Qaanitah Hunter – Cii News – July 19, 2012

Preparations are well under way towards the Cii Qaafila coming to a town near you.

Cii’s Imraan Ismail and team will embark on this journey on the 21st July and return on the 19th August across all 9 provinces of South Africa visiting approximately 120 towns.

Qaafila is the Arabic term for a caravan that travels around the globe and according to Cii station manager, Shamsheer Khan, it is a first of its kind in South Africa.

“This is a concept that has never been attempted before, it is the very first for Islamic media, and it is a step which Cii is keen and excited to take,” Khan said.

The team is scheduled to leave Johannesburg on Saturday and team leader, Imraan Ismail, said all is in order.

“Alhamdulilah, Cii’s Qaafila is ready and waiting for Saturday!”

They are expected to traverse more than 7500 km within a period of 29 days with the sole intention of interacting with Cii listeners.

The Cii Qaafila aims at highlighting the good being done in the various towns and presenting it on air by regular link ups with the station.

According to Khan, included in the mission of the Qaafila is ‘to showcase the diversity of Muslims, cultures and communities in our beautiful South Africa’.

“If anyone wants us to see anything interesting in your town, then let us know now,” Ismail said.

He said they will be talking to different stalwarts within the communities and visiting places of interest. The team will also have Iftaar at a wide range of Masaajid across South Africa.

“Our entire team is excited to come to your town, to visit you and to spend Ramadaan with you our family,” he said.

He explained that the daily stop-overs are for the purpose of meeting the respective communities, schools and to experience the atmosphere of Ramadaan in every town that will be visited alongside with prize giveaways.

“The trip was made possible by generous and interested sponsors who eagerly supported the idea and thus assisted Cii to bring it into existence,” Ismail said.

People may follow the Qaafila online on www.ciibroadcasting.com , www.facebook.com/channelislam or @channelislam on twitter.