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Al Quds Foundation SA launches guesthouse
The al-Quds guesthouse was launched on the 19 April 2009 to the public. This beautiful and cosy guesthouse is situated adjacent to the Al-Quds Foundation SA offices in Athlone. The auspicious opening was witnessed by members of the Ulama fraternity (Muslim Judicial Council and the Al-Acsa Mission), businessmen and other community members. The special guests at the launch were members from the al-Quds Foundation Head Office in Beirut, namely Mr. Hassan Fareejah (Director of foreign relations), and his wife Mrs. Eman Barakah Fareejah (financial resources management department). He brought with him special greetings from Sheikh Yusuf Al-Qaradawi who is the head of the al-Quds International Institute/ Foundation. The launch was broadcasted live on radio VOC (Voice of the Cape). The guesthouse which was launched under the Al-Quds name will be available to guests visiting the shores of Cape Town who will be contributing to the Palestinian struggle when making use of the facilities.
The guesthouse has been designed with the latest modern decor but maintains the warm, homely atmosphere that Capetonians are so famous for. Guests who will be staying at the guesthouse will have access to the Al-Quds Foundation offices and all its information, resources and novelties. Thus, you will be able to educate yourself not only on the operations of the office but about the Palestinian struggle as well, whilst enjoying the sights of Cape Town. The guesthouse will be a means of participating in the efforts for the liberation of Palestine while enjoying its generous hospitality.
The launch was opened with a dua rendered by Sheikh Yusuf Al Boohiey, who is the head of the al-Azhar mission in Cape Town. The welcome address was done by the executive administrator of the Al-Quds Foundation, Sheikh Isgaak Taliep in which he also thanked the guests present for sharing this milestone with us. Maulana Ihsaan Hendricks, director of the Al-Quds Foundation SA, provided guests with a brief introduction and overview of the objectives of the Al-Quds Foundation SA. He conveyed that the area that the guesthouse is situated in is very historical in terms of our own struggle with apartheid. He also said that the al-Quds Foundation SA was not only opening the guesthouse but was also expressing its solidarity with the Palestinian people and their struggle.
He then gave some background to when the al-Quds Foundation office was established in Cape Town and reiterated that it is part of the al-Quds International Institute/ Foundation that has its Head Office in Beirut, Lebanon. Currently there are al-Quds offices in Gaza, Algeria, Bahrain, Yemen, Egypt, Iran and South Africa. Maulana Ihsaan also gave the guests the glad tidings that al-Quds International Institute/ Foundation offices will be opened in Kuwait and the Comoros very soon. Sheikh Ebrahim Gabriels also gave an inspiring talk on the importance of the preservation of Al-Quds and AL-AQSA mosque. The guesthouse was then officially declared open by Maulana Ihsaan Hendricks.
During the ceremony 100 balloons in the Palestinian colours of green, red and white was released as a statement of solidarity and commitment to the Palestinian struggle. The al-Quds guesthouse caters for approximately 15 people and all proceeds will be used to sustain the local projects of Al-Quds Foundation SA.
The guesthouse is but one of many projects aimed at working towards the liberation of Palestine and the message from all the speakers was clear. "Together and with all our skills, resources, wealth and energies, the city of Al-Quds will be liberated and prepared as the capital of Arab and Islamic civilization.
Click here to view the Guest house in our Gallery
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