Madressa Arqam has been a pillar of strength in our community for many years, providing the essential spiritual guidance and judgment-free environment that our children need. This institute, dedicated to bettering the lives of our community’s children and youth, is now under threat as its approval to operate as a Madressa in its current location in Kenwyn appears to be unsecured.

This should not be the case. Numerous studies show that programs like those offered by Apa Aarefah and her team at Madressa Arqam play critical roles in providing supportive and caring environments for children, often acting as protective factors against societal ills. For instance, a study published by the Journal of Youth and Adolescence found that participation in such programs can “promote a sense of purpose, self-efficacy, and positive identity formation” in children (*source: Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 2010).

Madressa Arqam provides a safe space for children, helping to build their resilience and equipping them for a better future, thus contributing to the upliftment of our communities. Many students who have attended Madressa Arqam have gone on to become ambitious, kind, empathetic, and conscientious members of society, making positive contributions to their communities. This clearly demonstrates the positive outcomes of Madressa Arqam’s programs.

Our values and vision align with those of the City of Cape Town, as we support the upliftment of communities and strive to create a better future for all. We appeal to the community to join us in motivating the City of Cape Town to approve Madressa Arqam’s application to operate as a Madressa and expedite the process as it has impacted our children’s progress and education by limiting the number of students who can attend Madressa.

Please sign this petition to support this cause and show that we, as a community, value our children’s future.