Bidding farewell to a Moulana of stature
IT WAS with immense sadness that we heard of the death of Moulana Igsaan Bin Muhammad Salih Hendricks.
It was due to his relentless struggle to ease the plight of people in Gaza that the fight for freedom became more robust than ever, spanning all facets of society, driven by the fact that occupied Palestine remains a deeply unjust and unequal place but sustained, ultimately, by the hope freedom will ultimately be attained.
Moulana Hendricks stood up for his beliefs in a firm and fearless way. His courageous stand on Palestine was conscious defiance to the status quo. He made the oppressed feel they were not alone. He gave hope to the poor, friendship to the lonely, understanding to the ignorant and he helped the lost find the way. His wisdom in so many international campaigns for justice will be sorely missed.
Moulana Hendricks’ valiant and gallant efforts alerted the world to the burgeoning calls for an independent and viable Palestinian state. The downtrodden and oppressed will immortalise him for decades to come. His fearless stance only galvanised the cause of real security for those languishing in refugee camps. His exposure of the grim realities of the human conflict in Gaza was amplified in our living rooms. His unending efforts transformed toleration from a prudential consideration into a moral obligation. He leaves behind a world in flames.
A conqueror lives by the sword. Moulana Hendricks preached peace and sought justice but justice sometimes requires self-defence.
It is universally accepted that self-defence is a religious principle. No one will ever exemplify humanity for us in the singular way that this dedicated man of God had displayed during his illustrious lifetime. We are among the unknowing beneficiaries of his epic, heroic endurance against injustices. The outpouring of grief on his death is a tribute to his character.
The debt that we owe him can never be repaid. His memory and his profound legacy will be remembered as long as free men, who love and cherish freedom, live.
In the painful and trying years ahead, many will scarce believe that a fearless warrior for justice walked this earth.
FAROUK ARAIE Benoni