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Give a Detailed History of the Juma Mosque from 1881 Onwards, and Show How the Mosque Progressed from Being a Small Brick and Mo

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Give a Detailed History of the Juma Mosque from 1881 Onwards, and Show How the Mosque Progressed from Being a Small Brick and Mo TITLE PAGE 6UESTION: Give a detailed history of the Juma Mosque from 1881 onwards, and show how the Mosque progressed from being a small brick and mortar structure to being the largest Mosque in the Southern Hemisphere. Thematically examine the contributions, activities, and problems of the Juma Mosque together with other related issues. REGISTRATION NO. : 19159 LECTURER : LW. R. Norre11 COURSE : History I11 LOCAL HISTORY PROJECT -r-7 THE JUMA IdOSQUE PilESENTED TO THE DEPARTI'I~ENTOF HISTORY ( UNIVXRSITY OF DURBAN - WESTVIZLE ) Although a project of this nature does not warrant,a preface, one in my case is a necessity if any clarity on the subject matter is to be derived. The project has deliberately been divided into two sections, serving a dual purpose. Firstly it is convenient and gives a sense of organization to the s-tructure of the project, but more importantly it is a great help in averting any confusion which might arise. The first part chronologically lists the events in the developnent of the structure of the iiosque highlighting the various transitional phases it underwent since it's establishment in IS81 to the present existing structure. The second pkt of the project has been structured on a thematic basis. The activities of the * mosque and issues relating to it have been examined under relevant headings. The history of the mosque has been discussed under three time periods, namely, (a) from I881 onwards until 1884 during which time it was merely a Jamazt-Khanna, a term which is explained'later under it's relevant section; (b) from if384 onwards until ,1916 during which time it was called the "Grey Street Mosque Trustv; (c) and from I916 onviards when the Mosque was renamed the "Juma Nusjid (Iviosque) Trust" until I946 when the present structure was erected. I' It should be emphasised at the outset that it was a difficult task mustering information, a difficu-lty aggravated by a lack of original documents. Hence 759. of my information has been amassed through oral-testimony of which 997' was provided by Mr. A.G. Khan, the longest serving trustee of the Mosque appointed in 1950. He was recommended to me as the-authority on the subject by both the trust secretaries,"Russel, IvIarriot, and Boydu and the other trustees of the Dlosque of his long association with the Iloeque in his capacity as a trustee. The bulk of information in the second part of the project has been imparted to me by Mr. A.G. Khan. The other source of information was documents such as the Trust Deed, Deeds 09 Transfers and the Kosque Title Deed. Newspaper articles, the Archives in Pietermaritzburg and Deed's Office proved to be invaluable sources of information. However copies of documents from the Archives in Pietermaritzburg could not be made since they fell under the Deceased Estates Section, i and as such, in accordance with a ruling by the Supreme Court no part of these documents were permitted to be reproduced. Information could only be extracted from these documents which accounts for the defficiency in documentary evidence. Ey Project comprises a history of the Mosque but also provides up to date information with regard to contemporary activities of the Mosque. A number of photograhs and detailed illustrations have been inserted in order to supplement a clear understanding of the subject matter. I hereby wish to thank Mr. Deedat for initially recommending people to me who were possible avenues of information. He recommended Advocate A.B. Mahomed to me. Advocate A.B. Mahomed was instrumental in giving a clear direction by requesting to the Trust Secretaries, "Russel, Marriot, and Boydl in a letter that they assist me. hly thanks also goes to Mr. Anees Khatib who introduced me to Mr. A.G. Khan and supporting me with his invaluable assistance throughout my research. My heart-felt thanks goes to Mr. A.G. Khan who imparted his expert knowledge on the June Mosque to me, and for speaking to me at length, answering questions with patience and courtesy. My gratitude also goes to Mr. G.H. Desai who threw some light on certain' aspects of the Nosque history. L I am grateful to Mr. Sathar Khan who unhesitatingly provided me with transport whenever it was required. My sincere thanks also goes to Mr. Rahman Khan who unselfishly assisted me., ' . He never failed to respond to my call for material assistance and has been a tower of strength, support and encouragement. My thanks are due to Mr. Syed Ramjan for the invaluable aid he rendered to me. I would like to thank hlr. I.A. Gaffoor , an architect who displayed patien~e~toleranceand understanding while aiding me with the Development aspect of the Mosque. Lastly I wish to convey a sincere, heart-rendering *hanks ' to two spe cia1 people, my parents for the immeasurable financial, material, and moral support they have provided me during the course of my research. I am indebted to them forever I an indebted to them, for as a child they reared end moulded me, I am indebted to them now, for their immeasurable support and I shall always be indebted to them for the love, kindness, patience and understanding they have shown for it is only through their efforts and sacrifices that I am where I am today. Lastly I would like to thank r11r. A.R. Wookey and Mr. I. Mahomed for aiding me in the typing of my project. TABLE OF CONTENTS SUBJECT PAGE Introduction I The Origins Of Islam In South Africa 2 Aboobaker Amod Jhaveri 3 The first Jamaat Khanna in Natal 5 The Grey Street Mosque Expansion Of Mosque Property The Present Building Economic Contributions Of The Juma E~losque I9 -Kaddressa Arcade 21 The Juma Musjid Trust Government Aiaed School 22 Islamic Architecture 26 The Juma Mosque And The Zanzibaree Slaves 28 w -King's Rest Mosque 3 3 Centenary Celebrations Of Juma Mosque 36 The Juma Mosque as a Tourist Attraction 36 Charitable Activities Of The Mosque 38 Circulatory Problems Related To The Mosque 39 Future Plans For The Juma Mosque 4 3 Conclusion 45 Appendix 47 -Interview - A. G.Khan and 0.A.R.Sema 47 Source List 5 2 TIME - CHART 1 PATE HISTORICAL EVENT I667 Islam introducedinto South Africa 11863 Arrival of Aboobaker Amod Jhaveri in Natal I Arrival of "Indenturedw Indians aboard SS Truro Arrival of IIPassengeru Indians Aboobaker Amod Jhaveri buys land for Mosque First Jamaatkhanna built Grey Street Mosque built Aboobaker leaves for India on business trip Aboobaker dies of Cholera Estate of Aboobaker buys land from John Dales 1890 Hajee Mahomed buys plot from John Stanger 1893 Slavery abolished in British Empire 11903 First minaret built in first extension of Mosque . I905 Second minaret built I916 First Trust Deed drawn up 11927 Iflosque extended and minaret built in 1905 is demolished 11929 Plot transferred from Estate of Aboobaker to Juma Mosque t I943 Entire 'building demolished and rebuilt with the exception of minaret built in I903 INTRODUCTION Dedicated to the worship of the One and Only God, the Juma Musjid boasts a colourful and eventful history unsurpassed, unparalleled and unchallenged by any other mosque in the country. Hundreds of excited tourists visit the Mosque each year and the fact that it is a tourist attraction bears sufficient testimony to its greatness. Thousands flock to the city centre and pass this landmark, but few stop to enjoy and reflect on the wonderous nature of the Mosque. Only a handful of people stop and perceive the awe-inspiring magnificence of the Mosque ' s structure, its refined Islamic architecture and ecstatically watch the brilliant sun brightening up the massive edifice, its gilded minaret scintillating in the sun's brilliance. One should not be fooled into believing that the beautiful. exterior is a camouflage which belies a dull interior, for the inside of the Mosque is as attractive as the outside. The largest Mosque in the southern hemisphere, the Juma Mosque has two floors and is able to accommodate a capacity crowd of approximately 4 000 worshippers(musal1ees). The remarkable history of the Mosqhte has been matched by the ambitious aspirations of its upkeepera, the Trustees of the Mosque who have diligently worked to maintain the image of the Mosque and to enhance it activities. Hereunder 1 follows a humble effort to portray the hiotory of the Mosque, bestowing upon it the honour and the respect it deserves. 2 TED3 ORIGINS OF ISLAMIN SOUTH AFRICA Islam was introduced to South Africa with the arrival of the Cape 11 Malays in 1667. However, Muslim influence in Natal dates back to I 1I 1 the development of the sugar industry and the need for a reliable , :I supply for cheap labour. After all efforts to import'labour from 8 the West had failed, a despatch was sent from the Colonial office in Cape Town to India, and on the 16 November 1860 the first batch of nindenturedn Indians arrived aboard the S.S. Tmro - a total I of 391 l'coolies*l ,of which only four were Muslims. A total of 152 out of 184 'IindenturedM Indians immigrated to Natal between 1860 and 1911; in terms of a contract binding them to their employers for a period of five years after which time they automatically became "freen. tTreel' Indians had a number of options open to them: a) They could return to India at the expense of the government, or b) They could reindenture for a further period of five years or change employment, and co) Receive a piece of crown land of the value equal to the cost of the return passage to India.
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