Mosques of the Bo Kaap List

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list the mosques of the Bo-Kaap and its first imams 

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Of course. The Bo-Kaap is historically the heart of Cape Town's Muslim community, established in the 18th century by formerly enslaved and free Muslims known as "Cape Malays." Its mosques are among the oldest in South Africa.

Here is a list of the primary mosques in the Bo-Kaap, along with their known first Imams or early religious leaders.

Important Note: Precise records from the 18th and early 19th centuries are sometimes sparse. The term "first Imam" can refer to the founder, the first official Imam after formal establishment, or a pioneering early leader. Dates often refer to the founding of the community or school, with the building constructed later.

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1. Auwal Mosque

· Address: 39 Dorp Street

· Established: 1794 (The oldest mosque in South Africa)

· First Imam: Imam Abdullah ibn Qadi Abdus Salam (commonly known as Tuan Guru). A prince from Tidore (Indonesia) exiled to Robben Island, he authored Quranic copies from memory and was the undisputed spiritual leader. He led prayers here from its founding until his death in 1807.

2. Palm Tree Mosque

· Address: 185 Long Street

· Established: 1788 (as a Quranic school), building erected c. 1820.

· Early Leader: Imam Abdul Rauf (Also a political exile from the East Indies). He was a companion of Tuan Guru and ran the early madrasah (Islamic school) from his home on the site. He is considered its founding teacher and spiritual guide.

3. Nurul Islam Mosque

· Address: 134 Buitengracht Street

· Established: 1844 (Originally a breakaway from the Auwal Mosque)

· First Imam: Imam Hadjie Sullaiman Shahmahomed. The mosque was founded due to leadership disputes at Auwal Mosque. Imam Shahmahomed was its first official Imam after establishment.

4. Jamia Mosque ("The Mosque of the Jumna")

· Address: 43 Church Street (corner of Long Street)

· Established: 1859 (Community), building completed 1881.

· First Imam: Imam Abdol Burns. He was the son of a Scottish immigrant who converted to Islam. He served as the first Imam of the completed mosque and was a respected figure who also managed the mosque's construction.

5. Boorhanol Islam Mosque

· Address: 112 Wale Street

· Established: 1884 (as an offshoot of the Nurul Islam Mosque)

· First Imam: Imam Ahmed Hassen Girie. The mosque was established by members of the Rodee family and their followers. Imam Girie was its first spiritual leader.

6. Shafee Mosque (Masjidush Shafee)

· Address: 94 Upper Chiappini Street

· Established: 1859 (Community), building c. 1920s.

· Founding Leader: The mosque was established by followers of the Shafi'i school of jurisprudence (madhhab), led by Hajji Abubakr Effendi. Effendi, an Ottoman scholar sent by the Sultan, was a towering figure who formalized Islamic teaching in the Cape. While not the "Imam" in the daily sense, he was the founding teacher and jurist for this community.

7. Masjidul Quds

· Address: 27 Dorp Street

· Established: 1933 (One of the "younger" mosques in the area)

· First Imam: Information on the very first Imam is less documented in public historical records compared to the older mosques. It served a growing community in the upper Bo-Kaap.

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Key Historical Context:

· Tuan Guru and Hajji Abubakr Effendi are the two most pivotal figures. Tuan Guru established the first mosque and community, while Effendi (arriving in 1862) provided formal theological structure and settled doctrinal disputes.

· Many early Imams were Cape Malay political exiles, scholars, or merchants from Indonesia and the Indian subcontinent.

· Succession was often, but not always, familial, leading to some disputes and the establishment of new mosques.

· These mosques were not just places of worship but served as community centres, schools, and courts, preserving Islamic identity under colonial rule.

This list focuses on the core historic mosques within the Bo-Kaap. The area's religious landscape is a profound testament to resilience and faith.