The building of Islamic schools in various townships in the Western Cape has rapidly increased over the past few years, with many underprivileged people gaining more knowledge on Islam. However, many of these schools lack funding as well as Islamic material for children to make use of. Speaking to VOC News, Maulana Faizel Alexander from the Discover Islam Centre in Lansdowne said without the support of the broader Muslim community in Cape Town – children in various townships will suffer.
“There are many masajid being built in townships which are being sponsored by various organizations in Cape Town. The sad part of this good cause is that there are not enough material and teachers who can teach these kids what they need to know,” he said. “If we can get support and start doing fundraising to uplift these madaris, then I’m sure these children will gain tremendously."
Alexander said the matter has come to their attention and they are ready to take on the challenge to better the Islamic education in townships. “This is a big issue and everyone needs to look at it very seriously. We have reverts in these areas who need our assistance at all times,” said Alexander. “Our organization has been working with many townships over the past few years and to see the appreciation of these people and their desire to learn more is heart sore."
DIC also took these children on camps teaching them about Islam and showing them how to make salah and take wudu. "These children need to know these basic things in Islam and it is very important that the community support them on this. So we sent a few teachers to these madaris and provided them with a ‘teacher’s facilitators course’,” he said.
“We donated clothing and food to these areas as well and not only to our Muslim brothers and sisters but to non-Muslims as well," he added. The centre have been working with a revert in Delft for the past few months. Mama Suleigha who embraced Islam a few years ago just recently went on haj. She has also been caring for over 60 students in the area for a very long time, ensuring these kids get fed every week.
Alexander added that the organization has been working closely with madrassa’s in Du Noon and Mitchells Plain too. “These madrassa’s are need of surahs and Qurans. If we can get white boards and a few books for these kids to write on, it will be greatly appreciated. Islamic education is very important, we urge everyone to get on board."
The Discover Islam Centre will launch their upcoming initiative ‘Adopt a Madrassa’ early next year and plead to the community to come forward as soon as possible. If you would like to know more on the project or would like to contribute towards any of DIC’s current projects, you can contact Maulana Faizel Alexander on 021 6968375/6. VOC (Aishah Cassiem)
“There are many masajid being built in townships which are being sponsored by various organizations in Cape Town. The sad part of this good cause is that there are not enough material and teachers who can teach these kids what they need to know,” he said. “If we can get support and start doing fundraising to uplift these madaris, then I’m sure these children will gain tremendously."
Alexander said the matter has come to their attention and they are ready to take on the challenge to better the Islamic education in townships. “This is a big issue and everyone needs to look at it very seriously. We have reverts in these areas who need our assistance at all times,” said Alexander. “Our organization has been working with many townships over the past few years and to see the appreciation of these people and their desire to learn more is heart sore."
Going out to help
Alexander said the organization will be going on various outreach projects to townships for the next few months and have already started within the Delft community. DIC has been involved with a madrassa in the Delft community for the last seven years. "Working with these bright kids is great...many of them come from underprivileged backgrounds. We feed them every week and try to give them as much educational activities that they need to get,” said Alexander.DIC also took these children on camps teaching them about Islam and showing them how to make salah and take wudu. "These children need to know these basic things in Islam and it is very important that the community support them on this. So we sent a few teachers to these madaris and provided them with a ‘teacher’s facilitators course’,” he said.
“We donated clothing and food to these areas as well and not only to our Muslim brothers and sisters but to non-Muslims as well," he added. The centre have been working with a revert in Delft for the past few months. Mama Suleigha who embraced Islam a few years ago just recently went on haj. She has also been caring for over 60 students in the area for a very long time, ensuring these kids get fed every week.
Alexander added that the organization has been working closely with madrassa’s in Du Noon and Mitchells Plain too. “These madrassa’s are need of surahs and Qurans. If we can get white boards and a few books for these kids to write on, it will be greatly appreciated. Islamic education is very important, we urge everyone to get on board."
The Discover Islam Centre will launch their upcoming initiative ‘Adopt a Madrassa’ early next year and plead to the community to come forward as soon as possible. If you would like to know more on the project or would like to contribute towards any of DIC’s current projects, you can contact Maulana Faizel Alexander on 021 6968375/6. VOC (Aishah Cassiem)
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