Al-Qalam 
The Africa Muslim Agency (AMA) recently participated in the Palestine Marathon in Bethlehem and used the opportunity – as part of its WISH campaign – to ensure needy families had enough food this Ramadan, writes Nabeelah Shaikh.
Moaaz Casoo of the Africa Muslim Agency has just returned from the West Bank city of Bethlehem where he participated in the Palestine Marathon as part of AMA’S WISH Campaign to raise awareness on the plight of its people.
The WISH Campaign is aimed at providing food and water to fasting families in need in Palestine, especially during Ramadan. The charity also feeds people in 15 countries across the globe.
The Palestine Marathon is an annual event that involves participation of local residents and people from all over the world. It is one of the highlights of the city’s social and cultural calendar. Locals don running shoes, put on sunscreen and a hat, and flock to the alleys and streets of Bethlehem, an ancient town south of Jerusalem, either to engage in physical exercise or to cheer on their friends and family, some of whom have trained for months in the hope of winning a prize or just completing the race to highlight the Palestinian plight.
It attracts thousands of Palestinian and international participants and brings attention to one of the basic human rights that is under threat in the State of Palestine: the freedom of movement.
In 2017, the Palestine Marathon was approved as an international marathon by the International Association of Athletics Federation, and in 2018, it was recognized by the Association for International Marathons and Distance Races. Its route extends over 42 kilometers in total and offers runners different outlooks on Palestinian everyday life.
Casoo said he’s not a professional runner but fighting for the Palestinian cause was something close to his heart.
“I started running recently and decided to participate in the Comrades Marathon last year. That was successful for me. I did this alongside AMA to raise awareness for the provision of robotic arms to people in SA that were in need of it. AMA supported me in the marathon in August 2022. After the marathon, being friends with the Palestinian ambassador Hanan Jarrar, she advised me about the Palestine Marathon and I thought it was a great idea to participate,” said Casoo. On researching the marathon, Casoo found out that the route goes through two refugee camps.
“When we discussed this, we realised there’s never an opportunity where people can run a marathon and at the same time, do humanitarian work, so this would be something unique for us as AMA. We managed to get a team on the ground in Palestine, and we handled all the logistics. We then said, ‘let’s use this race as a platform to launch AMA’s Wish Campaign’. What better way to launch the campaign than doing it through the marathon and assisting two refugee camps along the way?”
Casoo participated in the 21-kilometer race.
“There was a lot of walking, a lot of stopping along the way, and a lot of talking to people. I finished the race in 3 hours and 8 minutes,” said Casoo.
And through finishing the race, the AMA team was able to document the stories of many Palestinians and provide much needed necessities to them.
“Alhamdulilah, that’s what we did. Through the generosity of SA Muslims giving towards this cause and this race, we were able to achieve that. It was made possible that we could run the marathon and provide aid to families. We ran the race then we stopped at these refugee camps to assist families there. It was really heartwarming to see Palestinians coming out in support of the marathon and in support of the campaign. It was a very emotional run for me, with Palestine being this close to my heart, even outside the campaign,” said Casoo.
He participated carrying the South African flag from start to finish. He said everyone had been screaming out in support of SA, as he passed by – this was very motivating for him as a runner.
Like so many others, Casoo faced bureaucratic hurdles at the border.
“Going into Palestine, we were stopped and questioned by security, our passports were taken away. We were made to wait for hours. It was really isolating to feel this way. It was sad to know we have experienced this type of isolation as South Africans and the Palestinians are going through this too,” said Casoo.
He said it was also heartbreaking to witness first hand that all over Palestine they have checkpoints and authorities ask to see permits in order to be able to enter a certain area.
“And then there are these towers where Israeli soldiers watch you and shoot at innocent people. The stories we heard were incredibly despairing. When you hear from the people on the ground their stories and hear about their realities, it’s really shocking to see what the Palestinian people are subjected to,” said Casoo.
Occupation
But the resilience of the Palestinian people is what keeps him hopeful.
“They still remain positive despite everything they are subjected to by the Israeli Occupation”.
Casoo said there was no better way for South Africans to assist Palestinians, than by providing them with the support and aid that they needed.
“Through us being there, we request the public to open their hearts and pockets so we can make a difference in their lives. The campaign is about granting a wish and changing a life.
We want to fulfill their basic wishes and their dreams. The wish of a basic plate of food and clean drinking water, clothing for Ramadan and clothing for Eid,” said Casoo.
He said Palestinian people were not asking for luxuries, just for basic necessities.
“Our appeal to the public is that we have shown you the footage, we have given you the videos, we were on the ground out there, and we have teams that are there. We launched the campaign, and the month of Ramadan is upon us. It’s a month of giving, giving out your Zakaat, and giving out your Lillah. These people are in need. You can make a difference by contributing towards the plight of the Palestinian people,” said Casoo.
“We can provide them with the opportunity to go to school, to go to university and make their wishes come through. But they can’t achieve their dreams if they go to bed hungry. Our fridges and freezers are full in Ramadan, but these people don’t have the luxuries that we have. They live each day hand to mouth,” said Casoo.
Casoo urged South Africans to contribute to the WISH Campaign by visiting www.africamuslimsagency.co.za
