After 41 years of feeding the needy, Muslim-based non-profit organisation, Nakhlistan, continues to provide sustenance to poverty-stricken communities throughout the Western Cape. Founded in 1984 by three compassionate friends who celebrated Eid-ul-Fitr with hungry neighbours and two small pots of food, Nakhlistan’s mission became clear on that fateful day, many moons ago. This year, the Muslim-based organisation fed over 90,000 people with 183 x 130-litre pots of Aknie, cooked by fire on a sprawling rugby field.

As devout believers bid farewell to the month of Ramadaan, we chat with Nakhlistan Public Relations Officer, Fatima Allie, about the organisation’s growth and the unwavering support of the local community. Join the conversation.

What is Nakhlistan, and what inspired its founders to start it?

Nakhlistan is an NPO that was started in 1984, by three friends who realised that their neighbours who were celebrating *Eid-ul-Fitr, had nothing to eat. With two small pots of food, they helped feed their neighbours on that auspicious day.

Shukoor Mowzer was one of the three friends who started Nakhlistan, and was the driving force in getting Nakhlistan to where it is today. Sadly, he passed on two years ago, but his legacy lives on through Nakhlistan. Shukoor’s imaam (spiritual leader) told him that the best service to humanity is feeding the needy. This stayed with him, and Nakhlistan was born.

*Muslims fast for either 29 or 30 days during the month of Ramadaan. The sighting of the moon marks the end of Ramadaan and the start of Eid-ul-Fitr. On this special day, friends, family and community members gather to celebrate with delicious food.

How have Nakhlistan’s founding principles supported its mission?

Nakhlistan is a Persian word that means ‘oasis’. Just like an oasis provides sustenance in the desert, Nakhlistan provides sustenance to the needy in the Western Cape.

This year marks Nakhlistan’s 41st anniversary. Did you ever imagine that it would evolve into what it is today?

Rashidah Mowzer, the wife of Shukoor Mowzer is now heading the organisation. She recalls meeting Shukoor and learning about the organisation; throughout their marriage, Nakhlistan was part and parcel of their lives, with their children and the community.

Rashidah says that never in Shukoor’s wildest dreams did he ever think that Nakhlistan would grow into the NPO that it has. It is through the mercy of our Creator and sheer word of mouth that Nakhlistan grew and blossomed in a time before smartphones and social media. Today, Nakhlistan is a household name in the local community.

Nakhlistan started as an Eid feeding scheme, but transformed into a year-round operation. Can you tell us more about this?

Over the past 41 years, Nakhlistan has built a relationship with community-based organisations and feeding schemes. We also work hand in hand with the Mustadafin Foundation; Nakhlistan cooks food on their behalf and the Mustadafin Foundation distributes to their existing distribution areas, including most Western Cape townships.

The Nakhlistan Eid-ul Fitr Feeding Scheme is the flagship activity of Nakhlistan. The cooking of 183 x 130-litre pots of aknie on the eve of Eid-ul Fitr or ‘Labarang’, as we call it in Cape Town, is a sight to behold. During the month of Muharram, the first month on the Islamic calendar, we cook and distribute food to areas in need. Nakhlistan also cooks during the month of Moulood – the birthday month of Prophet Muhammad.

Beyond this, Nakhlistan has operational soup kitchens throughout the year in various areas, which include Hanover Park, Bonteheuwel, Valhalla Park and Belgravia Vlei. Nakhlistan relies on donors, and once they come on board, we are able to service other soup kitchens in Manenberg, Delft, Eastridge, Beacon Valley, Tafelsig, Bo-Kaap, Woodstock, Ocean View, Malmesbury, Atlantis, Faure and Macassar, to name only a few.

Is there a particular dish Nakhlistan makes every Eid?

Nakhlistan cooks a dish called ‘aknie’. This is a fragrant rice, meat and potato dish that is best served warm. Only quality ingredients (spices, potatoes, onions and meat) are used to cook the food (by wood fire), adding to its flavour.

How did it come to be that you chose to cook at night at the Callies Rugby Grounds, given the large portions?

The Callies Rugby Field is in our neighbourhood, and due to the good relationship Nakhlistan has with the board of management, they were happy to assist. We cook at night, so that we can feed the needy as early as possible on the day of Eid-ul Fitr.

The COVID pandemic hit everyone, and Nakhlistan had to strategise accordingly. During our cooking process, we had to implement social distancing and cook in 2 shifts. 2024 was the first time in 4 years that we could cook all pots at the same time.

Running an organisation is a monumental undertaking. How does Nakhlistan raise enough funds to keep operations going?

Nakhlistan is not state-funded. We have seen how other feeding schemes have big sponsors that dictate to them, and Nakhlistan does not want this. The community, local businesses and sponsors are loyal to Nakhlistan. We can only do projects once we receive funds from our community. For now, this is working for us, as our main fundraising activity takes place during the month of Ramadaan.

Muslims have to pay alms to the poor called ‘Zakaah’, as well as Fitra, which every fasting Muslim must pay before the day of Eid-ul Fitr. This is how Nakhlistan raises funds, which sustains us until the next Ramadaan.

How many volunteers do you currently have?

This year, 200 volunteers assisted with the cooking. We also have a good relationship with the Greenhaven Crime Watch and lean on them when we need more volunteers.

How can people get involved and engage with the organisation?

While we get numerous requests for assistance, we are only able to provide a service based on funds collected. Nakhlistan provides soup greens, soup mix, meaty bones, bread and polony to our soup kitchens, so we don’t prepare any food on our premises. The volunteers are placed at the various soup kitchens. We engage with the community through our website and social media platforms.

Do you collaborate with any other local establishments?

There is no competition when it comes to humanitarian work – we all work together. Besides the Mustadafin Foundation, Africa Muslims Agency and Awqaaf Foundation SA, we also work with mosques and orphanages on various projects in different areas.

Over the past 41 years, Nakhlistan has accumulated 144 x 130-litre pots. The Mustadafin Foundation kindly lends Nakhlistan their 39 pots. Nakhlistan then cooks the food, and the Mustadafin Foundation distributes the food on behalf of Nakhlistan. This is the arrangement we have for the Eid-ul Fitr Cooking.

How long have you worked with the organisation, and what’s been the highlight of your involvement with Nakhlistan?

I was a presenter at a community radio station for 10 years, and when I left in 2005, Nakhlistan was the organisation I adopted. I was asked to become the public relations officer and I have been ever since.

There are so many moments that come to mind, but there is one that stands out… it was the month of Ramadaan when a gentleman walked in, wet from the rain. He said he walked and took a taxi from Retreat to get there, after he and his neighbours managed to raise money for a pot of food to feed the needy. He had a look of gratitude on his face because he and his neighbours could help the community. I realised it isn’t what you give that matters, it is how you give what you give that does! This memory always stays with me.

Favourite part about Ramadaan?

Everything about Ramadaan is beautiful. Being able to fast, stand in prayer at night, feed the needy, and assist – albeit answering a call or smiling at a person. It is sad to bid farewell to Ramadaan, but knowing that over 90,000 of the needy could enjoy a warm plate of aknie on the day of Eid-ul Fitr makes my soul smile.

Looking forward, what are some of Nakhlistan’s goals?

Nakhlistan aims to secure its own property, with fully operational kitchens for our community to come and cook in. We hope to build sustainable vegetable gardens to improve food security within our community. Nakhlistan would also like to have its own washing facility for the deceased, that will be part of the organisation’s burial service. The core activity of Nakhlistan is feeding, the second is our burial service.

We have engaged with many individuals who have used Nakhlistan as their inspiration to start their own feeding schemes and we would guide them accordingly. Currently, we are working on two initiatives – as soon they are operational, we will notify our community.

If people want to donate, how can they do so?

Donors can log onto our website and pay via our Payfast Portal by pressing the ‘Donate Now’ button. Nakhlistan cooks 183 x 130-litre pots of aknie; the community can sponsor a pot at R 4000 or part thereof. The areas have already been allocated, so they will just be sponsoring the pot and not allocate that pot to a needy area [of their choosing].

Every bit helps. To sponsor a pot of food, make a donation here. 

For enquiries, please contact Rashid Mowzer at 021 633 4016, or visit the website and social media links below for community updates.  

nakhlistan.org.za | Facebook | Instagram