FRIDAY: We have read all of your messages and comments. Jazaakallah for all the Duaas and encouraging thoughts. And, sure we will remember your requests when we reach the Holy Lands Insha Allah!
Today we are in Khartoum, the capital of Sudan. After extensive Mashwarah, we decided that the best and safest way to travel to Khartoum was by flight. So we took a three hour flight from Nairobi to Khartoum.
We got through the immigration easily, Alhamdulillah. We are now at a place called Sijaanah, a suburb in Khartoum. “Khartoum brings back many fond memories, as I studied in Khartoum.” [Ml Muhsin Saber] “I am well acquainted with Khartoum.”
Our host in Khartoum is a local Sudanese brother, Abdul Faatih. Br Faatih received us at the airport and took us to his home. It was quite an amazing experience for us today. We had the privilege of performing Jumuah at the local Masjid, which is known as ‘Zaawiyah’. Zaawiyah is better understood in our language as ‘Khaanqah’ (a place where they make Thikr). This Khaanqah is linked to the Qaadiriyyah Silsilah (Spiritual Chain).
We met with the Shiekh of the Silsilah, who entertained us with some Zamzam water and dates. He and the local Sudanese people were absolutely delighted to note that South African students are undertaking such a journey. The local people followed us everywhere.
An amazing thing we also noticed was that after the Jumuah Salaah a brother stood up and complained that he did not have any food and clothing, he was crying. The eye-catching moment for us was to see how the people responded to this poor brother’s needs. One person actually took off his Kurta/Jalabiyyah and gave it to the poor man. The generosity that we witnessed at that moment was awe-inspiring.
After the Salaah the brothers took us to their homes where we had meals together.
The process in Sudan is quite complicating, thus: Whenever a foreigner enters Sudan, then he/she must first register with the ‘Aliens Registration Office’. This must be done within three days of arrival. We hope to finish off with this process by today. If all goes well, then we will be taking a bus early tomorrow morning heading towards Port Sudan. A journey of between 14-16 hours.
The journey goes through some dessert terrain, where we will be experiencing the life of the Bedouins too, Insha Allah!
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We are now at a place called Sijaanah, a suburb in 