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LADYSMITH

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Ladysmith

Ladysmith, a town in Northern Natal famous for its siege in 1900 during the Anglo-Boer War, is approximately 225km from Durban. It was a busy junction for people travelling to and from the then Orange Free State and Transvaal across the Drakensberg Mountains in to Natal.

Hazrath Soofie Saheb RA travelled from Durban to Ladysmith to choose a land from where he could propagate Islam. A land was purchased by Hazrath Soofie Saheb RA in 1906 and a Musjid, Madressa and quarters for Imam were erected.

He had many mureeds in Ladysmith and amongst them was one Munshi Goolam Mia RA who was from Rander in India. He became a Mureed of this humble servant of Islam in the Chistia Silsila, on the advice of his pious old mother. After staying in the company of his Sheikh for some time, Hazrath Soofie Saheb RA conferred Khilafath on him in the Qadiria, Chistia and Habibia Silsila. He was given the customary yellow hat, yellow Khirqa and Staff from his Sheikh.

Hazrath Shah Munshi Goolam Mia RA told Hazrath Soofie Saheb RA of his intention of returning to Rander in India. However his Sheikh persuaded him to remain in Ladysmith to serve the community. The land was given in Trust to Munshi Goolam Mia RA in 1906 and was transferred accordingly. He returned to India in 1920.

The Trustees that served here were.

1906-1911 Founder, Hazrath Soofie Saheb RA

1906-1920- Hazrath Shah Munshi Goolam Mia RA

1920 to date members of the congregation

The present Imam is Moulana Abdul Aleem Akleker since January 1983. He is also the Principal of the Madressa. The Vice Principal of the Madressa is Hazrath Moulana Naseemudeen.