The Auwal Masjid is the first and oldest
mosque built in South Africa. This is evident
according to very strong oral tradition which
also confirms that Imam Abdullah Kadi
Abdus Salaam, also known as Tuan Guru,
was the first Imam at this Masjid.
The Auwal
Masjid came into existence in 1794 during
the first British occupation of the Cape of
Good Hope and was the main religious
institution during the years 1804 until 1850. It is also the first to have practiced most of
the Cape Muslim traditions.
In 1793 Tuan Guru was released from
Robben Island, having served a prison
sentence of thirteen years. When he
established his first madressah in 1793,
the property, a warehouse, was rented
by Coridon of Ceylon. He then made an
application to the Cape authorities for a
site in Cape Town for the construction of a
masjid but it was refused.
On September 26, 1794, Coridon of Ceylon
purchased two properties in Dorp Street,
Cape Town. Coridon was the first Muslim to
own properties in Cape Town. On his death,
his wife, Trijn van de Kaap, inherited the
properties, as he had willed. In 1809 Trijn
sold the properties to her daughter, Saartjie
van die Kaap. In this regard, Saartjie, a
remarkable woman, made land available
for the building of a masjid which was first
constructed in 1794 with additions in 1807.
A structural change – the construction of
a mihrab indicating the direction of the
qiblah – was made in order to convert the
warehouse into a masjid. This masjid was
established during the era of slavery, and
established its roots in a climate of social
and political prejudice.\
Here you will find a listing of almost all the musjids in South Africa. Please select a region below or use the drop down menu above.
