From Nizamuddin to Ziguinchor
On the morning of 23rd February, around 10:00 AM, our Jamaat departed from Ziguinchor with a mix of emotions, accompanied by the esteemed Moulana Dawood Sahab at the markaz. Our hearts were heavy, whispering silently, “We do not wish to leave you, dear khuddam of Ziguinchor, so soon—but we are bound by the laws of Almighty Allah and guided by the instructions of Markaz Nizamuddin. We cannot disobey, even in difficult moments.” The way you served, loved, supported, helped, and cared for us was truly extraordinary. Thank you for this immense gesture of love.
Our dawah journey in Ziguinchor began on the 7th of January. We made sincere efforts to engage the people of Ziguinchor towards righteousness and piety, and to support them in promoting dawah based on values of unity, sincerity, and the teachings of the Sahabah (RA). Our companions worked tirelessly, conducting gatherings ( Joad) with the khuddam from time to time, encouraging them to stand firm on the work of dawah, as they are blessed with strong foundational principles and practices of Islam.
We shared global karguzari (performance) from the Markaz in Nizamuddin, which drew attention to the worldwide efforts being made to send jamaats to every corner of the globe to confront social evils and address rising conversion trends. Our connect among students emphasized the importance of faith at the educational level and helped them plan their futures under the guidance of dawah and the legacy of the Sahabah (RA).
The jamaat also delivered several lectures on global dawah efforts and the importance of promoting unity, righteousness, and brotherhood among Muslims around the world.
We are deeply grateful to khuddam like Moulana Dawood Sahab, Abdullah Sani, Abdullah Mani, Mohammad Jalo, Abubaker, Hussain, Abdur Rahman Babagesi, Atab Usman Bokomo, and Usman Sar. Their timely support enabled us to conduct individual meetings (mualaqats), door-to-door engagements, and various types of tours (gasht) —including khasoosi, amoomi, taskheeli, and wasooli—all with the purpose of bringing the reality of dawah into people’s lives.
During our ta’leemi gasht, Educational Tour, we strived to gather people in the masjids for the five daily prayers and to involve them in aamali dawah. Through tameeri masjid initiatives, we encouraged the general public to connect more deeply with the masjids. I recall in Kenya, we would gather 300 to 400 individuals—including students—daily, discussing iman and the global dawati system.
Moulana Dawood Sahab, a deeply dedicated and active companion in dawah, devoted much of his time to our mualaqats and utilized the jamaat efficiently. Other khuddam, too, sacrificed greatly to support our mission. Abdullah Sani in particular offered extensive help by serving as our translator, assisting in mualaqats at universities, colleges, and schools.
At the time of our departure, we boarded the ship around 12 PM, which set sail at 1 PM. The journey across the Atlantic Ocean stirred deep reflections among our comrades, reminding us of the historical journey of Hazrat Asma bint Umais (RA). Each companion was absorbed in thoughts of that profound migration over 1400 years ago. In a famous dialogue, Hazrat Asma bint Umais (RA) reminded Hazrat Umar (RA) that their hijrah was more trying—they lost their way in the ocean, journeyed from Yemen to Habasha (Ethiopia), and were deprived of basic necessities, while Hazrat Umar’s group had traveled directly to Madinah with the Prophet (SAW).
Our ship’s voyage through Africa’s Atlantic coast evoked the memory of those same sacrifices and tested the resolve that once defined that darkest chapter of history.
On ship our colleagues involved in dawah (inviting others to Islamic values) was a unique opportunity to build bridges and foster a sense of community among crew members from diverse backgrounds.
Under the guidance of Ameer Sahab, Mohammad Lateef Shah, all companions, especially Mohammad Waris, Hilal Ahmad, Aabid Hussain, Ashiq Hussain and Abdullah, demonstrated every kind of dawati gesture and activity, some of them are:
- Lead by example: Demonstrated Islamic values in daily interactions, such as kindness, honesty, and respect.
- Shared knowledge: Organized informal discussions or shared sessions about Islam, its principles, and its practices.
- Cultural exchange: Encouraged colleagues to share their own cultural and religious practices, and learnt from theirs.
- Common ground: Found commonalities and shared values between Islam and other faiths or beliefs.
- Respect boundaries: Remained mindful of individual differences and boundaries, focused on building relationships rather than proselytising.
Some potential and obligatory dawah activities conducted on a ship:
1.Hosted muzakara (discussion)
- Organized prayer sessions or Quran recitations
- Shared literature and resources
- Discussed social issues
There is a fascinating story when Mohammad Waris interacted with the Italian couple. It is a great example of dawah in action. By sharing his knowledge and perspectives on Islam, he was able to:
- Break down stereotypes and remove misconceptions about Islam
- Showcase the peaceful and inclusive nature of the religion
- Build bridges between cultures and faiths
The fact that the couple was impressed by Mohammad Waris's discussion and endorsed Islam as a peaceful religion highlights the power of respectful dialogue and open communication.
It's also interesting that the couple's world exploration on bicycles brought them together with Mohammad Waris, demonstrating that shared experiences and adventures can be a great starting point for meaningful and purposeful dawah mission.
Finally, our time in Ziguinchor was deeply rewarding. We express heartfelt gratitude to all the khuddam for their love, assistance, and unwavering support throughout our tashkeel. May Allah bless them with continuous sustenance, countless blessings, and the best of His bounties.
Ameen.
Dr. Sheikh Arshid Ahmad, Ziguinchor, Senegal
