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This was not just any wrestling tournament. It was a celebration of Sunnah sports. Sunnah sports are not just about competition; they are about character development, resilience, and building a healthy body and mind in accordance with Islamic teachings.
By ADNAAN ADAMS
On Sunday, July 27, 2025, I attended the Rukana Submission Wrestling Masjid Amateurs Competition, hosted by the World Masjid Association for Sunnah Sports (WMASS) at Darul Islam Hall in Greenhaven, Cape Town.
My initial reason for being there was simple: to support my son, who had told me a few weeks earlier that he had entered the tournament. As parents, our presence at events where our children participate is crucial, even if the activity is not something we personally practice or fully understand. Our support shapes their confidence and encourages them to strive for excellence.
To my surprise, the event was not only well attended but also exceptionally well organized. From the registration process to the match schedules, everything ran smoothly. There were officials overseeing each section, frequent announcements to keep the audience informed, and an overall sense of order that one does not always expect at amateur-level tournaments. The professionalism was impressive, and I must commend the organisers for their commitment. Well done to the conveners and everyone behind this event; your efforts have left a lasting impact.
The spirit of Sunnah sports
This was not just any wrestling tournament. It was a celebration of Sunnah sports, a concept promoted by WMASS, which emphasises the revival of traditional Islamic sports that encourage physical fitness, discipline, and spiritual growth. Sunnah sports are not just about competition; they are about character development, resilience, and building a healthy body and mind in accordance with Islamic teachings.
One of the key partners in organizing this event was the Samura Jiu-Jitsu club, which operates from Yusufeyyah Masjid in Wynberg. This club has been instrumental in training many of the young competitors who participated on Sunday. My own son has been part of these sessions, leaving early on Sunday mornings to attend training at the mosque. The fact that these sessions take place in a mosque setting adds a spiritual dimension to the physical discipline being practiced. It demonstrates how Islamic spaces can be used to nurture both body and soul.
An opportunity for hafidh schools
While reflecting on the event, it struck me that even hafidh schools, where students devote themselves to memorising the Qur’an, could benefit from incorporating Sunnah sports into their programs. These students often endure long hours of study and recitation. Physical activity rooted in Islamic tradition, such as wrestling, archery, or horse riding, could provide a healthy balance between their intellectual, spiritual, and physical development. Not only would this energise their routines, but it would also connect them with the Prophetic tradition in a more holistic way.
Imagine inter-hafidh school Sunnah sports tournaments, where students from different institutions come together, compete, and strengthen bonds beyond the classroom. This would not only enhance their physical fitness but also nurture teamwork, discipline, and resilience – values that are deeply aligned with both memorisation of the Qur’an and living its teachings.
The need for physical and spiritual spaces
Watching these young men grapple, strategise, and celebrate their victories made me reflect deeply on the needs of our youth. They are searching for meaning, for outlets to channel their energy, and for spaces where they can belong. Many of today’s youth are caught between the pressures of a fast-paced digital world and the lack of real-world connections. Events like this wrestling tournament show that they still crave physical interaction, camaraderie, and purposeful activity.
This brings me to an important realisation; our mosques have untapped potential. For many, the mosque is seen purely as a place of prayer, but it can be so much more. It can be a hub for growth – spiritually, socially, and physically. The training sessions at Yusufeyyah Masjid through Samura Jiu-Jitsu and the tournament facilitated through local mosques prove that when mosques step into this role, they can successfully engage and inspire the youth.
‘Unmosque’ the mosque
For far too long, we have operated under the false assumption that simply bringing youth to the mosque for prayers is enough. While prayer is at the core of our faith, the mosque must also be a space where young people feel connected in other ways, through activities that speak to their interests and challenges. The reality is that they will come to the mosque if they know it is a place where they are supported, where they are seen, and where there is something meaningful for them to be part of.
This requires a shift in thinking; we need to “unmosque the mosque” not to strip it of its sanctity, but to expand its role as a centre for community life. Imagine mosques hosting sports leagues, debating clubs, tech workshops, youth leadership programmes, and inter-mosque competitions. Such activities can nurture not just physical fitness, but also confidence, teamwork, and create a sense of belonging with positive consequences beyond our imagination.
Using our own talent and role models
Often, when planning community events, organisations think of inviting distinguished speakers from abroad, if not from UK then the US. While international voices have value, we must not overlook the world-class talent we already have within our country. South Africa is home to eminent scholars, thinkers, coaches, and motivational figures who understand our local context and can connect authentically with our youth. Their presence at events can inspire far more than generic messages from outside.
At the same time, there is room to attract figures who resonate strongly with young people, such as international athletes who embody discipline and values aligned with Islam. Imagine inviting the Russian, Habib Nurmagomedov, the UFC world champion, to an event like this. He is not only a sports star but a role model for many youth, demonstrating that one can reach the pinnacle of success while remaining grounded in faith. This type of attraction, combined with our own local voices, could create powerful and meaningful engagement.
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Recommendations for mosque committees
To achieve this vision, mosque committees need to undergo thoughtful transformation. While some mosques might have already included young people in their decision-making structures, this approach needs to be strengthened and widely adopted. Youth representation should not be symbolic or limited to special occasions; it must be meaningful and consistent. At least two to three young members should actively serve on every committee, contributing fresh perspectives and helping to shape programmes that resonate with their peers. Their involvement can bridge generational gaps and ensure that mosque activities remain relevant and inspiring.
A call to action
As a spectator, a father, and an active member of community initiatives, I left the event feeling deeply encouraged. The discipline was inspiring, and the sense of brotherhood was uplifting. While nasheed gatherings also play a vital role in nurturing spiritual connection and artistic expression, this tournament offered a different kind of energy, one shaped by competitors actively and physically engaging in something deeply rooted in our Prophetic tradition and faith. It reinforced my belief that we need to offer our youth a variety of opportunities, from creative to physical, where they can participate, grow, and find meaningful expression of their faith. This tournament was proof that when we provide the right environment, our youth thrive. To mosque committees, hafidh schools, madrassa’s, community leaders, and parents, the time to act is now. Let us create spaces where our young people can grow, learn, and contribute, spaces that are halal, dynamic, and deeply rooted in our faith.
A final word from the organisers
One of the coordinators, Ustaad Yasr Jappie, shared some insights about the event and its broader vision:
‘The event was organised by WMASS with the support of several sponsors. The technical team was primarily made up of experienced grapplers from Samura Jiu-Jitsu, a Muslim grappling academy founded in 2021, with classes held at Yusufeyyah Masjid in Wynberg. The academy is run by Ustaad Shuaib Khan, supported by myself and a few other dedicated coaches.
‘WMASS, founded in 2018 by Moulana Tariq Abdallah and Moulana Siraj Jubair, seeks to reconnect spirituality with physicality by introducing Sunnah sports to the masajid, such as archery, horseback riding, wrestling, and swimming. Islam is a holistic religion that nurtures spiritual, mental, and physical wellbeing. Through these sports, WMASS aims to revive this holistic tradition by reattaching them to our mosques. Our approach has been to organise events and competitions where various masajid form teams and take part. Over the years, we have successfully hosted multiple archery competitions for men, boys, and ladies, including two special archery competitions for masjid Imams. This grappling event marks our second competition between masjid teams.
‘We hope to encourage more mosques to cater for these sports and to help communities build the necessary frameworks to grow them. For this tournament alone, we recorded 127 entries across approximately 25 brackets, divided by age, experience, and weight. Participants ranged from as young as 7years old to 44 years old, Alhamdulilah.’
In closure, to the organisers of the Rukana Submission Wrestling Tournament and WMASS – well done! You have shown what is possible.
To anyone with ideas on how to further engage our youth in positive, halal ways, please engage. Together, we can nurture a generation ready to face the challenges of tomorrow with faith, strength, and purpose.
- For more information contact Moulana Tariq of WMASS on 064 819 5915; or Samura Jiu-Jitsu co-ordinators Yasr Jappie on 071 552 0976, or Shuaib Khan on 082 927 1678 of SAMURA JIU-JITSU on /
Adnaan Adams is founder of The Muslim Thinker NPC (www.themuslimthinker.org). Submit your suggestions to him via email: info@themuslimthinker.org or WhatsApp 083 687 0559.
