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South Africa is known as much for its natural beauty as its multi-cultural society of various religions, races and ethnicities. South Africa is a secular state with a diverse religious population. Its constitution guarantees freedom of religion. Many religions are represented in the ethnic and regional diversity of the population.
The first Muslims to arrive in South Africa were political exiles from British and Dutch colonies (South Asia, Indonesia and Malaysia) during the 17th to 19th century. Today, it is estimated roughly 2% of South African population identifies as Muslim. These are mostly people of Indian and/or Asian descent, predominantly living in the provinces of Western Cape, KwaZulu Natal and Gauteng.
Without furtherado Auchijeffblog will be ranking below the biggest mosque in south Africa from the bottom to the top.
Top 10 Largest Mosque in South Africa 2024
Houghton Jumah Masjid
This masjid was the vision of Saudi dignitaries on a visit to South Africa. They purchased the land with the intention of building a masjid that would be a means of preserving their legacy on South African ground. Although these negotiations took place in 2009 the masjid laid vacant alongside the highway and was only finally completed in 2011. With its stunning outer appearance and 38m high minarets it’s a sight to behold as one drives along the N1 highway.
The masjid is equipped with state-of-the-art facilities and a spacious female section makes it an easy and comfortable stop and goes while on a journey. The ladies’ bathrooms also include a baby change station which makes it easily accessible to mothers with little ones. During COVID-19 the masjid has generously opened its parking lot up to the public and has installed a drive-through vaccination site which is opened daily from 8 am – 4 pm. This masjid is also the true epitome of religious tolerance as it lies directly next to a Jewish synagogue.
Darus Salaam Islamic Centre
The Darus Salaam Islamic Centre in Pretoria- this masjid’s humble beginnings started in a much smaller compound and was then situated in a side street adjacent to its more current, prominent location. In 1998 the masjid was relocated to its present-day address on the corner of Corundum Street ext. Its glorious minarets can be seen from the main routes coming into Laudium – a suburb in Pretoria- and it currently houses a madrasa for the aalim and aalima programs, a Hifz class as well as a school for those wishing to divide their time between a secular and Islamic curriculum.
Within the premises of the masjid is another reputable mainstream school in Laudium.The masjid is at the epicenter of the community and with a separate ladies section, it allows for easy access for anyone opting to join the salaah or the numerous spiritual programs. An important aspect to note in South Africa is that with the exception of Taraweeh, women do not regularly frequent the masjid so as a result, the masjids tend to have very small women sections.
Another interesting fact to note is that while I may be particularly biased towards this masjid, there are almost 10 masjids within the about 30-kilometer radius of Laudium. Laudium is a predominantly Muslim area dominated by Indians.
West Street Mosque, Durban
The west street mosque is a nice place to visit in addition it is very clean and organized. The decoration in and outside the mosque are very unique. There are five prayer times a day (times differ depending on the season) and the muezzin’s call from the mosque tower invites believers to prayer. Muslim men from Nigeria, Malawi, Senegal, Congo, Kenya, Sudan, Egypt and Morocco meet at the mosque that plays a central role in their lives, particularly as most of them live or work in Albert Park, just around the corner.
Visitors will appreciate the design and architecture of this mosque that serves as an oasis in the downtown bustle of Durban. Mosque guides are there to show you around.
Note: parking can be an issue, although there are parkades close by. Expect crowds and be aware that it is not always safe in this part of town.
Soofie Mosque, Ladysmith
The Soofie Mosque would have originally been built between the time of Hazrath Soofie Saheb’s arrival and his death in 1910. Built in 1969 the graceful Soofie Mosque is regarded as one of the finest in the country. Its fine filigree stonework, scalloped archways, proud turrets and distinctive minarets – architectural features of Islamic mosques that look like tall spires – makes it visually appealing and sought after by photographers.
It was then taken on during the sixties by master builder Jamaloodeen, who saw it as his personal mission to renovate the mosque as a tribute to the revered creator of the structure.The resplendent building, now far larger than when initially built, was both created and renovated without a drawing – it was said that Jamaloodeen simply sketched daily drawings in the sand outside the mosque.One of the most prominent aspects of the original structure to remain untouched in the building is the mihrab, a semi-circular niche in the wall of the mosque that indicates the direction of the Kaaba in Mecca, and the direction Muslims face when praying.
Juma Mosque, Durban
The Juma Mosque of Durban is a mosque located in Durban, Kwazulu-Natal in South Africa. Also known as the Grey Street Mosque, it represents a spiritual center for Durban’s Muslims.In August 1881, a site was bought by Aboobaker Amod Jhaveri and Hajee Mohamed in Grey Street (now known as Dr. Yusuf Dadoo Street) from K. Munsamy for £115 for the construction of a mosque. A tiny brick and mortar structure which stood on the site was converted into the mosque.Further extensions and alterations were made to the mosque in 1943.
Today the mosque building is a large plastered structure which features a mixture of various styles. A bridge extends from the neighbouring girls’ school to the roof of the mosque. The flat roof, which is used for prayer during festivals is used as a playground during school days as the school is not equipped with one.
The style of the mosque is essentially geometrical. The windows and inter-leading doors and the arched doorways all stress this geometrical design. It’s gilt-domed minarets protrude above the bustling commercial area, but inside the marbled worship hall is peaceful and boasts a simple elegance.
Auwal Mosque, Cape town
Although not as striking as its counterparts around the country, it would be remiss not to mention the Auwal Mosque because it is, after all, the oldest mosque in South Africa. The olive-walled masjid (mosque) is beautiful in its simplicity. Situated on Dorp Street in the historical suburb of the Bo-Kaap.
The Auwal Mosque was built in 1794 by Abdullah Kadi Abdus Salaam, known as Tuan Guru, to cater for the growing population of Muslims at the early Cape. The land on which it was built belonged to the freed slave, Coridon van Ceylon, who graciously gifted the land to Tuan Guru.
Tuan had been a political prisoner for 13 years on Robben Island before being appointed Imam at the Auwal Mosque. While in prison, he wrote the entire Qur’an from memory, which can be seen on display at the mosque. Today the Auwal Mosque is a symbol of the struggle of Cape Muslims for the recognition of Islam and their freedom to worship.
Nizamiye Mosque, Johannesburg
It is a nice place to visit. Very clean and organized. The decoration in and outside the mosque are very unique. There are some shops around the mosque in the same compound. There is a barber shop, restaurant, pizza and clothes shop.You can as well visit these places. It also has nice view in the evenings. They do change the color of the lights in some days.
With its four 180-foot minarets and a main dome rising more than 100 feet, the Nizamiye Mosque stands as a beautiful example of Turkish architecture adapted for its place in South Africa. Said to be rhe largest mosque anywhere in the Southern Hemisphere, it is well worth seeing on a visit to Midrand.
Nizamiye Masjid, often called the Nizamiye Mosque, is a mosque situated in the city of Midrand, City of Johannesburg Metropolitan Municipality, South Africa. It is often stated to be the biggest mosque in the Southern Hemisphere, occupying less than two-thirds of a hectare in a 10 hectares of land.
Conclusion
According to our research this are the top 10 biggest mosque in south Africa as at the time this article was written. Do you have any addition or questions drop it on the comment section.
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