Muslims active at Paarl’s new frontier
2011-08-25
Faadiel Essop
This is a very closely knit community and elders often comment how it reminds them of the unique spirit once found in Paarl’s Ou Tuin,’’ beams Shafiek Nackerdien. He speaks passionately about dealing with challenges facing the nascent community of Groenheuwel, Smartie and Spookie Towns. These rapidly expanding suburbs now constitute a new frontier of Paarl’s development. However, its swift expansion has resulted in a plethora of social problems including crime, poverty, unemployment and substance abuse.
Nackerdien lives in the area and is the spiritual leader. He indicates that there are about 110 Muslim families in the area, and that it is “growing by the day’’. I wonder how he manages to cope. He reveals that he derives his strength and resolve from the sufi (mystic order) activities that are flourishing in the area. “The Monica Street mosque also functions as a spiritual hub (khanqah) where thikr (remembrance of God) and pious activities are regularly practised (Thursday and Saturday evenings and Sunday mornings).’’ I am informed that such activities are linked to the Chishtiyah sufi movement (or “order’’). Interestingly, this Muslim sufi order was founded in about 930 AD in Chisht, a small town in Afghanistan. The Chishtiyah order places great emphasis on love and tolerance, essential tools to deal with difficulties encountered in the area. The group of about twenty is based at the Monica Street mosque and works closely with Moulana Junaid Hashim, the South African spiritual leader. The Islamic cause is thriving in the region and there are already two small mosques/prayer areas, in Amelia and Monica Streets. Nackerdien comments that people of the area often enquire about Islam and its activities. “Why this particular attraction to Islam?’’ I enquire. Nackerdien confesses that it is difficult to point to a single reason, but mentions that Muslims in the area are visible and play an active role within the community to help make a difference. For example, the Muslim community arranges soup kitchens on Tuesdays and Thursdays to help alleviate the harsh effects of poverty and unemployment. The soup kitchen is focused only on helping the poor and needy, and thus no distinction is made between Muslims and non-Muslims. Due to such initiatives and attitudes inter-faith relations are generally very good within the area. During Ramadan the area becomes a focal point of activity. The tarawih (evening prayers) are regularly performed at both mosques. In addition, communal breaking-of-fast (iftar/boeka) events are also arranged at the local mosques. The high degree of poverty together with soaring unemployment rates constitute a potent cocktail for the rapid manifestation of various social ills. For example, substance abuse is a major problem, affecting especially younger members of the region. Here a spiritual approach is employed to help drug users to quit, bring them into mainstream society and then try to keep them on the “straight-and-narrow’’ for the considerable future. “Some we win and some we lose,’’ Nackerdien sighs, stressing that substance abuse is quite a complex issue. He also indicates that often the root of the problem may lie within the familial context, due to internal strife and/or the breakdown of relations and communication. In light of this, they also perform home visits to meet parents and families. In tune with their particular spiritual emphasis, the approach employed is one of love and compassion rather than that of chastisement and condemnation. Various activities are arranged for the younger population to help counter idleness and to build social cohesion. Monies collected from generous donors allow for day trips to be undertaken to other areas like Macassar or Saldanha Bay. These ventures are usually a mixture of fun, leisure and religious activities and are popular since for many it may be the first time to visit places beyond the confines of the Paarl valley. Sporting activities are also encouraged to promote camaraderie and physical well-being. For example, soccer matches are played against a Mbekweni team on Sunday mornings, while in summer cricket games are arranged in a vacant parking lot near the Paarl civic centre. Despite hardships some have succeeded against all odds and there is need for the establishment of a bursary fund or sourcing potential sponsors to empower promising young men and women of the area. Welfare and social cases are usually dealt with by Rashieda Hendricks (SANZAF office, Mahadul-Islam complex) assisted by Shafiek Nackerdien. However, more difficult cases are referred to Shaykh Nabeel Moerat, the resident Imam of the Paarl Muslim community. Furthermore, the Rural Islamic Welfare Association (RIWA) organisation provides useful skills training for ladies in the area. Nackerdien is keen on this approach since it puts emphasis on skills development to empower people and allows for job creation, and therefore not only relying on hand-outs’. The Paarl Muslim Jamaah is also active in the region with religious classes offered during some evenings. Here Shaykh Zareer Moerat plays an active role. There is also an afternoon madressah (Muslim afternoon school for children) of about 30 children where the basics of the Islamic faith are taught by Imam Mogammad Marthinus. Nackerdien points out that a prime need for the region is thus the construction of a larger, multi-faceted mosque complex with adequate space for welfare work, skills development, a madressah and various youth activities. There are great challenges facing this frontier.
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