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At Masjidul-Quds’ annual Moulood-un-Nabi, scholars called on Muslims to embody prophetic mercy through integrity and compassion, while urging young people to hold fast to faith, character and the enduring guidance of the Holy Quran.
By SAYED RIDHWAAN MOHAMED
The vibrant spirit of the local community was on full display as hundreds of residents from across the Cape gathered at Masjidul Quds in Gatesville for its annual Moulood-un-Nabi celebration on Sunday, August 23.
Organised under the auspices of the Masjidul Quds Board of Trustees and Executive Committee, the gathering brought together community elders, mothers, fathers, youth, and distinguished local leaders for an afternoon dedicated to devotional praise, spiritual reflection, and practical guidance for contemporary community life.
The afternoon commenced with a welcoming atmosphere inside the Masjid. Assistant Imam Qari Siraj opened the proceedings with a melodious Quranic recitation, followed by an official welcome from resident Imam Shaykh Abdur-Rahman Alexander.
Speaking on behalf of the Imamat, board, and executive team, Shaykh Alexander welcomed the congregation and visiting dignitaries, emphasising that annual Moulood assemblies serve as vital anchors for preserving prophetic values, strengthening community bonds, and renewing social responsibility.
A spirited devotional segment followed, led by the Cape Town Islamic Educational Centre (CTIEC) delegation from Eagle Park under the guidance of Hazrat Moulana Sayed Imraan Ziyaee and Mufti Sayed Haroon Al Azhari. The collective dhikr and choral litanies resonated through the hall, setting an uplifting and reflective tone. The spiritual atmosphere was enriched further by heartfelt naat and qasidah recitals performed by local reciters.
Being living vessels of mercy: address by Shaykh Ismail Gqamane
Taking to the podium, guest speaker Shaykh Ismail Gqamane addressed a core question facing the modern community: how to authentically live and communicate prophetic teachings to wider society.
Focusing on the verse designating the Prophet ﷺ as a universal mercy (Rahmatan lil-‘Alamin), Shaykh Gqamane reminded the gathering that the broader public, including neighbours, colleagues, and fellow citizens of diverse backgrounds, will only experience that mercy through the everyday conduct of Muslims.
Reflecting on the Prophet ﷺ’s pre-revelation title of Al-Amin (the Trustworthy) during the historic gathering at Mount Safa, Shaykh Gqamane stressed that trust precedes outreach:
- Everyday integrity: Demonstrating honesty, fairness, and transparency in business and personal dealings.
- Active compassion: Extending practical care, dignity, and neighbourliness to everyone in the surrounding community.
- Living the message: Serving as personal conduits of goodwill so that faith is seen through action rather than mere words.
Timeless wisdom in the digital age: address by Hafez Fuzail Soofie
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Following the recitals, renowned guest speaker Hafez Fuzail Soofie of Durban delivered a dynamic lecture addressing the intellectual and spiritual challenges facing the youth in a rapidly evolving, machine-driven era.
Addressing the demographic landscape of 8.3 billion people, where billions identify as non-religious, agnostic, or secular, Hafez Soofie examined how faith remains deeply relevant in the age of artificial intelligence, algorithms, and digital distraction. He noted that while historical physical miracles belonged to their specific eras, the enduring and accessible miracle granted to humanity is the Holy Quran.
Hafez Soofie offered a detailed linguistic and numerical examination of Surah Al-Kawthar (the shortest chapter of the Quran):
- Linguistic exclusivity: Spanning just three verses, 10 words, and 30 letters, 60 percent of its vocabulary is entirely unique to the chapter across the entire Quranic corpus.
- Structural and numerical harmony: Spanning exactly 10 words, every verse concludes with the letter Raa (the 10th letter of the Arabic alphabet), forming an intricate mathematical symmetry and rhyme scheme beyond synthetic mimicry.
- The promise of abundance: The multifaceted concept of Al-Kawthar (infinite goodness) stands realised through the Prophet ﷺ’s enduring message, the widespread lineage through Sayyida Fatima and the Ahlul Bayt, and the reality that his name remains the most praised and mentioned around the globe through five daily calls to prayer (adhan).
He challenged young people not to compromise their character for fleeting online trends, reminding them that the Prophet ﷺ’s noble manners, dress, hygiene, and ethical lifestyle remain the ultimate standard of leadership and personal excellence.
The event drew a notable assembly of respected scholars and institutional heads from across Cape Town, including: Hazrat Moulana Sayed Imraan Ziyaee, Principal of the Cape Town Islamic Educational Centre (CTIEC); Shaykh Sadullah Khan, CEO of Islamia College and Mufti Sayed Haroon Al Azhari, President of the Cape Town Ulama Board.
The formal proceedings concluded with congregational Salawat and Dua, culminating in the midday Thuhr prayer.
Following Thuhr, the gathering transitioned into an extended session of fellowship and community networking as volunteers served a traditional communal lunch to all attendees, capping off an afternoon of unity, shared heritage, and warm Cape hospitality.
Sayed Ridhwaan Mohamed is a South African community journalist, researcher and Honours graduate in Islamic Studies. A steadfast advocate for humanitarian rights and global justice, he lends his expertise to numerous committees specialising in interfaith advocacy and the advocacy of human rights in Palestine and beyond. He currently serves on the executive committee of the Cape Town Ulama Board, is an Executive Member of the Sunni Ulama Council (Cape), and co-founder of the Ahlus Sunnah Media Network.
