Muslims remember a wali
THOUSANDS of Muslims from across the country made their way to the Habibia Soofie Darbar on Alpine Road, in Durban, for a fourday spiritual upliftment in celebration of the annual Urs Mubarak and Milad-un-Nabi which marked 112 years this past weekend.
The event was held to mark the anniversary of the death of a wali (Friend of Allah) and to honour the Holy Prophet (peace be upon Him).
Urs Mubarak has been observed in South Africa since Hazrath Soofie Saheb arrived in Durban in 1895 to propagate Islam.
Saheb built 12 mosques, which cater for the needs of the community – whoever came to his door never left empty-handed.
His youngest son, Hazrath Shah Muhammad Habeeb Soofie Habibi (also known as Jhande Peer) developed and maintained the Alpine Road mosque.
Among the events, there were na’ats (recitals) in praise of the Holy Prophet and a Qur’an recitation. Former Durban resident Hazrath Moulana Moorthoza Kassim, who teaches Islamic studies in London, rendered na’ats throughout the four days.
Khalid Nawaz and Ridwaan Kaloo performed Mehfil-e-Sama (Qawali) on Saturday.
The event was also aimed at educating the youth on the life of a wali, enriching them spirituality and performing zikr (remembrance of Allah).
Ahsan Soofie, 15, said the event enabled Muslims from around South Africa to get together for speeches and discourses on love and peace.
“We take these lessons and put them into practise in our lives by serving people with meals or whatever they may need. The Soofie dictum is to ‘love all, serve all’.
Khizr Sayed, 16, said: “On this auspicious occasion, we are taught that everyone should be treated equally irrespective of their wealth, health or status. We practise what our forefathers tried to teach years ago about humanity. We do not want their teachings to be in vain. We understand what is expected as youths and will continue to fulfil their legacy.”
Khizr added: “We try to do our best to spread peace and not aggression. We find ways to resolve situations without violence. That is what Islam is about – spreading peace and love.”