According to a written statement made by TIKA, it was built in the mid-19th century and was granted cultural heritage status in 1980. Hamidiye Mosque in Johannesburg, has embarked on a comprehensive renovation process upon the request of Jamiatul Ulama. This project aims to strengthen the historical and cultural ties between Turkey and the South African Muslim community.
As part of the renovation work, the main ceiling of the mosque ConquestAnd Surah Al-FatihaWhile the women’s gallery is decorated with traditional Turkish motifs. Also, at the entrance of the mosque, Sultan Abdulhamid II‘s tughra has been placed.
Opening ceremony
To the opening ceremony Deputy Minister of Social Development of South AfricaGanief Hendricks, Turkey Ambassador to PretoriaImportant names such as Ayşegül Kandaş, TIKA Pretoria Coordinator Abdulkadir Abukan, Jamiatul Ulama Secretary General and Hamidiye Mosque Imam Ebrahim Bham attended the event. In addition, Muslim MPs, diplomats and representatives of civil society organizations also attended the event.
Speaking at the ceremony, Ambassador Kandaş emphasized the importance of cooperation with the South African Muslim community and drew attention to TIKA’s projects in the country. Deputy Minister of Social Development Hendricks thanked TIKA for the mosque’s decoration project and touched on his family’s historical ties to the mosque. Hendricks stated that his great-grandfather was one of the founding members of the mosque and that money was collected for the Ottoman Empire at a meeting held in front of the mosque during the Tripoli War.
TIKA Pretoria Coordinator Abukan expressed TIKA’s determination to protect the common heritage in South Africa and to strengthen existing ties. Jamiatul Ulama Secretary General and Hamidiye Mosque Imam Bham recalled the congratulatory and welcoming letter presented by the mosque congregation to the Ottoman Consul Mehmed Ramzi Bey, stating that the mosque has been a common heritage of Turkish and South African Muslims since its establishment.
Calligraphy artist at the opening event Refik Carikci, introducing the project to the guests and working with them calligraphy worksHamidiye Mosque also has historical importance as it is the place where Mahatma Gandhi started the civil disobedience movement with his passport burning action in 1908.
This renovation project is considered an important step in strengthening the ties between Turkey and the South African Muslim community and preserving their common cultural heritage.
