History behind city’s mosques recorded in brochure

THE beauty and history of Durban’s iconic mosques has been captured in a brochure to be launched this week, coinciding with the start of the Islamic holy month of Ramadaan.

Ten thousand brochures featuring 29 mosques have been printed and will be distributed in the coming week.

The project is a joint effort between Architects Collaborative, the Islamic Forum, Islamic Centre Trust, Al-qalam and the Phansi Ubuntu Art Museum.

The brochure was compiled by veteran journalist Farook Khan and architect Adheema Davis, who collaborated on the project and researched the history of the places of worship.

Yusuf Patel of Architects Collaborative, the initiator of the project, said the aim was to give the people of Durban insight into the city’s mosques.

“This brochure covers 29 of the more than 75 mosques in the Durban area and gives some background about these places of worship. Hopefully, this list can be expanded to include all the remaining mosques in a later edition,” said Patel.

He said with the increase of immigrant Muslims in South Africa, the demographics of Islam in the city were changing.

“Worshippers at some of the mosques confirm this trend. Mosques, like churches, temples and other religious buildings have become important landmarks in the city as they reflect the cultural and religious diversity of which the city is made.

“Getting to know one’s history and to get other communities to share in it is what this brochure strives to achieve.”

Patel said that there were distinct categories of mosques to be found in Durban. These included three historic city mosques. They are the Grey Street mosque (Juma Masjid) built in 1880, West Street Mosque, built in 1885, and the May Street Mosque which was created at the turn of the century.

Last year, a historic church in Samora Machel (Aliwal) Street in central Durban, was converted into a mosque, making it the fourth in the city.

The legendary Soofie Saheb established seven mosques in the area with his base at Riverside, with others erected over time at Kenville, Alpine Road, Gleanearn Road, Newlands, 45th Cutting and Westville.

Communities around some of the mosques were uprooted during the apartheid years as a result of the Group Areas Act, but the mosques remained active largely due to their strong community connections.

“Architecture is the cornerstone of each of these places of worship, which are examples of the works of craftsmen from the West as well as from the East.

“However, at each venue – in Grey, West, May and Samora Machel streets – the African beat in the hearts of men and women who for more than a century and a half drew their spiritual sustenance, has been captured,” said Khan.

He said the shapes of the buildings, all of which face East in the direction of Mecca in Saudi Arabia, has enabled draughtsman, artisans, artists, painters and decorators from a host of backgrounds to create unique spaces.

Paul Mikula of the Phansi Ubuntu Art Museum said the city of Durban was fortunate to have a mix of cultural and religious icons which give diversity and energy to the city.

“The recording of these iconic buildings fit in with the mission of the museum to promote and celebrate our rich cultural history,” said Mikula.

The brochure will be distributed at most mosques in Durban.

For a copy, email info@ islamicforum.org.za. It will also feature on its website islamicforum@org.za and al-qalam. co.za