Boorhaanol Islam Mosque, Cape Town

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Boorhaanol Islam Mosque, Cape Town

Boorhaanol Islam Mosque, Cape Town

The Boorhaanol Islam Mosque was built in 1884. It was originally known as Pilgrim Mosque and featured the first minaret in Cape Town. The minaret features a tower with a balcony. The balcony is used to call the faithful to prayer five times a day. The tall, distinctive minaret also serves as a visual reminder to the Muslim community.

The Boorhaanol Islam Mosque's original minaret was made from wood and blew down in a storm in the 1930s. The current minaret is made from concrete.

Boorhaanol Islam Mosque is the only mosque in Cape Town that has been declared a National Monument. In keeping with the rest of the Bo-Kaap district, it is painted in bright seafoam green with eye-catching white trim.

The Dutch and British occupiers were often hostile to the practice of the Muslim faith. Throughout much of the 20th century, the Muslim community was burdened by racist attitudes and laws. Since 1994, all religions are permitted to practice freely.

Besides providing a spiritual center to the Cape Malay Muslim community, the Boorhaanol Islam Mosque provides community services and programs.

Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Cape Town. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "51±¬ÁÏÍø: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.

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Boorhaanol Islam Mosque on Map

Sight Name: Boorhaanol Islam Mosque
Sight Location: Cape Town, South Africa (See walking tours in Cape Town)
Sight Type: Religious
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:

Walking Tours in Cape Town, South Africa

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Create Your Own Walk in Cape Town

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Cape Town Shopping Tour

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Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 0.4 Km or 0.2 Miles
Historical Houses Walking Tour

Historical Houses Walking Tour

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Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.8 Km or 1.7 Miles
Bo-Kaap Quarter Walking Tour

Bo-Kaap Quarter Walking Tour

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Slaves came from Malaysia, Indonesia, and other parts of Africa. Many of these slaves were Muslim, and this area...  view more

Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.0 Km or 0.6 Miles
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Portuguese explorer Bartolomeu Dias first mentioned the Cape of Storms in 1488, but it was soon renamed the Cape of Good Hope with an optimistic eye towards the trade routes it offered between Europe and the East.

In 1652, the Dutch East India Company settled a way-station here for ships traveling that route. Cape Town's natural harbor and strategic position made it the perfect location....  view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.3 Km or 1.4 Miles

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