Cape Town has lost another elderly alim – Imam Achmat Makki Edwards, who passed away on Tuesday night at the age of 78. The imam was fondly known as ‘Imam Makki’ as he was born in Makkah. The cleric was a member of the Muslim Judicial Council’s (MJC) Imarah, the senior organ of the ulema body, for the last 12 years. He served together with Shaykh Ebrahim Gabriels as assessor with Maulana Yusuf Karaan on the Shariah Court for two years. He was imam at Masjid al-Munowar in Concert Boulevard in Square Hill, Retreat for 18 years and was a member of the MJC for more than 40 years.

In paying tribute to the alim, former MJC Halal Trust director Imam Yaseen Harris, described him as a good friend for over 50 years.

“He was a jovial man…a man of great integrity and sincerity,” said Harris.

“Alhamdullilah, we had a good relationship. I went to visit him on Sunday and I could see he was very ill.”

Harris recalls that Imam Makki first started at the MJC as an assistant to Imam Abubakr Simon, and then become the imam of Parkwood Estate masjid. He then retired due to ill health.

“He played a very pivotal role in MJC. He was a helpful in that he was always with Imam Allie Gierdien and Shaykh Moosa Goder. He used to bring them to meetings and take them home.”

Imam Makki also developed a close friendship with the late MJC president Shaykh Nazeem Mohammed and the two travelled often into small towns in South Africa.

“Shaykh Nazeem was fond of travelling by car…even if it was long distances. So he would often ask other imams to join him. They used do da’wah and speak to ulema in other parts of the country.”

“We make dua for his family during this time. They can be proud of him…as he was a good man. May Allah (swt) grant him Jannatul Firdous, InshaAllah.”

Janazah salah will take place at the Yusufiyah masjid in Wynberg at 12.30pm on Wednesday. VOC