Religious march honours great leaders

MORE than 2 000 people took to the streets of Bo-Kaap in tribute to pioneers of the Islamic faith, Imam Abdullah Haron and sheikh Muhammad Salih Abadi during the Muharram march.

The Boorhaanol Movement in collaboration with the Tana Baru Trust hosted the event yesterday, under the theme commemorating the sacrifices of our great leaders and also marked the inauguration of the Islamic new year.

An annual event, the Muharram march saw participants dressed in white visiting key historical sites in Bo-Kaap.

Boorhaanol Movement deputy chairperson Muhammad Groenewald said 2 400 people had registered to attend.

“This year marks the 50th commemoration of Imam Haron’s martyrdom and death while in detention under the apartheid security police.

“It is also the 20th commemoration of sheikh Abadi’s passing, who is revered for (having) dedicated his entire life of 89 years to the teaching and recitation of the holy Qur’an.”

It was important for young people to learn about the history of Bo-Kaap, and help keep their heritage alive, while the threat of gentrification was still real for the historic suburb, he said.

The route of the Muharram passes historic landmarks, including the country’s oldest masjid, the Auwal Mosque, the Bo-Kaap Museum, Mosque Shafie and the first Muslim kramat (shrine) in the country, the Tana Baru cemetery, where the pioneers of Islam are buried.

Sheikh Abadi was one of the pioneers of the Hifz (memorising of the Qur’an) culture, living a meticulous Islamic lifestyle that dates back to the days of Islamic pioneers, including sheikh Yusuf and Tuan Guru.

Cleric activist and co-founder and editor of the Muslim News newspaper, imam Haron was killed after interrogation and torture by the apartheid security branch on September 27, 1969, following 123 days in solitary confinement.

In commemoration of the 50th year of the imam’s death, events over 123 days were hosted which will culminate with an apex event on September 27.

Imam Haron’s youngest daughter, Fatima Haron-Masoet, said she was unable to attend the Muharram as she had to care for the imam’s widow, Galiema Sadan.

“For my father and renowned Islamic cleric sheikh Abadi to be honoured on the Muharram is indeed a momentous moment. This happens as we enter the Islamic new year and heritage month, giving an opportunity for the Muslim and greater society to reflect on the sacrifices that my father and the sheikh made.”

Haron-Masoet said the family was humbled by the organisations partnering with the Imam Haron Foundation to help keep her father’s legacy alive.