The leadership of the Muslim Judicial Council (MJC) gathered at the Jamiah Masjid on Saturday in a bid to honour religious stalwarts within the historic Islamic community in Strand, amongst them the late Sheikh Yusuf Karaan.

The event, which also doubled as a community outreach initiative, sought to recognise the efforts of those figures who had worked tirelessly to establish and develop the religion in the area.

“Amongst the icons that stand out in The Strand was Ml. Yusuf Karaan, the previous mufti of the MJC. We went there to show honour, thanks and gratitude for Ml. Karaans contributions with the MJC.

These are the people that have really done the spade work and that have sacrificed their lives and families so that we may benefit today,” said MJC first deputy president, Sheikh Riad Fataar.

The gathering was well attended by locals, amongst them the late scholar’s son, Prof. Abdus Salaam Karaan who accepted a posthumous award on behalf of his father. The award, as per Karaan’s request, was directed at the successes achieved by the Strand Muslim community, and not his own personal achievements.

Also recognised for his efforts and services rendered was Ml. Ghosain Rhoda, imam of the Jamiah Masjid.

“We thank Allah for making us part of these kinds of activities where we honour people. We went out in thanks and gratitude to those people of the Strand that have established Islam in the community, and Alghamdullilah Strand is one of those well-established Muslim communities,” declared Fataar. VOC