South Africa’s Oldest Mosque Play Host To UK’s Royal Family

The Duke of Sussex, Prince Harry and his wife Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, continued their tour of South Africa at the Auwal Mosque, the oldest mosque in Cape Town.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex visited a 225-year-old mosque, the Auwal Mosque, on Heritage Day, a South African holiday to celebrate the nation’s culture and diversity. The couple also saw the first known manuscript of the Quran in South Africa.

Authorities say it was written down from memory by an imam while he was imprisoned on nearby Robben Island during a period when slaves were not allowed to worship Islam.

Here is a short video clip of the couple’s visit to the mosque.

 

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More from Heritage Day in Bo Kaap! In amongst the beautiful colour of the Bo Kaap houses, Shamielah Samsodian and her family also opened their doors to the Duke and Duchess, welcoming them into their home to share stories – and importantly – share their food. Happy Heritage Day! ••• Heritage Day celebrated the great diversity of cultures, beliefs and traditions that make up the rainbow nation. Bo Kaap streets filled with colour and music while Their Royal Highnesses were welcomed to one of the most vibrant neighbourhoods in Cape Town. The area has seen inter-community tension rise over the last few years, yet days like today show how faith, traditions, food and music bring people together, and celebrate the things that unite each and every one of us. The Duke and Duchess are so happy to have been invited to the festivities in Bo Kaap today, and were overwhelmed by the amazing welcome. #RoyalVisitSouthAfrica • Video ©️SussexRoyal

A post shared by The Duke and Duchess of Sussex (@sussexroyal) on Sep 24, 2019 at 11:27am PDT

The Auwal Mosque is the first, and therefore oldest, mosque in South Africa, and remains a symbol of the recognition of Islam and for the freedom of former slaves to worship as Muslims.