the huge difference between power and influence.
He said, “There’s a very big question mark surrounding the power of summits and meetings of this nature… but influence is something else. Influence is something that cannot be ignored.”
Influence, he explained, happens quietly — “in our family dynamics, in our communal environment, in our workplaces… in the offline chat groups.”
It’s where “minds are being made.”
So even if global summits rarely change the world, the ideas they push quietly shape societies.
A System Built by Rule-Breakers
Mufti Haffejee reminded listeners that many countries at the summit speak about “order”, “equity”, and “human rights,” yet “the very designers have broken every rule ever since the seventh of October 2023.”
And whether we like it or not, “through the exercising of our professions, we are propelling a system whose very designers have broken every rule.”
This forces every Muslim to ask: Where do I stand? What am I upholding? What am I contributing to?
STRENGTHS
- A Small but Real Improvement in Infrastructure
The Mufti gave an honest eyewitness account: “I drove from Fordsburg to Germiston yesterday and observed highway barriers being reconstructed… My own children were reporting to me they saw people cleaning up drains.”
These things would “never have ordinarily happened.”
It’s small — but in a country drowning in service-delivery despair, he said, “this ray of hope is worth jumping for joy.”
- The G20 Prevented a Global Meltdown in 2008
Mufti Haffejee acknowledged a difficult truth: “Experts would bear testimony that these nations… averted a repeat of the Great Depression… when the 2008 financial crisis hit.”
Stimulus packages, based on lessons from previous financial collapses, “stemmed and warded off some of the ill effects.”
It’s an important — and inconvenient — strength.
WEAKNESSES
- Who Pays for All This?
Mufti Haffejee did not mince his words:
“Hosting the G20 summit cost South Africa R700 Million!”
This excludes travel and the inevitable corruption.
He pressed the point: “This is mine and your hard earned funds that are utilized to serve a global interest.”
- No Enforcement. No Guarantees.
The G20 has no charter, no binding rules, and no way to force countries to follow through.
He stated clearly: “There’s a huge question mark surrounding enforcement mechanisms of whatever is agreed.”
Nations can simply walk away.
OPPORTUNITIES
- Show Islam With Confidence — Even if Just for These Two Days
Mufti encouraged every Muslim to treat these days as da’wah days.
“At least undertake on those two days… promote your Islam. Stand out as a visible Muslim.”
He emphasised the hadith: “You will be resurrected on the day of Qiyamah according to your intentions.”
Even one dignitary walking past you may be a moment of sadaqah-e-jariyah.
- Support Debt Reform — Reduce Exposure to Riba
South Africa chose to champion debt reform because Africa is punished by what the IMF calls the “African premium.”
Mufti explained, “Your credit ratings are poorer, your cost of financing is higher.”
He said:
“You and I have limited capacity to eliminate riba… but we have an obligation to be part of a movement that reduces the exposure to riba.”
- Exposing Unfair Trade and Exploitation
He warned how Africa becomes a testing ground:
“We are just guinea pigs in the broader scheme of the world… the equipment is just being tested on us… the data… used somewhere else.”
South Africa raised these concerns — and upset Western nations — which he described as proof that “we tried to stand for something.”
THREATS
- An Opportunity for Far-Right, Anti-Palestinian Nations to Unite
Of the 19 sovereign states in the G20:
“Six of them categorically deny Palestinian rights.”
The rest favour a “two-state solution,” which he said “is not a solution.”
This summit creates space for Zionist lobbying to grow “on our own shores, right under our noses.”
- Risk to the Government of National Unity (GNU)
He warned that G20 politics could spill into South African politics:
“It presents a risk to the collapse of the government of national unity.”
With the DA holding multiple cabinet and deputy portfolios, foreign alliances may influence South African political stability.
And if the GNU fractures, “the interests of mine and your children is at stake.”
Islam’s View on Globalisation — The Bottom Line
Mufti Haffejee explained globalisation as simple interdependence:
“One nation needs copper, another nation needs gold… we depend on each other.”
Islam is not against globalisation itself.
Islam is against unjust globalisation.
He stated:
“Islam doesn’t have an issue with globalisation in and of itself. Islam has an issue with globalisation when the rules for engagement are determined through the Washington Consensus.”
Washington demands equity, treating every nation the same, ignoring history, justice and oppression.
Islam demands justice before equity.
“Until and unless justice is not served, the true Muslim cannot be content.”
This includes the Palestinian struggle:
“The most you will get from them is equal recognition… as if statehood is the sole purpose of existence.”
A believer lives not for a flag —
but for Allah سبحانه وتعالى.
Conclusion
The Mufti ended by reminding South Africans:
“The G20 summit is not all praise. It’s also not all doom and gloom… there are strengths, there are weaknesses, there are massive opportunities and very severe threats.”
Our responsibility is to remain clear-minded, principled, and intentional — not silent spectators.
If you would like to listen to the talk, WhatsApp 0729913154
