Madrassa An-Noor for the Blind

Students Profiles

	Comoros

Name	Abdousamad Muhammad
Date of Birth	12 November 1999
Comments	I am a student at Madrassa An-Noor for the Blind Noor. I am partially sighted. I attend Arthur Blaxall School in the morning. My intention is to become an educator. I would also like to follow my father’s footsteps in becoming a Qari. My father (Qari Abubakr Shamaas) is totally blind.

	Democratic Republic of Congo

Name	Hasan Kaja Musungay
Date of Birth	04 August 1984
Comments	I grew up in a Christian Catholic home. I was born without vision and struggled in my formative years. I had to spend three years at a pre school. I was then enrolled at a School for the Blind called Nuru School. My father was a Pastor in the Catholic Church and I followed his religious footsteps in being a reader of the Bible and part of the Church Choir. I lived close to a Musjid and used to hear the beautiful Azaan and wondered about the chant. I enquired from my mother regarding this. She strongly discouraged me from questioning, mentioning evil things about the Azaan. I went on to become a musician and a Radio DJ! One day, on the 15th of March 2002, whilst I was with friends in town, I heard the Azaan again and was suddenly drawn towards investigating it. This led me to embracing Islam. My Islam was met with strong objection from my parents and I was living in misery until the arrival of a Tablighi Jamaat from Mauritius. They sympathized with me and gave me details of Madrassa An-Noor for the Blind in South Africa. Finally, on the 28th of January 2005, I set foot on this blessed ground and began pursuing the Aalim Course. I beg you to make Du’aa for me so that this course and my life are led with ease.

Name	Hussain Kabengele Sekela
Date of Birth	04 August 1984
Comments	I am a revert to Islam, along with my brother. We embraced Islam at the hands of a visiting Tablighi Jamaat. Prior to this, I used to wonder about Islam after listening to the Azaan and Radio Programmes regarding Islam. Our acceptance of Islam was met with with dislike and misunderstanding from my Christian family. The most difficult period was in the month of Ramadhaan as they could not understand the Islamic Concept of Fasting. The Tablighi Jamaat arranged for us to come to South Africa to study at Madrassa An-Noor for the Blind. I need your Du’as. Please pray for me and my family. I ask Allah that my family be guided to Islam, and that He bless me and my institution, its educators and principal! (Ameen)

	Guyana

Name	Khalid Bhoodoo
Date of Birth	05 June 1967
Comments	I grew up in a Hindu-Christian environment with my parents and siblings being non Muslim. My interest in Islam began when I noticed my close friends who were Muslim. Studying them against my background, I was able to differentiate between the different religions. Thus, Truth became quite clear to me. I accepted Islam in 1994. Alhamdulillah! My parents were impressed with my choice of Deen and supported me. I completed my studies, achieving O Levels in English, Caribbean History, Integrated science and Mathematics. I, then, joined my mother in her catering business, after which I opened my own business in the same field. I had to conclude my stint in business due an illness called sickle-cell anemia. I lost my vision to this illness. I enrolled at Madrassa An-Noor for the Blind to pursue Islamic Studies. I request your Du’as!

	India

	Kenya

Name	Naeem Iqbal Osman
Date of Birth	16 February 1986
Comments	I come from a family of five with one brother and two sisters. My Islamic education was informal, home based with an Ustadh (tutor). I love reading and listening to radio as I have a passion for information and knowledge. I have a desire to learn different languages. Alhamdulillah, my achievements to date are as follows: 1993 Menengai Primary School 2001 Obtained Kenya Certificate of Primary Education 2002 joined Thika High School 2005 obtained Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education with a C 2006 Completed a computer course at the Kenya Society for the blind. 2007 worked at the Menengai Primary School as a volunteer assistant in the Braille Department and taught a Basic Computer Course I have come to Madrassa An-Noor for the Blind to obtain Islamic Knowledge so that I may be able to impart all this to others, especially those with visual impairment.

Name	Hassan Kithome Muuo
Date of Birth	12 July 1986
Comments	I became blind at the age of 8 due to physical abuse from my parents. I began living with my guardian in 1995, and it was through their efforts that I accepted Islam in 2006. I completed my Matric at the Salvation Army Thika High school for the Blind. My guardian offered to send me to Madrassa An-Noor for the Blind to further my Islamic studies and I accepted the offer. I am very pleased to be at the Madrasa and make Du’aa that I will inshallah complete my Aalim course. I request that you make Du’aa that Allah assists me and makes me successful in both worlds. Ameen

	Lesotho

Name	Abdul Rasheed (Sechaba Alexis) Mazolofo
Date of Birth	13 February 1980
Comments	I was born in a non Muslim home. I lost my eyesight at the age of 6. I was an avid listener of Radio Lesotho, particularly the Islamic Programme hosted by Dr. Khalid. In 1999, I visited Sister Zohra Khatri in Butha-Buthe. She explained the basics of Islam to me upon which I recited the Kalima. I completed my grade 19 at Lesotho Distance Teaching Centre. In 2005, after having lost my parents, I began living on my own. After a while a visiting Tablighi Jamaat came to Lesotho from Dar es Salaam. This Jamaat opened up a great door for me with the information they had about Madrassa An-Noor for the Blind in South Africa. This is how I became a student here. I request Du’as that I be successful in my endeavours.

	Malawi

Name	Juma Aufi
Date of Birth	23 January 1990
Comments	Due to an illness I become blind at the age of 14. I attended the Namanolo Islamic school where I studied Quran,Hadith etc. I heard about Madrassa An-Noor for the Blind from a visiting Tablighi Jamaat from South Africa. I enjoy being here at Madrassa An-Noor for the Blind and hope to complete my Aalim course. Kindly make Du’aa that Allah makes it easy for me to reach my goals. Ameen

	Malaysia

Name	Muhammad Haiqal Hazani bin Abdullah
Date of Birth	07 October 1986
Comments	I come from of a family of eight with 3 brothers and 2 sisters. I attended the High School Tunku Abdul Malik. I am now a proud Student of Madrassa An-Noor for the Blind. I am studying the Imaam Dawah course. I really enjoy and appreciate all that is being done to make me a better person. I thank all those involved and make Du’aa for all of them.

Name	Muhammad Asyid Abu Bakar
Date of Birth	04 October 1992
Comments	I come from a Muslim family of six, Before coming to this great institution; I was a student at Madrasa Tahfeezul Muneer Al Quran in Malaysia. I am grateful to be here at Madrassa An-Noor for the Blind and hope to be able to go back to my country and impart to my People the Deen of Allah.

Name	Muhammad Ali bin Mat Dahan
Date of Birth	07 August 1969
Comments	I come from a farming background. My family is involved in farming Rubber, Tropical Fruits and Rice. At the age of seven I was enrolled at the Princess Elizabeth School for The Blind where I learnt to read, write and count in Braille. After my primary education, I went to the St John Institution which had a special integrated syllabus where both, the sighted and visually challenged learners used to study side by side. On completion of my secular education, I started Basic Islamic Studies and Hifz at Madrassa, Kubang Bujoh. I served the institution after having qualified. This service was for a period of four and a half years. I have completed my fourth year Aalim course at Madrassa An-Noor for the Blind and I hope and pray that my studies benefit me and the entire Ummah at large.

	Pakistan

Name	Waqar Younus
Date of Birth	28 January 1987
Comments	I come from a family of six. I am the 2nd eldest. I lost my eye sight at the age of seven due to a fall. I had to take a transfer from a normal school to a school which catered for the visually impaired. I completed my matric at this school. I used to play cricket, representing this school and my province too! After school, I enrolled for a course in education, after which I taught at the school as a volunteer educator. During this time, I heard about Madrassa An-Noor for the Blind in South Africa and I changed my focus to becoming an Aalim. Alhamdulillah! My arrival here has brought me no regrets I have become proficient in Islamic Studies and computers! I have begun my course in Arabic and I intend pursuing the various subjects in the Islamic Sciences. I request your Du’as!

	Panama

Name	Abdullah Patel
Date of Birth	25 July 1993
Comments	I am blind since birth. Despite this obstacle, I had a great passion for Qur’aan. Alhamdulillah, I began memorising the Qur’aan using Qur’aanic Cassettes and I used to recite my lessons to my Ustaad. I managed to fulfil my dream of becoming a Hafiz in 7 years. I gained secular education till grade six under the tutorship of a specialist educator. I am now studying here, at Madrassa An-Noor for the Blind and hope to achieve yet another dream of becoming an Aalim.

	South Africa

Name	Abdulah (Mxolisi Sabelo) Sithole
Date of Birth	14 December 1971
Comments	I was born on a farm near Ladysmith. A typical farm boy, I had great hopes for my future, wanting to see the world. I completed my matric and did a course in Carpentry and Machining. I also did a course in computers. Unfortunately, all this had to change when, through an accident, I lost my vision. Allah guided me to Madrassa An-Noor for the Blind. The desire to teach and spread this Deen of Islam made me complete the Imaam Dawah Course. Currently, I am memorizing the Qur’aan. I wish to go back to the masses, inviting them to Allah and teaching them His Deen!

Name	Rishaad Schalkwyk
Date of Birth	09 February 1977
Comments	I was born in the beautiful seaside city of Durban, I led a normal life until the age of 18. This was the year I contracted Meningitis. Prior to this, after completing my matric, I was doing my apprenticeship in carpentry. My illness resulted in me losing my eyesight for a while. Compounding this problem, my mother was unemployed and ill as well. After a while I regained limited, partial vision. It was then that I enrolled at Madrassa An-Noor for the Blind. I request you to make Du’aa for me.

Name	Ismail (Mandla) Njeya
Date of Birth	28 November 1992
Comments	I was born and brought up in a small farming community called Ntabankulu which means Great Mountain. My education was limited until we moved to Kokstad in 2002. In 2003 I lost my eyesight. In 2005 my mother accepted Islam and began teaching me. I finally accepted Islam in 2008. Allah has opened up the way for me by guiding me to Madrassa An-Noor for the Blind.

Name	Al-Ameen Pakkies
Date of Birth	30 May 1995
Comments	I was visually impaired from birth but this was only discovered when I began attending school. I had to leave mainstream school and look for a school that catered for my needs. Thus, I came to the Arthur Blaxall School. I reverted to Islam at the age of 9. My father introduced me and my family to Islam. Thus becoming a student at Madrassa An-Noor for the Blind was a source of great joy for me as I can now go to school in the morning and Madrassa An-Noor for the Blind in the afternoon. I am lucky that the Beautiful Muslim way of life is being impressed upon me practically, as I am boarding at the Madrassa An-Noor for the Blind.

Name	Yusuf (Kwenzo) Sibisi
Date of Birth	26 October 1991
Comments	I thank Allah for his kindness to me. I was born blind and became an orphan at six. Despite these setbacks, I was taken in by Foster Parents who assisted me to cope. I now attend Arthur Blaxall School. I am currently in Grade 10. In 2007, Allah guided me to Islam through a teacher. It is my desire to do the Aalim Course after completing my schooling. Please make Du’aa for me.

Name	Raees Kuhn
Date of Birth	13 March 1996
Comments	I am a student at Madrassa An-Noor for the Blind. I attend Arthur Blaxall School in the morning and I am in Grade 6. My afternoons are dedicated to memorizing the Holy Qur’aan. I intend studying computers in order to teach and lecture. I also want to design my own software. I lost my eyesight at the age of three due to a motor car accident. I lost my father in this accident too. Please make Du’aa for me and my father.

	Thailand

	United Kingdom

Name	Abdullah (Christopher Martin) Hodgson
Date of Birth	30 September 1984
Comments	I was born in a Protestant Christian home. I attended the RNIB New College in Worcester. Thereafter I enrolled at the University of Southampton from where I graduated with a distinction in Mathematics. I became a Muslim in 2002 after having seen the Light of Islam. My entire family are still non Muslim and I ask you to make Du’aa for their guidance. I am studying the Aalim course at Madrassa An-Noor for the Blind and request you to make Du’aa that Allah makes me a means of guidance for thousands of people. Ameen

Name	Balal Husein
Date of Birth	15 June 1988
Comments	I am the youngest of four children. I have come to Madrassa An-Noor for the Blind to fulfil my desire of becoming a Hafiz of Qur’aan, despite my challenges. I request your Du’as and encouragement.

Name	Shafik Patel
Date of Birth	05 February 1993
Comments	I grew up in England and managed to accomplish a lot despite my challenges. I used to attend Exhall Grange School till grade 10. I also completed Hifz of the Qur’aan which took me nine years. I am now hoping that I be able to complete the Aalim Course as well.