The Imam Haron Foundation and the Department of Cultural Affairs and Sport (DCAS) launched an exhibition as part of the 50th commemoration of the martyrdom of Imam Abdullah Haron.
The launch took place at the Dulcie September civic centre in Athlone, on Thursday September 12.
Imam Haron was a political prisoner who died while in prison, after being interrogated and tortured by the apartheid security branch in 1969. Earlier this year, the foundation embarked on the #123 Days Campaign to commemorate the life of Imam Haron, who spent 123 days in solitary confinement.
Imam Haron’s daughter, Fatima Haron-Masoed, said she has been assisting the foundation with its #123 Days Campaign.
“What stands out for me of the exhibition is the memories and the legacy my father left. We are also grateful to the provincial government, that his story is being told, not just in words, but in photographs and art as well, so that the youth can recognise who Imam Haron was. Our youth are lost with so many social ills, and we cannot separate ourselves, if we think about what the imam would have done about it. This is especially now, as our country finds itself in this grief-stricken crime. The life of my father, Imam Haron, serves as an inspiration and hope for us,” Ms Haron-Masoed said.
Her sister, Shamiela Shamis, said she is grateful to her sister and brother for all the preparation they have done.
“I live in London, and cannot be as hands-on as they are. I am amazed and thankful for all they have done. I only joined them three weeks ago, and I only saw the exhibition today for the first time. I am overwhelmed and need to take it all in. I am so grateful.”
Ms Shamis said their mother, Galiema Haron, 93, is very frail, and as a family they wish her ease.
Brent Walters, the head of department at DCAS, said the foundation approached his department in January to partner with them for the 50th commemoration.
“We had a chess tournament and a rugby tournament, as well as the declaration of Imam Haron’s grave as a heritage site. If the story promotes social inclusion, then we have to do it, and that is what Imam Haron stood for,” Mr Walters said.
He added that the exhibition is a mobile one and will be at the Claremont mosque and other museums across Cape Town.
Chairperson of the Imam Haron Foundation, Cassiem Khan, said it was important that he not only be remembered for the “big tremor and his funeral”, but also for the role he played in society.
On the day that Iman Haron was buried, September 29 1969, two days after his death, the Tulbagh earthquake occurred, measuring 6.3 on the Richter scale and the most destructive earthquake in South African history.
“He transcended barriers, and it speaks to us now – social justice. I would like to echo the view of Henriette Abrahams (a Bonteheuwel activist) when she came to speak at the Claremont mosque.
“She said we don’t need the army in our communities, we need an army of Imam Harons, as there is a need for people to work just as hard and just as much as he did to bring about social change,” Mr Khan said.