Dr Abeer Zayyad, a Jerusalem-based archaeologist and humanitarian, is currently touring South Africa to provide a firsthand account of the realities on the ground in Palestine.
The #AlAqsaAwareness2025 tour, organised by Salaamedia, aims to educate South Africans about the ongoing challenges faced by Palestinians and the fight to preserve their cultural heritage.
The tour coordinator, Mariam Mia, described Dr Zayyad as an “amazing, passionate sister” for whom the “love for Al-Aqsa, the passion to defend and protect Al-Aqsa runs deep, deep in her veins.”
The tour, which has already visited Cape Town and Port Elizabeth, includes a series of interactive events designed to foster direct conversation. Dr Zayyad’s visit is seen as a crucial opportunity for South Africans to connect with the human stories behind the headlines.
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An evening of conversation in Johannesburg
A key event on the tour is a “meet and greet” session scheduled for this evening, Monday, 8 September 2025, at the South African National Museum of Military History in Saxonwold, Johannesburg. The event is designed to be an intimate Q&A session rather than a formal lecture.
Attendees are encouraged to ask about a wide range of topics, including conditions in Jerusalem post-7 October, the illegal annexation of land, and the daily life of Palestinians.
The tour seeks to connect the situation in Jerusalem to the wider conflict. Mia framed the ongoing violence as part of a larger plan, stating, “The end game… is to build Solomon’s Temple on the site of Masjid Aqsa. So all the atrocities and the horrendous atrocities, the genocide in Gaza is part of the larger plan of the end game, securing Al-Aqsa.”
Dr Zayyad’s ability to travel was made possible through meticulous planning. She holds a Jerusalem resident card but travels on a Jordanian passport to avoid potential restrictions from Israeli authorities.
The tour will continue to several other towns after Johannesburg, including Lenasia, Newcastle, and Nelspruit, with the goal of ensuring Dr Zayyad’s message will “travel far and wide.” The visit is intended to empower communities with knowledge and a deeper understanding of the Palestinian struggle.
Event details:
Date: Monday, 8 September 2025
Time: 18:45 to 20:30
Venue: South African National Museum of Military History, 22 Erlswold Way, Saxonwold, Johannesburg
Cost: Free
Booking: Via Quicket
