Sufi practices, which were brought to the country from Indonesia during colonial times, have enabled the survival of Cape Muslims. The rituals, explored in the film, Baqa, connect practitioners to the Divine, helping them to overcome trials and tribulations, providing a pathway to an inner and abstract universe. These practices, both historical and contemporary, offer insights into Islam in the Cape. Offering protection to minds and hearts from becoming weak, these rituals enable the practitioners to remain steadfast. “Throughout generations of oppression it was ritual that allowed us to connect to our past and express love for the Divine whilst also serving to allow us to live with pride and dignity against all odds,” Petersen says.

Thania Petersen is a multidisciplinary artist who uses photography, performance, and installation to address the intricacies and complexities of her identity in contemporary South Africa.

Her reference points largely lie within Islam, creating awareness of its religious, cultural, and traditional practices. She unpacks contemporary Islamophobia trends through analysis of colonialism's continuing impact and European and American imperialism.

Her work examines how Sufi practices, introduced from Indonesia during colonial rule, enabled Cape Muslim survival. These rituals connect practitioners to the divine, helping to overcome trials and tribulations while providing pathways to inner and abstract universes, offering insights into Cape Islam.