The official opening of Masjidut Taqwa occurred on 30th April 1973/Rabi-ul-Awal 1393.
The history of Masjidut Taqwa is directly linked to the history of the Schauderville Moslem Association (SMA), especially the latter part before its demise. To gain a proper perspective of the history it is necessary to visit the Schauderville Moslem Association and the role it played in establishing the Masjid.

Formed in 1955, its main aim was to cater for the needs of the Muslim Community residing in Schauderville and Korsten. A few Madaris were established, albeit sometimes in makeshift accommodation like the dining room of someone’s home or a garage or an outbuilding. Lectures for adults were held in the Tuckshop in Highfield Road, Schauderville and it was also the venue for the Cheer Fund Treat for children which was an annual event hosted by the SMA from a donation received from the Mayor’s Christmas Cheer Fund. Oddly enough the SMA was also the custodian of the Papenskuil Cemetery and only relinquished that in the 1970’s.

The SMA was led by various chairpersons, but the last two were Ismail Solomon, well known community worker and Abdul Gakiem Abrahams, better known in sporting circles. The elected Secretary since its inception was Miss Mymoena Baboo and she was replaced by Achmat Naaim Rasdien who was elected in 1970 at an annual general meeting in the Jarman Hall, Schauderville. The replacement of Miss Baboo was related to the issue of females serving on a committee which was establishing a masjid. Although no Ulema gave a direct fatwa on this issue, Miss Baboo gracefully stepped aside.

With the establishment of Gelvandale in 1960, some Muslim residents joined the SMA. Amongst them were Cassiem Parker, Tahaar Beydon, Abdul Kader Ackerdien, Abubakr Rasdien, Janap Walters, Aysa Rasdien, Sadaka Abader, Hashiem Kemp and Rajab Williams. There were many more besides those mentioned and we pray that Almighty Allah will reward them all for whatever contributions they made.

Mr Cassiem Parker brought to the attention of SMA, the availability of residential plots in the Gelvan Park area. The opportunity was seized to purchase the plots for the erection of a madrassah. A donor came forward with a contribution towards the costs of the plots. The transferring attorneys were McWilliams & Elliot and in March 1967 the costs were paid.
With the ever expanding Muslim population in the northern areas, the need for a Masjid arose and the decision was made to erect a Masjid with madrassah facilities included. This decision sparked a keen interest in SMA and offers of assistance were regularly received.

The SMA established a Planning Sub-Committee under the convenorship of Alawie Simon, father of Imaam Fuad Simon. Mr Simon carried out his task very diligently and dealt regularly with the architects, Wybrow & Associates. He saw this task through to its conclusion. He was also convenor of the Mosque Building Operations committee which was formed after the plans were adopted. The MBO committee included, amongst others, Yusuf Panday (who later replaced Mr Simon), Fuad Tobias, Armien Hendricks, Ismail Johns, Abduragmaan (Manie) Abrahams and others. This Mosque Building Operations Committee and the male members of Schauderville Moslem Association would later form the Mosque Maintenance Committee of Masjidut Taqwa.

There was also a Ladies Working Sub-Committee, first under the convenorship of Janap Walters and later under the convenorship of Aysa Rasdien and their task was to raise funds for the road costs which were just under R4000.00 – a big amount in the late ‘60s. The ladies held regular cake sales and curry & rice drives to raise the funds and there was a big celebration when the road costs were eventually paid up.

A Finance Committee was also established to raise funds and Dr MT Jamie was the Convenor. Door to door collections were organised and other fundraising methods, like “buy a brick” were also adopted. Many of the young men in the community participated and helped to collect from door to door. The fundraising efforts would regularly receive endorsement from the late Sheikh Jamiel Jardien as he would encourage people to give freely towards the building project.

By mid-1970, the communities of Port Elizabeth and Uitenhage were keenly participating in this Masjid project. It was then that the Schauderville Moslem Association took the decision to hand the project over to the community. They met with the Muslim Judicial Council at the residence of the late Sheikh Jamiel Jardien. The decisions that were taken on 9th August 1970 were:

1. Schauderville Moslem Association would disclaim ownership by relinquishing the Title Deed. The Deed would be transferred into the name of Masjidut Taqwa
2. A Board of Trustees would be formed comprising:

• • Two from Schauderville Moslem Association
  • Two from the Muslim Judicial Council
  • Two from the Eastern Cape Islamic Congress
  • Two from Uitenhage Community i.e. the two Imaams
  • Two from Mosque Building Committee
  • Sheikh Jamiel Jardien would form the eleventh member
  • A Mosque Maintenance Committee would be formed out of MBO and SMA.

As an “Owner builder”, volunteer labour was organised, especially over weekends and many an artisan could be seen on the site. Other volunteers provided the labour and they have many stories to tell, like carrying bricks, pushing wheelbarrows, moving scaffolding, working the cement mixer etc. The ladies provided the eats and drinks and there was always an atmosphere of camaraderie and of course the knowledge of the thawaab that awaits one who helps to build a masjid was a big motivation factor. Photos were taken and even an 8mm movie was made.

The specialised work like “boxing” was given to individuals and they were paid. The Mosque Building Operations committee poured heart and soul into this project and as the building neared completion, they started planning the official opening.
Earlier, Sayed Hashiem, a Sheikh from Makka, had consecrated this ground and named the Mosque, Masjidut Taqwa. The opening, 20th April 1973, was a whole day affair and followed a programme of lectures from Aalims who were invited from around the country. A hot lunch was served and the locals also shared snacks and drinks with visitors from Cape Town, Johannesburg, Durban and other places.

The first Mu’athin was Omar Abrahams (Imam Markie) and he was chosen because of his melodious voice and unique style. The first Imaam was the late Sheikh Jamiel Jardien and during his tenure as Imaam he became the Spiritual Leader of the communities of Port Elizabeth and Uitenhage. The Sheikh, as he was affectionately known, carved an indelible footprint in the spiritual lives of many, especially his students who used to attend his classes in his house, garage and later at the Masjid. He held regular lectures at the Masjid and it is hard to forget his lectures on the two Eid days when men would cry openly at the beauty of the lecture, the reminder that it gave them, and yes, also the little bit of guilt felt by some. This all added up to inspiration to aspire to betterment for the self.

The Maintenance Committee was formed (out of MBO & SMA) and the first Chairperson was Yusuf Panday, Secretary Dr MT Jamie, Asst Secretary Naaim Rasdien, and Treasurers Jeeva & Sirkhotte.

With the passing of Sheikh Jamiel Jardien, the Imaamat went through some temporary stages, until Sheikh Shamiel Panday was appointed as the official Imaam. During Sheikh Shamiel's tenure, he continued to demonstrate strong leadership of the Muslim community, and became a passionate advocate for the Palestinian cause.

The trustees of the Masjid embarked on an extensive revamping and renovation of the Masjid, which was concluded in 2020.

Sheikh Shamiel Panday served as the Imaam of the Masjid until August 2021.

The Board of Trustees of Masjidut Taqwa, along with the endorsement and presence of the Muslim Judicial Council, appointed the third Imam for the Masjid, Sheikh Mukhtar Raban. Sheikh Mukhtar Raban was inaugurated as the Head Imam of Masjidut Taqwa on 4 September 2021.

The Masjid evolved into a fully fledged Islamic centre in 2022, and was renamed as: Masjidut Taqwa Islamic Centre.