Auwal Masjid — Attraction in Cape Town Ward 77

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.

The Auwal Masjid, which is situated in Dorp Street, has always been a symbol of the struggle of Cape Muslims for the recognition of Islam and their freedom to worship. The mosque was built on land belonging to the freed slave Coridon van Ceylon.

In 1793 Tuan Guru was released from Robben Island, having served a prison sentence of thirteen years. When he established his first madrasah in 1793, the property, a warehouse, was rented by Coridon of Ceylon, the freed slave of Salie van de Kaap. 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. An open-air Jumu ‘ah Saldh Friday congregational prayers] was then held in a disused quarry in Chiappini Street in Cape Town. Tuan Guru, also known as Imam Abdullah, led the Cape Muslims in the Salah.

On September 26, 1794, a Vryezwarten [Free Black Muslim], Coridon of Ceylon by name, 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 [niche] 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.

According to Achmat van Bengalen the construction of the Auwal Masjid was made possible through General Craig who, for the first time, permitted Muslims to pray in public in the Cape Colony. The Auwal Masjid, situated in Dorp Street, Cape Town, became the first to be established and is still functioning as the noble founders had intended. It became a centre of Muslim communal activity, regulating and patterning their social and religious life.

The second site [adjacent to Auwal Masjid] is presently occupied by the family of the late imam of Auwal Masjid, Imam Gasant Achmat Gamja [Hasan Ahmad Hamzah, a descendant of Corridon of Ceylon.Prior to the construction of the “Saartjie’s Masjid”, the construction of masajid [sing masjid] and open freedom of worship were strictly prohibited in the Cape. The only “Kerk” [Church] permitted in the Colony was that of the Dutch Reformed Church. It was only in 1936 that extensive renovations were made to the Auwal Masjid.

The first imam of Auwal Mosque.. IMAM ‘ABDULLAH IBN KADI [QADRI] ABDUS SALAAM, known as Tuan Guru, the son of a qadi, born in 1712, was a Prince from Tidore in the Ternate Islands [of Indonesia].

He traces his geneology to the Sultan of Morocco and his ancestry to that of the holy Prophet Muhammad [salla Allahu’alayhi wa sallam]. He was brought to the Cape on April 06, 1780 as a “state prisoner” along with Callie Abdol Rauf, Badroedin [Badr al-DinJ and Noro Iman [Nur al-Iman]; they were incarcerated on Robben Island. Their registration in the “Bandieten Rollen” for 1780 reveals that they conspired politically with the English in the East against the Dutch.

While imprisoned on Robben Island, Imam ‘Abdullah [Tuan Guru], being a hafiz al-Qur’an, wrote several copies of the holy Qur’an from memory. He also authored Ma’rifatul Islami...

I had the privilege of visiting Awal Masjid in Boo Kap, and I must say it was an incredibly awe-inspiring experience. From the moment I stepped foot inside the mosque, I was captivated by the atmosphere and the rich historical significance that surrounded me.

One of the highlights of my visit was meeting the imam of Awal Masjid; shikh Ismael. His warm welcome and extensive knowledge about the mosque's history added an extra layer of depth to my experience. As we engaged in conversation, he passionately shared insights about the origins of the mosque and its significance within the local community. Learning about the struggles and triumphs that shaped the establishment of Awal Masjid left me with a profound appreciation for the perseverance and dedication of those involved.

Moreover, one remarkable aspect of Awal Masjid is its possession of the first handwritten Quran in South Africa. This invaluable treasure holds immense historical and cultural importance, reflecting the dedication and craftsmanship of those who meticulously transcribed the holy text.

In conclusion, The rich history, spiritual ambiance, and welcoming community at Awal Masjid made it a truly exceptional place of worship. I would highly recommend anyone visiting the area to explore this remarkable mosque and immerse themselves in its profound beauty...

First House of Allah in Cape Town, a beautiful historical mosque. I gave 1 star to get the attention of the committee of Masjid. Allah's house should always be open for people, not only jama'ah time. What about a Musafir or Nasi who has to pray after "your Jama'ah" time, where should he/she go to pray if you close doors of your historical mosque. You getting money of ummah to run this mosque, so please at least keep it open for Muslims who want to pray. All your excuses of poor people entering in your campus and vandalising "your property" is rubbish. Just remember this Ayah, ومن أظلم ممن منع مساجد الله أن يذكر فيها اسمه.

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