Dear Musjid Representative
Should you want to add your Musjid to the National Mosque Open Day, kindly send an e-mail request to info@samnet.co.za with the following details (Subject line: National Mosque Open Day):
Click here to read more on the 2018 National Mosque Open Day
Kind regards
The SAMNET Team
The South African Muslim Network (SAMNET) calls Mosque trustees, Ulema, Imams and all Mosque representatives to come on board and join the 2019 National Mosque Open Day.
The National Mosque Open Day campaign held annually encourages Mosques to open their doors to the public simultaneously on Heritage Day. The aim is to ease tensions caused by negative media attention towards Muslims and Islam, build and strengthen relations with other religious groups, and encourage members of the public to get to know their local mosque.
The 2018 National Mosque Open Day campaign hosted over 800 participants across 20 mosques. Participants left the mosque with a better understanding of Islam, a sense of community and more accurate information and mutual understanding and tolerance that it brings.
At the time of Prophet Muhammed (peace be upon him), mosques were safe places where communities could gravitate toward. Mosques have the capacity and potential to not only act as places of worship but as a place of education and a community center. The campaign is not about evangelism and proselytizing but about information sharing and making information accessible to people of other faith groups.
Some of the comments by visitors and hosts at the 2018 National Mosque Open Day:
‘I had been watching TV for many years which had shaped my views on Muslims. Today my entire perspective has changed’ – A visitor of the Mosque Open Day at Musallah on Musgrave
‘What impressed me the most was learning about Islam and seeing their view of their religion.’ – A visitor of the Mosque Open Day at Husami Masjid
‘I thoroughly enjoyed my time at Musallah on Musgrave and managed to build on what I have learnt over the years from Muslim colleagues and staff members. I think SAMNET’s annual Mosque Open Day initiative is a worthy initiative well worth continuing.’
We have had participating mosques across Kwa-Zulu Natal, Western Cape, Northern Cape and Gauteng and hope to see the numbers increase tenfold this year. We appeal to mosques in Eastern Cape, Free State, Limpopo, North West and Mpumalanga and cities such as Benoni, Lenasia and Pietermaritzburg. We also hope to see the National Mosque Open Day reach townships and rural areas. This is a campaign to shine light and spread understanding about Islam and Muslims on all corners of South Africa. This will only be possible with your influence and courage.
Some of our Mosque representatives hosted their Mosque Open Day for the first time last year and they have been pleased with their efforts. SAMNET endeavors to provide mosque representatives with all the necessary information required to host a successful Mosque Open Day. Guidance is provided by the Islamic Propagation Centre International (IPCI) who will send pamphlets and booklets to participating mosques across the country. The IPCI carries out mosque tours to people of other faiths throughout the year and is in a position to provide expertise.
SAMNET will do national marketing and invitations to community leaders, police chiefs and schools to name a few. The participating mosque is encouraged to do local marketing on the ground.
To participate in the 2019 National Mosque Open Day or if you have any queries, send us an email on info@samnet.co.za or call us on 031 207 4223.
Faisal Suliman
Chairperson
The South African Muslim Network (SAMNET) would like to thank visitors who participated for the National Mosque Open Day campaign between 2-4pm on Monday, 24th September 2018 as part of the Heritage Day activities.
We equally wish to thank all mosque administrators and representatives who opened their doors to host the public in the Mosques’ programmes during this time.
The 2018 National Mosque Open Day campaign hosted over 800 participants across 20 mosques. Participants left the mosque with a better understanding of Islam, a sense of community and more accurate information and mutual understanding and tolerance that it brings.
Participants included ward councilors, religious leaders of other faiths, school principals, students and representatives from interfaith organizations. Religious leaders expressed how impressed they were by the community unity and harmony displayed. They committed to disseminating the information and learnings they gained to their own congregations and organizations.
SAMNET hopes to gradually grow the attendees for future National Mosque Open Days and increase the spread and number of mosques participating across the country.
The Queensburgh Islamic Society Trust, Durban received 117 participants. Mr Iqbaal Randeree, chairperson of the Queensburgh Islamic Society, stated that the feedback they received was excellent and they were asked to hold more interaction sessions like these in the future.
The Husami Masjid in Cravenby, Cape Town welcomed over 50 participants for their very first Mosque Open Day. Ward Councillor of Cravenby, Ms Beverley van Reenen, made sure she included the Mosque Open Day as part of her Heritage Day activities.
Moulana Achmat Keraan, Imam at the Moghul Park Masjid in Kimberley, was happy with the feedback he received for Kimberley’s first Mosque Open Day. The day saw communities unite and participants smitten by the hospitality they received.
Masjidul Islam based in Centurion, Gauteng prepared for their Mosque Open Day by setting up an information desk the Wednesday before. They received a positive response from people and had decided to host the Mosque Open Day on the Sunday as well for those who were unable to attend on Heritage Day.
To have your mosque listed for the 2019 National Mosque Open Day, contact us.