On Heritage Day, Thursday 24 September 2026, mosques across South Africa will open their doors to every South African. Come in. Look around. Ask anything. There is no charge, no obligation, and no question that is out of bounds.

We made you into nations and tribes so that you may know one another.

Qur’an 49:13

What the National Mosque Open Day Is

Most South Africans have never been inside a mosque. They pass one on the way to work, hear the athaan drift across a suburb at dawn, and form a picture of what happens behind the doors from whatever they have read or been told. The National Mosque Open Day exists to replace that picture with a real one.

SAMNET launched the campaign in 2017 with eighteen mosques. By 2019 there were forty-five, and more than two thousand people walked through their doors across six provinces. It went ahead even in 2020, when ten mosques in five provinces opened under lockdown conditions. And it has grown well beyond our borders: in 2025, twenty-seven South African venues were joined by ninety-five more across nine other African countries, through a partnership with the Imam Development Project.

Heritage Day is the natural home for it. It is the one day in the South African calendar set aside for looking honestly at who else lives here. Muslims have been part of this country since the seventeenth century, and the mosque is where much of that history is kept.

The National Mosque Open Day was initiated to showcase our heritage, break down barriers, stereotypes and to build bridges.

Dr Faisal Suliman, Chairperson, SAMNET

What that looks like in practice is best said by the people who came. From SAMNET’s own 2019 report:

The way all of you welcomed me — and for me it was the first time in my 45 years that I entered a mosque.

A visitor, Husami Masjid, Cape Town

I used to believe Muslims don’t like Christians, but today my views on Islam and Muslims changed.

A visitor, Masjidul Muttaqeen, East London

I never thought that the day would come where I would set foot on this holy ground being a Mosque.

A pastor, Aleemia Masjid, Phoenix

What Happens When You Visit

Every mosque runs its own programme, but most include some version of the following:

• A guided tour of the building — what the mihrab and minbar are for, why there are no images, how the space is arranged, and what the architecture is telling you.
• A short talk by the imam on what Muslims believe and how the five daily prayers shape an ordinary week.
• A demonstration of wudhu and salaah — the washing before prayer, and the prayer itself, explained as it happens.
• Open question and answer. This is the part visitors consistently say they valued most. Nothing is off the table.
• Tea, and something to eat. Hospitality is not an add-on to this; it is most of the point.
• At many venues: henna art, hijab-tying demonstrations, Islamic literature, and free blood-pressure and glucose testing.

Allow about an hour. You are welcome to stay longer, and you are welcome to leave whenever you wish. Times differ from mosque to mosque — some open in the morning, some at midday, some in the afternoon — so check the listing below before you set out.

If You Are Visiting a Mosque for the First Time

There is very little you need to know in advance, and your hosts will guide you through the rest. But people often ask, so:

• Dress comfortably and modestly. Long trousers or a long skirt, and shoulders covered. Women are asked to bring a scarf for the head; most mosques keep spares at the door if you do not have one.
• Shoes come off at the edge of the carpeted prayer area. There will be racks or shelves.
• You are not asked to pray, or to recite anything, or to take part in any act of worship. You are asked only to watch respectfully if prayer takes place while you are there.
• Photographs — please ask your host first. Some mosques welcome them; some prefer not, particularly where worshippers are in the frame.
• Bring your questions. Blunt ones are better than polite ones. The people hosting you would far rather answer a hard question than have you leave still wondering.

If you would like more detail on why mosques open their doors and what Islamic law says about visitors, we have set that out separately: Welcoming Visitors to the Masjid — Questions and Answers.

Participating Mosques

52 venues confirmed so far across 10 countries. Last updated: 20 September 2026. If your local mosque is not listed yet, check back — and do encourage them to register.

National Mosque Open Day lists participating Musaajid that follow the Ahle Sunnah Wal Jamaah.

South Africa

Gauteng

Mosque	Where	Date & Times	What’s On	Contact
Houghton Masjid (West Street)	47 West Street, Houghton Estate, Johannesburg Search on Google Maps	Sat 10 Oct 2026 Not on Heritage Day 09:30-12:00 and 13:30	Two guided tours. Welcome from members of the community, a multimedia presentation, and an explanation of the mosque’s history and architecture. Aimed at non-Muslim visitors. Free, but registration is required — book here	—
Northcliff Musjid and Madressa Download poster ↓	3 Salerno Road, Risidale, Johannesburg Get directions → Find on Google Maps	Sat 19 Sep 2026 Not on Heritage Day 09:00-14:00	Mosque tour, Q&A, hijab tutorial, henna hand painting, refreshment stations, plus free CPR training by IMASA at 10:00	084 688 5492 / 064 619 4216
Masjid Da-rut Tawheed Download poster ↓	Orange Farm Extension 7A, Stand 12446, Orange Farm, Johannesburg Search on Google Maps	Thu 24 Sep 2026	Mosque open day. Times to be confirmed with the mosque. Google Maps has no listing for this mosque yet, so only a map search is offered – please send SAMNET a pin or coordinates	—
Safinatun Najaah Community Development Centre Download poster ↓	134 Mary Moodley Street, Tamboville, Wattville, Benoni Get directions → Find on Google Maps	Thu 24 Sep 2026 09:00-15:30	Guided tour, open Q&A and refreshments	—

KwaZulu-Natal

Mosque	Where	Date & Times	What’s On	Contact
Masjid Bilal ibn Rabah Download poster ↓	16 J.B. Marks Road, Glenwood, Berea, Durban Get directions → Find on Google Maps	Thu 24 Sep 2026 13:30-15:30	Guided tours, open Q&A, free health screenings, henna and hijab styling, refreshments. With An-Nur Foundation and IPCI	An-Nur Foundation 069 786 9286
Musjidur Rahmaan Download poster ↓	131 Kenneth Kaunda Road, Durban North, Durban Get directions → Find on Google Maps	Thu 24 Sep 2026 14:00-16:00	Mosque tour, open Q&A, medical tests, henna in Arabic, hijab-tying demo with free gift, refreshments	+27 72 598 7860
The Jumma Mosque Download poster ↓	Yusuf Dadoo and Denis Hurley Streets, Durban Central, Durban Get directions → Find on Google Maps	Thu 24 Sep 2026 14:00-15:00	With IPCI. Mosque tours, Islamic literature, meet and greet, light refreshments. Please arrive on time	Br Mohamed Subrian +27 62 662 4697
MA Motala Islamic Centre Download poster ↓	185 Wyebank Road, Pinetown, Kloof Get directions → Find on Google Maps	Thu 24 Sep 2026 10:00-12:00	Mosque Open Day (Imbizo), with the Southern Africa Dawah Network. Guest speaker Abdullah Sfiso Duma at 11:00. Lunch served	Sh Siraj 081 075 5996
Habibiyah Soofie Musjid, Ladysmith Download poster ↓	1 Soofie Road, Rosepark, Ladysmith Get directions → Find on Google Maps	Sat 3 Oct 2026 Not on Heritage Day 14:30-17:00	Free guided mosque tours, hijaab styling, henna, Arabic calligraphy and light refreshments. Group tours can be arranged. With Awqaf SA	Ladysmith Mosque & Madressa Trust 084 786 1288
Musjidun-Nasr Download poster ↓	16 Westham Road, Malvern, Queensburgh Get directions → Find on Google Maps	Thu 24 Sep 2026 11:00-14:00	25th anniversary year. Guided tour, Q&A, literature, free henna, free glucose and blood-pressure testing, scarf-tying demo, lunch provided (vegetarians accommodated)	Queensburgh Islamic Society 084 435 7640 / 083 611 1321
Masjid Al Fatah Download poster ↓	86 William Campbell Drive, La Lucia, Umhlanga Get directions → Find on Google Maps	Thu 24 Sep 2026 09:00-11:30	Guided tours, open Q&A, free health screenings, henna and hijab styling, refreshments. With An-Nur Foundation and IPCI	An-Nur Foundation 069 786 9286

Western Cape

Mosque	Where	Date & Times	What’s On	Contact
Uitsig Islamic Society Download poster ↓	20 Arnold Street, Eureka Estate, Ravensmead, Cape Town Get directions → Find on Google Maps	Thu 24 Sep 2026 10:00-12:30	Guided mosque tour and open Q&A. All welcome	—

Beyond South Africa

Mosque Open Day is now kept across the continent. Many of these mosques hold their open day on the weekend nearest Heritage Day rather than on 24 September itself, so please check the date before you travel.

Kenya

Mosque	Where	Date & Times	What’s On	Contact
Masjid Eshikhondi Download poster ↓	Eshikhondi Search on Google Maps	Sun 20 Sep 2026 Not on Heritage Day 09:00 onwards	Free entry, refreshments provided, interactive sessions and Q&A	Ustadh Sadik Ndunde Ibrahim 0712018337
Masjid Tawheed Complex Download poster ↓	Marambachi, Kitale Search on Google Maps	To be confirmed 10:00-16:00	Open day. Date on the flyer is unclear and is being confirmed with the mosque	—
Masjed Rahmah Koyonzo Download poster ↓	Koyonzo Search on Google Maps	Sun 20 Sep 2026 Not on Heritage Day 08:00-14:00	Open mosque day: tour, talks and open Q&A	Imam Khalid Orembo
Makunda Senior School Mosque Download poster ↓	Makunda Search on Google Maps	Sat 19 Sep 2026 Not on Heritage Day 10:00-15:00	Meet and greet, guided tour, wudu and salah demonstrations, introduction to Islam, Qur’an and literature corner, children and family activities, and an open Q&A. Muallimah Fatma Kibet on Qur’an and Islamic guidance	Ustaadh Musa Wanalo
Masjid Aisha Download poster ↓	Magongo Wayani, Mombasa Search on Google Maps	Sun 13 Sep 2026 Not on Heritage Day 15:00	Held alongside the mosque’s opening ceremony. Country being confirmed	—
Masjid Rahma Download poster ↓	Mshomoroni – Bengala, Mombasa Search on Google Maps	Sat 26 Sep 2026 Not on Heritage Day	Open mosque day	—
Masjid Taqwa Ruring’u Download poster ↓	Nyeri Search on Google Maps	Sat 19 Sep 2026 Not on Heritage Day 10:00-16:00	Open mosque day: tour, talks and open Q&A	—

Malawi

Mosque	Where	Date & Times	What’s On	Contact
Fatima Malayika Masjid Download poster ↓	— Search on Google Maps	Sat 19 Sep 2026 Not on Heritage Day 10:00-14:00	Free Qur’an copies and literature including Chichewa, open questions on Islam, and a wudu and prayer demonstration	Sheikh Raphique Itendo 0883366959
Hamzah Asadullah Masjid Download poster ↓	Mtuwa Village Search on Google Maps	Fri 18 Sep 2026 Not on Heritage Day 14:00	Open mosque day	—
Madinah Masjid Download poster ↓	— Search on Google Maps	Sun 27 Sep 2026 Not on Heritage Day	Open mosque day. Times being confirmed with the mosque	Sheikh Uthuman Alick
Manzie 2 Masjid Download poster ↓	Malembo Turnoff Search on Google Maps	Wed 23 Sep 2026 Not on Heritage Day 13:30-16:00	Open mosque day	—
Mbatamira Masjid Download poster ↓	— Search on Google Maps	Fri 25 Sep 2026 Not on Heritage Day 13:45-16:30	Guided masjid tour, wudu step by step, the adhaan, understanding salah, and an open Q&A	Imam Imran Kazembe Lali 0998103820 / 0888707468
Katchakwala Masjid Download poster ↓	Chileka Dziwe trading centre, Blantyre Search on Google Maps	Fri 25 Sep 2026 Not on Heritage Day	Guest speakers Imam Mussah James on daily prayer and Sheikh Yusuf Kanyowa on wudu and janazah	Imam Mussah James
Bolero Masjid Download poster ↓	Bolero, Rumphi District Search on Google Maps	Tue 29 Sep 2026 Not on Heritage Day	Theme: Islam and Health. Chiefs, political leaders and the whole community invited, with a Q&A session	Imam Abdulhackim Bamussi Ahmed 0994262651 / 0888542621

Mozambique

Mosque	Where	Date & Times	What’s On	Contact
Masjid Aly Download poster ↓	Bairro 16 de Junho, Chimoio Search on Google Maps	Sun 20 Sep 2026 Not on Heritage Day 09:00	Open mosque day	—

Nigeria

Mosque	Where	Date & Times	What’s On	Contact
Aljaohara Masjid Download poster ↓	— Search on Google Maps	Sun 27 Sep 2026 Not on Heritage Day 10:00	Open mosque day. Town being confirmed with the mosque	Imam Wahab Rasheed Adebayo
Arrahmah International Islamic Centre Download poster ↓	Jabi, Abuja Search on Google Maps	Sat 19 Sep 2026 Not on Heritage Day 09:00-12:00	Open mosque day. Contact number on the flyer needs confirming	—
NASFAT Central Mosque, Agbara Download poster ↓	OPIC/Agbara Estate, opposite ALASCO Hotel, Agbara, Ogun State Search on Google Maps	Sun 20 Sep 2026 Not on Heritage Day 10:00-13:00	With the Imam Development Program. Meet and greet, guided mosque tour, an explanation of prayer and ablution, a brief introduction to Islam, and open Q&A	Imam Uthman Mukaram Adewale +234 806 653 7584
Fadlu Llah Central Mosque Download poster ↓	15 Morekete Bus Stop, Freedom Estate, Bayeku Road, Igbogbo, Ikorodu, Lagos Search on Google Maps	Sat 19 Sep 2026 Not on Heritage Day 11:00	Meet and greet, guided mosque tour, wudu and salah demonstration, introduction to Islam, open Q&A. With the Imam Development Program	Imam Afolabi Mutiu Alamu 08071976275 / 07037897766
Miftahu-l Jannah Central Mosque Download poster ↓	Igbaga Adamo, Ikorodu, Lagos Search on Google Maps	Sun 20 Sep 2026 Not on Heritage Day 10:00	Open mosque day	—
NASFAT Mosque Igbogbo Download poster ↓	Ikorodu, Lagos Search on Google Maps	Sat 26 Sep 2026 Not on Heritage Day 10:00	Qur’an recitation and tafsir, talks, meet and greet with imams and community leaders, tour of the mosque, refreshments	Imam Moshood Tesleem Babatunde
Sebiilu Sahadah Central Mosque Download poster ↓	Road 5, Love Estate, CDA Igbokuta, Ikorodu, Lagos Search on Google Maps	Sun 20 Sep 2026 Not on Heritage Day 11:00	Meet and greet, guided mosque tour, wudu and salah demonstration, introduction to Islam, open Q&A. With the Imam Development Program	Saheed Bolaji Lawal 08162664205 / 08072657289

Sierra Leone

Mosque	Where	Date & Times	What’s On	Contact
Masjid Nasurulah Download poster ↓	Manoh Street Search on Google Maps	Sun 20 Sep 2026 Not on Heritage Day 6:30-7:30	With the Imam Development Program. Adhan, wudu, salah and janaza demonstrations, open Q&A, Facebook Live. Invitees include school teachers, church leaders, imams, community police and youth	Abdul Razak Bangura +232 74 041424
Masjid Abdullah Download poster ↓	36 Ngalu Road, Bo Search on Google Maps	Fri 25 Sep 2026 Not on Heritage Day 17:00	Open mosque day	—
Masjid Umar Ibn Al Khattab Download poster ↓	Cole Lane, Deep Eye Water, Freetown Search on Google Maps	Sun 20 Sep 2026 Not on Heritage Day 19:00	Explanation of wudu and salah, a brief introduction to Islam, and open Q&A. Guest speaker Imam Sudais Hussain Deen; Q&A with Imam Abu Bakarr Koroma	Imam Ishaq Bilal Sesay +232 33495517 / +232 31 237091
Masjid Ridwan Download poster ↓	Brima Njai Street, Kambia One Search on Google Maps	Sat 26 Sep 2026 Not on Heritage Day 09:00	Open mosque day. Contact number to be supplied by the mosque	—
Madina Falaba Mosque Download poster ↓	Port Loko Search on Google Maps	Fri 11 Sep 2026 Not on Heritage Day 13:00	Two open Friday sermons, 11 and 18 September	—
Masjid Bilal Download poster ↓	Tombo Highway, Waterloo Search on Google Maps	Fri 25 Sep 2026 Not on Heritage Day 19:00	Open mosque day	—

Tanzania

Mosque	Where	Date & Times	What’s On	Contact
Masjid Qiblatain Download poster ↓	Arusha Search on Google Maps	Sat 19 Sep 2026 Not on Heritage Day	Educational seminar — a day of learning, reflection and community	—

Uganda

Mosque	Where	Date & Times	What’s On	Contact
Hijiratul Ummah Mosque Download poster ↓	Kena Village, Yumbe District Search on Google Maps	Fri 25 Sep 2026 Not on Heritage Day 09:00-16:00	Open mosque day: tour, talks and open Q&A	—

Zambia

Mosque	Where	Date & Times	What’s On	Contact
Masjid Twatasha Download poster ↓	Twatasha, Kitwe Search on Google Maps	Thu 24 Sep 2026 09:00-12:00	Masjid tour, what Islam is, wudu and salah step by step, how the deceased are washed, Q&A, and lunch served	Yunus Jonathan Chama 0977660970
Wusakile Mosque Download poster ↓	Kitwe Search on Google Maps	Sat 26 Sep 2026 Not on Heritage Day 10:00-16:00	Open conversation about Islam, questions welcome, refreshments provided	—

Zimbabwe

Mosque	Where	Date & Times	What’s On	Contact
Banket Masjid Islamic Centre Download poster ↓	Banket Search on Google Maps	Sun 13 Sep 2026 Not on Heritage Day 09:00-12:30	Open mosque day	—
Jones Farm Masjid Download poster ↓	Chinhoyi Search on Google Maps	Fri 25 Sep 2026 Not on Heritage Day	Open mosque day. Times being confirmed with the mosque	Imaam Jafari Saiti
Almadinah Masjid Download poster ↓	Marondera Search on Google Maps	Sun 27 Sep 2026 Not on Heritage Day 10:00-12:30	Open mosque day	—
Masvingo Islamic Society Download poster ↓	Masvingo Search on Google Maps	Thu 17 Sep 2026 Not on Heritage Day	Meet Muslims and ask questions. Topics: what Islam is, the masjid as a place of worship for everyone, the importance of prayer, and ablution	Witness Witness 0772294123
Dangamvura Islamic Masjid Download poster ↓	Dangamvura, Mutare Search on Google Maps	Sun 27 Sep 2026 Not on Heritage Day 13:30-16:00	Talks on Islam and Muslims, the Qur’an, Islamic beliefs, the mosque as a house of God, and belief in Jesus and the prophets. Muslims, non-Muslims and schools all invited	Sheikh Nurudine Hassan Kidah Banda 0774124505

Rest of Africa

Mosque	Where	Date & Times	What’s On	Contact
Luganda Islamic Centre Download poster ↓	— Search on Google Maps	Sun 13 Sep 2026 Not on Heritage Day 10:00-13:00	Open mosque day. Country not given on the flyer	—
Masjid Imam Malik Download poster ↓	— Search on Google Maps	Thu 24 Sep 2026 09:00-12:00	Guided tour, wudu, salah and adhaan explained, Q&A and lunch. Hosted with The Garden Social Services. Town not given on the flyer	Imam Abu Rahmah Mohale 062 043 5600
Masjid Tul Fayzin (Ejinja Jamia Mosque) Download poster ↓	— Search on Google Maps	Sun 20 Sep 2026 Not on Heritage Day 10:00	Guided tours, Q&A, refreshments and free literature. Country not given on the flyer	—

For Mosques: How to Take Part

Two hours. Your imam, your committee, your programme, your rules. There is no fee and no application process — a committee decides to open, tells us, and we add the mosque to the national listing, the media release and the map.

Everything a host mosque needs is on one page: the conditions we ask of every host, checklists for two weeks out and the day before, a suggested running order, how to brief your guides, the questions they will actually be asked, and what to send us afterwards.

Read the host guide →

Or register straight away: info@samnet.co.za · +27 31 207 4223