Muslims Celebrate Heritage Day

A special Heritage Day 24 September 2014 programme was held at the Historic Site where Shaykh Yusuf of Macassar  and his entourage were exiled in the 17th century.  Key influential community leaders addressed the community on the History, legacy and identity of Muslims in South Africa. Speakers ranged from Dr. Salie Abrahams (Awqaf SA), Dr.Anwah Nagia, Moulana Ihsaan Hendricks (MJC President) and many others.
It was important to note that today this Heritage and legacy Site is under threat and subject to a Land Claim for the Zandvliet Commonage which incorporates the historic first settlement of Muslims in South Africa.
A committee has been established to urgently intervene and object to the current land claims process that is underway so as to preserve the Historic Heritage of the Muslims in South Africa.
More on the Land Claims will be issued in further communications to the Community.

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The heritage of Muslims in South Africa is synonymous with the legacy of Sheikh Yusuf of Macassar a prince of the Indonesian Archipelago. Among the many Muslim exiles from the Dutch colonies of Java and the East Indies none is more prominent and distinguished than the esteemed Shaykh Yusuf of Makassar. AbadinTadiaTjoessoep (1626–1699), more commonly known as Shaykh Yusuf, was an Indonesian of noble descent he had a keen interest in the study of Islam and was destined to be a religious leader in his homeland.

After a long period of studying Islam and performing Hadj the Shaykh learnt that the Dutch had colonised his homeland. Shaykh Yusuf returned to take up arms against the Dutch and became a prominent freedom fighter against the occupation in his homeland.
After a valiant struggle the Shaykh Yusuf was eventually captured and imprisoned in Ceylon. Fearful of his influenced in South East Asia, the Dutch banished him to the Cape.

On 27th of June 1693 on the ship “Voetboeg”, Shaykh Yusuf, along with 49 followers including his wives and twelve children, left their beloved homeland. This distinguished entourage arrived in Cape Town and were received in the Cape on 2nd of April 1694 by Governor Simon van der Stel. The Shaykh and his entourage were sent to the farm Zandvliet, far outside of Cape Town as exiles and prisoners in a foreign land.
Shaykh Yusuf’s settlement soon became a sanctuary for other exiles and slaves and it was here that the first cohesive Islamic community in South Africa was established. From Faure the message of Islam was disseminated to the slave community of Cape Town and ultimately throughout Southern Africa. Sheikh Yusuf died at Zandvliet on 23rd of May 1699. The area surrounding Zandvliet farm was renamed Macassar in honour of Shaykh Yusuf’s place of birth. Shaykh Yusuf was buried on the hills of Faure, overlooking Macassar.

A shrine was erected over his grave and to this day Muslims from all over the world visit this Karamat to pay their respects. Shaykh Yusuf is regarded as the founder and father of Islam in South Africa and his Karamat in Faure is regarded as one of the holy places in Southern Africa. Zandvliet, Macassar became a meeting place for the slaves and the exiles of the Cape who rallied around his leadership. It is related that even though it was illegal for Muslims to hold meetings, Shaykh Yusuf conducted many religious services and did missionary work amongst the indigenous locals.

The Dutch eventually complained that the Muslims were rapidly multiplying and increasing in numbers. There is no doubt that the impact of the Shaykh on the Cape was considerable and on review it can be seen that this impact had four significant dimensions:

Firstly, by strengthening and encouraging Islam, he contributed to the rebuilding of the exile’s dignity as human beings, in a community where their slavery and exiled status virtually destroyed their dignity, their identity and their self-esteem.

Secondly, by providing and encouraging social and religious structures Shaykh Yusuf laid the foundation for the establishment of a socially responsible Muslim community that was concerned about freedom and justice and human rights and human dignity.

Thirdly, the impact of Shaykh Yusuf resulted from his missionary work. Many exiles, prisoners and slaves as well as local indigenous people were attracted to Islam resulting in the dramatic growth of the Muslim community of the Cape.

Fourthly, and importantly, the rich legacy of Shaykh Yusuf still now gives us a proud history with refined traditions and a wonderful heritage; Shaykh Yusuf gives us a past which enriches us in the present and which gives us the confidence to look to the future. This psychological impact is a crucial factor which contributed to the psychological well-being of the oppressed during the years of struggle.