Locating Islam in South Africa: History of Mosques and Muslim Organisations

Abstract

The historical trajectory of Islam in South Africa, particularly the evolution of mosques and affiliated Muslim organisations play a pivotal role in understanding the contemporary landscape and the nuanced role Muslim Personal Law assumes. The emergence of Islamic organisations in South Africa traces back to the seventeenth century, with the arrival of the first Muslims. Initially brought as prisoners and enslaved individuals to the Cape. These early Muslims laid the foundation for the formation of the first mosques and Muslim organisations. The androcentric culture marginalising and omitting women from the narrative of the anti-apartheid struggle highlights their confined role within the private sphere. This culture perpetuated the notion that men were the primary actors within Muslim entities. Diversity within the Muslim community, spans various cultural backgrounds, beliefs, and sects, including Sunni, Shī’a, and others. This diversity became pronounced during the proposal of a Muslim Marriage Bill in the early stages of South Africa’s democratic transition, revealing a lack of consensus across different Islamic factions. The subsequent chapters promise a detailed exploration of the contested endeavour of bringing the Bill to Parliament.