It’s a bright sunny day in early winter, and the historic vineyards of Constantia have shed their leaves. As the colder months take hold in the city of Cape Town, the crystalline light throws Table Mountain into sharp perspective. Look carefully and you’ll see waterfalls tumbling down the precipitous slopes that tower above the city.
“Salaam aleikum,” comes the caretaker’s greeting as I step through the archway at Islam Hill, one of the many kramats that create a "circle of saints" around South Africa’s Mother City.
Here, in this affluent suburb, the sight of a crescent moon rising above vineyards and oak forests is more than a little unusual. And yet it beckons visitors in to discover one of the unsung stories in the Cape’s cultural history.
But first, let’s wind the clock back to the mid-1600s.
The southern tip of Africa was a wild and untamed landscape. Although semi-nomadic tribes had long moved through the region, the Dutch East India Company (VOC) was only just pitching the first permanent settlement at the Cape of Good Hope. That was in 1652, when it established a refreshment station here to supply trading ships with fresh water and food on the long journey to the colony in Batavia, now the Indonesian city of Jakarta.
But their colony proved more than simply a safe harbour. As the VOC entrenched its power in Asia, the Cape became useful as a place of exile for political prisoners, unco-operative royalty and opponents of its expansion. On arrival at the Cape they were banished to untamed corners of the colony, surviving on a stipend from the VOC. When they passed away, these respected scholars and religious leaders were buried in special graves and today more than 23 kramats, also known as mazaars, have been documented and recorded across the city.
“These kramats are resting places of saints in the Muslim faith; they are tombs of holy men,” says Mahmood Limbada, chairman of the Cape Mazaar Society, a non-profit organisation formed in 1982 to maintain the kramats. “But also they are places of peaceful contemplation, for remembrance of God. We believe that because they led lives so close to God, the mercy of God is always descending in the place where they are buried. And so when you visit there and offer your prayers, you receive that mercy.”
That story springs to life at Islam Hill in Constantia, and the kramat of Sayed Mahmud, a spiritual leader from the Malaccan Empire. Glass walls mean the space is blessed too with natural light and views of the Constantiaberg Mountain. On the walls are four stone tablets, carved in English and Dutch, one of which tells Mahmud's sorry tale.
“On 24 January 1667, the ship the Polsbroek left Batavia and arrived here on 13 May 1668 with three political prisoners in chains. Malays of the West Coast of Sumatra who were banished to the Cape … they were rulers, Orang Cayen, men of wealth and influence. Two were sent to the Company’s Forest, and one to Robben Island.”
These kramats are really trans-oceanic storehouses of memory, linking Capetonians of Indonesian descent with their lost cousins on the other side of the Indian Ocean
Mogamat Kamedien,
historian for the Cape Mazaar Society
“These were the first political exiles to arrive on our shores,” says Mogamat Kamedien, historian for the Cape Mazaar Society. “Within 15 years of the founding of the colony it wasn’t only used for agriculture, but for banishment. That already set the scene for the South African struggle.”
With Mahmud, another exiled to Constantia was Sheikh Abdurahman Matebe Shah. Today his grave rests beside a stream, beneath a stand of oak trees, on the historic Klein Constantia estate. In chains with them was Sayed Abduraghman Motura, who was banished to Robben Island, the prison island infamous for holding Nelson Mandela nearly two centuries later.
The 23 kramats scattered across the Cape Peninsula and surrounding countryside range from humble graves marked only with stones and cloth, to impressive buildings topped with onion-shaped domes and dramatic views. Open from dawn to dusk, to visitors of all faiths, a friendly caretaker is usually on hand at the larger sites to welcome visitors.
Indoors they are humble spaces and largely unadorned. As I step into the kramat of Sheikh Mohamad Hassen Ghaibie Shah, buried atop Signal Hill within earshot of the city’s muezzin, the scent of incense hangs heavy in the air. A few religious inscriptions decorate the walls, while an embroidered green cloth ― the chadar, or ghilaf ― is draped across the grave as a mark of respect
It may be one of the more impressive kramats, but the most important lies about 35 kilometres beyond the city, on the sand dunes of Macassar, on False Bay.
It’s a lonely and windswept place, far from the bustle of the city. And that’s exactly what the Dutch authorities had in mind when they banished Sheikh Yusuf, a spiritual leader from Indonesia, and his 49 followers here in 1694. But when they opened their precious copies of the Quran here, it marked the foundation of South Africa’s first Muslim community.
“In exiling influential political prisoners and members of the royal court here, the VOC inadvertently became the instrument of bringing Islam to southern Africa,” Kamedien says. “These kramats are really trans-oceanic storehouses of memory, linking Capetonians of Indonesian descent with their lost cousins on the other side of the Indian Ocean.”
And far from fading into the dusty cupboard of South African history, the kramats of Cape Town remain a vibrant thread in the city’s cultural fabric.
“Whenever pilgrims from Cape Town go on Hajj, they first go to greet these kramats, taking their family and friends. It’s a living tradition,” Kamedien says. “As long as this circle of kramats is here, there will be a circle of protection for Cape Town. The kramats are broader than the Muslim community, it’s for everyone in Cape Town who recognises this sacred geography.”
Tuesday's fixtures
Kyrgyzstan v Qatar, 5.45pm
RIDE%20ON
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
UAE Tour 2020
Stage 1: The Pointe Palm Jumeirah - Dubai Silicon Oasis, 148km
Stage 2: Hatta - Hatta Dam, 168km
Stage 3: Al Qudra Cycle Track - Jebel Hafeet, 184km
Stage 4: Zabeel Park - Dubai City Walk, 173km
Stage 5: Al Ain - Jebel Hafeet, 162km
Stage 6: Al Ruwais - Al Mirfa, 158km
Stage 7: Al Maryah Island - Abu Dhabi Breakwater, 127km
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French business
France has organised a delegation of leading businesses to travel to Syria. The group was led by French shipping giant CMA CGM, which struck a 30-year contract in May with the Syrian government to develop and run Latakia port. Also present were water and waste management company Suez, defence multinational Thales, and Ellipse Group, which is currently looking into rehabilitating Syrian hospitals.
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In numbers: China in Dubai
The number of Chinese people living in Dubai: An estimated 200,000
Number of Chinese people in International City: Almost 50,000
Daily visitors to Dragon Mart in 2018/19: 120,000
Daily visitors to Dragon Mart in 2010: 20,000
Percentage increase in visitors in eight years: 500 per cent
SPEC%20SHEET%3A%20APPLE%20M3%20MACBOOK%20AIR%20(13%22)
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Muslim Council of Elders condemns terrorism on religious sites
The Muslim Council of Elders has strongly condemned the criminal attacks on religious sites in Britain.
It firmly rejected “acts of terrorism, which constitute a flagrant violation of the sanctity of houses of worship”.
“Attacking places of worship is a form of terrorism and extremism that threatens peace and stability within societies,” it said.
The council also warned against the rise of hate speech, racism, extremism and Islamophobia. It urged the international community to join efforts to promote tolerance and peaceful coexistence.
OTHER IPL BOWLING RECORDS
Best bowling figures: 6-14 – Sohail Tanvir (for Rajasthan Royals against Chennai Super Kings in 2008)
Best average: 16.36 – Andrew Tye
Best economy rate: 6.53 – Sunil Narine
Best strike-rate: 12.83 – Andrew Tye
Best strike-rate in an innings: 1.50 – Suresh Raina (for Chennai Super Kings against Rajasthan Royals in 2011)
Most runs conceded in an innings: 70 – Basil Thampi (for Sunrisers Hyderabad against Royal Challengers Bangalore in 2018)
Most hat-tricks: 3 – Amit Mishra
Most dot-balls: 1,128 – Harbhajan Singh
Most maiden overs bowled: 14 – Praveen Kumar
Most four-wicket hauls: 6 – Sunil Narine
Europe’s rearming plan
- Suspend strict budget rules to allow member countries to step up defence spending
- Create new "instrument" providing €150 billion of loans to member countries for defence investment
- Use the existing EU budget to direct more funds towards defence-related investment
- Engage the bloc's European Investment Bank to drop limits on lending to defence firms
- Create a savings and investments union to help companies access capital
Indian construction workers stranded in Ajman with unpaid dues
The specs
Engine: 1.6-litre 4-cyl turbo and dual electric motors
Power: 300hp at 6,000rpm
Torque: 520Nm at 1,500-3,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 8.0L/100km
Price: from Dh199,900
On sale: now
So what is Spicy Chickenjoy?
Just as McDonald’s has the Big Mac, Jollibee has Spicy Chickenjoy – a piece of fried chicken that’s crispy and spicy on the outside and comes with a side of spaghetti, all covered in tomato sauce and topped with sausage slices and ground beef. It sounds like a recipe that a child would come up with, but perhaps that’s the point – a flavourbomb combination of cheap comfort foods. Chickenjoy is Jollibee’s best-selling product in every country in which it has a presence.
RESULT
Aston Villa 1
Samatta (41')
Manchester City 2
Aguero (20')
Rodri (30')
Normcore explained
Something of a fashion anomaly, normcore is essentially a celebration of the unremarkable. The term was first popularised by an article in New York magazine in 2014 and has been dubbed “ugly”, “bland’ and "anti-style" by fashion writers. It’s hallmarks are comfort, a lack of pretentiousness and neutrality – it is a trend for those who would rather not stand out from the crowd. For the most part, the style is unisex, favouring loose silhouettes, thrift-shop threads, baseball caps and boyish trainers. It is important to note that normcore is not synonymous with cheapness or low quality; there are high-fashion brands, including Parisian label Vetements, that specialise in this style. Embraced by fashion-forward street-style stars around the globe, it’s uptake in the UAE has been relatively slow.
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 261hp at 5,500rpm
Torque: 405Nm at 1,750-3,500rpm
Transmission: 9-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 6.9L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh117,059
Hydrogen: Market potential
Hydrogen has an estimated $11 trillion market potential, according to Bank of America Securities and is expected to generate $2.5tn in direct revenues and $11tn of indirect infrastructure by 2050 as its production increases six-fold.
"We believe we are reaching the point of harnessing the element that comprises 90 per cent of the universe, effectively and economically,” the bank said in a recent report.
Falling costs of renewable energy and electrolysers used in green hydrogen production is one of the main catalysts for the increasingly bullish sentiment over the element.
The cost of electrolysers used in green hydrogen production has halved over the last five years and will fall to 60 to 90 per cent by the end of the decade, acceding to Haim Israel, equity strategist at Merrill Lynch. A global focus on decarbonisation and sustainability is also a big driver in its development.
The biog
Favourite books: 'Ruth Bader Ginsburg: A Life' by Jane D. Mathews and ‘The Moment of Lift’ by Melinda Gates
Favourite travel destination: Greece, a blend of ancient history and captivating nature. It always has given me a sense of joy, endless possibilities, positive energy and wonderful people that make you feel at home.
Favourite pastime: travelling and experiencing different cultures across the globe.
Favourite quote: “In the future, there will be no female leaders. There will just be leaders” - Sheryl Sandberg, COO of Facebook.
Favourite Movie: Mona Lisa Smile
Favourite Author: Kahlil Gibran
Favourite Artist: Meryl Streep
Brief scores:
Toss: Australia, chose to bat
Australia: 272-9 (50 ov)
Khawaja 100, Handscomb 52; Bhuvneshwar 3-48
India: 237 (50 ov)
Rohit 56, Bhuvneshwar 46; Zampa 3-46
Player of the Match: Usman Khawaja (Australia)
Player of the Series: Usman Khawaja (Australia)
TALE OF THE TAPE
Manny Pacquiao
Record: 59-6-2 (38 KOs)
Age: 38
Weight: 146lbs
Height: 166cm
Reach: 170cm
Jeff Horn
Record: 16-0-1 (11 KOs)
Age: 29
Weight: 146.2lbs
Height: 175cm
Reach: 173cm
The%20Genius%20of%20Their%20Age
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CRICKET%20WORLD%20CUP%20LEAGUE%202
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Company%20Profile
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