Ramadaan is about caring and sharing and that is exactly what Nakhlistan stands for.
In 1984, Shukoor Mowzer and 2 friends realized that in the Athlone area where they were living, some of their community members did not have food for Eid Celebrations and this is how Nakhlistan was born. 2 pots of food were cooked with donations from family and friends. Two years ago Shukoor Mowzer passed on, however, his legacy continues through Nakhlistan!
Today, 41 years later, Nakhlistan will cook not 181 but 183 x 130lt pots of Aknie to feed over 90 000 of the less fortunate in the Western Cape, on the day of Eidul Fitr. That is why the name Nakhlistan was chosen. It is a Persian word which means ‘oasis and sustenance’.
Nakhlistan pioneered the cooking of these huge pots of food on a wood fire and is so pleased to see how other organizations are following suit.
Nakhlistan is Muslim based and caters for all the needy in the Western Cape, no matter which religious or cultural background.
Muslims are obliged to pay alms to the needy and during the month of Ramadaan, when Muslim’s Fast from before sunrise to after sunset, Nakhlistan is that vehicle to distribute these alms via Food Parcels and cooking big pots of Aknie, an aromatic meat, potatoes and rice dish.
Hundreds of people come to witness this cooking phenomenon, the night before Eidul Fitr. This year the moon will be sighted either on Tuesday 9th April or Wednesday 10th April 2024. As soon as the moon is sighted, all activities at the Callies Rugby Field in Noll Avenue, Rylands Estate, shifts into gear because Eid is the next day.
The ingredients include: 4 tons of meat, 3 tons of rice, 3 tons of potatoes, 2 tons of onions, various spices and 60 000 pieces of wood, as we cook on wood fires. 200 volunteers assist with the cooking of the food.
The smell of the burning wood, the steam and aroma from the huge pots, are a sight to behold. Join Nakhlistan when we do a FBLive broadcast when we start to cook.
Nakhlistan Ramadaan and Eid Cooking distribution areas include: KalbasKraal, Danoon Mosque, Khayelitsha, Hanover Park, Newfields, Bonteheuwel, Manenberg, Valhalla Park, Kensington, Factreton, Garden Village, Kriefgat, Sherwood Park, Macassar, Ocean View, Vrygrond, St. Montague Village Cafda, Masiphumelela, Lavender Hill, Sea Winds, Hill View, Blackheath, Sarepta, Blue Downs, Belhar, Delft, Blikkiesdorp, Mandalay, Hout Bay, Clarkes Estate, Elsies Rivier, Ruyterwacht, Old Ages Homes in WC, Kewtown, Athlone, Mowbray, Uitsig, Chatsworth in Malmesbury, Bishop Lavis West, Phillipi, Heideveld, Capricorn, Crossroads, Langa, Gugulethu, Nyanga, Caledon, Grabouw, Touwsrivier, Pollsmoor and Goodwood Correctional. We also provided Boland Prisons with dry ingedients for Eid food.
Nakhlistan says Shukran, Thank You, Tramakassie, Dankie and Nkosi to our loyal community, donors, sponsors, businesses and volunteers for their constant support over the past 41 years.
Nakhlistan is operational throughout the year. Continue to support generously.
Sponsor a pot of Aknie for R4 000.00.
Drop off your donations at 45 Murton Road, Rylands Estate. Call Rashida Mowzer on 021 633 4016 | 083 231 9279, or email info@nakhlistan.org.za , follow us on FB or log onto www.nakhlistan.org.za
Banking Details:
ABSA Bank | Nakhlistan | Branch Name: Athlone | Branch Code: 632005 | Acc No. 630 484 6845
Ref: Full Name (Zakaah |Fitra etc)
For interviews contact Nakhlistan PRO |Fatima Allie | 082 066 3353
