Halim Gençoğlu (left) writes that Shaykh Serag (right) was not just a friend to him but also a learned mentor who guided him through Arabic-Afrikaans manuscripts for many years. Picture: Ottoman Heritage Trust/X
Recently, we lost a dear friend, Shaykh Serag Johaar, of the Nur’ul Islam Mosque in Bo-Kaap.
Shaykh Serag was not just a friend to me but also a learned mentor who guided me through Arabic-Afrikaans manuscripts for many years.
I could not hold back my tears. It was because of his humble companionship that I chose to attend Nur’ul Islam Mosque and listen to his enlightening sermons every Friday.
On September 17, 1950, in the holy city of Makkah, a soul destined to touch the lives of countless individuals came into the world.
Shaykh Serag Makki Johaar, the eldest of nine children, was named after the esteemed Sayed Serag Wali and given the middle name “Makki” as a lasting tribute to the sacred city of his birth.
From his early years in the Bo-Kaap neighbourhood of Cape Town, Shaykh Serag’s love for Islam and the Qur’an began to grow, laying the foundation for a life dedicated to faith, knowledge and community service.
As a boy, Shaykh Serag demonstrated an exceptional dedication to his faith, memorising the Holy Qur’an under the guidance of the renowned Shaykh Muhammad Salih Abadi Solomons.
At just 16, he led the Tarawih prayers at the Habibia Soofie Masjid, gracefully reciting the entire Qur’an from memory.
The achievement left a lasting impression on everyone present, including some of Cape Town’s most respected Islamic scholars, such as Imam Abdul Kariem Kagee al-Chishti and Imam Abdullatief “Babu” Purkar al-Qadiri al-Chishti.
Shaykh Serag’s quest for knowledge led him back to Makkah, his birthplace, and to the Indo-Pak subcontinent, where he immersed himself in Islamic studies.
Upon returning to Cape Town, as the imam of the Nur’ul Islam Masjid, he wholeheartedly devoted himself to teaching the Qur’an and guiding generations of Muslims, consistently embodying the humility and wisdom of a true servant of Allah.
Yet, Shaykh Serag was not only a scholar of great depth; he was also a man of immense compassion. His gentle spirit, warmth and sincerity touched everyone who crossed his path.
He was not only a mentor and guide but also a source of comfort during times of need. His ability to connect with people, regardless of their background, made him not just a scholar but a beloved father figure to his community.
Shaykh Serag’s legacy is deeply interwoven with the fabric of Cape Town’s Muslim community.
His teachings have shaped the spiritual journeys of many, and his kindness has left an enduring mark on all who were fortunate enough to know him. Though his passing leaves an irreplaceable void, the light he brought into the world continues to shine through the lives he touched.
As we remember Shaykh Serag Makki Johaar, we celebrate a life dedicated to faith, love and service to others. His legacy lives on, not just in history, but in the hearts of all who continue to walk the path he illuminated.
May Allah grant Shaykh Serag the highest rank in Jannatul Firdaus, and may his legacy inspire us all to live with purpose, compassion and steadfast faith.
* Halim Gençoğlu is a historian with PhD from UCT and is a post-doctoral fellow at Wits University.
** The views expressed here are not necessarily those of Independent Media.
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