The Baghdadi Musjid was the first mosque to be built in Phoenix.
Image: Nadia Khan
As Phoenix commemorates 50 years since its establishment, the spotlight turns to the institutions that shaped its early community life such as the Baghdadi Musjid, recognised as the first mosque built in the area.
Ismail Lockhat, trustee of the Baghdadi Islamic Trust, said that in the mid-1970s, Muslim residents had no dedicated place of worship in Phoenix.
His late father, Yusuf Ahmed Lockhat, a businessman and philanthropist, was the main financial contributor to building the mosque and a madressa in Stonebridge.
Lockhat said community members – Goolam Hoosen, Mr Mitha, and Gafoor Shaik – approached the eThekwini Municipality to secure land.
The contruction of the mosque.
Image: Supplied
He said they then sought support from the Lockhat family, who became the largest donor for the project.
“The Baghdadi Islamic Institute Trust was formed in 1976. On October 25, 1978, the Baghdadi Islamic Trust was established as the body that would build and run the mosque.
"In 1982, construction started on the same site where the mosque still stands today. The Lockhat family continues to fund and oversee operations through the Hajee AM Lockhat Wakuff Trust.”
He said that some early residents nicknamed the musjid the "Awwal Musjid of Phoenix", meaning “the first mosque of Phoenix".
He said because there were no Huffaz (individuals who have memorised the entire Qur'an) in Phoenix at the time, the community approached Hafiz Yusuf “Soofie” Paruk of Overport to lead Taraweeh prayers during Ramadaan at the mosque.
“His students conducted prayers in tents and residents’ garages across Phoenix, reciting the entire Qur'an during the holy month. Maulana Jameel Fakey, a respected scholar in Phoenix, has overseen the religious affairs of the mosque for decades. He continues to serve the mosque and others in the area.”
Mahomed Vaid, the grandson of Yusuf Ahmed Lockhat, and trustee of the Baghdadi Islamic Trust, said that from its inception, the mosque served needs beyond daily prayers.
“The madressa was established to teach youth the fundamentals of religion and life, a role it still fulfils. The mosque also became a centre for regular feeding schemes and grocery distributions, serving Muslims and people of other faiths alike. It has also hosted skills development classes, and acted as a unifying space for residents.
“During crises such as the July 2021 unrest and the floods, the mosque served as a distribution point for food and essentials to the wider community. Today, we have over 250 worshippers attend Jumu’ah prayers on Fridays, with meals served after the congregational prayer. The madressa, feeding initiatives, and outreach programmes continue."
Vaid said reflecting on its status as Phoenix’s first mosque, the current leadership described it as “blessings from Allah the Almighty”.
“We also express our gratitude to the initial community members for their efforts to establish the mosque.”