PALM TREE MOSQUE CELEBRATES 200 YEARS

South Africa's second oldest mosque, the Palm Tree Mosque in Long Street, celebrated its 200th anniversary in December. The oldest mosque, by 13 years, is Owal Mosque in Dorp Street. A procession of people dressed as slaves, horses pulling carts, pupils from various madressas and the Habibia Siddique Muslim Brigade marched from the Church Square Slave Lodge to the mosque in Long Street. This was followed by the recitation of the Qur'an by scholars, and a Sunday lunch. The mosque was initially a private residence with a dedicated upstairs area for prayer.