This year’s Ziyara Parade will take place on Tuesday, August 25, corresponding to 12 Rabi’ al-Awwal 1448 in the Islamic calendar, with organisers preparing a series of activities from Sunday leading up to the main event.

The activities will begin on Sunday with charity visits to Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital and Chiradzulu District Hospital, where organisers will make donations across the wards as part of efforts to support people in need.

Ziyara Coordinator Padela Rahil says the charity initiative is central to this year’s celebrations and reflects the Islamic teaching of helping vulnerable members of society.

“Our religion encourages us to help the least, and that is the message we are carrying in all these activities,” said Rahil.

On Monday evening, organisers will hold a night parade involving vehicles as part of the build-up to the main Ziyara celebrations.

Between 600 and 800 vehicles are expected to take part in the parade.

Rahil says the activities will also extend beyond urban areas, with this year’s programme focusing on rural communities across 55 zones.

The activities will then culminate in the main Ziyara Parade on Tuesday, August 25.

The parade will start from Kanjedza Mosque at 8:30am before proceeding to Mpingwe Sports Club, where participants will gather for the main activities.

Meanwhile, Kanjedza Mosque Sheikh Ishmael Yusuf says the Ziyara activities are intended to reinforce the Islamic values of compassion, charity and support for people facing difficulties.

He says the celebrations should encourage Muslims and communities to look beyond the festivities and embrace the responsibility of helping those in need.

“Islam teaches us to help everyone who is facing difficulties. We should not only think about ourselves, but also support those who are going through challenges,” said Sheikh Yusuf.

The organisers have allocated K500,000 for this year’s Ziyara activities, which will run from Sunday through to the main parade on Tuesday.