A WORTHY FAMILY TRADITION
March 20, 2007 05:02 PM EDT
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My sixteen-year old nephew, Muhammad Uzayr Coe, has recently completed his memorization of the Quran, Islam’s Holy Book. It has taken him just under six years. Our family is very proud of his achievement, this being one of our family traditions. My family has been in South Africa for almost as long as this country exists. We trace our roots to Tuan Guru, who was banished to the Cape of Good Hope in the 1600”s. Tuan Guru means: “Mister Teacher” He had opposed the Dutch Colonial Rulers of his country, the present Indonesia. He was captured and brought to the Cape in chains. He was imprisoned on Robben Island for 17 years. While in prison, he wrote a copy of the Quran from memory. It is believed that this written copy contains exactly one mistake! My family has donated this copy to the South African National History Museum, along with some other artifacts. Tuan Guru was freed during the first British occupation of the Cape in 1795. He opted to stay on at the Cape, although the British had offered to repatriate him to Indonesia. He proceeded to open the first school in Cape Town, for the children of slaves. He also established the oldest mosque in Cape Town, which is also the oldest mosque in South Africa. From Tuan Guru descended a long line of Imams or clergy. My family has always been involved in teaching, whether secular or religious. Today, I too am a teacher, along with three of my sisters.
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Comments: 3
Hugs to Muhammad for his achievement.
A big accomplishment for a 16 year old.
Cheers Muhammad!!