Muslim communities around the country are celebrating the 200th anniversary of the unbanning of Islam. The religion was banned since the arrival of Jan van Riebeeck on South African shores in 1652.
This was later reversed and it was officially unbanned approximately 150 years later on July 25, 1804. It was then for the first time that Muslims could worship in public and be allowed by the then Dutch government to build Mosques and teach Islam openly.
It is the first time that Muslims in South Africa will commemorate this event as a demonstration of its heritage. The celebration will continue until September 24 with several activities including cultural meetings or jalsahs.