Turkey decorating historic mosque in South Africa

Anadolu Agency / PRETORIA

Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TIKA) is currently carrying out works to decorate a historic mosque in South Africa with ornamental Turkish calligraphy.

The interior decoration of Noor el Hamidiye Mosque -- built inCape Town in 1884 -- is underway after renovation efforts werecompleted in the 135-year-old mosque a few years ago, Mehmet AkifŞekerci, TIKA’s coordinator in South Africa, told Anadolu Agency.

“We hope to complete the decoration in two months,’’ he saidin an interview in the capital Pretoria. 

Renovation of Soweto Mosque

This year, TIKA also renovated another historic mosque in the Soweto township of Johannesburg.

The Soweto Mosque was severely damaged in 2002 when suspectedright-wing extremists bombed the Dlamini area which is close to themosque.

“We are very grateful to the Turkish government, whichrefurbished our mosque, and the people of Soweto appreciate this verymuch,” said Luqmaan Mogapi, head of communications at the mosque.

Built in 1984, the mosque was the first in Soweto which was hometo many anti-apartheid activists, including the late President NelsonMandela.

“The late Winnie Mandela was our guest of honor at the openingof the mosque in August 1986,” said Mogapi.

Winnie Mandela was a South African anti-apartheid activist and thesecond wife of Nelson Mandela.

He said many famous Muslims visited the mosque, including the latelegendary boxing champion Muhammad Ali.

Renovation of hospital in Lesotho

Operating in South Africa for two years, TIKA has carried outseveral development projects in the country and the southern regionof the Africa continent at large.

Lebohang Matsoso, an administrative assistant at TIKA, toldAnadolu Agency that the aid agency renovated and provided equipmentat a maternity ward at Scott Hospital in Lesotho last year where theking of Lesotho was born.

TIKA also partnered with South African authorities to helprefurbish orphanages, particularly those for children born withHIV/AIDS.

They also regularly distributed food aid during the Muslim holymonth of Ramadan.

Established in 1992, Turkey'sgovernment-run aid agency is responsible for implementing thecountry's developmental cooperation policies overseas.