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Istanbul In South Africa

I really love these Turkish style mosques. They are so rich with artwork, colour, textures and symmetry. This particular mosque looks like it could very well be situated in Istanbul, but really it is set just outside Johannesburg. Built by a Turkish businessman, the Nizamiye Mosque is the largest mosque in the Southern Hemisphere.

Mosque Architecture

Weekly Photo: Silhouettes of Istanbul

A Bit of Turkey in Africa

A couple of years ago I visited Istanbul. After spending just a week there I fell in love with the city. There is a unique fusion of East and West that I haven't found anywhere else in the world. Being a scholar of Religious Studies one of the more fascinating aspects of the city are the beautiful and elaborate mosques scattered across the city. There is definitely a uniqueness to the Turkish mosque, reminiscent of its Ottoman heritage.

Nestled between two of South Africa's largest cities is a reminder of the memories I have of Turkey. A couple of years ago construction began of what would become the largest mosque in the Southern hemisphere. In 2012 the Nizamiye Turkish Mosque opened its doors.

While it's surrounding are nothing like the beauty and glamour of Istanbul (situated in an industrial hub), the structure itself is indistinquishable from Istanbul's grandest mosques. It is a fantastic piece of architecture, and a symbol of South Africa's thriving Muslim community.