Abstract
The objective of this dissertation was to, through the study of Imam Gassan Solomon’s (1941 – 2009) antiapartheid
activism and discourse, explore the relationship between Islamism and Islamic liberation theology
as well as the origins of the Islamic liberation theology discourse in South Africa. To achieve this, a
qualitative study was conducted to understand Solomon’s sociopolitical upbringing and his journey mainly
through the MYM, the MJC, the Call of Islam and the UDF.
The study reveals the pivotal role of Islamism in the emergence of Islamic liberation theology through
Islamism’s bypassing of traditional Islamic scholarship and interpretation. It also finds the impact of the
Islamic Revolution of Iran in 1979, specifically through the discourse of Dr Ali Shari’ati, to be the origin for
much of Solomon’s liberatory discourse.
Moreover, this research provides clarity on revolutionary potential of Islamism today and its historical
influence on Islamic liberation theology in South Africa, having enabled activists to combat apartheid using
their faith. It reveals an expression of theology that not only condones and permits the pursuit of social
justice, but a theology which combines scriptural texts and historical references with the symbolism of rituals
in order to promote a discourse of liberation and activism which supports a theology for which justice is
essential.
Though this was not the intended objective of the study, the research may contribute to questions about
the production of political lives amongst faith leaders and how their clerical credentials can be used to
advance social justice. Although not written as a biographical reference, it also fills a void in the absence
of any serious biographical academic work on the life of Imam Gassan Solomon.