Grassy Park resident Hajji Faried Galant recently celebrated his 40th anniversary as Matouf (spiritual guide) serving the pilgrims to Mecca on their journey to hajj or umrah.
“Hajj and umrah are a sacred journey of a lifetime where pilgrims travel to Saudi Arabia to undertake one of the five pillars of Islam, which must be done at least once in a lifetime if personal circumstances permit.
“Millions of people make their way each year, they celebrate the feast of Al-Adha, or what the Cape refers to as Labarang Ghajji and visit the area’s many historical sites during their stay,” said Fatima Galant Abrahams author of Imam Haron’s Bilal and chief producer of The Cape Malay Jawwap and also the niece of Mr Galant.
For 40 years, a former Claremont resident, Hajji Faried Galant, has served the “honourable guests of Allah (pilgrims)”
“We take a minute to honour the special place that he has earned in the hearts of many and we are excited to celebrate with him,” said Ms Abrahams.
Mr Galant, alongside his many brothers and only sister were also students of Imam Abdullah Haron, at Al-Jaamiah Mosque, in Stegman Road, Claremont before the forced removals under the Group Areas Act.
On May 28 1969 Imam Haron was arrested by the Notorious National Security Branch for his resistance to injustice and after being incarcerated for 123 days without charge and in isolation he was brutally tortured and killed in September of that year.
Mr Galant recalled that: “After the Imam’s kiefaait (funeral), there was an earthquake, for this was a great man whose light still shines bright today. The inquest into the death of Imam is currently under way after 53 years and I hope we get to see justice.”
“The Imam was very fond of the boys, for what they could do with their voices.” said Ms Abrahams.
“Bilal is the Malay term for the call to prayer (athaan) and in Arabic, the person doing the rendition is known as the Mu’athin.”
Mr Galant’s parents, the late Achmat (Aggies) and Gadija Galant also had a good influence on his life, as had his two older cousins Ebrahim Daivds, fondly remembered as “Sep” and his brother, Saaliem Davids.
“Ek voel ma baie ge-eer. (I feel very honoured),” said Mr Galant. “The inspiration and stories around Makka (Mecca) go as far back as a little boy, when the Imam was first appointed and he would inspire us to embark on the special journey.
“We were often used as models, in class, to demonstrate things like how to donn (dress) the ighraam (clothing) or to ghusl (wash) the mayyit (corpose). It was taught with such love that I knew then that this was my calling and that I need to teach it to others,” said Mr Galant.
Ms Abrahams said there had been many “heart wrenching as well as joyful accounts to reflect on” of the people who had been guided to hajj by Mr Galant.
“My uncle, Faried, has been doing selfless service for as long as I can remember. What an exceptional role model and we wish to congratulate him on this milestone. As a child, his impact has significantly contributed and led to our intention to perform hajj in 2019,” said Ms Abrahams.
Ms Abrahams said that Mr Galant was flooded with warm wishes and he said “I am grateful to everyone who has been a part of my journey.”
