Eid Clothing

Sulies Fabrics once again assisted the Institute to give clothing hampers to 75 of the most deserving learners in our Madressah. These learners were clothed from head-to- toe, choosing their own brand and style of clothing. This ensuring that all the learners could walk the streets of Newclare proudly with their new clothes. This initiative assured that our learners enjoyed the day of Eid-ul-Fitr looking spanking.

We partnered with FEED (a local organization) active in the community. Clothes were distributed to approximately 70 people from the community of Newclare. This included shoes, pants t-shirt or top for the girls and toiletries. This year FEED also undertook to feed 50 families daily with a hot cooked meal, including bread, dates and fruit. This initiative was immensely appreciated and assisted the muslim families during the Sehri-time preparations during Ramadan. On the day of Eid – two (2) were provided by Feed which assisted in feeding 200 people on the day. We appreciate the kind donations and assistance FEED has given to our community.

Our partnership with the Ma`waal Masaakin Organization, Awqaf and with the aid of various other sponsors assisted in providing further clothing hampers that were distributed from Newclare premises this year. This initiative ensured that approximately 150 children and adults were fully clothed for Eid. The project is an annual event that ensures that deserving families and orphanages receive much needed clothes, jeans, socks, hoody’s, toiletries and nappies for babies. The NJM is extremely grateful for the assistance given to our community. We hope that the partnership will grow and that the event will be continuing next Ramadaan.

During the month of Ramadan the Masjid with the aid of various donors ensured that the Musalis could break their fast by providing dates and savouries every night (Boeka treat…). This year our donors also ensured that the Musalis and community members receive a hot meal every night. Sanzaf distributed 325 Fitra parcels for the most deserving families in the community. Volunteers assisted with the picking and packing of grocery items including the veggies. Deserving families were identified through our updated database, which includes a process of screening and selection that started pre-Ramadan. This tedious process assisted us in alleviating many duplications thus further ensuring that the correct people receive the assistance.

Our team of dedicated collectors has once again undertaken to collect Zakaah and Lilah during the month of Ramadan. This drive is seen as the main driver in sustaining the NJM. The much needed funds ensure the maintenance and upkeep of the Masjid, its properties and Madressah including its employees and Imaam. The collection teams travel as far as Polokwane, Klerksdorp and Rustenburg. May Allah always keep them safe in their endeavours to seek funds for the Masjid.

The NJM Executive Committee would like to sincerely thank all our donors for contributing so generously during the month of Ramadaan to our community. May Allah accept all your efforts and duas and continuously bless you and your families abundantly. The community of Newclare appreciates your kindness and generosity.

the ADVANCEMENT, PROMOTION or PRESERVATION OF ARTS

and CULTURE

The Muslims fraternity within Newclare and surrounding areas are strongly influenced by the Malay culture and traditions that has been vehemently and passionately been preserved over many decades if not centuries. In recent years there has been a strong wave to resuscitate this Malay-Islamic culture. The preservation of this culture is a role that the NJM Leadership team deemed as vital and have openly and actively promoted.

Over the last three (3) years there has been a significant increase in the promotion and commemoration of such socio-cultural-religious events and the Newclare Masjid has been used as a vehicle to drive and lead such events. There are many significant and deeply ingrained cultural practices that date form the time of the early slaves in the Cape and have its origin in the prophetic ways of our beloved Rasool (Siyyidina Mogamat Mustapha swa).

As the leadership team we considered it necessary to play a leading role in ensuring that these practices are preserved and passed on from generation to generation. One such initiative is the Maulid-u-Nabie. This commemoration has been revived with great success and year-on-year has become more popular. Maulud-un-Nabie celebration that included all the Malay communities i.e. Newclare, Bosmont, Maraisburg, Coronationville, Westbury, Newlands, Florida, Eldorado Park and as far as Ennerdale.

The event was broadcast live on ICC TV. Furthermore, it co-incided with The Western Cape’s commemoration on the same day – This indeed was a first for the Malay community. It further showed through organisation the rich Malay culture can be preserved, celebrated and imparted to other non-Malay Muslim and non-muslim groups within the broader South Africa – thus contributing meaningfully to our rainbow nation and also promoting diversity.

NEWCLARE QURBANI

The qurbani initiative in Newclare (NJM) is synonymous with one name, namely brother Yusuf Abrahams. This pioneer and stalwart from the Newclare community assisted immensely in reviving and ensuring that this noble act of worship through the act of qurbani was sustained. An act that was practiced from the time of Nabi Ibrahim (as) and continued by our beloved Master, Rasoolulah Muhammad (saw).

In 1978, brother Yusuf approached then Imam Ismail Hassen (the resident Imam of the NJM), about instituting the qurbani through the NJM, as he realised that this act was not being practiced in a structured manner within the Newclare community. Imam Ismail shared his sentiments and seized the opportunity and through the mercy of the Almighty they jointly resurrected this great Sunnah – thus in 1978 the NJM and the community experienced its first communal qurbani - led by brothers Yusuf and Imam Ismail. That year 30 sheep were sacrificed at a then cost of R16 each. From these humble beginnings and brother Yusuf’s tireless and relentless determination this practice has been sustained for the last 38 years.

Over the next 38 years a staggering 6500 sheep were sacrificed in the path of Allah, peaking in the late 80’s and early 90’s, where annually approximately 300 sheep were sacrificed (slaughtered). This is indeed a far cry from the humble beginnings of 16.

Brother Yusuf – you are indeed a stalwart within the Newclare community and your name will forever be synonymous with qurbani in this community. As a community and the NJM leadership in particular we pray that the Almighty continuously bless you and your family.

THE WALK TO WELLNESS HAS BEGUN.

The Newclare Masjid (NJM) and Footprints Coaching can be proud of a job well done. They displayed excellent team work and a selfless effort to ensure that the 1st Open-Day hosted jointly was a huge success.

The event was hosted in a parking lot surrounded by flats in Newclare. Additional activities facilitated by our committee members and the team of eager youngsters kept the children from the flats and surrounding arears occupied and engaged with jumping castles and fun games.

All attendees were registered for screening purposes which had a dual purpose – to also add them to our growing database of the community. Once registered, they were able to benefit from all the services on offer. They were eligible to receive feedback on the event as well as regular notice updates informing them about the services and projects offered by “Footprints Coaching”. This includes the weekly Life Coaching classes on Friday’s, Recovery Coaching sessions on Saturday’s and other Life Coaching training courses that will be offered in the future.

The Islamic Medical Association of SA (IMASA) partnered with Footprints Coaching and the NJM on this project. The following screening initiatives were provided to the community: ; Weight, Height & BMI, ; Blood Pressure ; Glucose Testing, ; Podiatry & ; Dental Screening. Mobile clinics were on standby for any cases referred for dispensing of medicines. There were also house visits done by some of the medical staff to frail and old aged community members and those unable to join us in the parking lot.

The Muslim AIDS Programme [MAP] screened 45 people for HIV/AIDS and offered counselling. Fortunately none of those tested were positive. Other partners who set up stands promoting their services were IMASA CPR, Ammaarah Bursary Fund, and Bosmont NA & Sanzaf.

The programme ended with a generous donation from Helping Hands Living Hearts who provided warm biryani, water and coldrinks to the community. Footprints Coaching distributed goody bags to all the children. Overall a very successful day and it is anticipated to have many more of these initiatives to ensure we make the community aware that being healthy physically contribute to a healthy emotional state that would ultimately lead to self-empowerment.