Grade 12 learners from various schools across the Helderberg area were invited to a function on Friday 22 September, held in the hall at Masjidul Ummah in Gustrouw, Strand to celebrate Heritage Month. They were invited by the Grade 11 learners of Madrassatur Rajaa to receive a free copy of a booklet reflecting the founding of the Strand Muslim community 200 years ago.
High-school teachers Mogammad Noor Baderoen of Madrassatur Rajaa, Gouwa Brinkhuis of Strand Secondary, Aaliyah Brinkhuis of Gordon High and Zakiyah Brinkhuis of Hottentots-Holland High greatly assisted to make this event a reality.
Mika-eel Parker and Sayed Shaibu of Madrassatur Rajaa rendered the opening prayer and Qiraat (Quran recitation), respectively. A very confident Grade-11 programme director, Aisha Henricksen, introduced keynote speaker Prof Mujahid Aziz, chair of the Strand Moslem Council. He stressed the importance of the triangle of the parent, teacher and learner relationship and the essential requirement of discipline in the challenges which they will face.
The audience was delightfully entertained by the Nashheed group of Madrassatur Rajaa. At this event the Strand Moslem Council honoured Ebrahim Rhoda for his outstanding service, tireless efforts, dedication and constant support to the Strand Moslem Council and Muslim community for more than 60 years.
The teachers of the respective schools then finally handed the booklet The founding of the Muslim community of the Strand in the early nineteenth century, 1822-1928 over to the Grade 12s. A simple message inserted in the booklet reads: “It is the sincere wish of the donor that the learner will always be mindful of and uphold the rich Muslim heritage our forebears established at Mosterd Bay 200 years ago.”
The heritage celebration continued on Saturday 23 September with a photographic exhibition put up by part of the team.
This project was a joint effort initiated 20 years ago by about 30 community members under the leadership of Ebrahim Rhoda, now in his 80s and poised to stand down. An appeal was made for interested parties to come forward to continue the work and be trained in how to access archival records.
