Its been almost three decades since Sheikh Shamiel Panday took up the role as Imam at Masjidul Taqwa in Port Elizabeth. Now after a lifetime at the helm of one of P.E’s most influential Mosques, Sheikh Panday is stepping down.

During his time as Imam, he has had many expeditions, but some of the highlights will always be the family gatherings he attended.

“In Malay communities specifically, you know the Imam is everything of a family, when a child is born, the Imam needs to be there, he needs to give the name. If there is any function, a marriage, a khutba, an engagement, you know a proposal, the Imam forms part of that always,” explained Sheikh Panday.

Even during times of Umrah and Hajj, the Imam would be present for the arrival and the send-off of the Hujaaj, and Panday explains that those are just some of the vivid memories he keeps close. While counselling couples, and helping them communicate was also a huge part if the legacy he leaves behind.

“What played a big role in my life as Imam was lots and lots and lots of marriage counselling and the challenges that comes within marriages. In the early 90’s we had an increase in drug use within the community, so yes we had a very, very busy time as Imam of Masjidul Taqwa,” said Sheikh Panday.

Panday paid tribute to many of those who supported him throughout his journey, the Imams and Sheikhs of his time, but most notably he pays tribute his mother, his wife and the children he left at home most nights while he served a community he had come to love.

“They had to sacrifice the presence of a father in the home most nights of the week, there was always something to do, be it marriage counselling or whatever it was, most nights of the week I was always out,” said Sheikh Panday.

Sheikh studied in Madinah 1981-84 and completed Sha’batu Ta’leemul Arabieya and Thanawieyah. The Sheikh also served as Amir-al-Hajj for many years, after forming part of the establishment of the Hajj Committee in 1984.

“The Hajj committee made a condition to any agent who wanted business in Port Elizabeth, the bulk of the Hujaaj will book with that particular agent but you need along with you one poor person and an Amir of Hajj, and I was that Amir of Hajj for many years regardless of who the agent was,” said Panday.

In 1994 Sheikh Jamiel Jardien rahimahullah, who had mentored Sheikh Panday at the onset of his Islamic education, encouraged Sheikh to enrol at Al Azhar University in Cairo for an Imaamat course which he successfully completed. One year later, after the death of Sheikh Jamiel he hesitantly accepted the Imaamat of Masjid Taqwa in Gelvandale. He has served as Imaam since 1995 until now.

Sheikh has also done a great deal of humanitarian work during his tenure, he is passionate about Palestine and has made three trips to the enclave in 2000, 2005 and 2006. He is also a member of the Al Quds Foundation and the United Ulama Council of SA. Over the years he has also been involved in a number of Masajid building projects.