For more than 20 years, Farzana Rahiman has dedicated her life to protecting vulnerable children. As a social worker, she has entered homes where violence, poverty and gang activity are an everyday reality. She has faced threats, witnessed dangerous situations and made difficult decisions to remove children from harm.

Yet it was not the dangers of her profession that left her most disheartened. Instead, it was being told that the hijab she has worn for most of her life had become an obstacle in obtaining a firearm licence.

A police officer at Parrow Police Station told her that her application came back with an X next to her photo. The officer told Rahiman that the problem with her application was that she had a scarf on, and her application was thus not approved.

Now the portfolio committee on Police is set to submit a question to the Provincial Police Commissioner on why the hijab wearing applicant was denied a licence.

The mother of two daughters said she grew up in a home where faith and education went hand in hand.

Luckys Advert

al qalam website winter

“My parents have four daughters and we were raised in an Islamic home with Islamic ethos but very strong on the sentiment of education. So, between my four sisters, we all hold degrees,” she told Al-Qalam.

She credits her late father for encouraging his daughters to pursue opportunities without allowing cultural stereotypes to limit them.

Those values remained with her throughout her career. Today, her work often takes her into environments where social workers are exposed to real risks.

She explained that there are communities where she no longer allows staff members to conduct home visits because of safety concerns.

The decision to apply for a firearm licence, she told Al-Qalam, was not driven by fear but by practicality after years of working in unpredictable situations.

After completing accredited firearm training, purchasing a firearm and submitting the required documentation, Rahiman believed she had fulfilled every legal requirement. Instead, months later, she learnt there was an issue with the photograph accompanying her application because she was wearing a hijab.

Rather than simply complying, Rahiman began researching the legal framework herself.

She said she searched for court judgments and carefully examined the Firearms Control Act but could not find any provision preventing Muslim women from wearing a hijab in firearm licence photographs. “As far as the Firearm Controls Act goes, the only thing that you’re not allowed to wear is a hat and sunglasses.”

What followed, however, left her questioning the system.

She recalled being advised that she could wear a wig instead or even use artificial intelligence to alter her photograph.

For Rahiman, those suggestions missed the fundamental purpose of an identity document.

She explained that every official identification document she currently holds, including her passport, driver’s licence and identity document features her wearing a hijab. “If the purpose of the identification card is to be able to identify the licence holder, then you should be able to see me.”

Saint James Advert

Lake Glencairn

Screenshot 2026-08-07 163649

The issue, she believes, extends beyond a single application.

During the days following the publicity around her case, Rahiman said she heard from other Muslim women who claimed they had removed their hijabs simply to complete the licensing process.

She worries that many women may never challenge such decisions because they lack the knowledge, confidence or resources to do so. “Not everybody has access to resources. Not everybody has insight in the ability to use those resources.”

Rahiman also expressed concern about what she believes is a rise in anti-Muslim sentiment online. “Islamophobia is highly on the rise in South Africa, and this is something I’ve experienced personally,” she added.

The post Hijabi social worker challenges firearm license process appeared first on Al-Qalam.

For many learners at Durban’s Open Air School, access to medical care is an essential part of the school day. Thanks to a donation of essential medical equipment from the Islamic Medical Association of South Africa (IMASA) Durban, the school is now better equipped to provide health care.

The handover took place on 23 July at Open Air School in Glenwood, a specialist public school that caters for approximately 260 learners from pre-primary to Grade 12 with special educational needs, including learning, physical and mental disabilities. 

The donation included two beds, two medicine cabinets, a portable aspirator, a nebuliser, a stretcher and medicine kidney trays for the school’s sick bay. The equipment will help staff respond more effectively to learners who require medical attention during the school day.

Speaking to Al-Qalam, IMASA Durban and IMA Baytul Nur Chairman, Solly Suleman, said that the organisation was motivated by a desire to ensure that every child has access to a safe and supportive learning environment.

Luckys Advert

al qalam website winter

He stressed that care should never depend on ability: “Every child deserves to feel safe, seen and supported while at school, regardless of their disability. We wanted to help make their learning experience easier and more dignified.” 

Suleman explained that the equipment would strengthen the school’s ability to provide day-to-day medical care. “With beds for rest, a stretcher for emergencies, and tools like a nebuliser and aspirator, the staff will be far more prepared to respond to learners who feel unwell or need immediate attention. It gives both learners and staff peace of mind,” he said. 

He told Al-Qalam that meeting the learners was one of the most memorable parts of the visit. He described the visit as “unforgettable”, reflecting on how the IMA Durban team was welcomed with dancing, singing, bright smiles and “the sweetest hugs”. The learners were so full of light and so welcoming. “The hugs, the joy and the happiness were overwhelming in the best way,” he added.  

Suleman highlighted that the initiative reflects IMASA’s commitment to serving communities and supporting vulnerable members of society. “At IMASA, we are committed to helping anyone in need, regardless of race, religion, background or ability. Supporting Open Air School is part of living out that commitment and ensuring that even the most vulnerable in our community are cared for,” he said. 

Saint James Advert

Lake Glencairn

Screenshot 2026-08-07 163649

He also thanked the school’s staff for their dedication to the learners: “Thank you for the incredible love you pour into these children every single day. You are changing lives.”

When addressing the learners, Suleman thanked them for the warm welcome: “You brought so much joy to our hearts. Keep shining, you are seen, you are loved, and you matter.”

Suleman is confident that the equipment will make a meaningful difference to both learners and staff, strengthening the school’s ability to provide timely medical care when it is needed. The donation is a reminder of what can be achieved when communities come together to support those who need it most. 

Reflecting on the visit, Suleman said that the experience reinforced an important lesson. “This experience reminded us that to give is to receive. We came to give, but we left having received so much more. The kindness of the learners softened our hearts and brought tears to our eyes. It reminded us why we do this work,” he said. 

The post IMASA – Medical equipment for Open-Air School appeared first on Al-Qalam.

The South African Palestine Movement says they were harassed by police this week when they peacefully protested outside the Durban International Convention Centre where the SADC Summit was being held.

A small group of just 10 peaceful activists gathered to exercise their constitutional right to peaceful assembly and to raise concerns about xenophobia, Afrophobia, and the protection of human rights across the Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) region.

“Instead of facilitating this lawful and peaceful picket, protesters were confronted by an overwhelming police presence. There were approximately four times as many police officers as protesters, creating an atmosphere of intimidation rather than one of protection.

“The role of the police is to safeguard the rights of peaceful demonstrators, not to intimidate or discourage lawful civic participation. Such disproportionate policing risks undermining the constitutional rights to freedom of expression, peaceful assembly, and protest.

“We call on the relevant authorities to ensure that all law enforcement officers uphold the Constitution and respect the rights of those who engage in peaceful, non-violent protest. Democracy is strengthened when peaceful voices are protected, not silenced.

“Peaceful protest is not a threat—it is a cornerstone of a democratic society. From the Durban ICC we moved to the @ANC offices  – and again the police asked us to move,” the statement added.

The post Activists ‘harassed’ outside SADC Summit appeared first on Al-Qalam.

Each year on 18 July, the nation is called upon to give 67 minutes of service — one for each of the 67 years Madiba devoted to the freedom and dignity of his people. This year’s message from the Nelson Mandela Foundation was as urgent as ever: “It is still in your hands to combat poverty and inequality”. At Africa Muslims Agency, our hope is that your 67 minutes becomes your entrance point into our EmpowerSA programme.

For close to four decades, we have worked together in communities across South Africa — not for a single day, but through every season. When families face hunger, we are there with food. When winter bites hardest, we bring blankets to those who would otherwise sleep cold. When dignity rests on the simplest of essentials, we distribute hygiene kits so that people can face each day with their heads held high. Our donors and supporters have upheld Madiba’s legacy through steady, year-round care that empowers and inspires.

Short-term assistance alone cannot break the cycle of poverty. Mandela understood that education is “the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world,” and AMA has taken that lesson to heart. Our stationery drives make sure no learner starts the school year empty-handed. Our bursaries open doors for bright young minds who would otherwise be turned away by circumstance. And at the Aman School in Finetown, we are nurturing a new generation — equipping children with the knowledge, confidence and values to keep building a better South Africa long into the future.

“It always seems impossible until it is done.” — Nelson Mandela

At the heart of this work is a simple conviction: giving should be a way of life, not an occasional act. AMA’s volunteer programmes across South Africa are designed to instil that love of giving in everyone who takes part. Volunteers stand beside us at distributions, bring their energy to our events, and help our pop-ups come alive. Some give their time; others give their skills and knowledge — from logistics and photography to teaching and trade. There is no single way to serve. There is only the willingness to show up, and a community ready to welcome you.

This Mandela Day, AMA ran initiatives across the country, from soup kitchens to painting schools to time spent with the elderly – turning Madiba’s call to action into real change. For our teams and volunteers, these activities don’t just take place on Mandela Day, but they take place all year round.  Mandela Day serves as an opportunity for us to invite more people to share in our work, and hopefully join us in future initiatives, helping us to grow the legacy of Madiba even further each year. 

The post More than 67 minutes – Empowering SA all year round appeared first on Al-Qalam.

A Durban Muslimah organisation this week brought together local Muslim women, migrants and refugees to empower them to cope with the many challenges they face in the country.

The Radiance Project, hosted by The Tha’alabah Sisterhood, was held at the Suleman Lockhat Auditorium on July 18. Its aim is to equip women with general knowledge while strengthening the bonds of sisterhood through practical workshops, open discussions and shared experiences.

The women engaged in a series of sessions on women’s health, self-defence, personal safety and understanding the law.

Ayesha Milanzi, Founder of Tha’alabah, attorney and Regent Business School lecturer, explained that the Radiance Project was created to respond to issues affecting both local and migrant Muslim communities. “It was a day to acknowledge and address the elephant in the room. Currently, many individuals, whether migrant or local Muslims, are affected by recent protests, so we curated a programme to equip attendees with the necessary medical, legal and self-defence techniques they might need,” she added.  

Milanzi said the overwhelming turnout exceeded expectations, with attendees actively engaging in discussions, asking questions and connecting with one another throughout the day.

Luckys Advert

al qalam website winter

Medical practitioner Dr Ganiat Abisola spoke about recognising fatigue, caring for one’s physical and mental wellbeing, and what women should do in the event of sexual assault or abuse.

Milanzi presented a session explaining the legal differences between refugees, asylum seekers and undocumented foreigners, as well as the laws surrounding citizenship and citizen’s arrests.

Mohamad Yumnoos of Slimz187 Dojo then demonstrated practical self-defence techniques, emphasising that personal safety and escaping danger should always come first.

She added that the programme also encouraged women to remember their responsibility towards others: “As a community we have a two-fold duty: first as Muslims to be kind and law-abiding citizens, and second as human beings to care for and treat everyone around us fairly, constantly remembering that we are each answerable for our comments and actions.”

For Milanzi, one of the highlights of the event was seeing women engage with one another beyond the formal programme. “The ladies asked questions, socialised, and that in itself was enough of a positive response for us. It genuinely was beautiful to see so many of them open up and become free,” she said.

Since its inception, the organisation has hosted more than 10 educational and empowerment programmes, with plans to expand into community initiatives such as feeding schemes, skills training and improving facilities for women at Masaajid.

Saint James Advert

Lake Glencairn

Screenshot 2026-08-07 163649

Milanzi stressed that the aim of The Tha’alabah Sisterhood is “not just to host events but to maintain relationships with attendees and help each other out.”

That sense of belonging was echoed by many of the participants.

Rabia Kela told Al-Qalam that the sisterhood has given her a sense of belonging and empowerment. “It reminded me that as women, it is not selfish to put ourselves first sometimes. The sisterhood also created awareness around important issues like GBV, teaching us that it affects both males and females, and that we have a role in standing for justice and dignity,” she said.

Kela added that she finds inspiration in seeing women successfully balance their deen and dunya.For Rahma Nasarie Ally, joining The Tha’alabah Sisterhood was the best choice she had made. “Whether you are the founder or sponsor, we are all one. Once you participate, you become one of the sisters too – you become family,” she added.

The post Local Muslimah – including refugees and migrants – form sisterhood of support appeared first on Al-Qalam.

For years, Ayesha (36), a mother of three, endured physical, emotional, financial and sexual abuse, believing she had to stay in the marriage for the sake of her children. After seeing their mother often crying, they urged her to leave – and she did.

Ayesha (not her real name) sought refuge at Durban’s Kenilworth Respite Centre to escape her painful life. Months later, she felt she was strong enough to leave the Centre after finding employment and her own home to rebuild her life.

 Ayesha’s story is one of many that reflect the quiet but vital work being done at the Kenilworth Respite Centre Trust, where women and children escaping domestic violence are given not only refuge, but the opportunity to begin afresh.

KRC was established after years of experience gained by professionals, volunteers and spiritual leaders working with survivors of domestic violence. Guided by an Islamic ethos of compassion, dignity and service, the organisation was created in response to a growing need for a place where women could find safety, recover from trauma and rebuild their lives.

 The head and primary social worker at KRC, Sabera Timol, told Al-Qalam that they wanted to create a place that offers comprehensive care. “Domestic violence knows no boundaries. It is a social illness that affects the affluent, professionals and low-income families alike,” she said

 Timol explained that a needs assessment in KwaZulu-Natal found that women leaving abusive relationships often required more than emergency accommodation. They needed temporary care, counselling and practical support to develop the confidence and skills necessary to regain their independence and, where possible, reintegrate into their families and communities.

Luckys Advert

al qalam website winter

The centre also recognises that domestic violence extends far beyond physical assault.

Women often experience emotional manipulation, verbal humiliation, financial control and psychological abuse. Increasingly, substance abuse and the influence of social media have become contributing factors in family conflict.

Timol emphasised that children are often the overlooked victims: “The trauma experienced by children frequently goes unnoticed, yet they are often the primary and secondary victims of domestic violence.”

Despite the abuse, leaving is seldom straightforward. Many women remain because of financial dependence, low self-esteem, concern for their children, limited family support or fear of stigma within their communities. Abusive relationships often follow a cycle of escalating tension, violence and remorse, making it difficult for victims to leave permanently.

Where appropriate and only when it is safe to do so, the centre facilitates family reconciliation through counselling. In other cases, the focus is on helping women regain their independence.

Timol noted that the centre has witnessed many lives transformed. One woman, who sought refuge with her young daughter after years of domestic violence and instability, rebuilt her beauty business during her stay at the centre. Through counselling and budgeting support, she regained financial independence while restoring fractured family relationships.

 In another case, a young mother who had repeatedly left and returned to her marital home because of ongoing conflict with her in-laws found stability through counselling, legal support and mediation. After her husband secured employment and separate accommodation, the family reunited in healthier circumstances, while she enrolled to study nursing.

Saint James Advert

Lake Glencairn

Screenshot 2026-08-07 163649

 Beyond assisting survivors of domestic violence, the organisation has expanded its work to include long-term accommodation for elderly women experiencing neglect or abuse within their own families. A residence in Cowies Hill provides older women with a safe environment where they live independently while supporting one another.

 Timol believes faith should be part of the solution, not a reason for women to remain trapped. She encourages women to seek knowledge and remember that injustice has no place in Islam. “Islam honours women with dignity. We need to educate ourselves, learn from the examples of the women of Jannah and stand together against injustice,” she said.

For those witnessing domestic violence, Timol’s message is equally clear: “If you know someone experiencing domestic violence, reach out. Give them the number of an organisation that can help. Reassure them that they are not alone.”

For women experiencing abuse, or for anyone seeking assistance on behalf of a family member or friend, or who would like to provide support, the Kenilworth Respite Centre Trust can be contacted on 031 207 6483, or by email at socialworker@kenilworthrc.org.za.

The post Abused sisters find refuge at Kenilworth Respite Centre appeared first on Al-Qalam.

I had the privilege of addressing the Muslim Youth Movement’s (MYM) ‘Ambassadors for Change’ Youth Conference in Durban on 11 July 2026. The conference marked the culmination of the MYM’s five-year Ambassadors for Change youth development programme while laying the foundation for its ongoing work to nurture ethically grounded young Muslim leaders. Its theme, “It is in the hands of the youth to give the world a more humane face,” reflected both the urgency and hope that characterised the gathering.

As I walked into the conference hall, I carried a quiet sense of nervousness. Many years have passed since I served as Deputy President of the MYM, and I wondered whether there was now too great a generational distance between myself and the young people before me. They inhabit digital, social and political worlds profoundly different from those in which my generation came of age.

Those concerns quickly disappeared. The day reminded me that one of the greatest responsibilities of older generations is not first to speak but to listen. The Qur’an praises those “who listen to the word and follow the best of it” (Qur’an 39:18). Listening is itself an ethical act and, I believe, the starting point for meaningful intergenerational engagement.

The First Responsibility: Listen

I attended not only as a speaker but also as an academic leader of Stellenbosch University’s Dialogue, Democracy and Development project, which seeks to cultivate dialogue across social, cultural and political differences. Throughout the day, I listened carefully to every presentation, filling pages with notes as these young Muslims spoke honestly about artificial intelligence, social media, mental health, leadership, conflict and their search for meaningful lives rooted in faith.

Luckys Advert

al qalam website winter

I learnt tremendously from this process of listening. I left convinced that careful listening must become a cornerstone of our ethical engagement with Muslim youth. Too often, adults speak about young people before genuinely listening to how they understand the worlds in which they are mired and how they seek to exercise their God-given human agency.

The conference itself reflected years of patient educational work. Organised for and by the MYM’s youth organisers, it represented the fruit of sustained investment in ethical leadership. I particularly wish to acknowledge Asif Essop, whose longstanding commitment to the MYM and to youth development made him a central part of this remarkable initiative.

The Fires of Our Age

My own presentation drew on the central framework of my recently edited volume, ‘Prophet Muhammad at 1500: His Prophetic Legacy, Ethical Vision and Contemporary Resonance’ (Fataar, 2026). The book argues that the Prophetic legacy offers an enduring ethical grammar for responding to the moral, social and political challenges of our age.

I invited the audience to reflect on what I called ‘Niran al-‘Alam’ – the fires consuming our world. These fires are visible in Gaza, Sudan, Yemen and Ukraine. They are also present in racism, xenophobia, structural poverty, ecological destruction, loneliness, misinformation and the distortions produced by social media and artificial intelligence. Although these crises appear different, they are connected by a deeper moral condition.

The Qur’an asks us to look beneath visible events towards the human heart. Allah speaks of “the kindled Fire of Allah, which rises over the hearts” (Qur’an 104:6-7). Before societies fracture, hearts fracture. Before injustice becomes institutional, it begins as arrogance, greed, hatred, prejudice and indifference. The deepest crises of our age are therefore political, social, moral and spiritual all at once.

This insight changes how we understand responsibility. We cannot respond to injustice only through slogans, ideology or anger. Political commitment must be accompanied by the ethical formation of the human person. The Qur’an reminds us that we live in ‘Dar al-Ibtila’, a world of testing: “Indeed, We created the human being from a mingled drop, testing him” (Qur’an 76:2). This testing is not intended to crush us but to cultivate compassion, courage, honesty and hope.

This is precisely what it means to become an ambassador for change. An ambassador represents something greater than themselves. Young Muslims represent Islam through the quality of their conduct in classrooms, workplaces, neighbourhoods, families and digital platforms. Their honesty, kindness, humility and intellectual integrity become forms of da’wah long before any formal preaching begins.

The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ lived through persecution, migration, poverty, exclusion and war. Yet hardship never extinguished his mercy. He answered violence with moral courage, injustice with principled action and hostility with compassion. Allah describes him simply as “a mercy to all the worlds” (Qur’an 21:107). His Prophetic legacy teaches us to combine justice with mercy, courage with humility, leadership with service and hope with action. Ethical civilisation begins with ethically formed people.

Saint James Advert

Lake Glencairn

Screenshot 2026-08-07 163649

Becoming Ambassadors for Change

Throughout the conference, I was repeatedly struck by the seriousness with which these young people wrestled with their world. They spoke openly about digital overload, fractured identities, mental health and political uncertainty. Yet they also spoke with hope, curiosity and a genuine desire to build rather than merely to criticise. Their questions were not signs of weak faith but of a generation seeking to live Islam ethically amid unprecedented complexity.

Sometimes older generations underestimate young people. We criticise social media while forgetting that they did not create the digital environment into which they were born. Rather than dismissing their world, we need educational spaces where young Muslims can think deeply, ask difficult questions and cultivate ethical judgement grounded in the Qur’an and Sunnah. This requires adults who accompany before they prescribe, listen before they lecture and mentor before they judge.

Allah commands us to “cooperate with one another in righteousness and God-consciousness” (Qur’an 5:2). Such cooperation begins with genuine intergenerational dialogue. It requires older people to respect the experiences of the young while young people remain open to the wisdom and sacrifices of those who came before them.

One of the conference’s recurring messages was that leadership is no longer simply about holding positions of authority. It is about creating positive influence wherever one stands. Our communities need young Muslims who carry mercy into conflict, justice into inequality, hope into despair and beauty into broken relationships. We need ethical users of technology who protect human dignity, resist racism and xenophobia, build bridges across differences, and serve others with humility.

The Qur’an captures this calling in a single declaration: “Indeed, Allah commands justice and excellence” (Qur’an 16:90). Justice and ‘ihsan’ remain the twin pillars of Muslim public life. Justice calls us to resist oppression, while ihsan shapes the beauty, compassion and integrity with which we pursue that struggle.

As I travelled home from Durban, I reflected less on what I had said than on what I had heard. These young Muslims reminded me that every generation must discover anew how to live faithfully within its own historical moment. Our responsibility is not simply to hand them ready-made answers but to help cultivate the ethical imagination, spiritual depth and intellectual confidence needed to respond wisely to the questions their age presents.

The future of our community will not be secured by louder arguments or greater outrage. It will be shaped by young Muslims whose hearts are formed by the Qur’an, whose character reflects the Sunnah, whose minds seek wisdom and whose hands remain ready to serve.

The Qur’an therefore leaves us with a fitting challenge: “So race one another towards goodness” (Qur’an 2:148; 5:48). After spending a day listening to these young ambassadors, I returned home convinced that this race towards goodness has already begun.

*Aslam Fataar is Research Professor of Higher Education and Transformation in the Department of Education Policy Studies at Stellenbosch University. He served as the Deputy President of the Muslim Youth Movement of South Africa, 1991-1993. He is the editor of the recently published book, Prophet Muhammad at 1500: His Prophetic Legacy, Ethical Vision and Contemporary Resonance. Cape Town: Prophetic Legacy Commission and Awqaf SA, 2026

The post Listening before leading: What young Muslims taught me about becoming Ambassadors for Change appeared first on Al-Qalam.

Since its soft opening recently, Ballito’s first Masjid is a dream come true for hundreds of residents and Muslim tourists to the holiday town who now have a dedicated place of worship.

Today, the architecturally beautiful masjid at 3 Nandi Mthembu Drive stands serene in one of Ballito’s prime spots that has become a notable landmark admired by both locals and tourists alike.

Many have spent years pursuing the idea for a Ballito Masjid – and it eventually came about through numerous back-and-forth negotiations with the local municipal authorities, not to mention protests from some residents who complained that a mosque in the area would cause congestion and Azaan “noise” – none of which has happened.

Luckys Advert

al qalam website winter

There is no Azaan via loudspeakers, but Muslims residents can hear the Azaan through receivers.

A spokesman told Al-Qalam that following the erection of the masjid, there was a growing interest from Muslims across the country to relocate to Ballito and invest in this fast-growing holiday town. With the opening of the masjid, there is an expectation that halaal establishments may open.

In the near future, the Masjid trustees hope to open a fully-fledged madrassa at no cost.

The ground floor of the masjid can hold up to 500 musaleees and a further 200 on the upper floor. There is also a dedicated section for ladies.

The imam of the masjid is Moulana Bilal Vally.

Saint James Advert

Lake Glencairn

Screenshot 2026-08-07 163649

The post New Ballito Masjid is a dream come true appeared first on Al-Qalam.

The Association of Muslim Women Authors in South Africa (AMWASA) celebrated the launch of ‘Barfi Books – Volume 2’ at a gathering that showcased the power of storytelling, creativity and community. 

The Durban launch took place at Poppyseed Co in Morningside and coincided with sister events in Rustenburg and Emmarentia on Saturday, 4 July.

Led by Durban-based author Waheeda Joosab, AMWASA is committed to amplifying the voices of Muslim women writers across South Africa by creating spaces where authentic stories can be shared with honesty, courage and purpose.

Luckys Advert

al qalam website winter

‘Barfi Books – Volume 2’ is described as “a heartfelt collection of real-life stories that celebrate the richness of life’s sweet moments. From quiet reflections to unexpected lessons, this volume offers a tapestry of tender experiences to nourish the soul and sprinkle hope.”

As part of their ticket, guests enjoyed a light meal and beverage, a traditional barfi treat, a copy of ‘Barfi Books – Volume 2’, a souvenir journal, and a decoupage workshop presented by House of Ayaat. A portion of the proceeds will benefit Passion to Care, a Rustenburg-based non-profit youth and charity organisation.

Author Nasreen Variyawa delighted the audience with a humorous reading from the anthology, capturing the warmth and humour of family relationships through one of the book’s short stories.

Saint James Advert

Lake Glencairn

Screenshot 2026-08-07 163649

Author Farhana Yunnus then guided guests through an engaging decoupage workshop, where participants transformed ordinary coasters into colourful keepsakes using decorative serviettes. Reflecting on the creative process, she said: “Sometimes beauty doesn’t come from grand moments, but from the small moments that don’t need to be perfect.”

The next launch in the series will take place in Lenasia on Saturday 25 July, continuing AMWASA’s celebration of storytelling, creativity and the voices of Muslim women across South Africa.

The post Barfi Books celebrates stories, sisterhood and creativity appeared first on Al-Qalam.

Awqaf SA has officially handed over a new water supply extension at Rahima Moosa Mother and Child Hospital in Coronationville, helping ensure a more reliable water supply to the hospital’s Outpatients Building during municipal water disruptions. 

The project was formally handed over during a ribbon-cutting ceremony on 29 June, attended by the hospital’s Chief Executive Officer, Dr Arthur Manning, members of the hospital’s management team, and representatives from Awqaf SA. 

The project followed a request from the hospital after ongoing Johannesburg Water interruptions highlighted a critical vulnerability. While the hospital already has access to borehole water, the Outpatients Building was not connected to the existing backup system, leaving essential services without water during supply outages. 

Recognising the importance of uninterrupted access to water in a healthcare environment, Awqaf SA partnered with the hospital to design and install the new water connection, which is now fully operational. 

Luckys Advert

al qalam website winter

Dr Manning welcomed the partnership, highlighting the critical role that water plays in healthcare delivery. 

“Although the hospital has sophisticated MRI and CT scan equipment, one of the greatest contributors to quality healthcare is simple hygiene. As Florence Nightingale recognised many years ago, this remains true today. Without a reliable water supply, hospitals cannot function effectively. This project is therefore not a small contribution – it is a significant investment in quality patient care.” 

Awqaf SA Founding CEO, Zeinoul Abedien Cajee, said the project reflects the organisation’s commitment to strengthening public institutions that serve vulnerable communities.

“Today is about far more than pipes and infrastructure. It is about preserving life, protecting dignity and serving humanity. Every mother, every newborn child, every healthcare worker and every patient who depends on reliable access to clean water will benefit from this project. This is the spirit of Waqf—creating lasting public benefit through sustainable charitable giving.” 

Cajee said the project continues a long tradition of supporting community infrastructure through Islamic philanthropy. 

“For centuries, Waqf institutions have helped establish hospitals, schools, clinics, water systems and other public services that continue to benefit communities long after they are built.  Access to reliable water remains fundamental to safe healthcare, infection prevention and human dignity.” 

Saint James Advert

Lake Glencairn

Screenshot 2026-08-07 163649

He thanked the donors whose generosity made the project possible and acknowledged the dedication of the hospital’s leadership and staff. 

“This project demonstrates what can be achieved when civil society and public institutions work together in service of our communities. We hope it inspires similar partnerships across South Africa.” 

The water extension forms part of Awqaf SA’s broader programme of water projects supporting schools, healthcare facilities, places of worship and vulnerable communities across South Africa. 

The post Awqaf SA hooks up water at Rahima Moosa Hospital appeared first on Al-Qalam.