ISLAMIC TOURISM CITY OF CAPE TOWN IN SOUTH AFRICA

Cape Town tourism established itself at the center of Islam by the Muslims who reportedly thousands of tourists flocked to the city on the southern coast of Africa which is rich Islamic heritage, which includes 10 of the oldest mosques.

"Every time we think of family holidays abroad, there is one place that always comes up in our minds, Cape Town," Edris said Mukhtar tourists from Malaysia told IOL.


"The main reason for Islamic cultural heritage, rich history, and kerahmahtamahan inhabitants." Sumaya Abdul, a tourist from Indonesia says, he always liked Cape Town for a place on holiday because the city's historical ties with Muslims in Indonesia.

"My ancestors had brought to Cape Town to become slaves in the colonial period, and they brought Islam into South Africa," he told IOL.

"When I visited here, I met people who have blood ties with me. So visit Cape Town is a priority for me."
Cape Town is home to nearly half a million Muslims who come from diverse countries in Asia.

Muslim population in South Africa reached 1.5% of the total 44 million people who inhabit the southern African country.

Islam entered the region was given the name Cape of Good Hope in 1654, along with the delivery of slaves and the people who were exiled for political reasons during the Dutch VOC (Dutch East Indies Company), who then conduct their activities between Cape Town, the Netherlands, and Indonesia (as well as the surrounding area).

Sumaya remembered the first time he visited Cape Town, he was very impressed with the many shops and restaurants that provide kosher food. "Almost all halal food in Cape Town."

Sumaya said, one thing that really caught his attention, "There are so many mosques, you could say almost on every street corner, which is it such a hard to find in other tourist destinations in the world."

Among the many places that attract tourists in Cape Town is the mosque Auwal and Palm Tree, both are the oldest mosques used by Muslims praying there.

"Palm Tree Mosque Auwal and quite appealing to visitors because of the history of the silamnya," said Farouk Kamalie, the responsible mosque Palm Tree to IOL.

"Local and foreign tourists who visit the many ancient mosques every year."
The same thing happened at the mosque Auwal, the first mosque in the southern region of Africa which was built in 1804. "Thousands of people from different countries every month to visit this mosque. They take pictures, record video, and also interviewed us," said Abdurrahman, muadzin mosque originating from Tanzania. "I am proud to be part of the mosque Auwal."

Kamalie, Palm Tree in charge of the mosque said the only mosque that became part of the rich heritage of Islamic culture in Cape Town.

"The tourists ask us to guide them visiting the tomb of the Muslim clerics who once existed and died in Cape Town this," he said.

"Cape Town is very rich in history and culture of Islam."