- Title: South African Muslims prepare for Ramadan through prayer and trade.
- Date: 24th May 2017
- Summary: CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA (RECENT) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF MUSLIMS ATTENDING PRAYERS SHEIKH RECITING PRAYERS VARIOUS OF FAITHFUL LISTENING SHEIKH LEADING PRAYERS VARIOUS OF WOMEN PRAYING RAMADAN EXPO VENUE (SOUNDBITE) (English) SHEIKH AND ISLAMIC SCHOLAR, ABDUSSAMED ABDULKADER SAYING: "We study the Koran a lot, you find that we read the Koran everyday in the month of Ramadan and we have groups of people who get together and they study different topics from the Koran as well." (SOUNDBITE) (English) ALI CHICKTAY, BOARD MEMBER, RADIO 786, SAYING: "People particularly the Muslim community, particularly during the fast spend a lot of time preparing and also assisting the poor and in that way they not only make food parcels to distribute but as part of the actual fast there is a tax that you have to pay and this tax goes towards feeding of the poor and it has to be paid and distributed before you reach the end of the fast." VARIOUS OF PEOPLE ENTERING THE CASTLE OF GOOD HOPE FOR RAMADAN EXPO SIGN READING (English): "SPICE MECCA RADIO 786 RAMADAAN EXPO" VARIOUS OF WOMAN SAMPLING PERFUME VARIOUS OF SHOPPERS AT STANDS PEOPLE WALKING AT VENUE (SOUNDBITE) (English) FORMER SOUTH AFRICAN AMBASSADOR TO THE UNITED STATES, EBRAHIM RASOOL SAYING: "By 1657 the first Muslim had come to Cape Town, a century later there was a thriving community but they were enslaved and they were exiled, this castle that we are in is a place where the dungeons have housed a community of slaves and Muslims most of them imprisoned because they were not allowed to practice their religion, and so out of the slavery out of this exile grew this Muslim community of cape Town to integrate into the broader communities of Cape Town and fought colonialism, fought apartheid and today this community is one of the most freest communities in the Muslim world that you can find." SHOPPERS VARIOUS OF PEOPLE EATING FOOD STREET SCENE FOOD STALL OWNER, INTIAZ SHEIK, MAKING MEAL FOOD VENDORS PREPARING SNACKS (SOUNDBITE) (English) FOOD STALL OWNER, INTIAZ SHEIK, SAYING: "As a Muslim I am preparing already, my whole family is preparing for the month of Ramadan which is a very pious month for us, it's a month for lots of baraka (blessings), we need to prepare ourselves physically ,spiritually and mentally and it's not just one person, it's the whole family." STREET SCENE TRADER SELLING FRUITS PEDESTRIANS
- Embargoed: 7th June 2017 14:03
- Keywords: ‘Ramadan Expo 2017 Economy Cape Town Season Holy Month Muslims Ramadan
- Location: CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA
- City: CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA
- Country: South Africa
- Topics: Religion/Belief,Society/Social Issues
- Reuters ID: LVA0016I76QTZ
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: Muslims in South Africa's coastal city, Cape Town are preparing to mark Islam's holiest month, Ramadan, which begins the morning after the sighting of the crescent moon. This year it is expected by the end of May.
During the season believers abstain from eating and drinking during daylight hours. The daily fast ends with a large evening meal.
As part of events leading up to the holy month, Cape Town hosted the '786 Ramadaan Expo' - a three-day trade fair offering everything from food and spices to toys, perfumes and clothes.
Faithful also got together for prayers at the venue of the fair. Muslims are expected to seek spiritual growth, give to charity and fast during the season.
"We study the Koran a lot, you find that we read the Koran everyday in the month of Ramadan and we have groups of people who get together and they study different topics from the Koran as well," said Sheikh and Islamic Scholar, Abdussamed Abdulkader.
"People particularly the Muslim community, particularly during the fast spend a lot of time preparing and also assisting the poor and in that way they not only make food parcels to distribute but as part of the actual fast there is a tax that you have to pay and this tax goes towards feeding of the poor and it has to be paid and distributed before you reach the end of the fast," said Ali Chicktay, a board member of Radio 786, which is behind the event.
The event also reflects on the history of Islam in South Africa, which was home to about 3 million Muslims in 2013 according to the country's Muslim Judicial Council.
The expo was held at the Castle of Good Hope, a fort built in the 17th century and where slaves were held after they arrived from Asia and other parts of Africa.
"By 1657 the first Muslim had come to Cape Town, a century later there was a thriving community but they were enslaved and they were exiled, this castle that we are in is a place where the dungeons have housed a community of slaves and Muslims most of them imprisoned because they were not allowed to practice their religion, and so out of the slavery out of this exile grew this Muslim community of cape Town to integrate into the broader communities of Cape Town and fought colonialism, fought apartheid and today this community is one of the most freest communities in the Muslim world that you can find," said former South African ambassador to the United States, Ebrahim Rasool.
This year many South Africans say economic hardships has made them more cautious about spending. South Africa has been plagued by falling commodity prices, weak economic growth and a volatile political environment.
Food stall owner, Intiaz Sheik said he hopes this season brings blessings and more business. Sheik will be selling snacks to people as they break their fast with the iftar evening meal.
"As a Muslim I am preparing already, my whole family is preparing for the month of Ramadan which is a very pious month for us, it's a month for lots of baraka (blessings), we need to prepare ourselves physically ,spiritually and mentally and it's not just one person, it's the whole family," said Sheik.
Organizers of the Ramadan trade fair said they counted over 20,000 visitors. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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