Al-Qalam 
By Neelam Rahim
In a world that often turns away from injustice, Nurain Saloojee stands as a reminder that faith and courage are not distant ideals; they are lived realities. Rooted in the values of Islam and compassion, this young Johannesburg-born audiologist and activist has quietly become one of the steadfast voices for Palestine in South Africa.
Raised in Lenasia in a family where activism and conscience were part of daily life, Nurain’s path seemed almost written from the beginning. “My family’s history is one of struggle,” she told Al-Qalam. “From apartheid in South Africa to colonialism in India, we were taught that justice is not a choice – it’s an obligation.” It was within this environment that she learned that faith (iman) must be lived through action.
After moving to Emmarentia to complete high school, Nurain went on to study Audiology at the University of the Witwatersrand, a field that deepened her appreciation for dignity and access. Working in the public health sector exposed her to systemic inequality, where even basic healthcare remains out of reach for many. “True healthcare,” she said, “is not just about hearing; it’s about being heard.” That understanding of service soon intertwined with her sense of justice, leading her to extend compassion beyond the clinic into the global fight for humanity.
It was during the Save Sheikh Jarrah movement in 2021 that Nurain officially joined the Palestine Solidarity Alliance (PSA). What began as local activism quickly grew into a deep commitment to international solidarity. Now the Vice-Chairperson of the PSA Youth League, she has organised countless pickets, marches, and educational campaigns – among them, the weekly Rosebank protest, where for an hour each Friday, ordinary South Africans hold signs, chant prayers, and remind the world that Gaza is not forgotten.
Her defining moment, however, came with a visit to Palestine in January 2023. Walking through the Old City, witnessing the apartheid wall, and meeting families living under occupation changed her permanently. “It was no longer a cause; it became a personal responsibility,” Nurain told Al-Qalam. “I promised the people I met that I would return home and tell their stories.”
That promise led her to join the Global Sumud Flotilla earlier this year – a humanitarian voyage bound for Gaza, carrying activists and aid workers united by one message: solidarity through presence. Though initially meant to manage communications for the flotilla, Nurain stepped forward as a participant when a space opened unexpectedly. “Within 48 hours, I packed my bags and left for Tunis,” she said. “It was terrifying, but I knew I had to go. Watching Gaza suffer while doing nothing wasn’t an option.”
Her decision was as spiritual as it was humanitarian. “When my Creator asks what I did to stop the genocide, I want to have an answer,” she said.
But the journey took an unexpected turn when she fell ill and was forced to withdraw early. The experience, she says, taught her one of her greatest lessons. “Our efforts are measured by intention, not by how far we go,” she reflected. “That realisation gave me peace. Even when things don’t go as planned, Allah knows the sincerity of your heart.”
Nurain’s activism is inseparable from her Islamic faith. She draws strength from the verse, Hasbunallahu wa ni’mal wakeel – Sufficient for us is Allah, and He is the best Disposer of affairs. “That verse grounds me,” she said. “We act, but Allah determines the outcome.”
Today, while completing her community service as an audiologist, Nurain continues her advocacy through the PSA, using her voice to amplify others. She believes activism isn’t reserved for those on the frontlines; it begins wherever one stands. “Start small, but start,” she often says. “Every act, a boycott, a conversation, a prayer – contributes to change.”
In an age where apathy comes easily, Nurain Saloojee embodies what it means to live faith in action. Her story is one of conviction, humility, and unyielding belief that even in the face of injustice, silence is never an option. For her, standing with Palestine is not just activism, it is worship.
