Hafidh Jannah’s journey from caretaker to assistant imam is a testament to his perseverance and patience. These qualities have pushed Hafidh Jannah far in his life and he never gave up on his dreams.
By YASEEN BARDIEN
THE journey from caretaker to assistant imam is one of patience and hard work, and the story of Jannah Kamwana certainly encapsulates it.
In 2006 he made his initial journey to South Africa from Malawi. After a short stay he went back home, only to return to take up a job offer in Durban. It was here, in 2010, that he received a phone call from a member of the committee of Masjidul Jumu’ah in Westridge, Mitchell’s Plain. He was offered the position of a caretaker, which he readily accepted.
Masjidul Jumu’ah is the oldest mosque in Mitchell’s Plain, having been established in 1982, six years after the establishment of the founding organisation, the Mitchell’s Plain Islamic Society.
Jannah began his new job at the mosque in Westridge on November 12, 2011. His responsibilities included maintaining the overall cleanliness and helping to maintain order at the mosque.
In 2012, he asked to join the hifdh school based at the mosque. He completed the memorisation of the Quran within four years and by 2016 he became Hafidh Jannah.
In 2017, he sought to improve his Quranic recitation skills, and after successfully doing so by spending one year at Qaasimul Uloom in Philippi, he was asked to lead the taraweeh salaah at Masjidul Jumu’ah, which he has continued to do for seven years.
Currently, Hafidh Jannah is the assistant Imam at Masjidul Jumu’ah, while Moulana Shafiek Nolan serves as the leading Imam.
Initially, Hafidh Jannah had no intention of becoming an Imam. However, he cited his deen as inspiration to push in this direction.
‘There was no intention, but Islam encourages us to study (the Quran) and I wanted to do what my deen says.’
Hafidh Jannah’s pursuit for Islamic knowledge took another step when he enrolled for the six-year Aalim course at Qaasimul Uloom in 2019. If all goes to plan, the course will be completed next year, and he will become Moulana Jannah.
Remaining steadfast in his religion and showing unwavering loyalty to Masjidul Jumu’ah, the committee, Imaamat and the musallees at the Masjid have collaborated to show their appreciation for his services by sending him to perform Umrah in December this year.
Abubaker Kistnasamy, the vice-chairman of the masjid, says that Hafidh Jannah is well liked by the Westridge community and believes it played a role in how many donations came in support of his trip.
‘Everyone in Westridge knows Hafidh Jannah; he is very likeable. Therefore, it was easy for people to donate and pledge their assistance in him going for Umrah because we know that it was his dream,’ he said.
Kistnasamy added, ‘It is indeed an honour and privilege for us to have someone of Hafidh Jannah’s calibre at the Masjid and may he grow from strength to strength.’
The announcement that he will be going for Umrah was an unexpected one for Hafidh Jannah. However, his strong faith made him believe that if Allah (SWT) decrees something, it will be.
‘I just want to say Shukran to Allah (SWT) because I was looking and trying to find out how I could go (for Umrah). When Allah (SWT) chooses someone to go, He makes a way, even if you don’t expect it,’ he said.
Before going for Umrah, Hafidh Jannah will also visit his family in Malawi, a dream long in the making as he hasn’t been home since 2019.
Despite all the challenges that he has been through, he shows immense gratitude to everyone involved in making this dream a reality.
‘I just want to say shukran to the committee because not all masjids give their workers the chance to study. I also want to thank them for allowing me to go on the journey to perform Umrah and I ask Allah (SWT) to make it easy for Rustum Francis, our chairman, and shukran to Abubaker Kistnasamy, the vice-chairman, and the entire Masjid,’ he concluded.
Hafidh Jannah’s journey from caretaker to assistant imam is a testament to his perseverance and patience. These qualities have pushed Hafidh Jannah far in his life and he never gave up on his dreams. May Allah (SWT) grant him a blessed Umrah and continue to bless him in all his future endeavours.
