A group of South Africans who embarked on a tour of Al-Quds (Jerusalem) has described their visit to the sacred Al-Aqsa compound as a profound, soul-touching experience. The tour, which took place from 8 to 18 July, provided participants with a firsthand connection to the holy sites and the remarkable resilience of the Palestinian people.
Organised by tour operator Ayoob Dadabhay in partnership with Salaamedia, the tour was designed not as a holiday, but as an act of ibadah (worship) and solidarity. It aimed to bridge the spiritual distance many Muslims feel from Al-Aqsa, which, despite its significance as the first Qibla and the site of the Prophet Muhammad’s (PBUH) Night Journey, is often overlooked.
For the South African visitors, this was a chance to answer a spiritual calling. As tour participant Thaakirah Essa emotionally recounted, “This is a calling from Allah… this is an invite, and especially at a time like this, where things are so volatile, it’s an ultimate pleasure for us, and such an honour for us to be here.”
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A journey of spiritual rejuvenation
The experience of setting foot in the Al-Aqsa compound, a sprawling 144 000-square-metre complex that includes the Dome of the Rock and the Qibli Mosque, was consistently described as life-altering. Essa articulated a sentiment shared by many on the tour: “Every time I see the Golden Dome, or we put our feet on the compounds, subhanAllah, something in us is really rejuvenated, our soul awakens.”
This sentiment underscores the tour’s core purpose: a sacred revival of faith. Dadabhay, for whom this was one of many trips, noted that while pre-tour classes prepare visitors intellectually, the true impact is only felt upon arrival. “You don’t get that feeling until you come to Masjid Al-Aqsa,” he explained. “The only time it touches your soul is when you physically come here yourself.”
The journey was also a poignant encounter with the people of Palestine. Participants were deeply moved by the warmth and gratitude they received, despite the evident hardships faced by the local community. Essa observed, “Many of these families are struggling, desperate for sales in a city facing continuous hardship, and yet their faces shine with warmth, and their hearts remain full of gratitude.”
She admitted that South Africans, living in relative comfort, would likely not be able to “endure even just an inch or a grain of what the people here are experiencing and enduring.” This firsthand view of their unwavering faith and resilience left a lasting impression, reinforcing why Allah chose them as custodians of the holy land.
The tour also included visits to other significant sites, such as those in Jordan and the West Bank, where the group made a point to have lunch to support the local economy. Dadabhay emphasised the importance of these visits, urging Muslims globally to make the journey. “It’s incumbent on us to carry on bringing people to Masjid al-Aqsa,” he stated.
For the participants, the pilgrimage was a transformative experience that reshaped their outlook on life. It was a journey that went beyond tourism, becoming a profound act of faith, solidarity and personal change.
As Essa concluded, the visit inspires humility and a stronger connection to faith over worldly concerns. “Palestine awakens your soul,” she said, highlighting that the ultimate lesson was to have yaqeen (conviction) and tawakkul (trust) in Allah. This call for a sacred revival is a message they hope will inspire many more to follow in their footsteps.
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