Young and old gathered at the Cape Town Islamic Educational Centre (CTIEC) in Eagle Park on Sunday 30 January in celebration of the Grand Moulood, an event where devotees celebrate the life of Prophet Muhammad.
Sayed Ridhwaan, the public relations officer at the CTIEC, said the event has been celebrated in Johannesburg, Cape Town, Durban and Port Elizabeth for the past nine years.
Speaking to People’s Post before Sunday, Ridhwaan said it would be the first time that worshippers could celebrate the event after it had been cancelled the previous year.
“Last year, we couldn’t have the event due to Covid. We are not sure what the turnout is going to be, obviously due to many people passing away, others are still not leaving their homes and some are taking extra precautions. But we will have Covid protocols observed best as possible. I think the main thing is everyone is coming back together after a long break.
“This march is open to everyone. The public is invited, Muslim, non-Muslim, any religion. Whatever faith you are in, you are welcome to join and come see what it’s about.”
On Sunday, men, women and children walked with placards while some of the elderly were pushed in wheelchairs during a peaceful walk through the streets.
“We started this event with the sole purpose of inviting the community and to say that we follow Islam and we follow the Prophet Muhammad. It’s a peaceful religion and we are here to celebrate him as a person who came down for humanity and he was a mercy to all mankind, not just to Muslims in particular.
“We are here to tell the whole community that you don’t have to come here to become a Muslim, but we are inviting you to come to a gathering where you can learn about Prophet Muhammad.”
Hundreds of guests from all over the country and guest speakers from different places, such as Pakistan and Somalia, attended the event.
Guest speaker Mufti Sayed Haroon Al Azhari from the Cape Town Ulama Board said the event was to educate, especially after the Islamophobia experienced all over the world due to 9/11.
“It is to educate people about love, tolerance and care. The Prophet was a peaceful person and not what’s happening in the media against Muslims, the Islamophobia. If we can do it practically and show the people, then they can see by example.”
He added that the event, which used to be celebrated internally, became an external walk for peace after the September 11th events.
“When we started the external march, it was just to show the neighbours, show the community, show the people, because with Islamophobia after 9/11 it got worse and worse. You also get, among certain Muslims; certain people who have extreme mindsets. So, we want to differentiate and say, listen not all Muslims think the same.”
Principal of the CTIEC Sayed Imraan Mohamed said that Prophet Mohammed was a prophet of peace which is celebrated.
“It is important that we highlight and show to youth, males, females and everyone alike, all religions, all races, that the Prophet Muhammad is a peace ambassador.
“It’s awareness, basically, and to keep that feeling alive is very important; to keep that spirit alive with so much negativity it’s important that we always keep the positive vibes there.”
