Community service and spirituality were recently celebrated as Phoenix spiritual leader Moulana Tariq Mohamed was recognised as one of South Africa’s Unsung Heroes for his lifelong dedication to serving communities.
Moulana Tariq’s biography has been featured in the fourth edition of The SA Unsung Heroes, highlighting his journey from a 12-year-old boy answering a spiritual calling to becoming a respected community leader.
Born in Bayview, Chatsworth, Moulana Tariq said he embraced his calling at the age of 12 and shared his aspiration of becoming a Moulana with his parents.
He said: “In 1991, I travelled to Pakistan where I embraced my spiritual journey in a profound way. I landed in Pakistan as a young boy alone in a foreign country. I was studying at the Darul Ulom Amajadia in Pakistan when political unrest disrupted my studies and forced me to relocate to India. I travelled alone to the Arabic University in India called Aljamuatul Ashrafiya where I majored in Urdu.
“By 1998, I qualified as a theologian with a Bachelor’s Degree, topping the university as the best student. It was an extremely proud achievement as I had landed in India with my mother tongue being English, however I was the best student in the Urdu class.”
After returning to South Africa in 1998, Moulana Tariq became the Imam at Aleemia Musjid Academy and Madressa in Phoenix, where he continues to serve the community.
Driven by a passion for public service, he later established the People’s Freedom Party. He also serves as chairman of the Phoenix Spiritual Crime Prevention Forum (SCPF), treasurer of the SAPS eThekwini District SCPF, public relations officer of the Islamic Burial Council, and has furthered his studies in Islamic Law at the University of KwaZulu-Natal.
The compilers of The SA Unsung Heroes praised his dedication to serving others.
They said: “Moulana is a person of integrity and good standing amongst many young and old. He has made an indelible mark in many lives which is woven into the fabric of our family lives. Moulana Mohamed is an Unsung Hero who always shows up not for applause but a helping hand and a listening heart. His care and compassion for children exceeds expectations where he has committed to pledging school shoes and uniforms to indigent learners across communities in KZN. We dedicate this to individuals in society who silently moved mountains with remarkable courage and unwavering compassion.
“Greatness isn’t always loud, it is found in acts of kindness, compassion and courage. This is South Africa’s Unsung Hero, Moulana Tariq.”
