South Africa – Archaeologist and historical expert, Abeer Ahmed Zayyad, has finally graced South Africa with her presence for her educational and information tour hosted by Salaamedia. This past week she has toured the country educating South Africans on Palestine and Masjid Al-Aqsa.
Zayyad with the Salaamedia team
Zayyad touched down in South Africa at Johannesburg’s OR Tambo International Airport on 6 May at 7pm. The Salaamedia team was at the airport to extend a warm welcome to her upon her arrival.
Addressing the youth at Qurtuba Islamic Academy
On 8 May Zayyad started off her tour by visiting Qurtuba Islamic Academy in Linbro Park to educate the youth. She spoke about her life as a young person living close to the Al-Aqsa compound. The struggles she and her siblings faced and how the love for Masjid Al-Aqsa was put into her heart. Zayyad spoke hearther heart explaining to the school kids that even though they weren’t brought up in Jerusalem, Masjid Al-Aqsa was just as much theirs as it was hers to love and protect.
Abeer Zayyad and Ayesha Kajee at the meeting in Robertsham
Zayyad and Kajee speaking to those who attened after the session was over
Following that, she had her next meeting at Salaamedia’s upcoming media site in Robertsham and in Greenside. She sat alongside South African academic Ayesha Kajee, who had just returned from a group visit to Palestine. Addressing the room, Zayyad spoke about the importance of solidarity and for Muslims to visit Masjid Al-Aqsa and not letting the Israeli government scare them into not coming. She also touched on how the checkpoints stationed across the country impacted the lives of Palestinians to a great extent.
Abeer Zayyad addressing the learners
Abeer Zayyad addressing the learners
Abeer Zayyad addressing the learners
The artwork that was done and presented to Zayyad
On Wednesday, 10 May, Zayyad visited learners at Al Ghazali College & Tshwane Muslim School in Pretoria. She spoke to them about her life in Palestine and growing up in and around the Al-Aqsa compound and shared her knowledge about the third holiest site in Islam.
Abeer Zayyed at the Defend Al-Aqsa Rally at Al Ghazali College
At Al Ghazali College she spoke on the importance of protecting Masjid Al-Aqsa, the tunnels that are being dug underneath it as well as the many manuscripts that the Masjid has. Zayyad went into details about her and her team’s work in understanding the artefacts and preserving them.
Abeer Zayyed and Inayet Wadee at the Defend Al-Aqsa Rally in Baitun-noor hall in Lenasia
Zayyad attended the Defend Al-Aqsa Rally in Baitun-noor hall in Lenasia as a guest speaker. The meeting was in commemoration of the late Sheikh Khader Adnan who passed away in an Israeli prison after a hunger strike to protest the imprisonment of Palestinians without a fair trial.
Zayyad addressing the learners at Al-Falaah College
Zayyad addressing the learners at Al-Falaah College
On Friday, 12 May, Zayyad spoke to learners at Al Falaah College about Al-Nakba, the bombings that happened in Gaza and how our childhoods vastly differ from those living in Palestine. While saying this, she mentioned children in Palestine do not feel this unbearable burden. Rather they understand they are from a select group who have been chosen to defend this holy land. The men, women and children love Masjid Al-Aqsa and will continue to defend it.
Abeer Zayyad speaks to Zuleika Mansoor, principal of Crescent Girls High School in a Durban.
She then travelled to Crescent Girls High School to deliver the same message and answer the question of why the Israeli government wants to take over Masjid Al-Aqsa. They believe there was a temple built where the Dome of the Rock is 3000 years ago.
This tour is an opportunity of a lifetime to learn more about the blessed land of Al-Aqsa from a person who has dedicated her life to Masjid Al-Aqsa.
13 May – Al-Jameah Masjid, Stegman Road, Claremont
14 May – Ighwatul Islam Masjid, Cornflower Street, Bridgetown
16 May – SEM Building, Humewood Road, South End, Gqeberha
For more information email, info@salaamedia.com or contact Ponty Moletsane: 081 569 9770
