Part 3 – Some of the major achievements of the Strand Moslem Council (SMC)
Administration
Office bearers with exceptionally long service ensured the stability the SMC and the provision for sub-committees facilitated efficient administration. The SMC Executive members who steered the affairs of the community over the first 10 years established a solid foundation for their successors.
Establishment of the Bait-ul-Maal
The Bait-ul-Maal system encouraged members to forward their Fitrah and Zakah (charity) to the SMC. These funds were used to assist families in need with food parcels and financial assistance, as well as to students who could also apply for bursaries to cover their registration fees at tertiary institutions.
SMP classrooms
In the late 1960s the SMC undertook one of its first major building projects and erected additional classrooms for Strand Moslem Primary (SMP). This ensured additional income from the Department of Education to the SMC.
Jaamia Masjid complex
With the help of the community and various other donors the SMC could commence the building of the Jaamia Masjid complex in 1972. This included a triple-storey masjid, ablution block, a boardroom, an office, a crèche, a community hall and six additional classrooms.
Madrassah classes and Tamats
Ml Yusuf Karaan oversaw the after-school madrassah since before the formation of the SMC. He continued this duty after the formation of the SMC. The Tamats were a major event on the community calendar and produced students who could recite the Holy Qur’an with tajweed (pronunciation) and proficiency.
Purchase of the house in Nolte Street
The SMC could purchase the house in Nolte Street through funds that have been saved from the school rental income.
Masjid Ummah
In 1985 the SMC managed to acquire the land the Masjid Ummah is built on today successfully, at a cost of R12 000. The first R7 500 came from the proceeds of the sale of the vacant land at the Jaavia Masjid, opposite Shoprite in Strand.
After the acquisition of the property a group of young men from the Strand started a collection drive for funding the building of a masjid on the property. Various families pledged a monthly contribution, which went into a building fund. Construction of the masjid continued for a few years and on 1 Ramadan 2000 the masjid was officially opened.
It must be noted that 90% of the cost of the total project came from the local community, in cash or kind. Today the masjid premises also operate a fully functional creche in the hall of the complex.
Broadlands Park
The SMC obtained a site in Broadlands Park to erect a permanent salah facility. When the salah ghaana was completed, the women of the area with contributions from outside started a soup kitchen that provided soup and bread to the needy on a regular basis. This effort continues today.
Social welfare activities
As early as 1968, the SMC devised a system for the annual collection of the zakatul fitr and zakah. These funds are then used to assist the needy and indigent of the community.
As the global amount of zakatul fitr increased over the years the SMC divided the amount by 12 so the food parcels could be distributed throughout the year. The SMC also assisted families with clothing, rental arrears and municipal accounts.
At times of major catastrophes, such as the AECI sulphuric acid spills of 1995, the SMC was not found wanting in assisting families in need. During the flood disaster of 1997-1998 the SMC assisted many families whose houses were flooded. Assistance was given in the form of food, cleaning materials and other essentials.
In 2008, during xenophobic attacks on Somali refugees, the SMC played a major role in accommodating hundreds of Somalians in the hall at Masjid Ummah.
Imamat
The SMC is the custodian of five mosques and one salahganah. The imams, with the SMC executive, are jointly responsible to see that the masajid are optimally used, so as sacred structures they become the centre of community involvement and activities.
With the establishment of the SMC in 1966, ML Yusuf Karaan and Imam Ismail Latief were employed as imams of the community. ML Yusuf Karaan remained with the SMC in his capacity as senior imam until his death in 2015. Imam Ismail Latief withdrew from the SMC in 1972 to re-establish his jamaat at the Nurul Islam Masjid in Strand CBD.
ML Karaan, in 1976, was joined by ML Ghoosain Rhoda, who served the SMC and community for more than 40 years until his death in 2021. ML Faeez Harris and ML Abu-Bakr West currently serve as the two senior imams on the imamat committee of the SMC.
SMC Madrassah
The madrassah is a key institution that forms part of the SMC set-up and was a project that was held very close to the hearts of the founding members. Ml Yusuf Karaan assumed responsibility of the madrassah. As the madrassah grew more Islamic educators were approached to assist. As Ml Karaan’s duties increased with his involvement in the MJ C, Ml Ghosain Rhoda was appointed head of the madrassah in 1984.
Madrasatur Rajaa
A major milestone, in the vision of the founders of the SMC, was the opening of the high school, the Madrasatur Rajaa, in 1997. It opened its doors with 27 learners at the Iqra Hall with meagre resources. From material that was donated by unknown donors, Madrasatur Rajaa could start the new school year in 1998, at its current premises, with four new classrooms. The number of learners gradually increased over the years. As at 2016 the high school had 201 learners.
Strand Muslim Cemetery
The SMC was able to register the current cemetery in its name in October 2005. This came as a result of thorough research completed by Mr Bienjamien Crombie in 1995. Armed with the contents of this research, the SMC made a decision to petition the Strand Municipality to formalise the agreement that was reached between the Cemetery Board, the owners then, and the municipality in 1935. As the Cemetery Board amalgamated with other bodies to form the Strand Moslem Council in 1966, the SMC had the rightful claim over the property.
Iqra Learning Centre
An opportunity had arisen in 1996 to acquire a property in Hammond Street. A concerted effort was made by Haji Zuleikha Karaan to obtain the property for the community. Together with the assistance of SMC Female Section, they held numerous fundraising events and within a few months successfully raised the full amount to purchase the Iqra Learning Centre, as it’s known today. As the building generated income over the years, continuous upgrades and renovations took place. Today the Iqra Learning Centre is used for the purpose it was envisaged for, inter alia, classes for reverts, physical education, literacy, social functions and youth programmes.
Strand Moslem Council Female Committee (SMCFC)
The women of Strand played an immense role in building the community to where it is today. Their efforts cannot be underestimated. After the dissolution of the Strand Progressive Society they continued to operate and changed their name to Strand Moslem Council Female Committee. They were referred to as the “jewel in the crown” as their entrepreneurial skills played a pivotal role in fundraising projects, building and renovation efforts, Islamic education and social upliftment.
