By Mohammed Arai
I thank Allah for allowing me to be able to be there for the ladies on-air as there should always be somebody with whom they can speak to. – Muallimah Shamiela Jappie
Speaking on Salaamedia’s #TributeToMuslimBroadcastersSA segment on Friday morning, Muallimah Shamiela Jappie – whom Azhar Vadi referred to as the mother of Islamic radio in South Africa – talked about her career spanning over 40 years in the upliftment of Deen, and 22 years in the radio industry.
After returning from India with her late husband, Maulana Naeem Jappie, Muallimah Jappie worked with Jamiatul Ulama, teaching new Muslims and coordinating programmes for the organisation. In 2005, Muallimah Jappie moved to the UK where she stayed for two years. Upon her return from the UK to South Africa, she has been teaching at a tutoring centre, Baaqiyaatus Saalihaat, opened by her daughter to educate the future ambassadors of Islam.
When asked about the supposable challenges which she may have faced while serving in communities such as Eldorado Park, Kliptown, and Lenasia Extension 10, Muallimah Jappie said: “Challenges are such that if you do not address them, we will never overcome them.” These are communities with high-level poverty, substance abuse, and many other social ills.
Joining Radio Islam in 1998 as the first Aalimah and one of the first female presenters, Muallimah Jappie has since been saturating the airwaves, providing masail for female listeners and addressing social issues. Muallimah Jappie joined Channel Islam International in May 2000.
The #TributeToMuslimBroadcastersSA segment on Salaamedia is an exclusive Ramadan broadcast on our platform, inspired by the late Ebrahim Gangat who was well known for his broadcasting talent.
Watch the full interview here:
