“She was so committed to the cause, not only for women but everybody who was vulnerable. She was always there (to help), and she touched so many people’s lives.” This was but one of many tributes directed towards the late social worker Nurul Minton, a community icon who passed away on Wednesday morning.

Minton was revered in her field of expertise, having been at the forefront of the Islamic Social and Welfare Association’s (ISWA) establishment in 1986. Through the NGO she sought to address the social issues that plagued the local community, from breakdowns in family relationships, to drug and alcohol abuse. In addition, under her guidance ISWA also directed much focus towards female empowerment, children’s rights, and support and guidance to Islamic reverts amongst other issues.

In her tribute of the late stalwart, social worker, Shaheeda Khan described Minton as a “pillar of strength” within the field, not only on a professional but personal level. She added that in times of need, Minton was always on call to act as a supervisor and give guidance where needed.

“May Allah be pleased with her, and to her family may Allah place sabr in their hearts,” she said.

Another social worker to have worked closely with the icon was Fouwzia Ryklief. Together the duo were integral in the establishment of ISWA, although Ryklief preferred a more background role.

Speaking after her passing, she said Minton worked tirelessly towards building ISWA into an extremely beneficially social welfare service to the community. She also described her as someone willing to go door to door in order to get people to donate towards their cause.

“She had a kind of oomph that I never had, and so she managed to keep ISWA going for many years through public funds, funds from the department and from the fundraising efforts ISWA undertook over the years,” she explained.

MJC first deputy president, Sheikh Riad Fataar described the community stalwart as an individual who worked tirelessly in the way of uplifting the local Muslim community, using her expertise to help provide social care to families and individuals in need.

His personal involvement with Minton came about when it was identified that the Lentegeur Psychiatric Hospital was in urgent need of a councillor. She was subsequently approached to take up the mantle, with the initiative yielding much success due to her contributions.

“Everything she wanted to see run professionally and Alhamdulillah she spent her efforts in that way. We spent many hours with her, with the patients at the Lentegeur Hospital, as well as their families. In actual fact her office became so busy that we had people from outside coming with issues that we had to deal with,” he highlighted.

He concluded that Minton had earned her way into the hearts of the local community, and everyone who had the fortune of gaining her help.

“A person like that we know is in the hands of Allah. Our dua is that Allah grants her Janatul Firdous, and He grants sabr, patience and perseverance in the hearts of the family, loved ones, and everyone that has been involved with Ms Minton,” he added. VOC (Mubeen Banderker)