A Moulana with a mission
As an Islamic religious leader, Moulana Abbas Ali (66) serves the community of Springs with high spiritual values.
A Moulana is a religious advisor who serves the community.
He has been carrying this title for the past 42 years with an immense responsibility.
“I regard this position as a moral duty,” he says.
His task is multi-faceted and puts him on 24-hour standby in his community.
The duties he fulfils range from leading prayer services to performing birth, death and marriage rituals.
Along with his responsibilities as a Moulana, he teaches Quranic sciences at the Springs Muslim School and assists with the running of the school.
He is also the Ameer, the commander in chief at the school, and liaises with the principal and school board on various matters.
Teaching and being a guidance councillor at the school brings him great joy as he has always been passionate about education.
Every Friday he talks to the children about subjects such as drugs or the pureness of the mind, to motivate them.
His late father Zuber Ali was also a Moulana, and coming from a traditional family, Abbas knew he would follow in his father’s footsteps.
At the age of eight he became a Hafiz after memorising the 30 chapters of the Arabic Quran.
After completing high school, he studied further to become a Moulana.
He studied at an Islamic institution in Midrand for four years, followed by another three years in India.
After his graduation, Abbas returned to South Africa.
Sometimes he leads the Friday prayers at mosque.
His position as Moulana also takes him to different mosques once a month, where he leads prayers.
There are several junior Moulanas who serve under him.
Abbas is a humble man and an avid reader with strong beliefs and moral values.
