On Sunday, 17 November, over 60 people gathered on a farm in Parys, to plant 800 pomegranate trees in the fertile red soils of the northern Free State. The initiative formed part of the fruit tree waqf campaign, where donors pledged R350 for planting fruit trees as a sadiqah jariyah (a  charity that accrues benefits after death) in the name of a loved one. 

According to Muhsin Kolia, Awqaf SA’s Deputy CEO, the day wouldn’t have been possible without the generous support of donors, who contributed towards this development, which was a means of creating a lasting source of recurring, sustainable income for Al-Hudaar.

Kolia said that planting fruit trees in a joint effort with The Al-Hudaar Foundation—consisting of a madrasah, an orphanage, and a Girls’ Islamic school—would make a valuable environmental contribution and create a lasting source of recurring, sustainable income for the foundation from the harvest.

“Pomegranate trees are more than just plants; they’re a multi-generational gift that will provide benefits for decades to come,” said Awqaf SA’s founding CEO, Zeinoul Abedien Cajee.

Kolia echoed Cajee’s sentiments that the choice of pomegranate trees was made because it signifies and identifies one of the fruits of Jannah, or heaven, mentioned in the Holy Qur’an.

“I’m grateful to be out here today”, said one volunteer, Yahya West. “[There’s] a sense of community. We come together, we plant trees together, it’s a way for us to connect and also remind ourselves of what’s important in life.”