Auwal Mosque, First mosque in Bo-Kaap, Cape Town, South Africa
The Auwal Mosque is the first mosque in the Bo-Kaap district, located on upper Dorp Street with gray walls and traditional Islamic architectural features. The building creates a calm space within the lively neighborhood, surrounded by narrow streets and colorful houses.
The mosque was founded in 1794 during British occupation by an Indonesian leader who had been released after 13 years of imprisonment. This establishment marked an important moment in building Muslim communities at the Cape.
The mosque serves as a center for the Cape Malay community, where Arabic and Afrikaans traditions remain alive and visible. You can see how this place continues to shape the identity and customs of people living in the neighborhood today.
The mosque is located at 39 Dorp Street in the heart of the Bo-Kaap district, within walking distance of local shops and restaurants. Visitors should remember this is an active prayer space, so visits outside of prayer times work better for respectful touring.
Here the Arabic-Afrikaans language was developed, a unique blend spoken mainly within the local Muslim community. This language form is one of the rare records of this special cultural blend in southern Africa.
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