It was a dual celebration last Tuesday, August 9, as Women’s Day and the Islamic New Year fell on the same day this year.
The Boorhanol Islamic Movement celebrated in Bo-Kaap with a march passing important cultural sites.
Masturah Adams, 68, the leader of social development of the Boorhanol Islamic Movement, said the Islamic New Year is a day filled with traditions.
“It’s a day of celebration where we visit people’s homes, get cakes and sweets and do Islamic recitals. As part of our outreach programme we have invited schools from other areas to participate in the day,” said Ms Adams.
Hundreds of people marched to the Auwal Masjid, then the Tana Baru Cemetery, Schotschekloof Primary School, and eventually to the Bo-Kaap Cultural Hub, where lunch was provided.
“We visit the important sites of the Bo-Kaap and pay our respects to the pioneers of Islam, the men and women who were influential in bringing Islam to this area. Saartjie van die Kaap had a major role in the development of the Auwal Masjid so we are honouring the women as well,” she said.
Moegamat Armien Lucas, the PRO of the Habibia Siddique Muslim Brigade, travelled all the way from Delft to participate in the cultural customs and play the bagpipes.
“We brought our brigade here to be educated about this day and to do the march of the slave route. It is a symbolic route and we are proud to be part of it, we’ve been doing this for nearly 10 years,” said Mr Lucas.
The brigade includes members from Mitchell’s Plain, Bishop Lavis, Parkwood, and Steenberg.
“Our primary focus is to develop youth. Our youngest member starts at six and the oldest is 72. We have drummers and bag-pipe players and we practice at the Jumuah Masjid in Delft, most of our members are there.
Lansdowne’s Islamia College also participated in the event with their teenage, all-girl choir.
“We want to make people aware of this tradition, of Islamic tradition, through poetry. We do recitals at various events and we are happy to be part of this celebration today,” said Fawaaz Willenberg, the choir coach.
