This Ramadan will be a memorable one for the Ceres Muslim community, as they mark the opening of their first masjid. The construction of Musjidul Ayob was a three year process and its completion will be a historic occasion for the people of Ceres as it is the first mosque built in the rural landscape.

“It is very exciting that we will have our first salaah at this new masjid,” says Ismail C Motala, the chairperson of Ceres Muslim Jamaah.

“It will be the auspicious month of Ramadan and the end of a three and half year process. We finally have a mosque in Ceres. It was quite a lengthy process but alhamdulillah it’s over.”

The masjid is joined to the current jamaah khana that was used as madrasssa and salaah facilities for people in the surrounding areas.

“We had jamaah khana for many years that was in a garage, however, a donor said to us that building a masjied would be cheaper,” says Motala.

The plot of land and the construction material of the masjid were donated to the Ceres Muslim Jamaah by a Muslim family which wishes to stay anonymous.

The facilities can hold a capacity of 120 to 150 musallees with salah facilities accommodating men and women.

“It’s a very comfortable and nice decent size masjid,” says Motala.

The masjid hopes to attract people of all walks of life across the Boland.

“We welcome people of Ceres, surrounding areas and Cape Town as it would be nice to have everyone there,” says Motala.

After Ramadan, the community will see the official opening at the masjid accompanied by a live broadcast by VOC. The masjid is situated in Trigaardt Street, Ceres. VOC (Nailah Cornelissen)