Cape Town Muslims will be making history when the largest disabled group yet will be going on a holy pilgrimage to Mecca.
The Al-Waagah Islamic Institute for the Deaf this week announced 58 elderly deaf people will be going on umrah - also known as the little hajj - next month.
Al-Waagah’s chairperson, Cassiem de Wet, says it’s a massive undertaking but with the help of stakeholders such as Deen Channel, the Muslim Judicial Council (MJC), Radio 786 and Khidmatul Awaan Pilgrim Services, donations totalling R1.7 million have poured in, and the group along with 59 volunteer assistants will depart at 4 am on Saturday, 2 February from Cape Town International Airport.
He says the idea took off last year when they first spoke of the initiative on the Faizel Sayed Show on Deen Channel.
Radio 786 then announced the need for six wheelchairs on air, and within an hour they received it.
AWARENESS: Sheikh Isgak Taliep. Photo: JACK LESTRADE
De Wet says they believe this journey is the first of its kind in South Africa. The oldest member is 88 years old.
“My team is working to ensure the trip is a safe and memorable one. Remember our people are deaf and will not be able to hear the prayer calls when they are at the Kaabah.
“They will be signing everything and this experience will be filmed with the assistance of Faizel Sayed,” De Wet said.
MJC First Deputy President Sheikh Isgak Taliep says this initiative has raised awareness about the needs of disabled people.
“We will now also look into ways of having interpreters in the mosques, most masjids already have ramps for wheelchairs,” he said.
Sulaiman Jaffer, who is deaf, says he cannot wait to see Islam’s holiest shrine.
“I want to see the Kaabah. I have never been (to Mecca). I am excited for my family (fellow Al-Waagah members) to go and tawaaf with me around the Kaabah. Thank you to everyone who is making this possible.”