SA pilgrims face Hajj uncertainty

IN A BID to support local small businesses and create jobs as part of a Covid-19 economic recovery initiative, the Made in Chatsworth market launches today.

If you looking to snack on the traditional vada, dosas, dhal rotis or athirsam, or just looking for books, antiques and beauty products, then you are bound to find it at the market, open from 9am to 3pm at the Depot Road Memorial Primary School in Bayview, Chatsworth.

Kiru Naidoo, one of the organisers, said the idea was to have a place where people could sell locally produced items.

The name of the market inspired by Naidoo’s book

During lockdown the group’s social media pages were a platform for home industries to advertise themselves and earn a modest income.

“This market will enable people to come together. There are families who have lost their jobs and have not had an income for more than a year due to the pandemic. This market gives people an opportunity to rebuild their lives.

“We expecting the market to be buzzing and a fun place. We will ensure all protocols are observed,” said Naidoo.

One such couple at the market will be Driantha and Sachin Naicker, who’ll be preparing their smoked cuisine, which they sell at their business, Up in Smoke in Umhlatuzana, Chatsworth.

Driantha said one night she and was her husband discussed different business ideas.

“Then lockdown happened. As a graphic artist and fashion designer my job was at stake and I was not in a happy space. We then decided to open this business.

“We both enjoyed food and flavours. I was in the kitchen with my granny growing up which is where my inspiration came from. We both had no formal training, this is all based on pure passion. Food is fuelled by passion.”

The market organisers have suggested to vendors to prepare heritage foods like dosas, dhal rotis and athirsam, saying those recipes were being forgotten.

Naidoo said they encouraged people to produce and manufacture themselves to get the economy moving again.

“The samoosa making, vadas and amagwinya sent children to school and put food on the table. Let’s again get that spirit of self-sufficiency to energise our economy,” said Naidoo.

Yogs Moodley, Depot Road Memorial Primary principal, said the school governing body had passed a resolution to partner in setting up the weekly market and support the community wherever it is able.

The school last year commemorated the anniversary of the first Indian indentured workers by planting 160 banana trees as a living monument.

“Our school community is rich in diversity and we are at the heart of the community. It is fitting that our latest project gets off the ground during Worker’s Month,” said Moodley.

UNCERTAINTY prevails whether South African Muslims will be allowed to perform the Hajj pilgrimage.

This after the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia announced last Sunday that Hajj will be held this year following health and safety requirements.

Hajj will be held in a manner that preserves the health and safety of pilgrims, in line with the health, security and regulatory controls and standards, so that pilgrims can perform their rituals in a safe environment, Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Hajj and Umrah said in a statement.

Last year, to curb the spread of Covid-19 in Saudi Arabia, only 10 000 pilgrims, 70% being foreign residents of Saudi Arabia and the rest being Saudi nationals, were allowed to attend Hajj. For the first time in decades, international travellers had been barred.

The holy sites in the cities of Mecca and Medina normally host more than two million people during the pilgrimage.

Hajj is an annual Islamic pilgrimage to Mecca, Saudi Arabia, the holiest city for Muslims.

The South African Hajj and Umrah Council (Sahuc) said they were hopeful that South Africans too would be able to participate in Hajj, which will take place in July.

Last month, Saudi Arabia’s ministry of Hajj and Umrah announced that only pilgrims and worshippers from within the Saudi borders, who had been vaccinated against Covid-19, would be allowed into the Grand Mosque in Mecca to perform Umrah, which took place during Ramadaan.

Shaheen Essop, president of Sahuc, said they have not received any official information regarding the special and specific requirements.

“South Africa sits on the banned list. We just want to make sure South Africa is lifted from there before we get everyone’s hopes up. India’s increasing numbers and the fact that South Africa has not rolled out vaccines are all factors that could heavily impact on the process,” said Essop.

He said they did not know if there would be an age restriction.

“We have no accredited tour operators and no accreditation for pilgrims. We also don’t know how many people would be allowed,” said Essop.

He said while Saudi may agree, the next question would be: are airlines going to come to South Africa?

Ismail Olla, deputy secretary general and PRO of the South African Muslim Travel Association, said they received a lot of enquiries from people who want to perform Hajj and those who wanted to perform Umrah.

“At this stage there is uncertainty on specific requirements. Vaccinations in South Africa have not rolled out which is one of the requirements. We are still on Saudi Arabia's red list along with 19 other countries.

“People are definitely ready to go and we are eager to get back into business. Hajj is just two and half months away. Usually when Hajj season ends we begin planning for the next pilgrimage,” said Olla.