As the Muslim world prepares to celebrate one of Islam’s two holiest festivals, the religiously-resilient community of Westville will congregate in large numbers for a prescribed open-air prayer at the town’s landmark sports ground to mark the ending of the month-long Ramadan fast before ushering the feasting for Eid-ul-Fitr this weekend.
The Eid congregational prayer will take place at the Jimmy Bellows soccer complex at 5 Link Road in Westville on Saturday or Sunday – once the new moon has been sighted – and Muslims will gather in prayer from 5am onwards.The prayer marks the end to the dawn to dusk month-long fasting and abstinence of food and drinks and other activities.
The history of this prayer and celebration dates back to almost 100 years in the highway town – founded by German farmers and foreign migrants – when Muslims farmed on the rich agricultural soil and town was a trading post for farmers and merchants and watering hole for horses.
Depending on the likely sighting of the crescent moon on this Saturday or Sunday, thousands of mainly men and boys, who worship at the Westville Soofie Mosque, will assemble at the soccer complex from 5.35am for the dawn (Fajr) prayer, followed by the Eid Prayer at 6.35am and the proceedings is expected to end by 7.35am.
Across the CBD at the Westville Soofie Mosque in Jan Hofmeyr Road, worshippers will gather for prayer. An appeal has gone out to Muslims to arrange car pools or walk to the football precinct. Parking has been arranged at the Westville Country Club and the municipal pool.
Mohamed Kharwa, one of the coordinators, said: “We would like to ask for our fellow Westville residents for their understanding and patience due to the additional traffic and noise on the day of prayers.’’
Kharwa, president of Booksellers South Africa, has traced the history of Muslims in Westville and the local mosque overlooking the Westville Boys High School.
“The Habibia Soofie Astana Mosque was established in Westville around 1904 to serve the community of Muslim farmers who lived in the area. The mosque was a key waypoint for all inland-Durban travellers and watering post for their horses and also offered support for the less fortunate people.’’
“Muslims here and around the world are currently observing the Islamic month of fasting, Ramadan which will come to an end on Saturday or Sunday, depending on the new moon sighting.’’
“During this month, there has been extra emphasis placed in prayers for local and global difficulties, conflicts and calamities. We pray that the Almighty ends these trials, guides us to be better to each other, and brings peace, safety and prosperity to our Westville community, our country and the world,’’ said Kharwa.
The end-of-fast period ushers Eid-ul-Fitr, described by eminent Islamic scholars as a ‘’feast, festival and a celebration of charity’’.
Kharwa explained that during the month, Muslims would undergo a daily fast that helps them to raise consciousness, receive blessings, helps the community to empathise with the less fortunate and to become charitable in the care for neighbours, community and engage in service for humanity. Global Islamic scholar, Ken Chitwood, says Eid ul-Fitr is one of the religion’s principal festivals that are followed by Eid al-Adha in August: “Eid literally means a festival or feast in Arabic.’’
Eid ul-Fitr is also referred to as the Festival of Breaking Fast and families and friends will gather together, throughout the day, to enjoy a rich, opulent meal, at which time loved ones also often exchange gifts.
