To end off what has been a remarkable 20th year for VOC, staff and listeners came together for a Muharram Khatm program at the historical Auwal masjid in Bo-Kaap on Thursday. The khatam and thikr aimed to usher in the new Islamic year of 1436, concluding a week of quranic recitation conducted live on air by Cape Town’s best huffath. And while the Khatam-ul-Quran marks VOC’s 20 years of broadcasting, it also remembers the force behind the station’s success – its listeners.

“Unfortunately, we do not have the capacity to give each listener a monetary token of gratitude so we decided the best option would be to recite a ghatam for all our listeners,” said VOC programme manager Mishka Daries.

“We wish to say a huge shukran to everyone involved and most importantly, to our listeners, for the tremendous feedback.”

The thikr was led by the melodious  voice of Sheikh Ismail Londt, one of South Africa’s most well known qurrah. The intention of the khatam was not only to honour the loyal listeners and the Muslim community but to give young unknown hufaath the opportunity to recite the Quran on air.

“There are many hufaath who are young but did not have the on-air experience yet or are unknown in the community. We therefore decided to give them an opportunity to recite to our listeners. You will therefore notice the majority of the reciters are not yet household names.”

Daries said khatam was meant to inspire and uplift listeners as they embark on the new year.

“The intention of the khatam was to honour our loyal listeners, the silent and not so silent ones, those who have passed on and those who are ill. Our dua for them is that Allah grant them health, happiness, contentment and success for the new year and the years to come and grant our Muslim brothers and sisters jannah Ameen,” said Daries.

VOC received the assistance of the MJC’s Department of Quranic Affairs and Sheikh Saalim Peck was allocated to assist them with confirming their hufaath.

The full Khatam-ul-Quran can be purchased from VOC studios during office hours by contacting us on 021 442 3500. VOC