Zuma opens largest Mosque in Southern Hemisphere

The newly constructed Turkish mosque in Midrand, a suburb of Johannesburg, is steadily becoming a tourist attraction with thousands of visitors flocking to take a closer look at its elegant style typical of the Ottoman Empire. According to the site project manager and engineer, Orhan Celik, , the spectacular mosque, school and shops on the massive project is the brain child of 74 year old, Ali Katircioglu, a prominent Turkish businessman, who came to South Africa four years ago.

Orhan said the mosque has already drawn much interest in the Midrand area. "On Sundays we receive about 500 visitors who come to tour our mosque." He said 10% of their visitors are non-Muslims who have generally been impressed with the structural design of the building. The extraordinary mosque is clearly visible on the Pretoria freeway with its shiny dome and four minarets reaching 55m into the sky visible at least from 5km away.

Inside the mosque one of the most stunning features is the authentic Turkish calligraphy on both the walls and ceiling. Most people VOC spoke to at the site on Sunday said they believe the Midrand mosque could be one of the most beautiful mosques on the continent. The project which consists of a mosque, a school, health center and shops is expected to be officially opened early next year.

"We are putting the final touches on the project and we hope by early next year it will be ready for use," Celik reported. Asked why the proprietor chose to bring this project to South Africa, he explained: "Initially Mr Ali wanted to build this project in the United States, but a good friend of his in the US advised him to bring the project down to South Africa."

Taking this advice, Katircioglu flew to Johannesburg, bought the land and met with former president Nelson Mandela, who requested that he also add a health center in the complex, which he promptly agreed to. According to Clik, Katircioglu built the project with the sole purpose of benefiting humanity.

Isakh Turan, a renowned educator, has been appointed as the school's principal and told VOC the school will be officially opened on 16 January 2012. Registrion was currently in progress at the school which is expected to accommodate 850 students. With his vast wealth of experience as an educator who has served in different parts of the world, Turan hopes the school will be a centre of academic excellence.

Turkish owned schools are already doing well in Johannesburg and Cape Town. The Sama High school in Mayfair, Johannesburg has consistently produced A-grade matric results and is a well a recognized community institution. Turan said the world class school will be run with an Islamic ethos. "Non-Muslim students wishing to enroll in our school are welcome, but should observe our rules," he added. VOC
 
Garyvdh said:
Why couldn't the locals pay for it?
Click to expand...

What does it matter? Taxpayers didn't foot the bill so they could have built the southern hemisphere's biggest turd-shaped building for all I care, they can do as they please on their piece of land.
 
agerbon said:
If only that was an university or a school. I'm sorry but what a waste of money.
Click to expand...

Its private money they can do what they want with it. Government should be spending on Schools and universities!
 
blunomore said:
Duh.
That was what I was trying to convey to pynet, who alleged that it is a replica.
Click to expand...

Maybe not a replica but very similar. I been to both and definately a strong resemblance. The courtyard in the centre, the small entrance to the moseque, low hanging chandelier, same colours, the design on the walls ................ come to think of it, beside the additional minaret's it is a replica .....

Anywho locals are calling it the Blue Mosque already ....
 
Yeah Caesar is at a party whilst Rome is burning...
 
That is an impressive structure.

Beautiful.

I will definitely be stopping by to take a look when I am next in the area.
 
killadoob said:
Geez bro, what part of SA do you live? Seems fairly fire free for now.
Click to expand...

Really? The majority of PTA was without power today, everywhere in the country they are protesting and burning cars... The miners are striking, the truck drivers are striking, etc etc etc.

But yeah, priorities... Let's open a mosque instead of trying to address the issues that is causing the Rand to lose percentages every day...
 
abzo said:
Anyone been there yet?
Click to expand...

Been past it several times whilst in construction. It was quite something to see.

AstroTurf said:
no but looks pretty though.
Click to expand...

It really is a marvellous piece of architecture. I would love to tour it and photograph it.

gregmcc said:
Why did Zoomer open it? Why not someone important?
Click to expand...

Given his irreverend background, it is definitely weird that he opened it. Just plain barmy.
 
He went and got ideas for his new extensions to his house - purely a window shopping gesture.
 
There's a school and clinic, university will be there by 2014.
Been there before it opened, they have tours on a Sunday.
 
http://www.lenzinfo.co.za/?p=9054

The Nizamiye Turkish Masjid is a sight for sore eyes. Yet its magnificence and opulence has been marred by residents who say the masjid has shown an ugly side. Residents of Glen Austin and surrounding areas are taking serious issue about the daily Athaan.

One resident, Arnold Graaf told the Midrand Reporter, “We feel that they are totally disregarding the residents. This is an area where we live; we are people that bought property here because we love peace, silence and nature.”
Graaf sentiments were echoed by another resident who said that worshipers should limit their teachings to inside thepremises, as residents were not all Muslims. Nicole added to the complaints saying, “The mosque should keep their calling private and not try impose their religious practices on residents.

However not all residents took issue with the Athaan and some welcomed it. Herraj was more forthcoming and said “I think as South Africans, we’re a nation of tolerance and understanding. We should be more understanding of each other’s culture and heritage.

Suresh said, “I have no issue if anyone stands on the hills and shouts to a better living. Rather that in our country than missiles and sirens. People get with it.”

Marianne ten Doeschate rebutted saying the residents were going nuts because the noise was too loud, excessive and painful to listen to. She said residents have signed affidavits, complaints lodged with the municipality and a notice was issued to the masjid.

According to Orhan Celik, project manager at the masjid, the letter served was a notice and not a warning. He said he was not aware the Athaan was disturbing residents. “We did not know the callings were disturbing the residents in the area, but once we were informed, we realized we needed to lower the sound”

The masjid said it would turn off the outside speakers, which would reduce the noise, but Doeschate said this was not done.
Click to expand...

Agreed - turn off the noise.
 
marco79 said:
Impressive structure. The pictures messes it up though. Is it me or is all the pictures funny/curved?
Click to expand...

Photographer is using a wide-angle lens which can cause distortion.
 
Looks like Disneyworld at night.

NIZAMIYE-MOSQUE.jpg
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top
Sign up to the MyBroadband newsletter
X