If humility and pacific were a person, then it would have to be our Muezzin Sheikh Ali at the Mohadin Masjid Ansarul Islam in Potchefstroom. An extremely welcoming person, who has given his life to selflessly, with a smile to serve our community – for my entire life as I have known him for that long. I am now 36 and he has served us equally as long.

He is such an honourable man who believes in being truthful and doing the right thing — and tries to live up to those high principles – which are mostly overlooked by others but he continues to do so whether appreciated or not.

He possesses qualities of integrity, ethical conduct, and moral values. He has always been highly respected and revered by us to which he exhibits a keen sense of ethical behaviour. Unfortunately some people do take others for granted and is not always recognized for who he stands to be in our society regardless of his prominent social standing.

If you grew up in Mohadin and had to leave for a while to another city or country and return home, hearing his voice was the trademark that welcomed you home. It reminds us so much of our childhood and has a strong element in my willingness to wanting to head out to the masjid to pray.

His resounding voice is so embed in my memory that every time I hear the Adhaan, anywhere I have been in the world, a gentle flicker lights up to remind me of him. We grew up in a community where the adhaan is heard out loud 5 times a day, so you can only but imagine what a part he is of all of us, to which everyone can attest to.

When he was tested positive for Covid – we realised the positive impact he not only played in our community of Mohadin, but those that neighboured us as well. He was unable to give the adhaan and people who used his voice (Non-Muslims) as an alarm to get up for school or work got worried and showed up in numbers to pour their love.

And I strongly believe that having showed him that love, for an elderly man like him, the opportunity to go on Umrah will serve as a sadaqa jariya for everyone and a great opportunity for us to show our appreciation.

His demeanour is a strong reminder of community for us as he stands as a beacon of light and a pillar of unity. We can truly not imagine life without him.

It would be a beautiful thing to honour him with this trip of a lifetime which serves as a feather in a cap and giving someone their flowers while they are alive. In a million ways, he deserves it.