VOC are well into the swing of its annual hajj season programming with a core focus this year being directed towards the theme of ‘Islamic heritage’, and highlighting that which makes the month of Thul-Hijjah such a significant one for the broader Muslim community. As such, much of the programming content during the next week will aim to fall in line with this theme. VOC programmes manager, Mishka Daries explains:

“We will have people to speak about the significance of Hajj, how Sayyidina Hajar was the start of a generation, and how the Kabbah and Makkah is the centre of our heritage and deen. We will also look at the sacrifice of prophet Ibrahim (A.S) and his son, and how they are also integral to the hajj,” she said, giving just a taste of some of the topics expected to flood the VOC airwaves over the next few weeks.

During this week, VOC presenters will deliver daily book readings from The Cape Hajj Tradition Past and Present by author Mogamat Hoosain Ebrahim as well as Notebooks from Makkah and Madina by our very own Shafiq Morton. On the Breakfast show, VOC listeners can also tune into daily haj link-ups with Faizel Patel and Shaykh Abdu Rahmaan Laily from the holy cities, in addition to Global Haj Report at 8.15am by Tasneem Adams, which brings the latest news from the Saudi Kingdom and abroad. However, the breakfast show has a different flavour with the addition of a new drama focused on one daughter’s dream to send her parents for haj, produced by Najma Bibi Noor Mahomed.

VOC will be using a very much tried and tested method that has earned favour with listeners and proven to be something of a success. However a notable change this year around will occur on the day of Arafat, with live broadcasting expected to start at 6pm this year around.

This is expected to extend the annual link ups and dedications with hujaaj, as well as provide a more extensive look at the Arafat khutbah analysis. VOC are seeking to collaborate with ITV for a live linkup on the day of Arafat.

“From a listeners perspective they really appreciate the Arafat linkups and the linkups where they are able to be in the Kingdom with hujaaj, per say,” Darries explained.

Arafat Day

10h00 – Arafat Day– significance of Haj in the Lives of Muslims – Sheikh Riad Walls

11h00 – Listeners to call in with their memories of this day

12h00 Cross to Makkah for Live khutbah

14h00 Afternoon Cruise

Arafat linkup – Sheikh Ebrahim Gabriels – Al-Anwar Haj and Umrah Group

Arafat linkup – Sheikh Abduragmaan Alexander – An Nur Haj and Umrah Group

15h30 Arafat linkup to ITV – Moulana Abduragmaan Laily

18h00 Replay of Arafat khutbah in Arabic

19h00 – 21h00 Analysis of Arafat Ghutbah with Moulana Ighsaan Hendricks and Sheigh Igsaan Taliep

21h00 Caravan – Memories of Haj and Takbir – Live in-studio

Content on Eid will also be firmly focused on dedications, while the khutbah analysis is expected to continue throughout the three days of Tashreeq.

The Eid khutbah broadcast will be taken live from the Owal masjid in Bo-Kaap on Thursday 24th. The following day the jumuah khutbah will be broadcast live from Addison Road mosque in Salt River. VOC