The Circle of the Saints: Stories of the Kramats at the Cape by Shafiq Morton

By Shafiq Morton In “The Circle of the Saints”, a book about the Cape Kramats, historian and author Shafiq Morton maps the spiritual landscape of South Africa through the lives of the awliyāʾ (saints) who shaped Cape Muslim history. The book explores the idea of the “Circle of Islam” – a symbolic and spiritual perimeter formed by sacred shrines, or kramats, stretching from Robben Island to Constantia. These sites stand as living markers of faith, resilience, and moral continuity forged during periods of colonial exile and hardship. Drawing on archival research, oral traditions, and historical narrative, Morton brings to life figures such as Tuan Guru, showing how their spiritual authority helped establish a moral geography that continues to influence contemporary discussions around heritage, identity, and belonging in South Africa today. This book is both a historical study and a reflection on the enduring spiritual presence of the Cape’s saints.