Gordons Bay Musalla
In 2010 a Musalla was established at a business premises. It continues to be manned by a full-time imam and full Quran taraweeh has been read every year until 2019. In 2020 taraweeh was not read due to the Covid 19 pandemic. Notwithstanding, taraweeh was read in the homes of many residents. The musalla is also being used to provide Islamic guidance.
Masjid Property Rezoning Application
In consultation with experts, it was decided to rezone the property from “Single Residential Zone 1 and General Business Zone 2” to “Community Zone 1”, to permit a Place of Worship (Masjid). The rezoning application was submitted in June 2016. A case worker for the application was appointed in November 2016. Following some clarification on the submission, an updated conveyancing certificate was submitted on 5 May 2017 and an updated plan submitted on 1 June 2017.The public participation process commenced on 14 June 2017 when notices were placed on the property. In addition, affected neighbours were informed, and the application was advertised in the local newspapers.
The objection period ended on 17 July 2017 and the Gordon’s Bay Islamic Society (GBIS) was notified of the objections on 25 July 2017.
Following a public participation process, an oral hearing with the Municipal Planning Tribunal (MPT), South Eastern District Panel, was conducted on 30 April 2019.The panel approved the rezoning application subject to conditions that accommodated the issues raised by the objectors.
After the MPT presentation, some of the objectors submitted an appeal to the decision by the MPT on 9 June 2019. The GBIS submitted a response to the appeal on 9 July 2019. Following the appeals, the mayoral committee approved the rezoning application at the Planning Appeals advisory committee on 10 September 2019. The official notification was received on 10 October 2020.
Gordons Bay Strategic Plan
The long-term plan is to serve the community of Gordons bay with the emphasis on development and education. There are no high schools in Gordons Bay. One of the objectives is establish an affordable girl’s high school operated on an Islamic Ethos but serving all religious groups. The quality of education must be high and service to humanity must be one of the core principles upon which knowledge must be attained. The masjid will also serve as dahwah and administrative center for running the various social projects operated by the Gordons Bay Islamic Society.
Gordons Bay Masjid Property
By the Grace of Allah a 2700 square meter property was secured in March 2014. Following a collection campaign, the property was paid for – in full on 27 July 2014. The property was registered in the name of the Gordon’s Bay Islamic Trust on 15 January 2015.
The conveyancing certificate was issued in May 2016 following a six months study of title deeds dating back to 1895. The application for the relaxing of all conditions that will impact the construction of the masjid formed part of the rezoning application.
Following the transfer of the property, the land was surveyed, a geotechnical survey was conducted, a capacity plan was drafted, and architectural masjid designs drawn up and traded off.
Masjid Plans Approval and Construction
In parallel the masjid plans were processed. The masjid plans were drafted in consultation with the structural engineer. The design was done to minimise the construction as well as the life cycle costing but ensure the functionality for the purpose. Contrary to standard practice where the architect designs first and then the engineers try to figure out how to build it, we opted to have the engineers be part of the architectural design to ensure that no high cost construction techniques are required. The arches itself are not load bearing and will be constructed off site with hot dip galvanised steel. There will be almost no plastering and painting as all the walls are glass. (Marginally more expensive but significantly cheaper in terms of full life cycle costing).
The concrete structural casting is based on standard form work sizes and no specialised moldings are required. No lighting will be required during the day and all the classes will have foldable glass doors so the whole building can be used for Jumu’ah (Arabic: جُمُعَة; lit. “Friday”) salah. The underground parking is a height of 3.6m as opposed to the standard 2.2m allowing it to be used as salaah area during peak times.
Following several updates and discussion with various stakeholders, the plans were finalised and submitted on 9 April 2020 (ref: 70501775). Following several iterations and many consultations with the council, the final site development plan (SDP) was approved. A formal invoice to the Value of R275 425.80 for the Development Contribution was received on 14 October 2020. Alhamdulillah, the payment was settled on 30 October 2020 following a crowd funding campaign. A Scrutiny Fee invoice of R 66 338.70 was formally invoiced on 6 November 2020. Following a collection drive, the scrutiny fee was settled on 6 December 2020. It is expected that the masjid construction plans will be approved in Q1 2021 after which construction will commence. The preliminary estimate of the masjid is the region of R20m to R25m.
Alhamdulillah, the building of the Masjid and Islamic centre has been approved in October 2021. As soon as the funds are available the building process will start in phases, starting with Phase 1 being the excavation, civil works and laying of the concrete foundation along with the floors and roof. Phase 1 is expected to cost R15m. We humbly request your assistance with dua and in contributing towards the construction.
The masjid will serve as both a place of worship as well as a place of Islamic Instruction. The masjid will house Classrooms, a Dawah Centre and Ghusl Khana. The total floor area is approximately 2200 square meters.