Renowned author and storyteller Aziz Hassim recently took a walk through the Queen Street-Berea Station precinct, stopping to bow his head, clasp his palms, and make the sign of the cross. This eclectic display of faith was a reminder that even in trying times, there is a deep sense of spirituality that unites people across cultures and traditions. Hassim's award-winning books have long explored the complexities of history and heritage in South Africa.
A tour of Durban's holy sites with Hassim revealed a kaleidoscope of faiths, from the imposing Emmanuel Cathedral to the Juma Masjid and Badsha Peer. The group also paid their respects at Professor Fatima Meer's grave at the Brook Street Cemetery, where a small community of long-departed Parsis rested behind a locked gate. This diversity of faith was a powerful reminder of the shared human experience that underlies different spiritual traditions.
Hassim's stories of old Durban were a testament to the power of faith to bring people together. Even in adulthood, the author was able to learn from Hassim that there is more that unites us than divides us. For Hassim, faith is a source of comfort and strength, one that has guided him throughout his life and informed his writing.
The author's own faith is rooted in the village goddesses of the Dravidian country in southern India, a heritage that stretches back millennia. As a child, they were taught to worship the earth, its rivers and mountains, as well as the birds in the sky, the animals in the bush, and the fish under the ocean. This early exposure to the natural world and its spiritual significance has stayed with the author to this day.
The unity of faith is annually demonstrated by the Chinese community in Penang, Malaysia, as they join Hindus in observing Kavady. Similarly, in South Africa, Heritage Day is marked on Thursday, a celebration of the country's diverse cultural heritage. However, a pall hangs over the nation as violent crime targeting women dominates the headlines, highlighting the need for faith leaders to play an active role in healing and reconciliation.
Prayer has a powerful impact on the inner being, and for many, it is a source of comfort and strength in times of need. During the Hindu holy month of Puratassi, the author keeps a month-long fast and reflection, focusing on personal purification of mind and body, as well as the healing of the nation. This period of introspection and devotion is a reminder of the importance of faith in everyday life.
From the 837 steps to the 8th-century shrine of Lord Muruga at Maruthamalai in Coimbatore, India, to the Camino de Santiago in northwest Spain, pilgrimages are a powerful expression of faith and devotion. In South Africa, over 100,000 people undertake a three-day walk, barefoot, up to Nhlangakazi, the holy mountain of the Shembe. These journeys are a testament to the enduring power of faith to bring people together and transform lives.
Key points
- The diversity of faith in South Africa is a source of strength and unity in a world filled with division and strife.
