Cape Town, South Africa

Gatesville Mosque

A house of worship with an open door for everyone.

Today’s Salaah TimesOur Story

Mosque photograph: Cape Times / IOL report.

Welcome

Gatesville Mosque, also known as Masjidul Quds, is associated with an “open door” approach and community engagement. Please confirm award details and wording with the mosque before publication.

History of Gatesville

Gatesville is a suburb of Cape Town’s Cape Flats, home to a long-established and diverse community. Cape Town’s Muslim story goes back centuries: the Auwal Masjid, built in Dorp Street, Bo-Kaap, in 1794, was the first mosque in South Africa, and Tuan Guru is remembered for founding it.

For a complete local history, add dates and community stories confirmed by local archives or community elders.

History of the Mosque

Gatesville Mosque was established roughly three decades before 2019. It became internationally recognised for its “open door” policy, which allows the mosque to be accessible to the widest possible range of people. Dr AW Barday, one of the founder trustees, is credited as the architect of that policy.

The mosque has hosted scholars of different faiths, along with Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu, former Justice Minister Dullah Omar and Human Rights Commission chair Reverend Chris Nissen.

Recognition

2019: “South Africa’s Most Inclusive Mosque,” Radio Islam Masjid Awards. The mosque was a finalist in six categories.

Masjidul Quds

The mosque’s formal name is Masjidul Quds, though everyone knows it as the Gatesville Mosque. Its story begins in the late 1980s, when the Muslim community of Gatesville saw the need for a larger mosque for a growing population. Since then it has been expanded and renovated several times to fit its congregation, although by 2019 plans for further expansion had been held up by rezoning complications.

A busy house of worship

Around 6,000 worshippers traditionally fill the mosque during Ramadaan, with hundreds more praying in the parking area and courtyard each night. The mosque regularly hosts visiting scholars and speakers, and in 2023 welcomed Dr Naledi Pandor, then Minister of International Relations and Cooperation. It is also known for interfaith dialogue and community outreach. Sheikh Fuad Isaacs has served as its imam, and Sataar Parker as board chairperson and spokesperson.

Editorial note: confirm dates, names, award details and historical claims with the mosque committee and original sources before publishing this page as an official history.

The Prophets

The Qur’an names twenty-five prophets and messengers. Peace be upon them all.

Watch the series

All the Prophets

Short summaries only. For the full detailed history, a qualified scholar of the mosque should review and expand each entry.

Photos & Videos

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Videos & Audio

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Salaah Times, Cape Town

The countdown updates every second. Prayer times are refreshed online when available; calculated times may differ from the official MJC timetable and mosque iqamah. Please confirm with the official live MJC timetable ↗.