For the very first time, the Imamat council of Mitchells Plain has invited the masajid to come out and attend the Muslim Youth Festival for a day filled with entertainment, activities and laid-back interaction. With school holidays upon us, the event is welcome distraction for youth, many of whom are sucked into the daily reality of gang life and substance abuse.

Maulana Shafiek Nolan, a youth advisor in Mitchell’s plain, says that the event was an initiative brought forward in order to unite the community’s many Islamic youth based groups in the most exciting way possible.

“We’ve prepared a variety of sporting activities, traditional games and board games for our males and females attending the event.”

He added that there will be entertainment by various Nasheed groups as well as a designing Mendhi artist for those of the youth who are not necessarily interested in actively participating.

Despite Mitchell’s Plains large population, and the difficulty it might have brought along, they’ve taken it upon themselves to make a concerted effort in accommodating the youth with regards to transportation. They have arranged buses to escort the kids to and fro the event, ensuring that the youth will not miss out.

“We assist in whichever way we can, because our main objective is to open doors by gathering our youth and socialising with them in a more relaxed manner and environment.”

Nolan encouraged the public youth to attend. The event is free and will be taking place on Monday the 14th at Westridge Gardens from 8h00 am – 16h00 pm. VOC (Iman Davids)