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From Chains to Qur’an: The Cape’s First Pilgrim and My Bloodline

Born into slavery, Hadjie Gasanodien — also known as Carel Pelgrim — became the first Cape Muslim to complete the Hajj. His story, buried in fragments of memory and history, unfolds through love, loss, literacy, and legacy. This is a personal journey to reclaim a forgotten ancestor and sacred lineage.
