She may only be 15 years old, but Saabierah Ryklief has a deep yearning to perform the most sacred of journeys, the haj. Within a week, her life has changed with the news that she will get to realise this dream very soon. On Wednesday night, the teenager received two haj tickets in a special hand over ceremony at the offices of the South African National Zakah Fund (Sanzaf) in Salt River, after being named the winner of the 5 Pillars Haj quiz, run in partnership with ITV.

After not making it in last year’s quiz, Saabierah told VOC News she persevered this time around.

“My father SMSed my name and alhamdullilah, they drew my name. I studied really hard, and my mom and dad supported me by helping me revise. The last question I knew from going to madrassa. And alhamdullilah, I won,” she exclaimed.

“It came as a shock and a huge surprise. But I’m really happy that I am able to perform this journey of a lifetime.”

Saabierah, who hails from Wynberg, shared her excitement ahead of her haj, adding that she would be joined by her father as her mahram.

“I’m expecting to have a wonderful journey and feel the spirituality that comes with the haj, insha- Allah. I make dua that I be granted a haj maqbool and haj mabroor, Insha Allah.”

Players were required to register via SMS to be eligible to participate in the game show. Five participants were drawn per show. The participants were asked various questions related to the haj on ITV. Saabierah was told she had won during the filming of the final round on September 5th.

The grand prize was sponsored by Al Anwar Hajj and Umrah. The company’s director Ganief Harris and travel reservation manager Mohammad Ashraf Wafawyee were on hand to present Saabierah with her prize, which includes air tickets, accommodation and transport in the Saudi Kingdom.

“My partner Sheikh Gasant Pandy was in Saudi Arabia and got a call from ITV asking us to sponsor this programme. We firmly believe that when it comes to Islamic education, we need to support it,” said Harris.

Sanzaf’s da’wah and tarbiyyah coordinator Mualima Yasmine said the bar was raised even higher in this year’s challenge.

“Alhamdullilah, this game show is a great way to bring the family together and is exciting in creating greater awareness of the haj by means of a knowledge contest. We are only too pleased and proud that a bright, smart young woman like Saabierah has taken the prize,” she said.

Saabierah’s beaming father Mogamat Ryklief thanked the sponsors for their support.

“Saabierah is a keen learner so we put her in a full time hifz programme. She works hard and always wants to do well. We are very proud of her, alhamdullilah.” VOC