National Mosque Open Day 2026 — Building the Reach

This call to Musaajid was issued on 30 April 2026. For everything on this year’s campaign — participating venues, host resources and the programme — see the National Mosque Open Day pages.

Building the NMOD reach and scope.

SAMNET is starting the planning process for NMOD 2026. The goal this year is to be more proactive and more structured — which means securing commitment, preparedness and action earlier than in past years. That matters most for engaging media, local and national, and for building collective capacity and reach.

Insha’Allah, with greater participation and communication we can reach a wider audience than ever before. Alhamdulillah, last year almost 100 Musaajid across the rest of Africa took part. Open days are growing worldwide and are proving their value in shifting stereotypes and prejudice. Let us match the rest of Africa and the world here at home.

Reach and vision

We now have working models and hard-won experience from the many Masaajid that have run NMOD over the years, and that experience is there to be drawn on. There is always room to improve the day itself — but the next goal is reach.

The vision has always been that every South African should reasonably be able to visit an NMOD Musjid or Musallah on Heritage Day. Every town, district and metro sub-region should have at least one participating Musjid, so that nobody can say they could not find one to visit.

The NMOD WhatsApp group

The NMOD WhatsApp group is our primary platform for sharing experience and ideas, building capacity and solving problems as they come up. It is the communication centre for participating and interested Musaajid.

The message

Islam, and its values, are embedded in the DNA of South Africa.

Every South African should have the opportunity to encounter the contribution of Islam and of Muslims to the fabric and heritage of South Africa, Africa and the world. How that may inspire them is up to the Almighty. Our role as NMOD hosts is to open our doors and our hearts to our neighbours, our communities, and everyone who wants to know more.

Timeline

Insha’Allah we have five months to Thursday 24 September to plan and make this the biggest and best NMOD yet.

Please start by indicating your intention to participate. Any Musjid or individual can contact SAMNET on info@samnet.co.za or WhatsApp 084 333 3979.

Preserving and Sharing Our Heritage · Why and How Mosque Open Days Change Communities · Why Mosque Open Days Are Important

Shared by the South African Muslim Network (SAMNET) in the interest of promoting National Mosque Open Day, and building public awareness, informed engagement and dialogue about the contribution of Islam and Muslims to the heritage of South Africa.