South Africa’s Muslim movers and shakers were honoured at a special awards ceremony hosted by Awqaf SA at the weekend. At a gala dinner in Cape Town, the endowment organisation gave recognition to some well-known names in Muslim media as well as the more quieter, unknown individuals working tirelessly in the community.
VOC senior journalist Shafiq Morton was handed the ‘Recognition for Media’ award, for his achievement in community broadcasting and journalist. “He has made an immense contribution to the media world and to our community at large,” stated Awqaf SA’s CEO Raaghib Najaar. Piling up the accolades, Morton expressed astonishment at the recognition. “I am greatly surprised and hugely humbled to be honoured from within the community,” he said.
Awqaf SA also honoured Farid Sayed, editor of the Muslim Views, for his contribution to the journalistic field. “Media was one of the areas we prioritised, and Mr Morton and Mr Sayed have been exemplary in this field,” added Najaar.
Cape Town artist Achmat Soni was praised for achievement in modern Islamic art. Awards were also given to the hardworking hifz teachers and qurraa, who according to Najaar go without much credit. “We also looked to community leaders, and Mrs Nurul Minton, founder of ISWA, stood shoulders above the rest,” said Najaar.
The gala dinner was held in conjunction with Awqaf SA’s Second Leadership Conference, which also took place on Saturday. “We want our youth to look up to these people within our community, who have achieved extraordinary things. It is for this reason that we held the two events together. We want to develop leaders and recognise them at the same time,” Najaar stated.
Najaar said the weekends events ties in with the broader vision of Awqaf SA, “which is to promote and enhance the Waqf system. He added that it is important for people to understand Waqf from a developmental perspective. “Traditionally, we only understand it in a very narrow sense.” Furthermore, Najaar said community development is integral to the Waqf system. “It is for this reason Awqaf SA has fully supported and initiated events of this nature,” he concluded.
Courtesy VOC (Fazlin Fransman)