Al-Qalam 
Appa Mariam passed on last week, aged 87. She leaves behind her legacy of Madressa -Un-Noor, which she started in Sydenham, 48 years ago, writes an Al-Qalam Correspondent.
On the 7th of August 2025, three days before her 87th birthday, Mariam Wood, passed away in Durban, dearly loved and honoured. Affectionately known as Aunty or Appa Mariam, her life’s journey was, in every sense, a tapestry of unshakable faith, immense perseverance, and a compassionate heart attuned to service.
She was born as Mary Lorraine to two worlds – in Zululand – to an Afrikaner father, Alfred de Lange and a Black mother whose identity is not known. Her roots gifted her with fluency in Zulu.
Aunty Mariam navigated immense personal challenges with unwavering faith and tremendous courage and remarkably rose above it all.
She was widowed twice. Her first husband Abdool Rafik passed away at age thirty-five, when she was pregnant with their son Mohammad Irshaad. The couple had three sons. Her second husband Dawood Wood also embraced Islam. He had seven children, and they had two more, resulting in a blended household of twelve children. After his death in 1987, she remained anchored in her passion for service despite the challenges of widowhood.
Aunty Mariam’s association with a new neighbour after her family’s relocation to Durban, first sparked her curiosity about Islam. Despite her father’s firm opposition, she embraced Islam wholeheartedly at the age of 16, finding strength in her new beliefs, and courage to chart her own destiny.
Despite her formal education ending after Standard 6 (Grade 8), she was an avid learner, which led her to become an eager, informal student of the late Ahmed Deedat and Mr. Vanker, both pioneers of the Islamic Propagation Centre in South Africa. This prompted her to start Madressa Un-Noor 48 years ago, offering free classes to children and women at her humble home in the Sydenham area. “She personally funded and helped raise funds for this initiative,” explained her son Abdurahman. “Its goal being to cultivate Islamic knowledge and values within our community. Over the years, many students benefited from the teachings.”
Appa Shahida Fazil, a teacher at Madressa An-Nur since 2010 told Al-Qalam: “If a child was absent, she used to send me to go and find out the reason from the parents.”
Maulana Riyad Hassam echoed this sentiment and added, “A lot of eye-opening things happened at the Madressa in the past one or two years, Alhamdulillah. What a beautiful lady she was. Her Akhlaq (disposition /inherent qualities of mind and character), was something else. Her sincerity, her humility, her Fikr (thinking) was on a different level.”
The Executive Director of the Islamic Dawah Movement (IDM) Dr Ebrahim Dada told Al-Qalam that (IDM) honoured Aunty Mariam with a ‘Plaque of Gratitude’ in 1999 for her immense contributions. Although she worked independently, she had close ties with IDM, the South African National Zakah Fund (SANZAF), the Muslim Youth Movement and other organizations and individuals who shared her vision.
According to her son, Abdurahman, Aunty Mariam also enjoyed quilting, cooking, and baking, which facilitated much happiness to her family and others through acts of kindness and hospitality. In 2024, she had the sacred opportunity to perform Haj which deepened her spiritual connection and reaffirmed her faith,” he said.
Aunty Mariam ensured that Madressa Un-Noor would continue as a Waqf, as confirmed by her son Abdurahman. “Today Madressa Un-Noor continues under the management of Jamaitul Ulama South Africa who ensures its ongoing success. Her ultimate wish was that the Madressa should continue to serve generations to come,” he said.
The story of Aunty Mariam and her family’s dedication serves as an inspiration for all of us.
As the world marks the 1500th anniversary of the Prophet PBUH’s legacy, the life and legacy of Aunty Mariam is a reminder as to what one can achieve when guided by purpose and compassion, no matter the odds. May Almighty Allah SWT accept her exceptional service and elevate her station.
