The day began at around 2:00pm, with the young prep and grade 1 children reading the Surah-tul-Fatiha, the first surah of the qur’an. That was then followed by Ya Nabi Salam Alayka.

As the day progressed the performances kept coming, we had Samih Mohammed Ibrahim and Hala Hamdi Khalil perform Adiyay, a duet. That was then followed by Xawaf around a kaba’ constructed earlier that morning. The children dressed up in their ihram and made ‘Xawaf’ yelling out ‘Labbayk Allahuma Labbayk’.

It was then time for two graduates who have reach halfway of the Qur’an Anwar Abdulwasi Ahmad and Muaz Samir Yusuf, to have their Kaf Ha Ya maxabaq. They read 10 ayahs of Surah Al-Maryam and it broke it into Dawanabi. Family all came in and started to do dabal, this went on for about a good 30 mins. Once that was done it was a photo opportunity for the community with the new graduates of 2011.

Once that was complete it was time to eat lunch. Food was put on the table and a line was formed. Everybody ate until they couldn’t eat no more. It was a very traditional meal.

Then the men decided to do some dabal, the all famous Bal-Arra! came out for a short appearance and the day ended with the mothers of the community singing some cultural songs.

The event attracted not only the hararian community but also other non-hararian members also took part in the festivities. All in all it was a joyous occasion which will be forever etched into our memories.